The Most Delectable Music Venues in Dallas

Sandaga 813

★★★★☆ 4.1 (129) • $$

"Had a blast enjoying the music. The drinks were not the best but the musicians were so awesome I had to give this spot 4 ."

El Pulpo

★★☆☆☆ 2 (82) • $$

"I was skeptical when I read all the bad reviews, and saw the pictures of food in Styrofoam. Im a food snob gringo by any definition, and hate wasting time and calories on aggressively mediocre food. But I went anyway and am so glad I did. The service was fast, friendly and attentive. I had the garlic mojarra, and I'm dead serious that it is the best fish dish I have had in Texas. It came out assertively crispy, which made me concerned that the fish would be dried to a chewy meh. Every bite was silky succulent to the very last morsel. Mid way through, when it came time to flip it over, I was concerned that the luscious fish would make the underside exterior soggy and gummy. Nope, it absorbed the fishy goodness and kept it's satisfying crunch. I can't explain why my experience is so different than other reviews, but if you have the same experience I did, you'll be looking for how soon you can be back!"

Texas Theatre

★★★★★ 4.5 (110) • $$

"Well, what can I say about this little slice of history in Dallas! An independent theater with an amazing history, it's a little bit like taking a step into the past. I had visited many years ago, but an indie movie brought me back to Texas Theater and I'm glad it did. Parking can be interesting, I'm still not 100% where the free lot for the theater is, but I've usually ride shared or lucked out with a street spot after the meters are free. Staff was extremely friendly, and for the show that I was at, it felt like there was a good bit of community for staff & regulars that come out for a lot of the indie films. I will for sure come back for the things that are Texas Theater exclusives in the future!"

RBC Deep Ellum

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (44) • $$

"This is a really cool little club. Has speakeasy vibes almost. We saw SWMRs and The Buttertones weekend before last. I did see some of the reviews mentioning the AC. As someone who has a thyroid disorder that makes me very susceptible to overheating I can happily report that they seem to have gotten the AC fixed. I was in the pit jumping around and never got too badly overheated. They definitely had the air blasting. Drinks were average in price for the area- $7ish for a tall boy. We parked in the garage that was very close to the venue. We got stuck leaving at the same time a concert at the factory was getting out, so it took awhile, but if there isn't an event going on there, I would recommend parking in the garage. There is an elevator that will put you right at street level and IF you don't get caught behind a concert crowd it seems like an easy in/out spot. Overall I would definitely come back to RBC for a show."

Bedford Ice House

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (267) • $$

"A vibe every time. Live music daily and an attentive team! I love ice house especially after a long day. They have a nice patio area and when the weather is nice they turn on the fire pits."

McDavid Studio

★★★★☆ 3.5 (8) • $$$

"I was there for the Performing Arts Fort Worth Children's Education Fund Awards Luncheon. It's a great venue and the students put on a great performance!!!"

Empty Glass SteakHouse & Saloon

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"I went here for my boyfriends band mates second band's gig and it was a fun little country bar. There is not a lot of seating so we had to stand the entire time. The sound was great and I had a nice time. I did get bit by a lot of mosquitos so that was a bummer. But overall this was a neat little joint"

The Bartonville Store & Jeter’s Meat Shop

★★★★☆ 3.8 (162) • $$

"Nice Cozy Spot for Brunch on Sunday with Live Music! Great Food Selections and although priced higher than others worth every penny for scrumptious chef's creations. Brooklyn took good care of us making sure we had drinks and food was delicious."

The Grove

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"The Grove at Mustang Station in Farmers Branch, Texas.Farmers Branch has been organizing free concerts of bands here for years and we've thoroughly enjoyed them. So glad to see them coming back after a long dry spell, due to covid.Wine & beer are for sale tonight, along with tex-mex from a local restaurant. Hope to see the return of numerous food trucks that they've had in the past.Counting on the return of local vendors, too. It was like a farmers market and craft show mix with 15 or so booths.Tonight, I'll enjoy PriMadonna, Texas' only Madonna tribute band and Even It Up, a Heart tribute band."

Three Links Deep Ellum

★★★★☆ 4.1 (77) • $

"What a damn good time!! Seriously! Non stop dancing. On Friday nights there's a bomb a$$ band, great singing, and a bunch of happy people ready to have a good time. It's a nice sight to see! We stopped for the band and a nightcap after grabbing dinner downtown. There were 2 special bartender drinks on the menu. I can't rememeber the name but we tried them both, didn't like them and had to send it back. We ended up with Whiskey straight up. I'd advise everyone to stick with what they know as far as teh cocktails are concerned. Next time in the area I'll be parlaying in Three Links Deep Ellum. 5 star review for me"

Plaza Arts Center

★★★★☆ 4.1 (11) • $$

"Awesome event venue and rental space in a prime location in downtown Carrollton. The venue used to be a historic movie theater and has been converted into an event hall, while retaining the cool movie theater marquee outside and theater feel. (I've seen couples put their names up on the movie theater marquee when they hold weddings there, which is really unique and neat!) I've always had a great experience with the Plaza Arts Center team and would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to rent space for a performance, corporate event, special event, etc. I believe they also do rentals for dance classes and other ongoing activities, in addition to weddings and parties. Compared to other event spaces I've looked into in the area, their rates are definitely very reasonable. Great venue with affordable rental prices = awesome!"

