The 15 Best Venues To Catch a Punk Show in DFW

Beer, studs and chaos — these are the first things that come to mind when you think of punk shows. But there are a few other things to consider. Bar prices, parking, age restrictions and mosh protocol are other important aspects of the punk show experience.

The good news is that all the greatest venues that book punk artists have crystal-clear rules; the bad news is that the greatest punk shows are rarely in venues and more commonly staged out of abandoned warehouses, or dimly lit basements or wherever else a high-decibel, no-rules party can rage on. But the best place to meet someone who knows someone else who can get you on an invite list to all the underground shows is at the more mainstream, but still grungy, venues in Dallas. Punk’s certainly not dead, and never will be so long as we have something to say about it.

Three Links

2704 Elm St.
Nicknamed “HQ,” the Deep Ellum bar has drink specials that are such a great deal that you’ll be able to buy all the merch from all the bands. And you should always support the bands. Full disclosure, this writer has worked at this venue, but as a punk destination, it has to be on the list. The Three Links stage is at a perfect height, not low enough to fuck up your shins, not tall enough to cause major damage just in case you stage dive at the wrong time. Be sure to check out the famous vending machines in the bar’s bathrooms; they’re stocked with sex toys, because you don’t know when the mood will strike. If only the fire marshal could stop being so un-punk about capacity regulations so that the wild shows can spill out into the street again through the venue’s garage door.

Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios

411 E. Sycamore St., Denton
Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios is the kind of place where there’s always something going on. With several stages, including an outdoor theatre, the venue — known by its best patrons as simply “Gloves” — hosts some of the craziest midweek punk shows. Do note that after a gory 2024, Rubber Gloves revamped their moshing policy and will happily escort aggressive patrons to the parking lot. The venue offers the stage to dozens of local bands, especially experimental ones, but it also scores a good number of sell-out shows for nationally recognized artists. And if you know the right people, you might just get an invite to one of the venue’s notorious after-hours shows.

Club Dada

2720 Elm St.
Dada’s stage is a bit low, so you can expect some bruised shins if you stand at the front. The long-standing venue’s multilevel back patio is huge, with plenty of seating in front of a large stage. If you’re lucky, you can catch two shows on the same night. We recommend getting there early, since parking in Deep Ellum is rough, so you can get a drink at one of Elm Street’s many bars instead of paying venue pricing.

Tulips

112 St. Louis Ave., Fort Worth
Tulips is a more polished space, sure, but it can still be punk. The stage is pretty high, and sometimes there’s a barrier, but it only makes it more fun to throw yourself off it. The huge back patio is an awesome place to kick back between sets. Nestled into Cow Town, Tulips is a must for the small but mighty punk community that sticks out like a sore thumb in Fort Worth, and they like it that way. Hike a block to Nickel City or the Bearded Lady for some bites, beer and at least one pre-show mohawk sighting. Plus, Tulips does $2 local shows on Tuesdays; you may not “get” punk, but you certainly could.

Caves Lounge

900 W. Division St., Arlington
Arlington may not be the first place that comes to mind when North Texans think of punk, but that is a rookie mistake. Caves Lounge, which backs up to an auto shop off Division Street, is known for living up to its name with its cave-like atmosphere and modest stage. It’s the kind of place where up-and-coming punk bands can host record release parties for small crowds and still feel well-supported. Concertgoers can also look forward to Caves’ huge patio area to catch their breath or breathe a little smoke.

Fabrication Yard

611 Fabrication St.
When you pull up to Fabrication Yard in Dallas, you’ll see dirt roads, dodgy-looking tagged buildings and abandoned metal structures everywhere. You’ll also find some of the best underground shows. Every now and then, a flyer will pop up for a DIY fest or an impromptu show here. It’s an old-school, generator-powered fun. Leave no trace, and pick up after yourself, so that we can continue to have our version of nice things.

