Advertisement

arts entertainmentThings to Do

Take a tour of Expo Park, Dallas' best kept secret

Here is a look at Expo Park - one of Dallas' best kept secrets full of bars, restaurants, boutiques and burlesque.

Across from Fair Park is a unique collection of bars, restaurants and shops that highlight the diversity of Dallas.

{"type":"video","title":"Dallas News Video","author_name":"Dallas News","_id":"Q1c3ZiOTE648RPHNrpEH72sdQhwhCRtO","provider_name":"Ooyala","html":"

Advertisement

","raw":"{\"type\":\"video\",\"title\":\"Dallas News Video\",\"author_name\":\"Dallas News\",\"_id\":\"Q1c3ZiOTE648RPHNrpEH72sdQhwhCRtO\",\"provider_name\":\"Ooyala\",\"html\":\"\\u003Cdiv class=\\\"oo-vid-container\\\" data-oo-content-id=\\\"Q1c3ZiOTE648RPHNrpEH72sdQhwhCRtO\\\"\\u003E\\u003C\\/div\\u003E\\u003Cscript defer src=\\\"http:\\/\\/www.dallasnews.com\\/resources\\/motif\\/dist\\/js\\/ooyala.js\\\"\\u003E\\u003C\\/script\\u003E\"}","providerType":"ooyala","providerLink":"http://www.dallasnews.com/oembed","embedType":"video"}

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

From craft beer and independent theater to jazz and burlesque, there might just be something for everyone in Expo Park.

Here's a tour of just one block in this vibrant part of South Dallas that may be the city's best kept secret.

Advertisement

More about each place in this colorful section of Expo Park:

Advertisement

Craft and Growler

Great for: Discovering new craft beers.

Craft and Growler is a beer enthusiast's dream and one of Draft Magazine's best beer bars in the U.S.

This Fair Park bar offers a wide variety of Texas craft beers and in addition to selections from across the U.S. and Europe. The selection of beer drafts can be overwhelming, which is why we recommend opting for the beer flights.

The beer menu is very detailed, so you'll have a  pretty good idea of what you're ordering. In addition to ordering your favorite kinds of beers, be sure to select some novelty brews to expand your palate.

Pro-tip: Once you find your new favorites, consider ordering a growler.  Here are more venue details.

The Color Condition

Great for: Colorful installation art.

Advertisement

A collaboration between Dallas artists Sunny Sliger and Marianne Newsom, The Color Condition is a boutique design firm that creates streamer-based art decorations for galleries, stores, and events.

Notable creations include a streamer bridge for the Highland Park Centennial, display windows for high-end Dallas retailer Forty Five Ten and a massive installation at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Pro-tip: Although their Expo Park studio occasionally hosts events, you're more likely to catch their creations around D-FW. Here are more venue details.

Advertisement

Bdonnas Showroom

Great for: Finding the perfect club outfit.

Bdonnas Showroom is a fashion boutique aimed at women who have a bold sense of style. The store's centerpiece is a massive chandelier that looks like it's straight from an exclusive nightclub, which is where many of the store's fashions belong.

There are rows of dangerously high heels, colorful sunglasses and over-the-top coats. Bdonnas also sells a line of waist trainers -- which is how many women achieve a Kardashian-like hourglass figure.

Advertisement

Pro-tip: In addition to providing fashions for club girls, don't be surprised if you find a drag queen or two shopping at Bdonnas. Here are more venue details.

Expo Bar Dallas

Great for: Karaoke and a menu of "fine diving" food.

Advertisement

This karaoke hot spot is the place to test out your vocals after some great food and liquid courage.

Expo Bar is run by the former owners of the Lakewood Theater and Arcade Bar. The owners brought over the Lakewood Theater's sound and project systems, which is why this dive provides an unusually high quality karaoke experience.

"Karaoke with Dan" runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. This bar's prime location across from the DART station makes it a favorite among DART and DPD officers.

Pro-tip: If you work up some hunger after karaoke, try some of Expo Bar's "fine diving" food. Notable menu items include Cajun crawfish pasta ($13.75) and Texas toast grilled cheese ($5.50). Appetizers range from $4-10, sandwiches are $5-9 and entrees are $9 - 14.

Advertisement

More venue details.

Rob's Chop Shop

Great for: traditional men's haircuts. 