The Studio at the Factory

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (14)

"Understanding this is a very small music venue, I had a good experience this week. We arrived about 30 minutes before the event and waited briefly as they checked ID's and slapped on wrist bands. We positioned on the right side and if I were to return in the future, I would move more towards the middle and closer to the front. On the left of the venue is the only bar and while it was crowded between artist, the pace wasn't bad for grabbing drinks. Once again, this is a small venue and expect it to be crowded. No seating, just standing room only for the event I attended. Enjoy."

Steve's Wine Bar

★★★★★ 4.8 (57) • $$

"Fun place to do a wine tasting or have a glass for happy hour. Their wine selection is very large and unusual. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Their new location is spacious and comfortable. Good people!"

SILO

★★★★☆ 3.9 (17)

"New EDM club. Seeing tiesto tonight! Long lines but move fast. there's no sign indicating of the club anywhere outside but just find valet and ask. Sound was good enough. For grand opening, it went smoother than I thought"

Off the Record

★★★★☆ 3.9 (87) • $$

"I seriously fangirled over this spot and have no problem deeming myself a groupie for Off the Record (OTR) after a night here. The vibe is just freaking badass and I loved the concept where you can not only have a few cocktails with live music, but pick up a vinyl to take home. It's amazing to see how much Deep Ellum has changed just within the past two years.We were heading to a different bar in this neighborhood when the doors of OTR opened as some folks were leaving and I immediately fell under her spell. The tantalizing music coming from within compelled me to tell my friends there was a change of plans and we needed to go in here immediately.Like the cool cousin at family reunions whom you want to get to know better- OTR is just like that. There's a few tables and seats at the bar; however, they have a great patio towards the back. The beer selection was impressive and their cocktail game is a strong one. I honestly could've stayed here the whole night had it not been for my friends dragging me out of here against my will.I'm counting down the days I get to come back here as I'll be back in Dallas in two weeks."

The Sanctuary Music and Events

★★★★★ 4.5 (17) • $$$

"What a treat in McKinney. Right next to the Guitar Sanctuary store is the music venue. It is a two level facility with tables, and chairs to sit. We heard one of our favorite local bands Texas Flood. There is not a bad place in the house to see or hear the stage. Drinks were good and the staff was very friendly.It could be a great venue for all kinds of events I think."

Glass Cactus Nightclub

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (146) • $$

"Came out to see the Cirque Spirit of Christmas Show in which my friend's daughters performs.The Glass Cactus is a nightclub entertainment venue attached to the Gaylord Texan.Perfect size for small acts,you feel like you're part of the action. This show featuring international circus acts along traditional lines was high energy.It runs thru the Christmas season and is worth catching."

Enchilada's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (449) • $$

"Great environment and service. Waiter was very nice and attentive- the best queso and pico and salsa I have ever had in my life! I think the meat in the queso with the pico was the best part of dinner. Totally enjoyed it- great price and felt very welcome"

Revelers Hall

★★★★☆ 4.1 (97) • $$

"It's hard to understand how you could give Reveler's Hall less than 5 stars. The music is OUTSTANDING and it's $6 per table. We also love Scat Jazz Lounge but the tickets end up being around $20 a person. Reveler's Hall is a STEAL for live jazz. It's also hard to understand why people go here who don't love jazz. I'm consistently annoyed by obnoxious groups standing in the way, talking over the band, and just generally acting like idiots when there is exceptional music being played live 10 feet in front of them. If there's any reason to deduct a star, it's for the patrons, not the bar. We aren't late night folks, so we really appreciate the opportunity to see live music during the day on weekends or early in the evening on Fridays. Great happy hour too! If you love good live music, this is the place."

