Discover North Texas nightlife: Outdoor movies, rooftop bars & more

DALLAS — Dallas-Fort Worth doesn’t go to sleep when the sun goes down — it lights up. 

Whether you’re looking for after-hours adventure, laid-back vibes, or something totally unexpected, the metroplex is full of things to do after dark. From rooftop views to moonlit paddles, here are some of the coolest ways to make the most of your summer nights in DFW.

• Movies in the Park at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. Grab a space on the lawn, enjoy a food truck picnic and let the cinematic adventures begin. The next show is Saturday, June 14, at the Ginsburg Family East Lawn.

• Galaxy Drive-In  — off I-45 in Ennis. The drive-in venue is open seven days a week — including holidays. Ticket prices are $4 for kids and $8 for adults. Pets are welcome too!

• Rooftop Cinema Club at the Mezzanine Terrace at the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel. Guests will enjoy city views and cult classics. Prices range from $11-$28, depending on your seat selection and time of day.

• Concrete Cowboy at the Star in Frisco offers a scenic view overlooking the Ford Center. It’s known for its high-energy vibe and is the ideal spot to cap off your evening.

• The Rooftop Bar at the Sinclair Hotel in Fort Worth provides classy vibes and is located in the tallest and most iconic building in the city. Mix and mingle over small plates, cocktails and desserts on the 17th-floor rooftop terrace.

• Waterproof at The Statler Hotel in Downtown Dallas. Sleek, swanky, and Instagram-ready all summer long. Guests can reserve a cabana and lounge chairs with scenic city views. After 9 pm., only guests 21 and over are allowed inside.

• The Fort Worth Astronomical Society (FWAS) has public stargazing nights with telescopes and astronomy experts at the Tandy Hills Natural Area. The free event will take place on selected Saturdays when the night sky is most interesting.

• Hubbard City Lakes Star Party hosted by the Central Texas Astronomical Society, holds after-dark shows that are fun and educational. The area is isolated enough from any major city lights, allowing stargazers to see everything from the Milky Way to the Triangulum Galaxy.

• The Free Man Cajun Café & Lounge in Deep Ellum comes alive at night with live jazz sets, swing, and dixieland bands every night.

• Tulips FTW in Fort Worth is a live music venue known for its great acoustics and music lineup calendar. Depending on the night, Tulips will have a food truck or food catered.

• Arlington Music Hall is nestled in downtown Arlington. The venue caters to a wide range of musical tastes hosting a dynamic lineup of performances that will captivate your senses.

• AquaBeats Kayaking Tours: For something a little magical, enjoy a sunset kayaking tour with LED-lit kayaks and JBL speakers, combining beautiful lights and your own playlist while exploring Lake Lewisville.

• DFW Surf: LED-lit paddleboards for glow-in-the-dark lake cruising in Grapevine and Little Elm Beach. Guided tours are offered every Saturday.

• Fort Worth Ghost Bus Tour: Explore the spooky side of the “City Where the West Began” on a 2-hour ghost tour in Fort Worth. Guests will visit more than 30 locations that have a reputation for being haunted.

• Dallas Ghost Adventure and Tour: Grab your lantern and mingle with the ghosts of Dallas. Hosted by Dallas Terrors, you’ll discover that the eerie history behind Dallas’ stunning skyscrapers, lavish hotels, and historic buildings lies a giant saga of death, dark secrets, and deep mysteries.

• Velvet Taco (multiple locations): Open into the early a.m. with wild taco combos, this late-night eatery in DFW is worth staying up for.

• Korea Town in Carrollton: BBQ, boba, and late-night noodle spots. The businesses don’t just serve Carrollton’s Asian population, they’re an opportunity to educate others about the many facets of Asian culture.

• Serious Pizza in Deep Ellum offers over-the-top pizza experience and late hours.

• Twilite Lounge: Tucked away in Deep Ellum, Twilite Lounge blends vintage New Orleans charm with a lively bar scene. It’s a must for anyone looking to belt out classics in a laid-back, quirky setting.

• City Night KTV & Cafe located in Carrollton, this sleek karaoke lounge offers private rooms for groups, a full-service bar, and a menu packed with late-night bites. 

• Round-Up Saloon is located on Cedar Springs Road in Dallas. It’s a country-western LGBTQ+ bar that offers karaoke nights filled with fun and surprises. Notably, country music star Kacey Musgraves once made a surprise appearance here, delighting fans with impromptu performances under a fake name.