Country fans and adventure seekers alike have something to look forward to, as new bar Rodeo Dallas is bringing a mechanical bull to Deep Ellum. The bar is set to open early this summer on Elm Street in the space once occupied by Wits End, which closed in June 2022.
Co-owners Joseph “JD” Ybanez and Josh Reagan own a bar in Dallas called Longshots and a bar called Varsity Tavern, with locations in Fort Worth and Tempe, Arizona. Among other accomplishments, Ybanez introduced the Tacos and Tequila Festival to Fort Worth last year. It will return on May 20.
Ybanez, an El Paso native, has worked in the bar and restaurant industry since 2007. He saw great success with a mechanical bull at the first bar he opened in Dallas, Trophy Ranch. This inspired his decision to bring one to Rodeo Dallas.
“We liked the idea of bringing one to Deep Ellum. Obviously, the mechanical bull will be a focal point — but Rodeo will also just be a country-themed bar with great nightlife, food and drinks, state-of-the-art audio-visual, and plenty of entertainment,” Ybanez told Culturemap.
If Rodeo’s Dallas location is anything like its Arizona location, it will feature arcade games, large TVs, DJs, VIP tables, and female servers in lingerie, a “trend you see across the country now,” according to Ybanez.
The 2724 Elm Street location means several other bars and food options are in the area. While this could mean competition for the venue, it could also point toward an opportunity for bar hoppers to explore.
Rodeo Dallas is located across the street from the bars Punk Society, Brick & Bones, and On Premise. Visitors can check out Revolver Taco Lounge, WingBucket, and Dragon Sushi Dallas for food options. Additionally, nearby Main Street offers The Wounded Ostrich, a new bar that opened in October and bills itself as “a respite from the chaos of every day life.”
