Fort Worth can now rent pickleball and tennis courts in people's backyards

PLAY BALL

Photo courtesy of Swimply

Dallas-Fort Worth pickleball and tennis lovers can now play on courts that were previously inaccessible: in people's backyards.

The service is from Swimply, the online provider that has previously let homeowners rent out their private pools by the hour. They've now expanded their services to include courts.

Swimply says in a release that other backyard spaces for rent were the "logical next step" -- especially given the popularity of pickleball.

"Pickleball is a phenomenon and there aren't enough courts to meet demand," the release says."Tennis, likewise, has historically been an exclusive leisure activity where people pay upwards of $100 an hour at private clubs for court time."

In addition to tennis and pickleball, basketball courts will also be listed for rent on the site, beginning at $25 an hour. There are currently nine pickleball courts for rent in the DFW area and one tennis court, spanning from Allen to Aubrey to Mansfield to McKinney. (The DFW service has just started and will surely amass more options.)

These join 200 spaces in Austin, and 300-plus available across markets in Houston, New York, and Los Angeles.

Swimply founder and CEO Bunim Laskin says this new launch is a "game changer" for communities whose members want greater accessibility to recreational spaces.

"We're excited to offer this new opportunity for families and friends to have fun, exercise, and connect with each other in a safe, affordable, and convenient way," Laskin says. "Our mission has always been about democratizing access to exclusive spaces and creating positive social impact, and we believe that court rentals are a natural extension of that vision."

It won't stop there: Swimply is looking into expanding their recreational offerings to include backyards for events, music studios, and more.

Photo courtesy of Beyoncé

These are the 14 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

This weekend marks the beginning of fall, even if the temperatures don't yet reflect the seasonal change. With it this year in and around Fort Worth comes a music superstar, fall holiday events, dance productions, a cabaret show, NASCAR races, multiple other concerts, and more.

Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, September 21

Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Fort Worth Oktoberfest is a three-day celebration of German culture with the best in Bavarian entertainment. Guests can drink das bier, eat das sausage, and polka till they drop. This year’s lineup includes Alex Meixner Band, Das Ist Lustig, Alpenmusikanten, Walburg Boys and the Happy Hour Oktoberfestband. There will also be a midway with carnival rides and games. The festival takes place through Saturday at Trinity Park.

Haunted houses/Halloween events
Halloween is over a month a way, but you can get in the spirit now by going to one of a couple of haunted houses/Halloween events now open near Fort Worth. They include Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms in Arlington, featuring over 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins; and Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, featuring seven different haunted houses, a variety of scare zones with zombies, witches, and more, and chilling rides in the dark. Both are open through at least October 30, with more haunts opening next week.

Authentic Flamenco presents Amador Rojas
Teatro Real - The Royal Opera of Madrid and Fever have teamed up to present Authentic Flamenco, a traditional flamenco dance show. The live presentation features award-winning Spanish artists Amador Rojas and Ángeles Gabaldón as dancers, Paco Iglesias on guitar, Diego Amador and Tomasa Peña as singers, and Luis Amador on percussion. There will be two performances on Thursday at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.

Fort Worth Dance Festival
The mission of Fort Worth Dance Festival is to preserve and promote dance in the city of Fort Worth. The festival will gather various area dance institutions, ranging from dance professionals, artists, choreographers, students, teachers, studio owners, artistic directors, dance clothing stores, and others to share ideas, experiences, technique, and artistic voices. The festival takes place through Saturday at I.M. Terrell Academy.

The Cliburn presents Anna Geniushene
Anna Geniushene’s fresh, layered, and powerful interpretations defined her participation at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - and won her the coveted silver medal and the adoration of fans around the globe. Her inaugural season as a Cliburn winner included recital appearances in the United States, Japan, China, and Lithuania. She'll perform on both Thursday and Friday at Kimbell Art Museum.

Casa Mañana presents Vintage Pop!: From The 1920s to the 1980s with Carole J. Bufford
Vintage Pop travels by decade, from the 1920s to the 1980s, exploring how the style and sound of pop music developed over the years. The show will highlight Carole J. Bufford's inimitable style, stories behind the music, and songs by Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sting, Tina Turner, Prince, and more. The show will play in the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana through September 30.

