The video above walks through Texas Live! in Downtown Arlington on a rainy Thursday night, and honestly that's one of the more interesting ways to see the place. Without the usual game-day crowds, you get a real sense of just how big this entertainment complex is. Opened in 2018, Texas Live! sits right in the middle of Arlington's stadium district — practically surrounded by Globe Life Field, AT&T Stadium, and Choctaw Stadium. David Bridwell stopped by after performing at a singer-songwriter night at nearby Create Arlington, and the whole visit turned into a solid look at what this district has to offer when it's not packed wall-to-wall.
What Is There to Do at Texas Live! in Downtown Arlington?
Texas Live! is a multi-story entertainment complex with restaurants, bars, a hotel, and a massive indoor arena space featuring a 100-foot LED HD screen. On game days, people reserve seats to watch the Texas Rangers or Dallas Cowboys on that screen while eating and drinking. Even outside, you'll find seating areas, fountains, TVs showing sports, and solid views of the surrounding stadiums. It's basically built as a one-stop destination for sports fans, but there's more going on here than just watch parties.
Where to Find Live Music at Texas Live!
Live music does happen at Texas Live!, and the main spot for it is Troy's. Here's a rundown of notable places inside the complex:
- Troy's — The go-to spot for live music at Texas Live!, with a stage inside and regular performances, especially popular before, during, and after Cowboys games
- PBR Texas — A cowboy bar and nightclub themed around Professional Bull Riders, complete with bull riding and a rowdy honky-tonk atmosphere
- Pudge's Pizza — A restaurant tied to former Texas Rangers catcher Pudge Rodriguez, serving pizza in the heart of the complex
- Lockhart Smokehouse — Barbecue joint bringing the Central Texas Lockhart-style smoked meat tradition to Arlington
On the night captured in the video, there was actually live music going at Troy's even on a quiet, rainy Thursday — a good sign that it's not strictly a game-day-only scene.
Singer-Songwriter Night at Create Arlington
Earlier that same evening, David Bridwell played at a singer-songwriter night hosted by Alejandro Terra at Create Arlington, which is nearby in the same part of town. It was a good mix of performers sharing original music, and the crowd was into it. If you're exploring the Downtown Arlington area for music, it's worth keeping an eye on events at Create Arlington alongside the bigger Texas Live! venues. The two spots together give the area a nice range — big-screen sports bar energy on one end, intimate original music on the other.