Texas Trust CU Theater

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (63)

"I went here to see Slash's Blues Ball in August 2024. I had been there one time before several years ago but I did not remember it at all, so this was like a new experience. The venue was fine. There is ample parking ($30 for regular, $50 for VIP), entry was easy, the seats are comfortable, and the views are unobstructed. We were in the upper balcony and had a wide angle view of the entire stage. The sound quality was excellent, no echos or reverberations.Bathrooms are clean. The lobby has bars and places to buy merch.The reason for 4 stars is that the ushers did not control very well. They did not check tickets so anyone could sit anywhere. I saw a group of 3 guys standing in the walkway for a very long time. Aside from the fact that is a fire violation, they needed to be in their seats. Finally, after like 30 minutes of blocking someone's view, they decided to sit in the "King's Row" for which they obviously did not pay. The venue was not sold out so I guess it did not matter much, but I have never been to a concert where the ushers do not verify where you should sit. The show was excellent. It was a "festival" celebration of the blues. There were a total of 4 bands. I came to see Slash of course. Huge fan of Slash. I've seen him in Guns n Roses, Velvet Revolver, with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, and now his Blues Ball. All the tunes were covers of blues songs, but man, the band was tight and the sound was excellent. So happy that I was able to see Slash in concert again. The venue, surprisingly, was not close to full. Don't know why. Total concert was about 4 hours. Nice value for the money.I would go to see a concert here again."

Denton Drive Live

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Still coming to enjoy this party destination in Beautiful Farmers Branch, Texas. Thankful that Covid is behind us and we can enjoy live music outdoors again.Thank you, Farmers Branch for scheduling these great, free cocerts!!Not as many options for food purchases. There used to be numerous food trucks but now, but hoping they return. Meanwhile, we're happy with the vendors that serve us.Hoping that the farmers market returns soon."

T's Bar And Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (63) • $$

"A friend and I wandered in here late on a Saturday night. We entered with a little trepidation based on the area of Lewisville. It's located in a strip mall with a parking lot that has seen better days. We got to see the last set of a good band. The music was at just the right level that we could still have a conversation. The bartenders were quick and friendly, that is always appreciated. The Owner was so welcoming and you can tell he puts money back into improving the place. The patio is definitely a smokers haven but we had a good time meeting everyone out there. Looking forward to another visit."

Memphis Nightclub

★★★★☆ 3.7 (100) • $$

"Super causal bar/night club with live music that charges $10 for admission (go through the restaurant side). We stumbled in there on a Friday night when Mars Hill was playing. Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised. Mars Hill is a killer band who plays anything from the Temptations to Prince and Sir Mix-a-Lot to Chris Stapleton. The female lead singer was the rocker, male lead singer was the country star, and the trumpet player, saxophonist, and trombonist each rapped! What?! The guitar player killed it as well.There's a small strip of "dance floor" space where plenty of people were dancing all night. There's reentry so feel free to come and go as you please. I believe you can also bring food from next door into the bar. There are over 10 small tables you can gather around for a close up of the band. Our server was really nice and quick. The only questionable thing was that we ordered four Old-Fashioned, one Shiner, and three shots totalling $120. I think that's pretty hefty for a casual joint.I heard they play jazz only on Mondays. We'll have to check that out soon!"

Escapade 2001

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (14) • $

"I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I love the music that they play and that you can go from 01 to 09 without having to pay twice. This is the club that I go to the most and I usually have a good time. Friday is ladies night, and on Saturdays if you go in before 10 there are usually passes there so you can get in for free if you're over 21 or $5 if your under 21. If you're over 21 you also get this coupon for a free drink at the bar. The down side is that its really empty until around 11:30. After that it gets really packed, to the point where you can't dance with out bumping into someone especially when they play huapangos and norteñas. If you get tired of mexican music they do also have this little club inside called avalon where they play hiphop, reggeton, merengue, salsa, bachata, cumbias etc. They did remodel the front part of the womens restroom, but the actual bathroom stalls are still crappy. I don't usually buy drinks ,but when I do I pay 5-$9 depending on the drink. I do recommend coming here if you want to dance to mexican music, and if you don't like it being packed I recommend coming on a friday."

Sweet Tooth Hotel

★★★★☆ 3.9 (42)

"This is based on bar only. The art part closes early. The host was nice helped us to seats. Bartenders are super nice and helpful Very approachable. They basically serve the bar area like waiters and waitresses. Go to each table for drinks and close out checks. A lot of work for a bartender. Luckily the bar area isn't big. But with all that they do the still will be really helpful. Great staff overall."

Levy Event Plaza

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"A fabulous open space that is located next to beautiful Lake Carolyn. This venue has a nice large open field that can accommodate large crowds. On the side of the grassy area is a paved section that can hold concession stands and pedestrians seeking food and drink. It's a great place to watch fireworks, concerts, or any other festival type event."

