14 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Victory Park

For current Victory Park residents or for those who frequent the American Airlines Center, you've undoubtedly noticed a number of changes to the area. Restaurants, bars and retail have started booming in this neighborhood, and there is still much more to come! It's hard to believe that just 8 years ago, Victory Park was considered a total flop. But it has totally reinvented itself and we’re here to tell you the 15 reasons why it’s time to make the area your new hangout!

Billy Can Can

When you walk into Billy Can Can, you are immediately hit with the intangible feeling that you are going to have a great night. Billed as a, “saloon extraordinare”, Billy Can Can does not disappoint. On any given night, guests fill the tables while the servers inconspicuously see that you are perfectly accommodated and have a flawless experience. In natural saloon fashion, the walls are covered with faux guns, taxidermy is mounted all around, and the bar is full of liquor nearly two stories high. The restaurant is the perfect mix of modern design and southern charm, and the food and drinks are even better.

While every dish is sure to please, if you’re in the fall spirit try the new Pumpkin Ravioli or the Long Bone Pork Chop. The ravioli is made in house and comes drizzled in pesto, and sprinkled with a topping of diced apples and pepitas for a nice crisp bite. The pork chop has been cooked to perfection in a ham-hock broth and sits atop whiskey-brined winter greens decorated with apricots.

The cocktails are just what you might expect from a ritzy saloon with a bourbon and whiskey focused menu. Try the Blue Smoke for a frozen blend of sweet and smoky or the Apple Fancy for a fall flavored take on an old fashioned.

Imoto

Imoto is Kent and Tracy Rathburn’s newest restaurant concept in the former Kenichi location. While the outside is very inconspicuous, walk inside and you’ll find a spacious two story restaurant with a dark and swanky ambience.

Take a seat anywhere in the restaurant and you’ll look up to see what appears to be red paper machete swans decorating the ceiling. The decor is stunning but the menu even more so. The menu is great for family style dining as the shared plates are creative and delicious or if you’re just looking for a quick bite try any one of impeccable sushi rolls. If you’re looking for an appetizer, order the shishito peppers served ‘dragon style’, you will not be disappointed!

It'Sugar

It'Sugar is candy heaven. Picture any candy store you’ve ever been to and make it ten times better. It Sugar is full of unique and classic candies, toys from your childhood, ice cream, and life-size food items made out of candy. The walls are lined with everything from gummy bears that are the size of actual bears to imported Chinese candies to chocolates and caramels filled with Jack Daniels. No matter what candy you are looking for you can undoubtedly find it at It'Sugar, but don’t be surprised if you spend your paycheck all in one place.

Sweet Tooth Hotel

If you’re looking for a date night activity or are going out with your girlfriends, you won’t want to miss Sweet Tooth Hotel. This 1200 sq. ft. art installation just recently took up permanent shop in Victory Park and will continue to create new art adventures for patrons to explore every few months.

The current installation, 1955, was created by a number of talented artists and is a trippy, instagramable space adventure. It only lasts through December 31, 2018 though, and while the new theme has yet to be revealed, the creators have hinted that it will “make you want to dance” and will be opening up in a bigger 5,000 sq. ft. space.

Cinépolis

Cinépolis is Dallas’ newest luxury movie theatre. Before even heading into your movie, grab a drink or snack at Cinépolis’ 2nd floor bar overlooking Victory Park. Head into the theatre to find your reserved, fully reclining leather chair and with the push of a button a waiter will appear to bring you a cocktail, snack, or full meal. Cinépolis strives to create a luxurious yet welcoming environment for any movie goer. 

Wander Well Tip: Make sure to not miss out on their happy hour from 3:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday where you can enjoy 40% off wine, beer, well liquor and special pricing on select appetizers.  

Other Gems

Some other Victory Park gems you won’t want to miss include Pop Bar a gourmet popsicle shop offering gelato, sorbet or yogurt in the form of creamy, delicious popsicles; Cafe Victoria, a neighborhood coffee shop roasting oak cliff coffee roasters beans and serving up baked goods from Empire Baking Co., Amazeballs, and Bisous Bisous; Olivella's Neo Pizza Napoletana cooking up scrumptious pies, pasta, and salads, or Mesero, the tasty Mexican food spot that moved from Henderson to Victory Park.

COMING SOON

Jinya Ramen

Jinya Ramen is set to open in Victory Park before the end of the year and will be serving up 10 unique ramen recipes along with other Japanese small plate options and hand-crafted cocktails. Jinya Ramen first opened up in the United States when the founder, Tomonori Takashi, decided to expand his restaurant from Japan to California. Takashi founded his restaurant on his father’s 3 values: Delicious food at reasonable prices that’s accessible to all. Since Jinya Ramen’s California debut in 2010, it has flourished and there are now over 30 locations across North America.

Sift + Pour

Sift + Pour is also set to open up late in 2018 and will be offering scrumptious baked goods including cake pops, cupcakes, macarons and made to order crepes. In addition, Sift + Pour will be serving up coffee, tea, and a small selection of beer and wine, making it the perfect spot to either grab a coffee to go or linger over a glass of wine with friends.

Dibs on Victory

If you know Dallas, you know we love our patios. Dibs on Victory, which is set to open soon, plans to offer a large second story patio.  This venue will serve casual American cuisine, bar snacks, and stellar drinks. The creators behind Dibs on Victory, Brandon Hays and Phillip Schanbaum, also opened up spots like Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ, High Fives, and more. They plan for Dibs on Victory to be a destination spot for brunch, game day watch parties, or just a night out in Dallas.

Hero

Hero is Elias Pope and Brook Humphries latest restaurant and entertainment concept rumored to open in early 2019. Elias Pope is the genius behind Dallas favorites like HG Sply. Co. and Gung Ho, and Brook Humphries created gems like Beauty Bar, Barcadia and Pints and Quarts. Their new joint venture, Hero, will take over the entire floor of the West Victory Plaza building, a 24,000 sq. ft. space. 

To give you a reference point, Happiest Hour, which is located just outside of Victory Park, is one of the biggest bars in town and sits at 12,000 sq. ft. While Pope & Humphries have not released too much information about their latest concept, we’re confident that with their talent and expertise, it is sure to bring delicious food and a lot of fun to the neighborhood.

Burgundy Swine

Burgundy Swine will open up right next to Olivella’s and promises to offer the most unique wine program in Dallas. It promises to be both a wine retailer and neighborhood bar that offers a dog friendly patio, outdoor lounge space, and fire pits. Given the name Burgundy Swine, they will feature wines from all across Europe and the US while focusing heavily on the Burgundy region of France. This wine bar is sure to be a charming neighborhood spot. 

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