GROWL Records

509 E. Abram St., Arlington
Punk music has a longstanding tradition of turning any space into a performance space, and nowhere is that history better seen than at GROWL Records in Arlington. The record store is not large, and the stage is level with the ground, but what the venue lacks in production, it more than makes up for in authenticity. Punk, after all, is the music of the people.

Sunshine Bar

902 W. Division St., Arlington
Sharing a parking lot with Caves Lounge is the smoky little venue known as Sunshine Bar, but don’t let the name fool you. The Sunshine Club plays host to some of the hardest and heaviest punk and metal shows in the area. The bar is small and the performance space is up close and personal – and perfect to let out some aggression.

Deep Ellum Art Co.

3200 Commerce St.
This spot hosts acts you won’t see elsewhere. The floor is massive, giving plenty of space for slamming, dancing, all that jazz. The stage is pretty low, so even though it’s a big room, the shows still feel intimate. The outdoor area is massive and sometimes has food vendors in case you need a quick bite before heading home. And if you’re punk with a pallet for art, the walls are lined with original works for purchase. Go home with a T-shirt and a painting.

Ridglea Room

3309 Winthrop Ave., Fort Worth
Located in the historic Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth is the restored Ridglea Room. While the theater may host bigger acts coming through Fort Worth, the Ridglea Room serves as a smaller space for punk bands to play as big and as loud as they want. Built with enough space to crowd up the front or have some elbow room in the back, Ridglea Room is the kind of venue that welcomes you to just let it all out.

Double Wide

3510 Commerce St.
No surprise, a trailer-themed bar with the slogan “Drinks that hit harder than Dad” makes the perfect spot for a rowdy punk show. Double Wide has drinks you won’t find elsewhere (such as the Dallas-famous Yoohoo YeeHaw) and decor you would find in your uncle’s trailer. Not to mention a killer Happy Hour deal, and a custom sticker for anyone brave enough to down a shot of Malort. Double Wide is one of the few Deep Ellum spots that allows moshing, and, better yet, books bands that encourage it.

Division Brewing

506 E. Main St., Arlington
Back in 2021, Division Brewing showed its dedication to the North Texas rock scene by releasing Frost Hammer, a beer in partnership with Dallas heavy metal band Frozen Soul. Whether it’s big-name acts like Frozen Soul and Speedealer or small local punk bands like Thyroids and Beaver, all things rock have been welcomed to perform at the Arlington brewery. Division Brewing hosts shows regularly, so be sure to follow its social media accounts.

Reno’s Chop Shop

210 N. Crowdus St.
There’s a reason we’ve named this Deep Ellum mainstay the Best Rock Bar in our Best of Dallas awards before — you know you’re always in for a raucous time. They say that rock is dead, but if they’ve ever been to Reno’s, they would know that’s far from true. As bras hang from the ceiling and cigars sit behind the bar for purchase, you can sip on a cheap drink as a thunderous riff echoes through the dark walls. This is where you can catch progressive metal, shoegaze, ska-leaning punk and just about everything else under the wider rock umbrella.

Ruins

2653 Commerce St.
Connected to the Mexican restaurant, the music space in Ruins is actually called “The Limbo Room.” This place feels like a warehouse show in the best way. It’s not tiny, but it’s not so big that you’ll be fighting your way to the front the entire time. The walls are adorned with some of the sickest art ever (we’re really keen on the giant Virgin Mary mural on stage left). It’s just a singular, rectangular room with a bar facing you as soon as you enter, and great drink options and prices. The music area doesn’t interfere with the restaurant and vice versa, but it’s nice to have easy access to the excellent menu.

TX Tea Room

2815 Main St., Suite B
The TX Tea Room is the newest addition to Dallas’ punk scene. The venue, which opened about a year ago, blends a backwoods country-meets-punk vibe. There are pool tables, hot dogs, cheap drinks and a stage that features artists nearly every night. The space is intimate, dirty in a good way and best of all, new enough to not be overcrowded, for now. If you haven’t been yet, go before the rest of Dallas discovers this is the place to be, and the nightly lines get long.