Beyoncé in concert
It's taken a long time, but R&B/pop superstar Beyoncé has finally arrived in Arlington in one of the last stops on her Renaissance World Tour. The tour, which is in support of her 2022 album, Renaissance, has been met with rapturous reviews at every stop, featuring a variety of big special guests and the production value that only Queen Bey can deliver. If you're lucky enough to have a ticket, you can see her perform at AT&T Stadium.

Friday, September 22

Southall in concert
Southall - formerly The Read Southall Band - formed out of the local songwriting scene in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2015 following the success of Read Southall's debut solo album, Six String Sorrow. The country band has released three albums in their short career, most recently 2021's For the Birds. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, September 23

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents "Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit"
The new exhibition "Very Eric Carle" highlights a journey into the imaginative world of the renowned author and illustrator. Inspired by his quintet of "very" books, including the beloved classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the play-and-learn exhibition is all about friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination. Visitors can step into a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and shapes, where the boundaries between art and nature blur. The exhibition will be on display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History through January 7, 2024.

NASCAR Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway
With the NASCAR season in its final stretch, Texas Motor Speedway will play host to two major races with playoff implications. On Saturday will be the Andy's Frozen Custard 300, which kicks off the Xfinity Series Playoffs. That will be followed on Sunday by the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, in which the top 12 drivers left in the Cup Series compete on the 1.5 mile speedway, including point leaders William Byron and Martin Truex Jr.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents FLY Dance Company: Breakin’ Classical
FLY is what happens when street dance and classical music meet, but that’s not all. Based in Houston, FLY is pure fun - youthful energy, risk-taking movement, and clever choreography set to a mix of surprising musical selections. FLY has been spreading their infectious “theatrical hip hop” around the world since 1992. They'll perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Will Rogers Auditorium.

Daughtry in concert
For a fourth-place finisher on American Idol, Chris Daughtry sure has made the most of his opportunity. He's one of only a handful of contestants to become an unqualified success after the show, as he and his band have racked up multiple No. 1 songs and albums. With six albums in their career, most recently 2021's Dearly Beloved, they'll play at Arlington Music Hall.

Sunday, September 24

BoDeans in concert
Rock band BoDeans is entering its fifth decade, having formed in Wisconsin in 1983. Although they've released 14 albums throughout the career, most recently 2022's 4 The Last Time, they're best known for their 1993 song, "Closer to Free," which served as the theme song to the TV family drama series, Party of Five. They'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.

Christian Nodal in concert
It's still early in Mexican singer Christian Nodal's career, but he's already set an enviable pace. Each of his three albums, most recently 2020's Ayayay!, have gone to No. 1 on Billboard's Regional Mexican Albums charts, as well as the top 10 Billboard Latin charts. And pretty much every single he puts out, including two off his new EP, Forajido 2, make the top 10 on the Mexican charts. He'll play at Dickies Arena.

$Beyonc\u00e9 Renaissance album cover$

Photo courtesy of Beyoncé

Beyoncé will perform at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on September 21.

Facebook/Lot 12

Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 9 best bars to watch college football

Where to drink

Three weeks into the season and college football is on fire, thanks in part to an interesting shift in hierarchy: Alabama is taking a tumble down the polls, Texas is making a statement, and – love him or loathe him – viewers just can’t get enough of Colorado’s “Coach Prime” and his gleaming Blenders sunglasses.

At home, the 2023 College Football Playoff runner-up TCU Horned Frogs are still trying to save face after an embarrassing National Championship appearance back in January. The saga continues every Saturday at a sports bar near you. Here are nine of the best to visit in Fort Worth right now - a mix of old favorites and a few new surprises.

Texas Ice House
Those looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination to catch afternoon and night games will find it at this brand new hidden North Side sports bar. Texas Ice House opened in July at 2350 Decatur Ave., just a hop away from the Fort Worth Stockyards, in a quiet industrial district. The indoor-outdoor bar now opens earlier weekends, at 2 pm, offering a covered patio with multiple 65-inch flatscreens and a cozy interior bar with more TVs inside. Specials during college football games include $6 margaritas and $18 mix-and-match beer buckets. There's also stage for live music outside, where dancing often takes place after dark.

