Atmospheric places in Dallas?

Posted by BornKaleidoscope1563@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 67 comments

Hello,

I love unique and interesting environments. I’m new to Dallas and would love to hear what people have to say about places with great ambiance and grandeur. These places could be bars, museums, outdoor areas, restaurants, or any random locations. I’m looking for cool places to hang out, eat, drink, walk, etc. I’m not into the lower Greenville type of scene with all the college bars or places like Katy ice trail. I really liked balcony club and midnight rambler! Please give me any recommendations you can think of!

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bright1111@reddit

Ice rink at galleria?

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ltd0713@reddit

I live a couple miles away from White Rock Lake, and second the great value of having such a peaceful place to enjoy in an urban setting.

If you like running or walking non-paved trails: - Oak Cliff Nature Preserve - Twelve Hills Nature Center - Trinity River Audubon Center - Cedar Ridge Preserve.

If you’re closer to the suburbs around DFW Airport, North Shore Trails at Grapevine Lake.

If you’re willing to go even farther, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is in Plano. There are nearby bars, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. to hang out at afterwards in areas like Austin Ranch. If you have a dog, The Shacks at Austin Ranch is a dog park and six restaurants in one.

Welcome to Dallas!

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kabob21@reddit

I was just going to recommend all the nature preserves you listed. They are so dang peaceful for when you want to get away from all the concrete in Dallas.

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Zdyslava58@reddit

Connemara Nature Conservancy in Allen too. It's smaller but really neat, they have guided bird walks in the morning once a month and temporary art/sculptures installed throughout the space.

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ltd0713@reddit

I know it! I commute 30 miles each way for work and am beyond sick of the urban hellscape. I can’t wait to relocate someday. Until then, I will run away to green spaces around here. When it’s not 1000° outside, my senior dog and I relish the trails around White Rock because he does much better on flatter elevations now. I’m so thankful Dallas fights to preserve it.

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AtlasOwl1@reddit

Fuel city any night of the week.

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Ambitious_Chain_1086@reddit

-Mansion on Turtle Creek -Crescent Hotel -The Joule - Dallas Museum of Art -Neiman Marcus downtown -Bistro 31

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Amazing-Cloud9252@reddit

Monarch restaurant World springs spa and salt baths

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man_or_pacman@reddit

St Martin's might have the vibe you're looking for

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AwHellNawFetaCheese@reddit

The seafood place in Deep Ellum?

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CatteNappe@reddit

Not the OP, but I'm guessing they are thinking of St. Martin's Wine Bistro. Formerly on Greenville Ave but relocated to Bryan/Peak in Old East Dallas fairly recently. Very romantic ambiance, sort of classic "French" menu, and live piano nightly. We usually go for special dinners, but there's usually a gathering at the bar chatting and listening to the music and evidently not there for a meal. https://www.stmartinswinebistro.com/

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man_or_pacman@reddit

Correct, that is what I was referring to.

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Responsible-Pass-657@reddit

Welcome to Dallas! Since you’re into unique spots with real atmosphere (pun intended), you might like these

The Adolphus Hotel lobby & French Room

historic, ornate, and feels straight out of another era. Great for just soaking up grandeur

Dallas Arboretum at White Rock Lake

peaceful, gorgeous gardens and seasonal exhibits. Perfect for walking and soaking up nature without leaving the city

None of these feel like the Greenville bar crawl or Katy Trail vibe... more intentional, curated experiences

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meowitzki@reddit

Second the lobby bar at the Adolphus. Especially in the winter when the fire places are going.

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BoogerCookie@reddit

How about Gallery DeFi?

And I quote, ahem:

“16,000 SQ FT OF IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS FROM WORLD-RENOWNED ARTISTS Gallery DeFi is a 16,000 sq ft immersive art experience located in the heart of Historic West Dallas. Showcasing the work of over 40 local and international artists, Gallery DeFi breaks the mold of traditional galleries—inviting artists to paint beyond the canvas and activate every inch of the space. It’s more than an exhibit; it’s a movement.”

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ExtraMayo567@reddit

An NFT themed art exhibit full of some of the most pretentious artists in town, with an AI generated description as the cherry on top. Barf.

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BoogerCookie@reddit

Was it the em dash?

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DavidBowiesSon@reddit

Scat jazz lounge in ft worth Twilite lounge deep ellum

Similar to balcony and revelers

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KillerWhaleVentures@reddit

Scat jazz lounge in ft worth Twilite lounge deep ellum

Similar to balcony and revelers

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twsiv@reddit

Check out Las Almas Rotas for a uniquely authentic Mexican vibe.

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xomox2012@reddit

Unfortunately Dallas lacks a lot of this type of stuff but does have some superb museums downtown and has an interesting vibe in the Bishop Arts area.

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DecentPrintworks@reddit

Dallas only lacks what hasn’t been searched for.

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Defiant_Abalone7160@reddit

If you like Balcony Club you will also like The Free Man in deep ellum, it’s a New Orleans jazz club with a full bar and kitchen. Great music always there.

For the outdoor vibes, Dallas Arboretum is top tier. The DMA and Nasher sculpture museum are excellent as they are near by Klyde Warren park which is one of the most beautiful parks in the city right smack dab in the middle of downtown.

Welcome to the D!

