The video above takes you on a walking tour of downtown McKinney, Texas — one of the fastest-growing cities in the DFW metroplex. With a population just above 200,000, McKinney ranks among the top 20 largest cities in Texas, and the historic downtown square is a big reason people keep talking about it. Located about 30 miles north of Dallas off Highway 75, the drive can stretch closer to 50 minutes depending on traffic, but the downtown area is well worth the trip.
The Historic Downtown Square
The heart of McKinney's downtown is a walkable square centered around the Collin County Courthouse, a building dating back to the late 1800s that now houses a Performing Arts Center. The city was named after Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and that history shows up in the old buildings and the general character of the area. The square branches out into side streets lined with shops, restaurants, boutique stores, coffee spots, dessert shops, and even some studio apartments. On Saturdays, the Chestnut Square Heritage Village hosts a popular market nearby. McKinney is also officially designated as a Music Friendly Community by the Texas Music Office — there's even a flag posted downtown to prove it.
What Live Music Venues Are in Downtown McKinney, Texas?
Walking around the historic downtown square, there are at least eight different spots where you can catch live music on any given week. Here's what's out there:
- Celtic Irish Pub — A pub right on the square with a classic Irish bar atmosphere and regular live music nights
- Cadillac Pizza Pub — A casual pizza joint nearby that books live acts alongside its menu
- Local Yocal BBQ & Grill — A barbecue spot just off the main square known for quality smoked meats and occasional live performances
- Rick's Chophouse — An upscale steakhouse that sometimes features live music for a more refined evening out
- Filtered Coffee — A coffee shop that doubles as a live music spot from time to time
- Barón's Creek Vineyards — A wine-focused venue with a Hill Country feel that hosts live music
- Lone Star Wine Cellars — A winery right on the square where you can enjoy local wines with live entertainment
- Harvest at the Masonic — A restaurant and gathering space in a historic Masonic building that regularly features live music
More from the Video
In addition to the downtown tour, David Bridwell also stopped by Audio Dallas Recording Studio earlier that day to lay down some new singles. The video gives you a look inside the recording session and a preview of some of that new material. If you're curious about live music scenes across Texas, this is one of many tours covering towns and cities all over the state — check the YouTube channel for more.