Upper 90
Open 10 years now on West Magnolia Avenue, Upper 90 still flies under the radar as a sports bar destination. After all, the eclectic Near Southside is not exactly known for its sports bar scene. Dark and divey, the bar is named for a soccer term that refers to the top corner of the goal. While big soccer matches will likely take precedence over college football on any given Saturday, Upper 90 is still a great, low-key spot for catching a key matchup. There’s not a lot of flash, but there are plenty of screens, and the full bar stays stocked with spirits and cold beer. Bonus: Customers can order food from Taqueria San Andres just next door.

The Rabbit Hole Pub
Vibes are always friendly at this White Settlement Road watering hole, where on Saturday, college football will always take precedence on the big screens. Glass garage doors slide open to a string-lit covered patio area, and there’s plenty of table seating both inside and out. The Saturday specials run deep: $4 mimosas and $5 bloody Marys until 3 pm, and beer buckets range from $16-$22 all day. But don’t miss the Rodeo ‘Rita, made with whiskey in lieu of tequila.

Lot 12
Watch parties go to new heights at this rooftop sports bar that offers sips and skyline views. Located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Place TCU, this open-air hotel sports bar is home to the Horned Frog’s “most elevated” tailgate scene. There’s an entire cocktail menu dedicated to TCU-themed drinks, including the purple-hued Frog 75 made with gin and sparkling wine, and the sangria-inspired Frog Fountain. Don’t miss the Topgolf Swing Suite while waiting for kick-off.

Buffalo Bros.
The original Buffalo Bros. on South University Drive has drawn TCU Horned Frog fans for game-day gatherings since 2007. But when a flashy new location opened in Sundance Square in 2019, the watch party bar was raised. Here there are more than 90 TVs to catch all the college football action. A 360-degree bar boasts more TVs both outside and inside the perimeter. Even more, there’s a side room with stadium seating and five more screens. Wings, pizza, and subs come out quickly, as does cold beer by the pint, schooner, or pitcher.

Brewed
Far from a sports bar, this West Magnolia Avenue coffee, dining, and drinking destination has long been known for its warm and cozy atmosphere, craft coffee, frilly cocktails, and elevated comfort food. But hold the phone: Brewed has gone purple with an over-the-top, football-themed pop-up not to be missed. Perfect for a pre-game pit-stop, the space currently features festive decor photo-ops galore, from purple pillows and balloon displays to hanging lights, floral, tinsel, neon signs, and even purple umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. While there’s just one TV for which to catch the actual game, the atmosphere will transport Frog fans to the heart of the action. Order a “Fight ‘Em On The Ice Mimosa” by the glass or carafe to share.

El Chingon
It’s always a party at this West 7th District bar, nightclub, and Mexican restaurant, where three 100-inch LED walls and seven 55-inch TVs ensure that no play is missed. Fans can enjoy half-price a la carte tacos and BOGO on select longneck bottles during games, and up to two hours after the final score. Other game-time specials include a massive molcajete bowl filled with grilled skirt steak, chicken, and shrimp accompanied by guac, elote, quesadillas, tortillas, and salsa - for $29. If your team wins, celebrate by staying late for DJ music and dancing.

City Works
Clearfork’s premiere destination for game-watching is City Works thanks to a dozen extra large HDTVs and more than 9,000 square feet of space to spread out. Add 90 beers and eight wines on tap plus a long list of shareable gourmet bar bites, and you’ve struck game-day gold. There’s also an array of sangrias, margaritas, mules, and old fashioneds. Booth and high-top seating along with extra high ceilings add to the spacious, sit-and-stay-awhile feel. Expect big crowds on Saturdays, especially during TCU away games.

Facebook/Lot 12

Sips pair with skyline views at Lot 12.

Texas Live!
For a Texas-sized watch party, there’s no place bigger than Texas Live! in Arlington. With a scene that rivals that of an actual stadium, the multi-venue entertainment complex is anchored by the Shift4 Arena. Here there’s more than 35,000 square feet of bar top, multilevel seating, screens, and a 100-foot LED HD TV at the center of it all. A full menu of apps, burgers, and wings is available, and reservations are always recommended to guarantee seating.

