Originally planned to open in December 2021, EVO Entertainment pushed back its Southlake opening to the new year. An exact date has not yet been announced, but it is expected to open sometime in March.
Coming to 1450 Plaza Place in Southlake Town Square, the location will be the fast-growing Austin-based company’s first in the DFW metroplex and eighth in the chain. More than a movie theater, the 68,733-square-foot entertainment destination will also include a bowling alley, a full restaurant and bar, and video-game arcade (including virtual reality).
The opening, which replaces the former Harkins Theatres, was first announced in June 2021.
“Southlake Town Square continues to pursue innovative operators offering the most engaging and unique experiences,” said Jason Kasal in a news release at the time. “Introducing the EVO Entertainment concept in Southlake Town Square will provide a highly elevated movie-watching experience combined with a host of other amenities to add a new level of entertainment to our carefully curated lifestyle destination.” Kasal is the vice president and senior leasing director – western division with Retail Properties of America, Inc., owner and operator of Southlake Town Square.
Guests will be able to enjoy dine-in movie theaters from the comfort of soft, reclining seats, and have the ability to order a wide selection of gourmet food and beverages, including wine, beer and spirits. With seven screens, a variety of films – from the newest releases to well-loved classics – will be shown.
For those who desire a more quiet atmosphere, private party rooms will be available. The venue will also feature an outdoor gathering place in a green space front yard with seating and a fire pit. This will connect into the environment near Muchacho Tex Mex, a restaurant from James Beard semi-finalist Chef Omar Flores that opened in Southlake Town Square in September 2021.
After exploring the DFW metroplex, Mitch Roberts, EVO Founder and CEO and 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, said the company determined that Southlake – particularly Southlake Town Square – was the best place for the company to enter the market.
“We are excited to be part of an environment with some of the best retail in a lifestyle destination that truly values the experiential element of shopping, dining and playing together as an elevated human experience,” Roberts said.
An EVO Cinemas is also in the works for Dallas. According to the company’s website, it is “coming soon” to 5409 Beltline Rd. Other Texas locations include Austin, Fredericksburg, Kyle, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Schertz and a forthcoming San Antonio location.
Launched in 2014, EVO Entertainment Group is an Austin-based out-of-home entertainment operator comprised of a number of innovative brands including EVO Entertainment, EVO Cinemas, and EVO Concerts. EVO is seen as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest growing independent cinema circuits in the country.
The company kicked off 2022 by announcing that it had acquired ShowBiz Cinemas, making EVO the largest operator of cinema-entertainment centers in the country.
