Off the Record

Walking around Deep Ellum and found this gem by accident. Seriously, I was venturing for something sweet and walked past only to have my shoulder do a quick bop from the music that was coming out of the place. Naturally, I had to check it out. This quaint bar offers a unique area in the back for those interested in vinyl for their personal collection or a spot at the bar to meet a new friend. There's also a a few tables if you're visiting with a few friends. They offer local and domestic brews or a quick cocktail. I decided to try a local brew and the bartender was sweet enough to offer a sample before giving me a full pour... it's the little things that are much appreciated. Overall, this is a bar I would definitely revisit should I find myself in the area! Save me a spot at the bar!

Vinyl store? Check. Bar with lots of beers on tap? Check. This was a great place to check out with my brother when I was visiting him in Dallas (my hometown) recently. The seating is pretty limited, but they have some seating on the back patio, as well. Music selection was pretty great (of course). Lots of Texas beers on tap (which I appreciated as I no longer live in Texas and have strong nostalgic and sentimental feelings about Texas beers) - I had a Big Bend hefeweizen. (You can walk through from Club Dada.)Cool spot. Fun place to spend a few hours shopping, drinking, chatting...

I have worked in this neighborhood for quite some time. I like to visit bars and catch the vibes and enjoy the staff and their libations. Off the record is near and dear to my heart. The staff (shadow, Dani, and Isaac) are always welcoming. They greet me and other customers with an authenticity that I can't help but want to come back. If it's slow, you can chat with them and really get to know them and build an awesome relationship. If it's busy, you can guarantee they are all about getting you your drinks as fast as possible. This place and it's staff are a deep ellum treasure!

Live DJ, friendly people, everyone dancing just having a good time. Definitely stop by and check it out !!!

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.

After a good Sunday Funday I accidentally left my wallet here. When I returned Tuesday night for it the amazing bartender returned it to me! I can't say enough good things about my experience here! THANK YOU!

Located in the heart of Deep Ellum, Off the Record definitely got the night started off right. Being from Cali, the local hip hop club has a line out the door starting at 9pm. Not seeing much of that in San Marcos or Austin, I am so glad to see that this place had a line out of the door starting at 10pm... Always a good sign when it comes to going to a bar/lounge/club.This place is known as a craft beer and record/vinyl place, and although that may be so, the night scene is definitely not what I expected. To be honest, I didn't try any of their craft beer. It didn't seem fitting for dancing in a packed room full of people drinking hard liquor. Towards the back of the bar, there are vinyl records (how none of them were stolen during the night, is a miracle to me) and an outside patio for smoking. The dj was positioned up front and I was so relieved to see two turntables and a battle mixer. Being a DJ myself, controllers are cool, but they do not get as much respect as turntables. The Music was straight fire! the DJ played old school, early 2000s, late 90s, not that Migos trap crap... just feel good hip hop. If you are looking for a spot to hit up with lots of party people, good drinks, but most importantly good music? Then this is definitely a spot to hit up. End the night at OTR or stay the whole time, you can't go wrong with this place. I will advise you though, it does get packed and because of that, drink service was a little slow (as expected) and there may be situations of rowdy folks. Other than that, dance the night away at this dope little bar!

This is one of those places you go to late at night when you've already been drinking and hanging out, but you aren't quite ready to call it a night. A crowded good time with good music and somewhat cheap drinks (compared to the other bars in the area) in a tiny space.

Our experience here started out really well. We were drawn into Off the Record on a rainy Sunday evening by the music. The DJ was playing mostly 90s and early 00s rnb/hip hop and it was really good. The bar itself is fairly small but does offer quite a bit of seating for its size and has a patio with quite a bit of seating as well. They do offer records for sale but the variety for me was not my preference. The experience went bad when it came to the slender blond with shorter hair behind the bar. Someone we just met offered to buy us drinks so we followed him to the bar. We didn't hear the entire conversation but could tell the bartender was not happy with him for something. He told us that she was refusing to serve him unless he tipped her first. As he was telling us this she ran to the front door and grabbed the door guy to make him leave. The door man and the bartender we're both incredibly rude to him and kicked him out. We assumed it was a bigger issue that he wasn't telling us because who would kick someone out for not tipping?! We approach the bar ourselves and the same bartender asks us if we were friends with him and admitted that she told him she wouldn't serve him another round of drinks until he tipped her for the beer he purchased earlier. She went on and on about how she only makes $2 per hour and blah blah. If you don't want to WORK to earn your tips then don't bartend. Tips are earned for being friendly, helpful, speedy, kind, listening, etc. Not to be demanded for simply doing your job. I always tip as I know bartenders and servers don't make much as a standard amount per hour but she was above and beyond rude. I heard her yell at multiple other people the next hour for not tipping as well and complaining to her coworkers. There are multiple other reviews about this woman on yelp already.. how does she still work there? There was one man literally asleep at a table from drinking and another so wasted he couldn't stand up but they remained in the bar no problem without being kicked out. I would have given 5 stars if it weren't for her. 2 stars for great music and $3.25 Tito's drinks on a Sunday but she needs to go.

I was just visiting Dallas to check out the city that I will be moving to soon. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE MY GO TO SPOT! This place was so chill and the vibe was great. Norelle was soooooo welcoming. His presence and outgoing personality already made us feel welcome but on top of that he gave us free shots! Great guy! Definitely coming back. :)