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U.S. Gymnastics Championships land atop this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. U.S. Gymnastics Championships come to Fort Worth ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics. For the country's top gymnasts, the road to the Paris Olympics will run through Fort Worth next year: The 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will take place at Dickies Arena, May 30-June 2, 2024. The four-day men's and women's competition will crown national champions and determine the members of the U.S. National Team who will then compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Minneapolis, June 27-30, 2024.

2. Fort Worth neighbor booms as 6th fastest-growing U.S. college town, report says. Fort Worth might be one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., but there's one North Texas city that's outdoing it in a different category of population growth. A new study by university scholarship website BrokeScholar has deemed Denton the No. 6 fastest-growing college town in the country.

3. RSVP to the 13 must-attend galas and fêtes in Fort Worth this fall. To borrow the oldest pun in the checkbook, philanthropic events are putting the "fun" in "fundraising" around Fort Worth this fall. With themes like "Disco Cowboy" (Cowtown Ball), "Rewind to the '90s" (Behind the Mask), and "Out of this World," (Monster Mash), who wouldn't want to RSVP to every gala and soiree this season?

4. Fort Worth chef Hao Tran plots new gourmet grocery for Magnolia Ave. A new grocery store and take-out food market is coming to the Near Southside, courtesy of one of Fort Worth’s most well-known chefs. Called Hao's Cho Bep, it’s a new concept from Hao Tran, who earned acclaim in Fort Worth foodie circles for her dumplings, and will open in early 2024.

5. Wondrous wine shop in Fort Worth's Sundance Square salutes the ladies. A new wine spot has opened in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square – one with the ladies in mind. Called Wines From A Broad, it's from popular Fort Worth chef-restaurateur Dena Shaskan, and features wines made entirely by women winemakers.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys' new menu at Arlington stadium includes birria, flaming Cheetos

Stadium Food

Back off, State Fair of Texas, you do not have a lock on crazy food: The Dallas Cowboys have unveiled their new menu for the 2023 NFL season at AT&T Stadium, debuting Sunday, September 17 at the home opener when the Cowboys play the New York Jets.

In a statement, Legends Hospitality VP of food & beverage George Wasai highlights some of the more notable additions, which include Fritos Brisket Mac n Cheese, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Elote, a BLT Dog; and their plant-based offerings including a burger, Buffalo Chik’n Nachos, and Touchdown Tots.

Wasai leads the Legends Hospitality at AT&T Stadium team along with Executive Chef Marcelo Vasquez, Executive Pastry Chef Marcello Guevara, and Concessions Chef Heather Fuller. Don't forget, Legends Hospitality was recently appointed to oversee the food outlets at the AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas.

New menu items for 2023 NFL season include:

Birria Quesadilla - beef in Mexican spices, pepperjack, and Oaxaca cheese grilled inside a 17-inch flour tortilla, served with Birria consommé
Lineman Burrito - 17-inch flour tortilla filled with mac & cheese, smoked brisket, jalapeño pepperjack sausage, pico de gallo and candied jalapeños
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Elote - corn topped with crema, cotija cheese, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
BBQ Dog - Nathan’s All Beef hot dog served in a brioche bun and topped with brisket, fried onions, candied jalapeños, and BBQ sauce
BLT Dog - Nathan’s hot dog with bacon, lettuce, tomato
NY Onion Dog - Nathans’s hot dog topped with grilled onions and pico de gallo
Fritos Brisket Mac n Cheese Balls - brisket, mac & cheese breaded with BBQ Fritos and fried, served on mac & cheese
Brisket Mac n Cheese Bowl - mac & cheese, brisket, jalapenos, and BBQ sauce
Turkey Bacon Hoagie - turkey sandwich with bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, bacon jam aioli, an Italian herb hoagie baked exclusively for the Dallas Cowboys by a local bakery, oooh who could that bakery be

Returning items include Tostitos Ultimate Nachos, Cowboys Cheesesteak, Al Pastor Tacos, Corn Dog With No Name Texas corn dog, and Black Rifle Coffee.

Plant-based items
Launched in 2021, plant-based offerings feature vegetarian ingredients, including local produce grown at WE Over Me Farm at Paul Quinn College in Dallas. These are sold at the Plant-Based/Vegetarian Carts located at sections U411 and U441.

