Our Best of Dallas 2014 issue rolls out this week. While we can modestly say it's the greatest, most comprehensive city guide ever created, Dallas is a pretty big place that's filled to the brim with best-ness. To cover all the good stuff we might have left out, Mixmaster will offer some tips about the other best things in Dallas.
There are plenty of places to live in Dallas, but when you're choosing where to park your pillow, there are lots of other things that go into it as well. Like, who your neighbors are and what you can do on the weekend without too much (or any!) driving. Sure, you could move to McKinney Avenue, but how about these places instead? Or when you're exploring your city -- whether new or old -- at least, you could stop by for a visit.
Lower Greenville For years, the southernmost strip of Greenville Avenue had a reputation for underage drinking and drunken disagreements. Now it has a reputation for popsicles and poutine. In just a short time, these few blocks have become desirable real estate, welcoming in new tenants like Trader Joe's and the ever-popular Truck Yard. It's got everything you could want, from the early morning brews at Mudsmith to the late night beverages on the rooftop of HG Sply Co. Plus, you can fix your flats at Transit Bikes Co. or see at a show at Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. We're one step closer to a walkable neighborhood, Dallas.
Expo Park Experimental theater, magic, art, and cold beer in one block? Tucked between Fair Park and Deep Ellum, Expo Park has become a haven for the Dallas avant garde. From the Ochre House Theaterto Confetti Eddie to the oldest art co-op in Texas, 500X Gallery, to name just a few, Expo Park corners the market on offbeat entertainment. Not to mention cheap eats and delicious beer at Meridian Room, The Underpass and Craft & Growler.
Deep Ellum This one's obvious. Because music, drinks, street art, art for your walls, and food. A few of our favorites: hot noodles on hot days at Monkey King Noodle Co., greasy burgers at Angry Dog, late night sammys at Uncle Uber's, smoking cigarettes and listening to new bands on the Dada patio, listening to our favorite bands at Trees, the pool table on the roof of Green Room, martini Wednesdays at Deep Sushi, the pinball machines in Reno's, the booze-soaking slices at Serious Pizza, Index Fest, Kettle Art Gallery, Frank Campagna's murals, two for one exhibitions at the shared space of Liliana Bloch Gallery and The Public Trust, frozen Irish coffees at Twilite Lounge. We could go on forever, baby. What's your Deep Ellum?
Lakewood The people who live in Lakewood are different than other Dallas people. The stereotypes range from outdoorsy, to hippies clinging to the edge of the lake, to unpretentious, young families. Whatever the truth about the people may be, Lakewood is one of those magical places in Dallas where the people actually appear to appreciate its history. From the Lakewood Theater to dive bars like the Goat and Cock & Bull, the Arboretum, and oh, yeah, White Rock Lake, it's just one more East Dallas spot worth spending time.
Oak Cliff Lest we forget that it is not a suburb of Dallas, or that the neighborhood is not limited to the Bishop Arts District, Oak Cliff is home to the historic Texas Theatre, hangouts like Tradewinds Social Club, and some of the city's prettiest parks. Yeah, we love the view of downtown from the Hotel Belmont Bar too, but check out the one from Lake Cliff Park... you don't even have to buy a cocktail.
