Conroe Area Gets New Entertainment & Dining Venues

CONROE/THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Residents across the Conroe and Montgomery County areas are poised to gain a significant boost in entertainment and dining options, with at least six major new businesses slated to open their doors, predominantly throughout 2026. This wave of development reflects the region’s continued population growth and increasing demand for diverse leisure activities.

The Woodlands is a key recipient of this expansion, particularly along the bustling Lake Woodlands Drive and Research Forest Drive corridors, creating a new entertainment and dining hub. Leading this charge is **Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux**, a rapidly expanding chain known for its Louisiana-inspired cuisine, extensive menu of scratch-made dishes, and full-service bar in a family-friendly sports environment. Permits filed with the City of Shenandoah indicate Walk-On’s is targeting a Q1 2026 opening at 1200 Lake Woodlands Drive.

Adjacent to Walk-On’s, at 2121 Research Forest Drive, is the highly anticipated **Main Event**, a massive 50,000-square-foot entertainment complex. This venue promises state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a multi-level laser tag arena, an expansive arcade featuring classic and modern games, a full-service restaurant, and multiple bars. Main Event is also expected to launch in Q1 2026, creating a synergistic entertainment destination near popular spots like Portillo’s and The Woodlands Mall.

Further north, the city of Conroe is gearing up for several exciting additions, notably within the burgeoning Grand Central Park development off I-45 and South Loop 336 West. **Twin Peaks**, a popular sports lodge restaurant known for its “scratch kitchen” menu featuring items like smoked brisket, burgers, and steaks, alongside a wide selection of draft beers and numerous big-screen TVs, is set to welcome diners in late 2026. Developers for Grand Central Park confirm its location within this rapidly growing mixed-use community.

Also within Grand Central Park, though an exact address has yet to be specified, the iconic entertainment and restaurant chain **Dave & Buster’s** is slated for a 2026 opening. This destination venue will bring its signature blend of cutting-edge video games, classic arcade attractions, full-service dining, and sports viewing options, further solidifying Grand Central Park as a major entertainment draw.

Conroe will also see the transformation of a prominent local landmark with **The Hub on 336**. This innovative food hall and entertainment venue is taking over the former Conroe Central Market space at 101 S. Loop 336 West. Project leaders describe The Hub as a dynamic space offering multi-concept dining from local vendors, live music performances, and a full bar, fostering a vibrant community gathering spot. Its projected opening is Q2 2026.

While most of these anticipated openings are targeting 2026, one popular quick-service spot is expected to open much sooner. **Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers**, celebrated for its simple menu focused on high-quality chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and signature Cane’s Sauce, is slated to open by early 2025. This new location will be at 3341 FM 1488 in The Woodlands, near the Sterling Ridge Village Center, according to a May 24 press release from the company.

“This significant influx of new businesses is a testament to the robust economic growth and increasing appeal of Conroe and Montgomery County,” said Danielle Scheiner, Executive Director of the Conroe Economic Development Council (CEDC). “These developments not only provide diverse dining and entertainment options for our expanding population but also create hundreds of new jobs and generate substantial tax revenue, further enriching our community’s quality of life.”

The strategic locations of these new venues, from the high-traffic areas of The Woodlands to the rapidly expanding Grand Central Park, underscore developers’ confidence in the region’s continued prosperity and consumer demand. Residents and visitors alike can look forward to an exciting array of new experiences in the coming years.