The video above takes you on a walking tour of Mansfield, Texas — a DFW suburb of about 80,000 people sitting roughly 35 miles southwest of Dallas and 20 miles southeast of Fort Worth, just south of Arlington. It's one of those towns that grew up from a small agricultural crossroads into a full-on modern suburb, and the tour covers its historic downtown, local culture, and the spots where you can actually catch some live music in the area.
A Quick Look at Mansfield's History and Downtown
Mansfield's roots go back to the mid-1800s when a steam-powered grist mill was built at what would become the town's center. The city was named after the founders who brought that mill to the crossroads, and you can still find a mural downtown celebrating it as the site of Texas's first steam-powered mill. Today, the historic downtown sits at the intersection of Highway 287 and Broad Street, where a revitalization effort has brought in restaurants, coffee shops, a cigar lounge, tattoo parlors, and plenty of murals worth checking out. The area also hosts several annual festivals, including the Hot Beets and Cold Brews Festival, a Hometown Holiday Parade, and the uniquely named St. Patrick's Day Pickle Parade.
One standout landmark is the historic Farr Best Theater, which dates all the way back to 1917 and continues to hold concerts and live performances. If you're driving through and want something to do beyond eat and shop, that theater is a solid reason to stop.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Mansfield, Texas?
Live music options in Mansfield are still growing, but there are a few places worth knowing about:
- Farr Best Theater — A historic venue dating to 1917 in the heart of downtown, hosting concerts and live performances in an intimate, old-school setting
- Dirty Jaw Brewing — A local brewery near downtown that hosts a traditional Irish music session, which is a pretty unique find for a DFW suburb
- Twisted Root Burger Company (The Backyard location) — Part of a newer outdoor dining and drinking area called The Backyard, this burger chain hosts live music at several of its locations around Texas
- Old Vine Texas — A newer spot that recently started booking live music, adding another option for people who want to stay local
The Backyard development in general is worth a visit — it's a collection of restaurants and bars connected by a shared walkway and patio area, giving it a casual hangout feel.
Beyond Downtown
For families and outdoor types, Mansfield has a solid park system with hiking and biking trails, several sports complexes, well-regarded golf courses, and Hawaiian Falls Water Park for surviving the Texas summer. Joe Pool Lake is also close by for a day on the water. After exploring Mansfield, David Bridwell continued south to Midlothian to play a set at Twisted Sisters Tap House — a reminder that the live music scene in this part of the metroplex stretches across several smaller towns worth exploring on the same trip.