Texas’ New Mega Entertainment Complex Isn’t Just Luring in Dave Chappelle: 25 Restaurants and Bars Are Moving In

The long-anticipated Irving Music Factory will finally open Labor Day weekend, and it’s bringing more than concerts to the Dallas area. The $200 million development will bring 25 bars, restaurants and venues to the neighborhood before the year’s end, creating a new entertainment hub in the business district of Las Colinas.

The Music Factory will kick off with a notable lineup of performances over Labor Day Weekend, then new restaurants and bars will open almost every week until the official grand opening celebration, which is set for December 8 to 10.

The Pavilion, a convertible indoor-outdoor concert venue, will be the first to spot to debut. The state-of-the-art facility can be used as an intimate theater setting for up to 2,500, an upscale arena for 4,000, or it can be turned into an open-air pavilion with room to seat 8,000 people.

Comedian Dave Chappelle will inaugurate the Irving Music Factory venue with sold-out shows on August 31 and September 1. Opening weekend will continue with a Brad Paisley concert on Saturday, a performance from comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on Sunday, and a concert from Lifehouse and Switchfoot on Monday.

The venue will keep up momentum with performances from ZZ Top and Goo Goo Dolls later in the week. Notable acts such as Harry Styles, Alt J, KISS, Chris Rock, and Trevor Noah are also slated to appear at the Music Factory this fall. This is probably thanks to the fact that Live Nation — the world’s largest concert promoter — books, manages, and operates the Pavilion.

The 25 other entertainment and dining attractions coming to the area include upscale chains such as Alamo Drafthouse, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, Sambuca, Grimaldi’s Coal Brick Oven Pizza, and TCBY.

Billy Bob Barnett, founder of Billy Bob’s Texas, is behind five of the upcoming venues. He is working with Restaurants Unlimited to create unique restaurants and bars, as well as a farmers market.

The spaces will feature patios surrounding the area’s central town plaza. Designed to be like a upscale town square, the plaza will host the farmers market, as well as live music, fashion shows, and other special events. The area has even obtained a special liquor license that allows guests to stroll freely, drink in hand.

The opening dates of the restaurants and bars haven’t been announced, but most will come after the Labor Day Weekend blowout.