You don’t have to call it an early night just because the dinner bill has been paid. And you certainly don’t have to spend the rest of your evening wedged into a noisy, overcrowded bar. Dallas comes alive after dark in ways that have nothing to do with traditional nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a late-night laugh, an exceptional slice of pie, a moonlit walk across the river, or a quiet spot to browse books with a nightcap, here are our favorite ways to keep the evening going near our Dallas bed and breakfast.
1. Catch a Show at Dallas Comedy Club
If you want an easy date night option that doesn’t require much planning, head to Deep Ellum for a show at Dallas Comedy Club. Their venue features two indoor theaters and a breezy outdoor patio, and the weekly schedule is packed with stand-up, unscripted improv, sketch comedy, and open-mic nights. Grab tickets for a mid-evening or late-night set and enjoy a night of laughs.
2. See the Dallas Skyline from Reunion Tower or Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
Dallas is a stunning city after dark, and we have two favorite ways to take it all in. For the classic panoramic experience, take the elevator up to the GeO-Deck at Reunion Tower to look out over the entire city grid from 470 feet up.
If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, head to the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge near Trinity Groves. The pedestrian bridge crosses the Trinity River and runs alongside the iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, giving you a great view of the illuminated bridge and downtown skyline. It’s particularly pretty after dark, when the city lights come on.
3. Wander Bishop Arts for Boutiques, Live Jazz, & Late-Night Dessert
Bishop Arts is one of our absolute favorite places for a twilight stroll. You can pop into independent boutiques, listen to live jazz spilling out onto the street, or grab a post-dinner treat. Drop into Emporium Pies for a slice of handmade pie like Lord of the Pies (deep-dish apple with cinnamon brown sugar) or Smooth Operator (French silk chocolate with a pretzel crust). If ice cream is more your speed, MELT Ice Creams serves some of the best ice cream in Dallas with small-batch scoops like The Salt Lick (smoked sea salt caramel) that are best enjoyed while you wander past local storefronts and street murals.
4. Catch Live Music in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum has been the heart of the Dallas music scene since the 1920s, and you don’t need a high-priced stadium ticket to hear incredible artists after dinner. If you want a completely spontaneous night, drop into local staples like Adair’s Saloon or The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge, where you can grab a table, order a drink, and catch live country, blues, or jazz.
If you prefer a full concert experience, venues like Trees, Three Links, and The Double Wide bring in popular local bands and national touring acts almost every night of the week. Check their schedules and purchase tickets online before heading there, or simply buy a ticket at the box office on your way in.
5. Dress Up for a Performing Arts Show
If you want an excuse to trade your casual clothes for something a bit elevated, plan your evening around one of the many performing arts events in Dallas. You might catch a Broadway tour, symphony, ballet, or an intimate theater production, depending on what’s happening while you’re in town.
The Dallas Arts District is home to several major performing arts venues, including the AT&T Performing Arts Center, while the historic Majestic Theatre offers another beautiful setting for an evening out. Check what’s playing during your stay, get dressed up, and make a night of it.
6. Get Competitive with Late-Night Arcades, Bowling, & Axe Throwing
If your idea of a great night out involves a little competitive energy, Dallas offers several high-concept entertainment spots open late. Cidercade in the Design District charges a flat admission fee for unlimited play on nearly 200 arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and driving games, so you can feel good about playing even if you’re not drinking. Over in Trinity Groves, Free Play Arcade offers a similar setup packed with restored retro arcade games and pinball. For something more modern, Immersive Gamebox in Deep Ellum has over 60 interactive, life-sized group video games you can choose from, with wrap-around touch screens, surround sound, and motion tracking that make you feel like you’re inside the game.
For something beyond video games, Lone Star Axe Throwing gives you a chance to test your aim, while Bowlounge in the Design District swaps the arcade cabinet for vintage bowling lanes, food, drinks, and a decidedly more old-school night out.
7. Browse Shelves Until Midnight at The Wild Detectives
If you’re more interested in books than bars, make your way to The Wild Detectives in Bishop Arts. They have two sister spaces right around the corner from each other, giving you double the reasons to wander. Head to their original craftsman home on 8th Street (“Stories”) for fiction, poetry, and narrative literature with a drink in hand, or pop over to their newer spot on Zang Boulevard (“Ideas”) to browse history, science, philosophy, and film.
You can sip a pour-over coffee, a glass of wine, or a cocktail (or mocktail) as you browse the shelves or, depending on the night, catch an author reading, acoustic set, or trivia night.
8. Experience Thursdays on Tap at the Perot Museum
For a completely unique adult-only night out, check the calendar for Thursdays on Tap at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. On select Thursday evenings through autumn, the museum opens its doors exclusively to the 21-and-up crowd. You get full access to all five floors of interactive exhibits without daytime school groups, plus outdoor lawn games, local food trucks, and live music under the city lights.
9. Take a Twilight Stroll at the Dallas Arboretum
While the Dallas Arboretum is usually a daytime destination, some of their seasonal events let you experience the grounds long after the sun goes down over White Rock Lake. During select times of the year, like their autumn Twilight Nights series or the festive Arboretum at Night events during the holiday season, the gardens stay open late for moonlight strolls, live music, and craft drinks under the trees. Be sure to check their event calendar before you plan your evening, as these after-hours visits are tied to specific seasonal events rather than a year-round schedule.
10. Make The Gaston Your Last Stop of the Night
Just because you’re heading back to your room doesn’t mean the evening has to end. One of the best perks of staying at our Dallas bed and breakfast is having thoughtful, quiet spaces to unwind without fighting a crowd. You can head down to the Speakeasy Lounge to mix yourself a cocktail or mocktail and take your drink out to sit on the front porch or under the lights in the garden. If you’re celebrating something special, you can also add a romantic package to your stay so champagne, artisanal treats, or flowers are waiting in your suite when you walk through the door.
Ready to Plan Your Dallas Getaway?
At The Gaston, our Old East Dallas location puts you within easy reach of Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, Downtown, and Lower Greenville while offering a peaceful, historic setting to come home to.
Book your stay and start planning your next Dallas getaway.
