This article was produced in partnership with Visit Irving, Texas.
Texas is no stranger to live music. Country music has part of its heart here, and Austin is known as an artsy mecca, but Irving has live music every night of the week somewhere, and you never know who the next up and comer is. Plus, with the recently built Toyota Music Factory entertainment complex, there’s always something to do in Irving.
First and foremost, the Toyota Music Factory is a perfect Irving spot, with 15+ restaurants and bars, entertainment venues including the Live Nation Pavilion - an indoor/outdoor amphitheater, the Texas Lottery Plaza outdoor concert venue , and the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater. It’s a date night, girls’ getaway, weekend adventure and more all in this recently built development.
We were lucky enough to catch a Trevor Noah comedy show at the Pavilion and were treated to the VIP lounge experience before the show. The lounge offered a bar and comfy seating with colorful walls perfect for Instagram shots. The whole venue is clean, walkable and there didn’t look to be a bad seat in the house. The entire setup has been well thought out, too, even up to the pickup area outside the venue.
The Toyota Music Pavilion seats 8,000, and is convertible, so rain or shine, you’re in for a treat.
Right behind the Pavilion, Texas Lottery Live, is a summer concert series on Thursday nights, is also a fun evening out and offers a perfect excuse, as if you needed one in Texas, to throw on some boots and get to dancing.
Just at the end of the block, you can check out the Alamo DraftHouse Cinema. It’s the perfect dinner and movie night, and you only have to go to one place. The concept has been around for two decades, and serves brews and booze, burgers, crispy buffalo cauliflower, salads, pizza, gyros … you get the idea. It’s a one stop shop for a good time.
Also, within the Toyota Music Factory you can find live DJ sets on Friday nights at Bar Louie, or head to Reservoir, a kitchen, bar and patio that often has live music and is a great place to post up to watch a game.
If, for some crazy reason, you’re looking to venture outside the Toyota Music Factory, you just have to walk down and across the street to the Texican Court hotel’s restaurant, Two Mules, and catch live music. You never know what you’re going to get — classics, country, jacks of all trades —but it’s going to be good. While the restaurant has plenty of room, the outdoor communal area with personal fire pits and a variety of seating is a pleasant way to unwind in the evening, too. There’s also horseshoes to play, that we absolutely failed at, but hey, it’s fun.
The Patio at The Ranch offers a semi-outdoor venue for what they tout as some of the best up-and-coming musicians Texas has to offer. So, take them up on it and check it out. While you’re there, an evening dessert seems like a must, too.
For a relaxing Sunday, head over to Nosh and Bottle for some acoustic medleys while you sip a mimosa or one of their drip coffees and enjoy their breakfast tacos and wide variety of cheeses.
The Outlaw Taproom at the Four Seasons Resorts and Spa Dallas at Las Colinas is yet another live music venue, but this one calls for a slightly more upscale attire. The self-titled saloon has a beautiful shiny-black marble bar and the comfy patio features a cozy outdoor fireplace. You can also play billiards here. See, it really is all fun and games (and music and food) in Irving.