Best Pool Parties in Dallas – Sisu / Secret Sundays / Stonleight Splash
This weekend ushers in a new era of poolside glamour downtown when Secret Sundays // Waterproof begins at the Statler Hotel, which opened officially in February after a long and much-awaited renovation. Atop the 19-story Dallas landmark is a small pool crowned with a statue of Statler mascot Llinda Llee Llama where a helipad used to welcome the rich and famous.
Each Sunday DJs Luchianni and Blake Ward will align the afternoon with “Saint Tropez” vibes as described for about 100 people at a time on an RSVP-required, first-come, first-served basis. There’s a bottle service and cabana option, too. Those interested can get situated here. Regular admission is free. The day runs from noon to 6 p.m.
That series was set to begin last week but rain intervened. It would have scooped The Stoneleigh, which starts a new series called Stoneleigh Splash! on Sunday in the same time slot. Tickets are $10, but include special events like swim-up movies, fashion and art shows, and concerts on the lawn. Partiers hoping for cabana reservations can make them here.
To be seen is one of Sisu’s primary pleasures. All the things we seek out in dark clubs in the wee hours of the morning are here, stripped bare by the sunlight, and the communion of bacchanalian bliss is on full display. Bottles of vodka are ceremoniously carried out by women in skimpy bathing suits. A guy in a tank top floats on his back, wearing sunglasses that have the words “love” and “trap” on each lens. A crew rolls in led by a woman who looks like a Hong Kong pop star, with short cropped black hair and long, flowing pants. In their walk to a VIP cabana, they have somehow grabbed everyone’s attention. They look like they could be the heirs of a Shanghai bankster. And yet, they could be anybody.
Previous to the resort property’s creation of the weekly poolside day club AQUA, A-list DJ talent was limited to Southside and Deep Ellum neighborhoods. Sisu’s opening will forever mark the era when these top tier DJs returned to Dallas’ Uptown/Downtown area. How was this accomplished by one venue? The answer is in the team consisting of resident DJ/Entertainment – Director Wade Randolph Hampton, and his promotional partnership with the Dallas arm of global concert powerhouse SFX and Disco Donnie Presents/Full Access. AQUA has played host to superstar DJs Paul Oakenfold, 12th Planet, Destructo, Cedric Gervais, Dev, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Hardkiss Family and Sliink. Continuing in the tradition of Sisu’s trademark ‘Malibu surf house’ design, the makeover will include a stylish interior ensemble within the 4,500 square foot Spanish home. The new design, created by Hampton, features dramatic changes to the dining room seating, lighting, and sound. Upstairs has transformed into a secluded skybox overlooking the main room, and is outfitted with both a billiards room and a private dining / bar area. Rounding out the second floor is private smoking balcony with a beautiful view of Sisu’s massive pool area. Book a cabana with bottle service for Sisu here.
