Best Dallas Spots to Plan Your Holiday Party

’Tis the season for office shindigs, friendly get-togethers and family gatherings that somehow feel like herding cats in ugly sweaters. But if you’ve been voluntold to plan this year’s holiday party, don’t sweat it. Dallas has a venue for every vibe, from buttoned-up small talk to late-night shenanigans that become “remember that one time” stories. From chic steakhouses to swanky cocktail lounges, these spots make it easy to eat, drink, and be merry — with plenty of room for Angela from accounting to overshare after her third glass.

12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse
18010 Dallas Parkway, Far North Dallas
For a dinner that doubles as entertainment, 12 Cuts delivers with an authentic Brazilian churrascaria experience and endless cuts of meat carved tableside. This family-owned spot has three private and semi-private rooms that hold 60 to 110 guests and can accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 350. It makes party planning painless with no rental fees or food-and-beverage minimums and is extremely flexible, allowing you to choose your own room layout, decorate as you wish, bring your own cake and build a menu that ranges from the full-on rodizio parade of meats to a more traditional plated dinner. In other words: they provide the flavor; you bring the party.

XOXO Dining Room
3121 Ross Ave., Near Downtown
If pink and girly is your vibe, XOXO Dining Room is basically an Instagram feed brought to life with neon signs, floral backdrops and cocktails made for the camera to eat down. Private parties accommodate 40 to 400 guests and range from whimsical garden cabanas perfect for a rosé-soaked afternoon to the VIP DJ booth at brunch. For something a little swankier, Mr. X, its hidden speakeasy tucked behind a bookshelf, sets the scene for a more exclusive (or scandalous) holiday hang that your coworkers won’t stop gushing about.

Fearing’s
2121 McKinney Ave., Uptown
For a ritzy downtown dinner, Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton delivers an elegant evening fit for the season. The restaurant offers a mix of private spaces, ranging from the intimate wine cellar to the art-filled gallery and the spacious Sendero Room, which accommodates anywhere from 16 to 60 seated guests or up to 100 standing guests. Menus are just as customizable, with options ranging from refined plated courses to interactive carving stations and festive self-serve spreads, such as taco bars. Room rentals start at $500, with food and beverage minimums ranging from $150 to $180 per person.

Haywire
Plano and Downtown Dallas
Haywire is where Texas hospitality meets holiday hootenanny. The Uptown location offers private dining for groups of 16 to 80, while the Plano outpost goes full Western chic with rooftop tents, firepits and rentable Airstreams that can accommodate 6 to 100 guests. Looking to turn up the Lone Star flair? Add on any of their customizable experiences, such as hat bars, bandana stitching, cigar tastings, or branding stations. For groups of 20 or more, the team offers four-course plated dinners, buffets, or appetizer receptions, with food and beverage minimums varying based on the date, time, and location.

The Woolworth
1520 Elm St., No. 201, Downtown
With a menu that includes everything from lobster “Rangoon” spring rolls to Nana’s pot roast, Woolworth is a surprise for your palate with sweeping views of downtown. The Library, the Loft, and the Balcony Terrace seat 48–100 guests comfortably, offering prix fixe or buffet menus and customizable craft cocktails. Per-person food and beverage minimums range from $85 to $105, before tax and gratuity. They also offer catered box lunches for a midday pick-me-up if you don’t want to disrupt the workflow.

Nick & Sam’s
2008 Maple Ave., Uptown
For that swank steakhouse vibe that doubles as a who’s who of the Dallas dining scene and might as well be called the players’ club, Nick & Sam’s is a natural holiday party headquarters. Two private rooms, the Burgundy Room and the Wine Room, offer charming, intimate settings for up to 60 guests or 100 combined. There’s no room rental fee, but guests will receive a food and beverage minimum based on the day and time of year, with four tiers of prix fixe or family-style dining options available along with plenty of options for personalization, from branded menus to custom signage to make your event unforgettable.

Maison Chinoise
4152 Cole Ave., Oak Lawn
Serving dim sum and then some, Maison Chinoise is a contemporary Chinese spot that brings serious flavor and flair to any fête. Choose from the private east or west patios, each seating up to 40 guests, and one of its family-style set menus — Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong or Wuhan — starting at $85 per person. Every menu includes a signature dumpling course plus creative options such as ube Nutella bao and pastrami egg rolls.

Dee Lincoln Prime                           
6670 Winning Drive, Frisco
With more options than the Cowboys’ playbook, Dee Lincoln Prime is your headquarters for upscale dining at The Star in Frisco. With eight private spaces seating anywhere from 6 to 120 guests, you can book power-player rooms like the Hall of Fame, Heisman or Champion. If that isn’t motivational for your team, what is? Private dining menus start at $90 per person.

Ten50 BBQ
1050 N. Central Expressway, Richardson
For a more casual, Texas-style celebration, cue up the ’cue at Ten50 BBQ in Richardson. The private room accommodates up to 70 guests, with a minimum of 30 to reserve and fees starting at $250. Guests can order from the regular menu of USDA Prime smoked meats, sandwiches and house-made sides, or create a custom buffet-style spread — perfect for teams that prefer brisket over black tie.

The Henry
2301 N. Akard St., Victory Park, Downtown
Where art deco meets after-hours energy, The Henry blends Gatsby-era elegance with neighborhood charm. The private second-floor dining room overlooks the skyline and seats up to 48, while the rooftop hosts 18 for late-night cocktails or happy hour under the stars. With private dining available at any time of day, continental breakfast stations start at $15 per person, lunch at $40 (or $45 plated) and dinner at $75. Prefer to mix and mingle? Cocktail receptions with passed appetizers offer a more relaxed way to celebrate in style.

The Mexican
1401 Turtle Creek Blvd., Design District
Luxe and sultry, The Mexican sets the scene for a moody, mezcal-fueled soirée. Known for its stunning décor, including original tile work, hand-painted ceramics and a members-only cigar bar, it brings old-world glamour to the Design District. Five private rooms accommodate 12 to 80 guests, with preset menus ranging from $100 to $150 per person and featuring indulgent bites such as aguachile de rib-eye, jumbo scallops and shrimp and cuatro leches. Feeling spicy? Reserve the tequila table for 14 for an intimate tasting or festive gathering.

Mister Charles
3219 Knox St., Knox-Henderson
Located in the landmarked former Highland Park Soda Fountain building, Mister Charles is one of just a handful of Dallas restaurants to earn a Michelin nod. Serving playful French-Italian fusion, it offers three private spaces: the upstairs mezzanine, which seats up to 26; the Angel Side, which seats 50; and the Devil Side, which seats 60. Food and beverage minimums range from $2,500 for lunch to $25,000 in the largest space during peak dinner hours. Whether you’re feeling naughty or nice, expect sinfully good food and a heavenly time. For more options, sister spot The Charles offers a private room for up to 18 guests, while Bar Charles seats up to 60, with rates starting at $2,250 and $15,500 on weeknights, respectively.