Awesome Plant-Based Burger - on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, and chipotle aioli
Buffalo Chick’n Nachos - blue corn tortilla chips topped with jalapeño jack queso and Sweet Earth’s plant-based chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, with pickled jalapeños.
Touchdown Tots - tator tots drizzled with jalapeño jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, Earth’s plant-based chicken tossed in Cholula Sauce, and pico de gallo

Suites
People who pay for suites get their own lineup of eateries that include Texas Steakhouse, Gran Cantina, Texas Barbecue, the Gridiron, and the Football Fiesta, who serve more chef-driven dishes including chicken Hatch tamales, lobster club sandwich, French onion dip with potato chips, Melissa’s Bite-Sized Nuggets made with Chia & Flaxseed, pizzas on focaccia crust, aguachile shrimp, chicken wing trio with drumstick & flat wings, lobster mac & cheese, Buffalo chicken spring rolls, strawberry shortbread, and chocolate dipped strawberries.

Facebook/Rockwood Park

2 Fort Worth-area golf courses make new list of best public facilities in Texas

who's your caddy

Two Fort Worth-area golf courses score slots on a new 2023 guide of the best municipal golf courses in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine. One's in the city limits, and one's in a popular suburb.

"You don’t need to belong to a country club, or even have especially deep pockets, to enjoy high-quality golf," the guide promises.

The Lone Star state Texas ranks fifth in the U.S. (behind California, Florida, Michigan, and New York) for number of public courses, with about 600 facilities.

The magazine sent out seven staffers and freelancers to come up with list of the 18 greatest public golf courses in Texas. Criteria included uniqueness, reasonable price, and accessibility to a wide range of skill levels.

These two made the cut:

Rockwood Park in Fort Worth is an 18-hole course designed in 1938 by John Bredemus, a former math teacher turned golf course architect.

Since Rockwood's revivification and reopening in 2017, the course has held on to some of its more distinctive features while enticing golfers with modern design elements. And no one can forget those gorgeous views.

"The tee of the lovely, 142-yard par-3 eighth hole takes you to one of the highest points on the property," writes contributor Kevin Robbins. "From there, you see downtown Fort Worth — and a massive green in the shape of an amorphous arrowhead, with a spacious false front just beyond a bunker that looks a lot closer to the green than it really is."

Robbins further ponders if Rockwood Park has visitors wondering whether it's a course in a city, or a course that rescues them from it.

Grapevine Golf Course is a 27-hole course designed by the legendary Byron Nelson in 1979 and rejuvenated by Irving-based design firm Golf Resources two decades later. The Monthly calls it "a gentle test" of a golfer's skills without being overly easy.

"Take the par-4 fifth hole on the Pecan nine: 405 yards from an elevated tee, moving right to left toward a vaguely reverse-redan green," Robbins writes. "It’s scenic, strategic, and, if you fancy, heroic. And, as on a handful of other holes on the Pecan and Mockingbird nines, both of which underwent renovations in the early aughts, you feel that you’re all alone with an allée of oaks."

Two Dallas-area golf courses also made the list:

Stevens Park Golf Course is a 6,285-yard course in Kessler Park that shares trails with locals while offering tricky, unique challenges and stunning views from the 15th fairway. Enthusiast golfers can enjoy a day out at Stevens Park, while more expert players can push themselves to improve.

"What makes [Stevens Park] fun is deciding just how much risk to take in pursuit of a birdie," contributor Shawn Shinneman says. "Take the par-4 number three, which has a fairway that twists right 90 degrees around a clump of trees. If you try to cut the corner with a towering drive but cut too deep, you’ll find bark; fail to cut at all and you’ll barrel into a bunker."

Pecan Hollow Golf Course in Plano earnspraise for its amenities, vast open spaces, and unforgettably fun courses.

"Strategic bunkering and tree placements keep you thinking and engaged, plus five sets of tees guarantee that anyone can enjoy the challenge," says Shinneman. "Most fun of all, though, are Pecan’s MiniVerde greens, which are big, sloped, and filled with nuance — and they’re quick... But you’ll be left wanting to come back again and again to figure them out, and the affordable rates won’t stop you from doing so."

