The video above walks through 20 different spots worth checking out in Deep Ellum, covering everything from legendary live music venues and dive bars to restaurants and nightclubs. If you're wondering what to do in Deep Ellum, this is a solid starting point — it's a real walk-around tour of the neighborhood filmed on a Tuesday night, and it shows just how much is happening even on a weekday. Deep Ellum is a historic neighborhood just east of downtown Dallas with roots going back to the 1800s. It was one of Dallas's first commercial districts and a historically significant African-American community, often referred to as the Harlem of the South. Blues and jazz drew musicians like Robert Johnson, Lead Belly, and Bessie Smith here back in the day, and that musical DNA still runs through the streets. Today the area is covered in murals and packed with bars, galleries, restaurants, and live music rooms, though there are real concerns about gentrification, crime, and ongoing construction affecting the people and businesses trying to make it work here.
What Are the Best Live Music Venues in Deep Ellum?
Deep Ellum has one of the highest concentrations of live music venues in Texas. Here's what's covered in the video:
- Trees — A world-famous venue open since 1990 that has hosted Radiohead, Nirvana, Arcade Fire, Deftones, Tool, and Erykah Badu
- Club Dada — An all-ages spot with a big outdoor patio featuring local bands, running since 1986
- The Studio at the Bomb Factory — Deep Ellum's premier midsize concert hall and event space
- The Bomb Factory — A large-capacity music venue with ticketed shows from popular touring artists
- Deep Ellum Art Company — Open seven nights a week with a bar, courtyard, food trucks, live music, and art exhibitions
- Adair's Saloon — A honky tonk dating back to 1963 with live music seven nights a week, known for burgers, beer, and a stage that once hosted Dixie Chicks and Jack Ingram
- The Freeman — A Big Easy-style spot with Cajun food and local jazz bands playing nightly on multiple stages
- Sons of Hermann Hall — A historic fraternal order ballroom with swing dancing on Wednesdays and an eclectic campfire jam on Thursdays
- Three Links — A punk rock-driven dive bar with wild artwork and a ratty, cool atmosphere
- Double Wide Bar — A welcoming neighborhood bar tucked on the edge of Deep Ellum with DJs and an intimate stage for live music
- All Good Cafe — A funky little cafe with American fare, a Tex-Mex accent, a live stage, and a monthly open mic night
- Twilight Lounge — A more casual and elegant spot with New Orleans-inspired cocktails, live music nights, and a cozy patio
- Will Call — An American pub with pool tables and live bands in a music-themed setting
- Bucky Moonshine's — An easygoing bar and restaurant with Cajun and Southern food featuring local blues artists
- Ruins — A club and restaurant with sashimi-style Mexican food, Caribbean and South American influences, cocktails, and live music
- Reno's Chop Shop Saloon — A mural-covered dive bar with biker energy and dollar bills on the walls
- The Nines — A large nightclub with happy hours, DJ shows, and a rooftop patio
- Dots Hop House and Cocktail Courtyard — A massive patio beer garden with 99 taps and a full kitchen
- St. Pete's Dancing Marlin — Known for great tuna steaks, good drinks, and weekend music
Food and the Full Deep Ellum Experience
Before hitting the venues, there's solid food in the neighborhood too. Hawker serves up Asian street food and is a popular stop before a night out. David Bridwell grabbed a meal there before walking the neighborhood and eventually landing at Adair's Saloon, where he played a set at the Songwriters Social hosted by Justin Pickard and Jacob Price Zaz. Deep Ellum is the kind of place where you can eat well, wander past murals, and stumble into great music on any night of the week