Marina Alvarez
Audio By Carbonatix
Craft Hospitality’s Dallas Coffee Festival is coming back for a refill — and make it a double. Taking place April 18-19 at Gilley’s, the “immersive coffee experience” will build on 2025’s inaugural success by expanding from one day to two, in anticipation of another sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 java junkies.
New York-based Craft also hosts Coffee Festivals in Austin, Philadelphia and San Diego, among other cities. In addition, the company hosts whiskey, margarita and wine events across the country and operates a restaurant consulting business.
“One of the highlights of the first event was simply seeing how strong the Dallas coffee community is,” a company representative said via email. “Many of the city’s best-known roasters and cafés participated, giving attendees the rare chance to explore a huge cross-section of the local coffee scene in one place.”
With tickets starting around $30, it’s not a cheap date. Here are a few reasons why you may want to shell out the beans.
- Find a new local fix.
Dallas Coffee Festival’s Texas representation is strong, with the majority of its three dozen exhibitors hailing from or operating cafés within the DFW area. Many are new to us, and that’s saying something given the volume of coffee we consume, including Flying Squirrel (Mansfield), Forest Flame (Arlington), Tejana Coffee (Dallas) and Kabita Indonesian Coffeehouse (Dallas).
- Taste “the Tesla of coffees.”
A curious exhibitor, BVP Coffee Co., is a tech startup focused on applying AI-powered operations to the coffee business. Proudly “building the Tesla of coffees,” BVP aims to increase efficiency and scalability while reducing waste and environmental impact. They’re also seeking investors. Sounds slick, but how does it drive … er … taste?
- Connect with a cause (in a cup).
Several booths will be hosted by companies with give-back business models. For example, Dallas-based Elevate Coffee Trading provides a month of clean water for a child in Guatemala with every bag sold. Cofounder Michael Iwasko is returning to the festival after a successful show last year, anticipating another opportunity to “build relationships with enthusiasts and wholesale partners who align with our shared vision for the cause.”
- And even if you don’t like coffee…
While you’ll never truly be our friend (sorry), there are plenty of non-coffee perks to enjoy at the Dallas Coffee Festival. On the exhibitor side, Piper & Leaf Tea Co. from Alabama brews leaves instead of beans, and California-based COBA makes caffeinated chocolate bars. The festival will also feature a lineup of four live music acts (two each day) and food from Oak Cliff’s Tacos La Gloria for purchase.
Gilley’s Dallas is located at 1135 Botham Jean Blvd.