Advertisement

This 22-year-old Dallas barbershop is one of Expo Park's longest running businesses and perhaps its most famous establishment.

Rob's Chop Shop is internationally known in the rockabilly culture and specializes in traditional men's hairstyles. Rob built his business by cutting hair at rock 'n' roll and rockabilly festivals in Europe and selling his own line of RCS hair pomade.

In addition to men's haircuts, Rob's Chop Shop also provides shoe shines and offers a wide variety of  T-shirts and grooming products.

Pro-tip: This one-chair shop is by appointment only, so call ahead to ensure that Rob is available. Many of the barbershop's signature hair products are also available for purchase online.

Advertisement

More venue details.

Roots on Tap

Great for: healthy organic juice.

Advertisement

Roots on Tap is new juice bar that sells 26 organic juices.

With a tag line of "truly responsible drinking," all of the store's juice names are spins on alcoholic beverage names such as "Flax on the Beach," "Kale Ale," and the "Macarita." Roots on Tap juices are made with organic, compostable and locally-sourced ingredients when possible. The store also offers two types of granola.

Roots on Tap's beverages are between $7 and $9 and are available on most delivery apps if you can't make it to the store.

Pro-tip: If you're in a hurry, call in your order so it's ready when you arrive. Here are more venue details.

Advertisement

The Vault Expo Park

Great for: cheap food and beer.

This gritty bar is known for its cheap food and aggressive happy hour specials.

Advertisement

Be sure to check out Vault Bar's $1 beef tacos on "Cheap Taco Tuesdays" and the Vault's Monday through Thursday happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Vault also offers specials on game days and karaoke events.

Pro-tip: Although the Vault opens early during the weekdays, it is busiest on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. More venue details.

Advertisement

Rampage Salon

Great for: the latest men's and women's haircuts.

Rampage Salon does haircuts for men and women of all ages.

Specialties include hair coloring and styling, men's fades, beard trimmings, facials and hair design patterns.

Advertisement

Rampage Salon also offers hair extensions.

Pro-tip: This salon accepts walk in customers, but call ahead to be sure that they have the right stylist for your look. More venue details.

Ruby Room Dance Studio

Great for: getting in shape and learning new moves with friends.

Advertisement

Ruby Room Dance Studio offers dance and burlesque classes with some of the top instructors in North Texas.

Dancers of all experience levels are welcome, including people who have never taken a class before. We recommend gathering some of your best friends and taking lessons together.

The Ruby Room Studio is also the official studio of the Ruby Revue, a burlesque troupe that performs the longest running show at the Dallas House of Blues.

Pro-tip: Free two hour parking is available in the lot behind the building on the first two rows and surrounding streets. More venue details.

Advertisement

Hollywood Five & Dime

Great for: retro-inspired clothing.

This rockabilly clothing store has been a neighborhood staple for decades. Hollywood Five & Dime features unique retro clothing, shoes and accessories. The store also sells vintage vinyl records.

Advertisement

Shoes range from boots and creepers to custom tennis shoes. Clothing includes '50s-inspired dresses, leather jackets and vintage bowling shirts.

If you're shopping for accessories, check out Hollywood Five & Dime's unique collection of wallets and patches.

Pro-tip: The store sells campy novelty ties and other unique items which make for quirky gifts. Ask the owner for recommendations and to learn more about the neighborhood. More venue details.

Advertisement

Pizza Lounge

Great for: massive pizzas and beer.

Pizza Lounge is a retro-style pizzeria and bar that anchors the Expo Park block.

The eclectic decor and laid-back vibe makes Pizza Lounge a favorite dining spot for people attending shows at Fair Park or regulars just seeking a slice of their favorite pizza. This pizza parlor also has a full bar and beer selection.

Advertisement

We recommend trying the "Sofa King" pizza, which has provolone cheese, pepperoni, Jimmy's Italian sausage, ham, Italian meatballs, sauteed mushrooms, green pepper, sweet onion, banana peppers and bacon.

The sheer amount of ingredients is why this pizza will definitely lay you out on the sofa.

Pro-tip: Be sure to check out half-price pizzas on Tuesdays. More venue details.

Beefhaus art gallery, across the street from Fair Park on Saturday, January 28, 2017 on...
Beefhaus art gallery, across the street from Fair Park on Saturday, January 28, 2017 on Exposition Avenue in Dallas.((Ashley Landis / The Dallas Morning News))
Advertisement

Beefhaus Art Gallery

Great for: experimental local art.

