The 10 Best Music Venues in Dallas

When Dallasites want to catch live music, there are a variety of fantastic theaters, concert halls and other options around the city.

We know you can choose between an amphitheater like Dos Equis Pavilion for high-profile artists or intimate spots like Opening Bell Coffee, which provides a soothing, cozy environment that makes it a must-see. At Opening Bell, Leon Bridges, Sarah Jaffe and Maren Morris have all cut their teeth with singer-songwriter sets that give off more of an open mic vibe than a full-blown event. For a local institution, Top Ten Records has a record collection that makes it worth a visit for anyone claiming to be a music fan. The occasional live set or poetry reading is the cherry on top.

Artists from all genres come to Dallas, and this list suits any music fan's style and taste. We know this breakdown will undoubtedly be met by supportive comments voicing pleasure at our impeccable taste, and we look forward to that. But on the off chance that you disagree with some of our picks, we carefully curated this list based on three major criteria: the venue’s aesthetic, atmosphere and consistency in procuring top-tier acts. By no means is this list ranked; it's just meant to highlight the top music venues in Dallas.

With that in mind, here are our unimpeachable picks. If you’re interested in seeing what upcoming shows are happening at each of these venues, visit the Dallas Observer's concert calendar.

The Bomb Factory

2713 Canton St.

It’s one of the larger Deep Ellum venues, but great sightlines are still possible at The Bomb Factory, which recently regained the “bomb” in its name. More than 4,000 people can squeeze into this building, and they usually do, with the bulk of that crowd jostling for space on the first floor. And if you ever feel claustrophobic, you can retreat to the cozy bar area up top, where there’s even some plush seating lining both sides of the venue. The Bomb Factory has a long and storied history in Deep Ellum, and when it returned from an extended hiatus in 2015, local legend Erykah Badu played one of the most memorable shows in the city’s history.

Club Dada

2720 Elm St.

A Deep Ellum mainstay since the late ‘80s, Club Dada is one of the neighborhood’s most consistent small venues. Acts like Snail Mail, Japanese Breakfast and Black Lips played here early in their careers, and it’s also an effective launching pad for local bands. The patio is a fan favorite, and the drinks won’t eviscerate your wallet. Add those perks to the reliable roster of performers, and what more can you ask for?

Double Wide

3510 Commerce St.

An unapologetic dive bar where the shows are frenetic but the crowds are friendly. There’s no singular niche here: punk, country, garage and metal all sound right at home. In other words, as long as it’s loud and rowdy, it makes sense at Double Wide. The trailer park aesthetic creates an unpretentious, laid-back vibe, and the menu full of distinctive cocktails makes this venue feel like a passion project by and for the locals.

Granada Theater

3524 Greenville Ave.

This is Dallas’ own little slice of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Before taking their seats for the show, visitors can see murals created by the same folks who helped design the world-famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Then, once you’re inside, tiered floors and balcony seating help you feel like you’re having a classy night out. Adele, Beck, Bob Dylan and Billie Eilish have all played at Granada (and while it’s hard to believe now, those ‘09 Adele tickets were going for about $20).

The Kessler Theater

1230 W. Davis St.

This Oak Cliff landmark offers one of the best listening environments in Dallas, especially for singer-songwriters. The Kessler Theater offers seated shows, excellent acoustics and no bad sightlines, which can’t be said for very many buildings whose roots stretch back decades. It’s got a well-loved feeling that’s a perfect complement for performers like St. Vincent, Lucinda Williams and Paul Cauthen. If you’re not in the mood for a bar atmosphere, but you want a show that feels homey, you’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere better than this.

The Nines

2911 Main St.

A couple of years ago, we published a story about how The Nines keeps Deep Ellum’s “freaky soul” alive. That feels even more true now, when it’s even harder to operate a venue — or any business — without sacrificing its character. The Nines is known for its eclectic, effective mix of burlesque performances and DJ sets, and like many others on this list, it manages to be a favorite among locals while never feeling exclusionary.

Ruins

2653 Commerce St.

This is a Deep Ellum bar where the only thing as good as the music is the mezcal. Latin, pop, psychedelic and rock all reverberate through here, and the 200-person capacity is perfect for making you feel like you can touch the stage on any given night. The outside patio is often home to DJ sets and energetic crowds moving to cumbia, helping Ruins feel like one of those venues that’s a true spot — somewhere you take out-of-towners if they ever deign to doubt Dallas’ bona fides.

South Side Ballroom

1135 Botham Jean Blvd #101

This large indoor venue is built for major touring acts that don’t quite need arena scale. It has hosted shows by Arctic Monkeys, Mitski, Tyler Childers and Queens of the Stone Age, with enough room for several thousand fans without feeling overwhelming. What it lacks in personality, it makes up for in function: South Side Ballroom directs all attention at the stage, with no frills, pomp or circumstance to distract from the show at hand.

Trees

2709 Elm St.

A cornerstone of Deep Ellum since the early ’90s, Trees helped make Dallas a must-stop spot on the map for musicians on the rise. People still talk about the famous Nirvana show, and Trees was the site of the first-ever show Post Malone sold out in Dallas. Pearl Jam, Radiohead and Run the Jewels have all played in this gritty space that always seems to burst at the seams with a fun, chaotic energy.

Three Links

2704 Elm St.

Affordable tickets and plenty of surprise shows have made Three Links a fan favorite over the years, and it helps that it’s similar in size to Ruins. You feel like you’re attending a house party, but some local legends might swing through and transport you back to the 1990s (as happened with Tripping Daisy not too long ago). The long and varied beer list might draw you in, but the welcoming community feel will make you stick around. We still fondly remember the “Staff Infection” festival Three Links hosted to celebrate the staff members and the bands they played in.