The Loft

★★★★☆ 3.9 (31) • $$

"I finally got to check The Loft out. Wasn't quite sure what I was expecting given that it's above the Palladium, which is quite large. The Loft is fairly small. Think I heard it holds about 400 people. There's a bar in the back, and a bar to the side of the stage, so it was pretty easy to get a drink at all times (important!). I can't really comment about the sound because the Buzzcocks played LOUD, but I enjoyed it, even when I went deaf. The opening band wasn't really my cup of tea, so we all went out to the patio. A huge patio at that. It was fun looking at the Dallas skyline and watching the hoochie mama's below going to the Pittpull concert. Hello silicone, but I digress.I didn't really mind paying $4.50 for weak cocktails, or $4 for Shiner, even when it was poured in a plastic cup. The bathroom attendant was so unnecessary, though. Is she always there? There are only two bathroom sinks, and we were at a punk show ferfucksake.Any who. I felt the venue was solid for what it does, and the fact that I was able to get so close to punk legends sealed the deal."

Double Wide

★★★★☆ 4 (208) • $

"This is my 2nd time going to this place. It's a hilarious place to check out. There signature Cocktails are fun. Yoo Hoo yehaw is the definitly my favorite. Please have have your expectations of what you are going here for. This is a trailer park dive bar. They do have karaoke during the day. I definitely recommend checking this place out. Enjoy yourself as it's a gem."

Cowtown Coliseum

★★★★☆ 3.9 (102) • $$

"Great rodeo and venue. All seers are good. 2 and 1/2 hour show . Decent food concessions. Nice venue. Enjoyed our first rodeo."

BarnHill Vineyards

★★★★★ 4.6 (92)

"What a fun night! First off wow amazing venue with the most beautiful views and ambiance. This was our first time here and we were so impressed with how gorgeous it was and how friendly everyone was! The wine was amazing and although we didn't eat every bodies food looked delicious. My favorite wine was the BarnHill red. A perfect blend, and not to sweet and not to dry We went for the tribute to Blake Shelton night, since we are hugh Blake fans, and wow the band did not disappoint! Seriously so good! Can't wait to go back and bring our family to your beautiful winery!"

The Grapevine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (342) • $

"Having moved back to Dallas from living in Austin for many years, I had always missed going to a quirky, cozy divey-feeling bar or restaurant. The moment we walked in the decor really catches your eye and there is a small stage on the right. The bar has cute light fixtures over it and there are coin pool tables with pink and purple felt. The seating varies from sofas to chairs to bar stools inside. Outside they have a patio that extends beyond what you might expect. In other words it is massive! There is also another stage out there and the ambience is very cool. It almost feels like a brewery with tons of picnic table seating and open air for the smokers who want to smoke and socialize. The service was great, the drink selection was good, and the inside/outside hang out space was really just the best. The only downside that I can think of for this place is maybe that they don't have that much parking space? I mean that's me trying hard to come up with some flaw about this place! Come check them out, period. You won't regret it!"

LSA Burger

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Scott is great! Fabulous food and great service!!! Cool music too! Sit upstairs and overlook the square of Denton!"

Box Garden

★★★★☆ 3.7 (14)

"Cool place to hang out with friends and families. Free concerts on fridays and saturdays. A variety of food and drinks in the legacy hall."

Deep Ellum Art Co

★★★★☆ 4.2 (40) • $$

"I love everything about this venue! Had bestie boo not told me anything about it I would have never known since it is a tad off my radar. But now I have a good excuse to come on down to Deep Ellum! If you are an eclectic soul who loves art, people, good music and supporting local then COME HERE! They do events just about every weekend that include live music and even fire dancers!! There is an indoor part that has a bar and then an open area outdoors on a beautiful evening. We were able to browse around and they had local vendors with pretty artwork and various items to buy. Inside there is a dance floor and lots of open space to move around. It truly was a unique experience and I want to go back especially on a day where they are doing these various events. Bring cash to buy some stuff and support these local hardworking artists!"

Poor David's Pub

★★★★☆ 3.5 (39) • $

"Make no mistake: This really is a "music venue" (as Yelp properly classifies it). They happen to have bar service, at perhaps an "intermediate" level, but the only food here is popcorn. So, really, you come here for the show, which makes it harder to write a review for, but I'm going to try anyway. Most shows (if not all) are going to have a cover charge; the band I saw had a deal where they "paid to play", then got a portion of the gate. The place holds maybe 300 patrons, and seating is mostly sturdy plastic seats that you might see in a middle school. There are a fair number of movable round tables to hold drinks, and the stage is very well situated and has room for plenty of performers and their gear. Lighting is more than adequate, and I'm sure, varies from act to act. We only had water and soft drinks, but the prices were very reasonable for these (unlike many bars). Restrooms were clean and easily accessible. Parking is available in several lots around the venue, and it's easily reachable from DART light rail if you want to come that way. It's definitely a decent place to catch a band, just make sure you eat beforehand."