The remaining 14 courses in Texas Monthly's "A Guide to Texas' Best Public Golf Courses" can be found on texasmonthly.com.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Surprising family-friendly suburb tops this week's 5 most popular Fort Worth stories

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere. Headed to the State Fair? Find a full list of discounts here.

1. Surprising Fort Worth suburb named No. 5 most family-friendly U.S. city. If Fort Worth-area residents are looking for the perfect new place to buy a home and raise a family, they should steer their interest toward Watauga. The northeast Fort Worth suburb, impressively, has been named the fifth most family-friendly city in the U.S. by real estate marketplace Opendoor.

2. Mr Gatti's Pizza returns to home turf Fort Worth with new location. A Fort Worth-based pizzeria concept has opened a location in Fort Worth: Mr Gatti's Pizza has opened a restaurant off Camp Bowie at 2812 Horne St. #100, a space previously occupied by Helen's Hot Chicken, where they're open with pizza, pizza rolls, and their signature ranch dressing.

3. Texas Christian University ranks as No. 6 school in Texas for 2024 by U.S. News. Texas Christian University has achieved a high ranking for its high-quality educational experiences this year. The home of the Horned Frogs earned a top-10 spot on U.S. News and World Report's just-released list of the Best Colleges in Texas for 2024.

4. Ultra-chic Postino WineCafe brings wine and bruschetta to Southlake. A nationally acclaimed wine bar-restaurant has opened in Southlake: Postino WineCafé, specializing in wine, bites, and a chic atmosphere, opened a location at 1440 Main St., in Southlake Town Square, in the no-brainer slot next to Trader Joe's.

5. Quonset hut in south Fort Worth to be transformed into ballroom. A Quonset hut in south Fort Worth is about to make a Cinderella-like transformation: Called the Quonset Ballroom, it's being developed into an entertainment space which will host live music, food trucks, and events.

Cidercade cider and games venue opens mega-facility in heart of Arlington

Cider News

Cider and games are coming to Arlington with the opening of Cidercade, a new entertainment venue opening at 500 E. Division St. in the heart of Arlington on September 29.

Cidercade has hundreds of arcade games, shuffleboard, pool tables, and more, all available for playing with a single admission fee, as well as dozens of drinks on tap. It's all ages during the day then turns 21+ at 8 pm.

Arlington is the fifth location in Texas, following existing Cidercades in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston, and is the largest yet with a huge space spanning 25,000-plus square feet.

It houses more than 300 retro and modern arcade games, pool tables, ping pong tables, shuffleboard courts (a Cidercade first), party rooms, and event spaces for groups of all sizes.

In a statement, co-founder and CEO Joel Malone says that with Arlington's reputation as an entertainment destination, he knew they had to build "something awesome."

"Cidercade Arlington is not only our largest location yet, but it includes a much larger variety of games and experiences," he says.

Cidercade customers pay an admission fee of $12 and get unlimited play on all the games and activities once inside. Cidercade also offers a $20 monthly membership that includes unlimited admissions as well as discounts on drinks and merch.

Beyond the games, multiple bars serve a big lineup of adult beverages on tap, all made by Bishop Cider, and soft drinks from soda machines with unlimited refills.

Customers are allowed to bring their own food or have it delivered from nearby restaurants.

In addition to the Arlington expansion, Bishop is also relocating the Dallas Cidercade to a new site near Love Field Airport, where it will be expanded dramatically to 79,000 square feet, nearly 10 times larger. It will feature concepts, games, and activities that aren’t offered anywhere else in Texas, and will open in 2024. The current location will remain open until then.

Malone and and his wife and partner Laura Malone initially founded Bishop Cider as a quaint 704-square-foot cider bar a decade ago. The company has since grown into a leader in beverage manufacturing and beverage experiences comprising four brands:

TexBev, a co-packer for carbonated soft drinks, juice, energy drinks, wine, beer, and RTDs.
Cidercade, the cider and game venue
Bishop Cider, the hard cider company
Wild Acre Brewing, a brewery and beer garden venue in Fort Worth that produces seasonal brews and year-round core beers like Texas Blonde, Juice Slinger IPA, and Sundance Wheat.

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