Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, a Portland, Oregon-based restaurant concept known for its from-scratch cooking and seasonal menus with fresh and local ingredients and extensive craft beer menu, announced Monday that it will be opening its first Texas location in late September at the upcoming Irving Music Factory next to the Irving Convention Center.
Since opening its first location in Portland, Oregon, Thirsty Lion has quickly expanded into Arizona and Colorado and says that moving to Texas was an easy decision given its great business climate, dynamic cultural offerings, and established reputation as a sports and retail mecca. “We’re thrilled to be opening our first Texas location in Irving. The Music Factory project is a perfect fit for the Thirsty Lion and we can’t wait to introduce our scratch kitchen, craft beer and cocktails to Texas” said Plew, the President and CEO of Concept Entertainment Group Ltd., parent company of Thirsty Lion.
There has not been a destination like this for Irving and Las Colinas residents and North Texas sports and music lovers to flock to since the heydays of Humperdinck’s and Cool River Café post-Cowboys games or Byron Nelson tournaments. Thirsty Lion will create a gathering place where friends and family can get together before or after concerts and professional games or club sports matches and provide levity and camaraderie during the busy work week.
Thirsty Lion will feature almost 7,700 square feet of interior space including a 32-seat bar. Outside, the gastropub will boast 3 patio areas with an expansive 1,800 sq ft patio with 2 large fire pits with group seating and flat-screens, perfect for beautiful sunshine-filled days and chillier winter and spring nights. The location will also showcase an open-air kitchen, 24 different draft beers and a hearth-baked pizza oven, all trademarks of the Thirsty Lion brand.
Thirsty Lion’s culinary commitment is to provide eclectic options of scratch-made cuisines, with an emphasis on local ingredients and bold flavors. A seasonal fresh sheet focuses on the changing season’s offerings, featuring unique ingredients including fresh seafood, quality meats and local vegetables and fruits. Signature dishes will include Bronzed Salmon & Mango Quinoa, the Seared Ahi Salad, Roasted Pork Cubano, the Gorgonzola-infused Gastropub Burger and starters such as Bacon Wrapped BBQ Prawns and Traditional Scotch Eggs. The menu features sophisticated salads, brick-oven pizzas, sandwiches, chargrilled burgers and steaks. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.
The center piece bar features a large selection of craft beers on tap, many of which are local to Texas, offering a beer on hand for each plate and every palate. The gastropub also features unique craft cocktails that utilize combinations of fresh fruit purees, juices and premium liquors. The list features modern takes on classic cocktails as well as signature drinks like their Grapefruit Basil Martini and Blood Orange Margarita.
One of the many things Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill is known for is their elevated sports viewing experience. Thirsty Lion specifically programs its sports schedule every day to make sure that all sports viewing requests in the area are met. With the highest quality audio and visual sound system you’ll never be disappointed watching your favorite sports team on the screen while indulging in scratch-made dishes and sipping on your craft cocktail. Each Thirsty Lion location is designed to ensure top-of-the-line acoustics allowing for the simultaneous enjoyment of music and conversation.
Irving Music Factory is a dynamic lifestyle center that will house a Live Nation large concert venue hosting an impressive lineup of household names. This entertainment destination also offers 250,000 square feet of entertainment, retail, movie theater, office space and 20+ restaurant options.
Thirsty Lion is slated to open its second DFW location at Grandscape in The Colony, Q1 of 2019.