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theogryanv@reddit

I second The Free Man. Great friend of mine performs there pretty often with his band, Chef Dee and the Taste Experience. Usually on a Saturday at 10. Same thing at Rodeo Bar in downtown Dallas, if you’d prefer to avoid Deep Ellum like me lol

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DecentPrintworks@reddit

Chef Dee is the shit

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DecentPrintworks@reddit

Cock and Bull pub around the corner from balcony club. And Cosmo’s.

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23mou-sapnu-puas@reddit

Did you hear about the new restaurant on the moon?

Great food, but no atmosphere!

dad jokes

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SimpleVegetable5715@reddit

Out of this world!

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Responsible-Pass-657@reddit

I heard it turned bloody lately! Anyways, do they even have parking?

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SimpleVegetable5715@reddit

The covered patio at Bread Winners on McKinney Ave. You can dine with the company of a ton of birds. It’ll be perfect now that the weather’s cooling off. It makes me happy.

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scissorrunner_68@reddit

Midnight at The Nasher is fun.

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blindside_assault@reddit

Texas Theater in Oak Cliff!

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CatteNappe@reddit

Dallas Arboretum is a great place for walking, and there are often concerts (some for members, some for the public) that are lovely to hang out, and eat/drink your own picnic or sometimes food truck offerings.

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hussyinferno@reddit

Ginger's is a cute cocktail bar downtown. Jettison also has great craft cocktails and lovely ambience. You can get lost in Bishop Arts with all of the cool things going on, but Atlas has a pretty swank decor and great drinks. If you like speak-easy kind of places, La Vuida Negra is a tiny mezcal bar hiding behind a bridal shop on Fitzhugh and their amazing food comes from El Come Taco which they are connected to.

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ILikeToParty86@reddit

Cosmo’s maybe?

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X_EVERDRED_X@reddit

The Cidercade on Irving Blvd is a pretty good vibe if you're into retro style and videogame nostalgia.

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iammrsclean@reddit

I could spend a whole day there and I don’t even like cider!

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Street_Celery2745@reddit

Mister Charles , Georgie

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Groobear@reddit

I like the art deco architecture at Fair Park. Can check out some of it during the State fair.

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mindvitamins@reddit

Greenville Ave. Right by the college bars you are trying to avoid. Go to Boxcar.

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mharger@reddit

And take a car - don’t try to park, imo.

Hope this joint gets more love and sticks around a while.

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CookAggravating1584@reddit

Arboretum!

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dchow1989@reddit

Buddhist temple of Dallas, Butterfly exhibit in fair park

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janejacobs1@reddit

But if a drive but the rooftop at Urban Crust/32o Bar in downtown Plano is wonderful, in this season of good weather. Plan to be there just as the sun is setting, and you’ll have a beautiful view of it looking west down 15th St.

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Putrid-Pineapple-742@reddit

Can't believe no one has mentioned Meow Wolf in grapevine. go there, you won't regret it.

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bcr76@reddit

+1 for Meow Wolf

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NightGod@reddit

This is the one I was scrolling to find

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FaBiOtHeGrEaTeSt@reddit

If you have a bicycle consider joining critical mass. Every Last Friday of the month there is a massive bike meetup that starts at the Farmers Market and ends at Four Corners Brewing. Great way to meet new people and explore different parts of Dallas on bike!

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betterthingsahead88@reddit

Others have mentioned already - definitely check out Reveler’s Hall. Also in Bishop Arts - Paradiso, Wild Detectives, LadyLove

Someone mentioned Mister Charles & that whole group has great design/ambiance - check out Sister, Norman’s…albeit $$

Greenville Ave area has more than college bars on offer. Goodwin’s, Via Triozzi, Wabi House, Mot Hai Ba. Up the road, Bodega Wine Bar (almost feels like you’re in a little wine bar in Europe)

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FleaBottoms@reddit

Ipcress File

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SameSadMan@reddit

ATT Stadgium has SkyMirror.

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msitarzewski@reddit

Plaza of the Americas is a beautiful space. The bank lobby at Comerica Bank tower downtown. Standing on Harwood looking west over Pacific Plaza Park at sunset is great!

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desinerd101@reddit

Checkout Lake Carolyn for a nice run Truck yard for good beer and food trucks The Colony has good food and indoor carting and games to spend an evening

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AdministrativeDrop35@reddit

East Dallas. McRaes and Lounge here. Cool vibes, small, good food.

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CryptoM4dness@reddit

Arts mission in oak cliff. They usually have something going on during the weekend. I think they are doing a production of hair this weekend. https://www.artsmissionoc.org

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thecastortroy1991@reddit

This is extremely new but Birds Bookstore is very vibey.

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lilmissramsay@reddit

I like the vibe at Mike’s Gemini a lot. Reveler’s Hall is fun too. They had free red beans on the Monday I went with a jazz band playing from New Orleans so I really dug that.

I enjoy Grapevine Lounge too. If you’re into art, check out glasstire.com for art openings. I’ve also just found interesting events through this.

Davis Street Espresso is another place with a good vibe. Read their family newspaper when you’re there.

Lastly, White Rock Lake is really fun for a nice walk especially now that it’s getting nice out. You’ll see all kinds of things.

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BornKaleidoscope1563@reddit (OP)

Looks very cool. Thank you for the rec!!