Live Music
Where To Catch Live Acts In Dallas: From house shows to major tour stops and every gig in between, Dallas has endless opportunities to see local luminaries and music superstars perform – and there's a perfect venue for every show.
House Of Blues Dallas
Live music and southern-inspired cuisine amidst an eclectic décor of folk art make the House of Blues in Downtown Dallas is the place to be for music-oriented visitors. A variety of shows and concerts are scheduled for round-the-year entertainment, and the in-house restaurant makes the experience even more pleasing.
Adair's Saloon
Nearly every inch of this Deep Ellum dive bar is enveloped with photos, signatures and other leave behinds from the thousands that have entered the establishment. The best upcoming bands tune their craft on Adair's stage every day of the week, and they pair nicely with the dive bar’s all-day Sunday and Monday happy hour deals.
Dada Dallas
Catch a live band and have fun at this Deep Ellum locale. The large patio, great bar, and progressive music choice attract a large crowd, making it the perfect place to hang out with friends. Come prepared – tickets sold at the door are cash only.
The Balcony Club
Step into this second-floor East Dallas jazz club and take in its art deco vibe. It’s a tight space, but it more than makes up for it with its welcoming vibe – the bartenders and staff make everyone feel right at home. Live music is on the schedule seven nights a week and there’s a $5 charge on weekend nights.
Double Wide Bar
Deep Ellum’s Double Wide delivers on the best drinks and live music. Along with Mama’s Mixes – the bar’s unique line up of signature cocktails, like the YooHoo Yeehaw – the bar serves up daily happy hours and live music sessions every Friday and Saturday (with the occasional weekday show; check the schedule.)
Bomb Factory
This former Ford assembly plant-turned-ammunitions manufacturer held its first concert in the early 90s. Black Sabbath, Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson all came through before the Factory shuttered its doors in ‘97, only to be resurrected nearly two decades later. Since Dallas dynamic duo Erykah Badu and Sarah Jaffe lit up the stage in the venue’s 2015 return, the Bomb Factory has seen explosive performances from the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Lauryn Hill and Don Henley.
Three Links
As a neighborhood bar and music venue, Three Links is a best of both worlds for Dallas folks who love cool craft beer and ever cooler live music, with everything from indie rockers and local faves to up-and-comers and veteran stars on the schedule. Three Links makes it easy to hang out there all day – the taco shop next door offers a full menu to bar patrons.
Trees
Chance the Rapper, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and local superstar Post Malone have all played at Trees, a nationally recognized venue that has delighted Dallas for nearly three decades. While it was closed for four of its 29 years in the biz, the aforementioned Clint Barlow – a former drummer for Vanilla Ice – rescued the venue in ‘09. Named for the trunk-like beams supporting the venue, Trees has received numerous accolades from Consequence of Sound and the Dallas Observer.
Deep Ellum Art Co.
Opened in 2017 by local entrepreneur John LaRue, the Deep Art Co. is a multi-purpose gallery that strives to celebrate the full spectrum of art – from music and visual to sculpture and the culinary arts. LaRue’s Deep Ellum venue also features an in-house bar, along with indoor and outdoor art gallery space and a live music stage.
The Kessler Theater
It’s fair to say that The Kessler is a rock. Before becoming the Oak Cliff staple it is today, the building that now houses The Kessler survived a tornado, a fire and over a decade of abandonment. Now, it’s a hotspot perhaps best known as a hub for soulful superstars like Charley Crockett and Leon Bridges. Local artists love The Kessler, and as evidenced by its growing popularity, so do music fans in Dallas and beyond.
The Majestic
Originally opened as a vaudeville venue, The Majestic has been open for nearly 100 years. As a home to comedy, concerts, podcasts and performers of all different kinds, this theatre has earned its moniker as a multi-purpose megaplex that will keep Dallas locals and visitors entertained for the century to come. The Majestic is managed by the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs and is located in Downtown Dallas.
Longhorn Ballroom
1950s icon reborn! Historic venue restored for music & events. Experience timeless charm & modern magic. After extensive renovations and improvements, "Texas's most historic venue" continues it's legacy through the power of using music to bring people together.
Granada Theater
This Greenville Avenue theater has worn many hats over its six-plus decades on the Dallas arts scene, but the gorgeous Granada is best known as a killer music venue. Stars like Bob Dylan, The Black Keys and The Avett Brothers have all graced the stage, and with friends like these, it’s easy to see why its continuously named one of the best places to see live music.
Sundown At Granada
Farm-to-table meet show-to-dinner. Located right next door to the Granada Theater, Sundown at Granada offers beautiful views of historic Greenville Avenue via its multi-level patio. Boasting nightly live shows and a menu that embraces local craft brews and a wide array of delicious dining options.
The Rustic
Featuring farm-fresh local ingredients, local craft beers and enough Texas wines to wet your whistle, The Rustic in Uptown is the perfect place to enjoy a spirited night of local eats and entertainment. The charming venue is the brainchild of Pat Green, and quickly became a central location for Texas country stars to convene. From its breathtaking backyard and bar set-up, The Rustic offers all sorts of concerts, shows and parties.