We all know that when it rains, it pours in Dallas. And while there are so many things to do in our city, sometimes the rain limits you. To make you feel more empowered to get out and go have some fun despite the weather, here are seven rainy day options around town!
Parliament
One of our favorite places to grab a cocktail is also one of our favorite places to hang out on a rainy day! Parliament is known for its pretty extensive cocktail menu – there are over 100 cocktails that you can choose from! But what makes this place so special when it rains is their “when it rains it pours” happy hour, which means that anytime it is raining outside, you can get one of their delicious cocktails for $4-$7!
Wild Detectives
If you’d rather grab a book and a cup of coffee, then head to the super-cozy Wild Detectives! This cute indie bookstore is located in Bishop Arts and is the perfect spot for all your rainy day feels. You can grab a book and order something from their menu. They have beers and wine too and snack foods to munch on. When we are here, we feel like we are inside a European bookstore hibernating from the cold winter outside. It’s very “hygge” (google it).
Dallas Museum of Art
Museums are always a great rainy-day option. For one, they are typically entirely indoors and two, there’s just something relaxing about walking through the halls of a museum while the rain taps against the windows and rooftop. The DMA is a great option when cabin fever has kicked in! In fact, if it’s raining on a Friday night (the third Friday of the month to be specific), you can attend the DMA Late Night event! Every Late Night is different – some have concerts, others are theme nights, and most have talks and tours. You’ll be occupied for hours!
Breweries
We say this broadly because there are so many great breweries in the Dallas area! And not only that, there are so many with a huge indoor seating space. Sit inside, chill with friends, drink a beer (or two, or three), play any of the games the brewery provides or bring one from home (we love Midnight Taboo). And, of course, the obvious plus – meeting new people. Chances are, they are there for the same reason as you – to hide from the gross weather! Here are just a few breweries that we frequent on gloomy days: Deep Ellum Brewery, Four Corners, Community Beer Co., Celestial Brewing and Westlake Brewing Co.
Bowlounge
Bowling is a great indoor activity and the retro Bowlounge in the Design District is adorable! Unlike your other typical bowling allies, this spot combines aspects of a chill dive bar with all the vibes and nostalgia of retro bowl lanes! They also just redid their patio, so now it’s covered and it has a cozy fire pit. Aside from offering great food, they also have a great drink menu and tons of beer. Honestly, the fact that you can bowl there is a fun added perk because it doesn’t even feel like you are at a bowling lounge!
Upstairs Circus
Upstairs Circus hails from Denver and has opened in Dallas in a spot along Main Street in the Deep Ellum area! It’s a “DIY meets bar” concept, with over 100 crafts to choose from ranging from art to jewelry, to decor. Plus, they serve drinks, too, so you’ll stay extra warm inside!
Steam Theory Brewing Co.
Okay, so we know that this clearly falls under the breweries category, but the “play” portion of this spot is the reason it deserves its own shoutout! If you haven’t heard it before, Steam Theory is actually owned by the host of the Bachelor & Bachelorette, Chris Harrison. But besides that cool reality TV factor, Stream Theory has dozens of board games you can sit and play all day. From Connect4 to UNO, to Yahtzee, to Risk, to Guess Who, to Monopoly, and more, there’s something for everyone. You can also head up to Addison for Regeneration Arcade Bar if an arcade or video games are more your style!
No matter the option, never spend another rainy day cooped up in your apartment again (unless you’re like some of us and love your apartment, so rainy days are welcome) if you don’t want to! Click the URL bar and save this baby to your web browser “favorites” so the next time Dallas tries to throw a rainy-day wrench in your plans, you’re ready!
Written by Lily & Kara of Dallasites101
Dallasites101 is a hyperlocal media company in Dallas, about Dallas. They are your 101 to Dallas, encouraging new and native residents to continuously discover and engage in the city, through content and experiences. They want Dallasites to call the city home, to find and build their sense of place here by trying “the new.” And that doesn’t just mean what’s new to Dallas, but also what’s new to them!