Beefhaus is the exhibition space of an artist collective called "Art Beef."

This minimalist project space hosts a wide range of events including installations, panel discussions, artist talks, screenings, gallery exhibits and performances.

Advertisement

It is not uncommon to see this space completely lit up and buzzing with a diverse crowd on the weekends. Beefhaus is also a collaborative space that serves as a meeting ground for a large variety of Dallas-based creatives.

Unlike typical galleries, Beefhaus is driven by donations and allows artists to keep all of the profits from their sales.

Pro-tip: Check out the Artbeef website for the latest events. More venue details.

Advertisement

Eight Bells Alehouse

Great for: craft cocktails and food in a relaxed atmosphere.

The owners behind Oak Cliff's Ten Bells Tavern opened Eight Bells Alehouse in late 2015 and quickly established this restaurant as a favorite hangout in Expo Park.

Eight Bells Alehouse is a wood-paneled European-style bar with an ever-changing menu. There is also a back patio to enjoy your beer.

Advertisement

The low-key atmosphere of Eight Bells makes it a perfect place to bring family members, a first date or your favorite drinking buddy.

Pro-tip: Check out the Eight Bells Alehouse Facebook page for the latest food and drink specials. More venue details.

Ochre House Theater

Great for: experimental theater.

Advertisement

Ochre House Theater is an 50-seat alternative theater that prides itself on "using minimal resources to their maximum potential."

The nonprofit theater is home to some of Dallas' most innovative actors, designers and artists who create original award-winning theater productions.

For an idea of the kind of work produced by the theater, check out Nancy Churnin's review of Dr. Bobaganush, an original Ochre House Theater production. It's a dream-like tale set during Hitler's rise to power.

Pro-tip: Tickets and upcoming events are on the theater's website. Here are also more venue details.

Advertisement

Confetti Eddie's Magic Parlor

Great for: one-of-a-kind magic and burlesque shows.

Dallas-based artist Edward Ruiz and his alter ego Confetti Eddie put a new spin on traditional magic shows.

Advertisement

Ruiz combines magic tricks with performances from local burlesque artists to create a subversive experience that you'll want to tell all of your friends about.

Tricks performed at past Confetti Eddie shows include sawing women in half and levitation. Check out Ruiz's blog for the latest show dates.

Pro-tip: Although kids love magic tricks, we recommend leaving the little ones at home for Eddie Confetti's "naughty" burlesque magic shows. More venue details.

Advertisement

Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters

Great for: small-batch coffee.

Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters is an independent coffee company that specializes in ethically-sourced beans.

The owners of this coffee roastery only use fair trade or direct trade beans that have been grown using sustainable methods. Beans are also only sourced from growers than compensate their farmers and workers fairly.

Advertisement

You can buy beans directly from the store in addition to coffee and espresso drinks. Noble Coyote Coffee is carried a dozens of North Texas stores, cafes and restaurants, including several Whole Foods Market locations.

Pro-tip: The minimalist space is decorated with original art from one of the baristas. More venue details.

Dallas Hair Company

Great for:  fixing bad haircuts.

Advertisement

Dallas Hair Company is a longtime salon run by Tracey Newman.

Newman has operated her business for 17 years and handles men and women's haircuts and coloring.

Dallas Hair Company gets many of its new clients because of a sign outside that reads "I repair $8 haircuts," which catches the attention of anyone who has ever had a bad cheap haircut.

Newman's cuts range from $40 to $60, depending on the length of hair. In addition to handling all cuts, Newman also specializes in naturally curly hair.

Advertisement

Pro-tip: Call ahead to make sure Newman isn't booked. More venue details.

Sandaga 813

Great for: live music.

Advertisement

Sandaga 813 is one of the most beloved live-music venues in Dallas. Regular performances cover a variety of genres including soul, jazz and reggae.

This venue is particularly well-known for its Tuesday night jazz shows. Regulars include Grammy Award nominated artists Shelley Carroll and Brad Leali.

In addition to its music, Sandaga 813 has a full bar and regular drink specials.

Pro-tip: On the weekends, check the back patio for a food truck offering brisket loaded baked potato and BBQ ribs. The crowd and music can vary widely from night to night; we recommend checking the venue's website so you know what to expect! More venue details.