Have you been having meetings wrong all this time?
Fun fact: It has been proven that having a meeting in an unfamiliar area can improve memories. But do yourself and your team an even bigger favor, don’t move from one conference room to the next. Instead, take your meeting outdoors.
The outdoors has the wonderful benefits of boosting morale, creativity, brain function and even lowering stress levels. It’s new and different, and as a business savvy professional, you know that these aren’t necessarily bad things.
If you break it down, what’s the minimum you really need for a successful meeting? Table, chairs, and Wi-Fi. Where ideas are flowing in the wind and the blue of the sky is better than the blue of your Word document. If this innovative meeting method piques your interest, here are the top 10 places in Dallas you’ll want to try for your next productive session.
Disclaimer: These are best for internal team assembly and not for formal meetings.
1.Gallery Rooftop Lounge at the Canvas Hotel
1325 S. Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75215
General hours: 4pm-11pm (hours may vary)
(214) 421-1080
If you’re looking for a classy rooftop patio with views of the city, look no further! The Gallery Rooftop Lounge, located at the Canvas Hotel, is just the place. Feel the breeze and view the Dallas skyline while swapping pitch ideas.
Reservations unavailable. Wi-Fi available.
Free parking available Sunday-Thursday in Canvas lot.
2.Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
General hours: 6am-11pm
Better than looking at the city, be in the heart of it! Have a meeting in Klyde Warren Park. Take a seat or enjoy the grass; check your emails with the free public Wi-Fi Klyde Park provides. Lunch time? No problem, let the food come to you via a variety of food trucks. Keep in mind, this is a public park. It may not be as quiet as a stuffy conference room, but it may let your inner child’s imagination rise up from the sandbox you left it in.
Parking available as paid parking lots or parking meters.
3.Savor Gastropub at Klyde Park
2000 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
General hours: 11am – Closing times may vary
(214) 306-5597
Don’t want to sit in the sun? Consider sitting in the the Savor Gastropub patio at Klyde Park. You can use the Klyde Park Wi-Fi here as well. An elegant restaurant serving up new American foods with classic cocktails. Bad weather? Enjoy the park views through floor to ceiling windows; this may not technically be an outdoor meeting, but close enough, right?
Reservations available. Valet parking available.
4.Saint Ann
2550 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75201
General hours: 11am-10pm (hours may vary)
(214) 782-9807
Need another upscale suggestion? Try lunch at Saint Ann’s garden patio. Drive up and hand your car over to the complimentary valet. Then, take a seat outside; just like good art, their lovely garden patio will inspire your next team brainstorming session.
Reservations available, ask for a table on the patio. Wi-Fi available.
5.Happiest Hour
2616 Olive St, Dallas, TX 75201
General Hours: 11am – Closing times may vary
(972) 528-0067
Anyone can enjoy a good happy hour, but your team isn’t just anyone. Instead, try the Happiest Hour; a relaxed, yet stylish bar. Not only can your team enjoy the fresh air on the rooftop patio, but nothing says bonding like the “Team Happytizers” available here.
Reservations unavailable. Wi-Fi available. Complimentary valet available.
6.HG Sply Co.
2008 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
General Hours: 11am-10pm
(469) 334-0896
Go from chic to rustic-chic on the HG Sply Co. rooftop patio. The views, the food, the fun environment! A little something for everyone in this restaurant and bar; all menu items can be prepared gluten or dairy free. Because your vegan team members shouldn’t have to sit out on the chips and queso.
Reservations vary. Wi-Fi available. Complimentary parking lot, or complimentary valet on certain days and times.
7.The Lot
7530 E Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75214
General hours: 11am-12am (Kitchen closes at 10pm)
(214) 321-1990
Do you have a pet-friendly office? Take your fur babies from your conference room to this “come as you are” beer garden. You’ll find that the Wi-Fi is strongest indoors, but take a break and let your ideas roam outside as you walk your pup to the dog lot. Don’t worry about parking, there is plenty of it in the front and back of the restaurant.
Reservations unavailable.
8.Truck Yard
5624 Sears St, Dallas, TX 75206
General hours: 11am-12am
(469) 500-0139
What’s better than bringing your dog to a restaurant? Bringing your dog to a restaurant with a tree house! Free your childhood creativity with the ultimate adult playground. This beer garden is full of fun and food trucks. If this doesn’t keep your team meetings energized, I don’t know what will.
Reservations unavailable. Wi-Fi available. Free parking.
9.Nasher Sculpture Center
2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
General hours: 11am-4pm (Kitchen closes at 3:30), Closed Monday
(214) 242-5144
Maybe a treehouse is too much excitement for your meeting, totally understandable. Sometimes you just want to have a relaxed and productive session with your colleagues. I can’t think of anything more calming and mind opening than meeting on the patio of a beautiful sculpture park. Make a reservation at the Nasher Cafe by Wolfgang Puck. This beautiful center will be stimulate your mind. Because you shouldn’t have to feel brain-dead when talking about status updates.
Reservations necessary. Wi-Fi available. Parking available hourly valet.
10.Braindead Brewing
2625 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
General hours: 11am – Closing times may vary
(214) 749-0600
Speaking of brain-dead, you’ll be anything but at Braindead Brewing. Talk numbers while out on the patio, sipping on any one of their original craft beers. Use their guest Wi-Fi and let the fresh air bring your team fresh ideas. Relaxing, yet lively, your team might even be looking forward to the next meeting.
Reservations unavailable. Parking is available as paid parking lots or parking meters.
Remember to check websites for: opening and closing times, event schedules, and call to make reservations if necessary. Keep in mind that these are outdoors, check weather ahead of time.
