9 Popular Music Venues In Dallas TX

Although it isn’t the music capital of Texas, Dallas is a city known for its variety of concerts, music genres and music venues. Like most things in the Lone Star State, some of these venues were built to be Texas-sized. The Culture Trip has put together a list of the nine most popular music venues in Dallas you should check out.

1. Granada Theater

Concert Hall, Music Venue, Theater, Theatre

The Granada Theater was built in the Lower Greenville region of Dallas in 1946 as a movie house, but it is now used as a concert hall. The venue’s design reflects the Golden Era and has the capacity of hosting 1,150 guests. It has won multiple awards from The Dallas Observer Music Awards, Pegasus News DFW’s Ultimate Best and more for being the ‘best live music venue.’

2. South Side Ballroom

South Side Ballroom

Formerly known as the Palladium Ballroom and Gilley’s, the South Side Ballroom is a venue with a 1,500-person capacity. It’s well known for its frequent and popular music events, with many up-and-coming artists making their stop here including Coheed and Cambria, The Chainsmokers, and Tori Kelly. Live Nation is the exclusive booking and promoting company for this location.

South Side Ballroom, 1135 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX, USA, +1 214 421 2021

3. Lizard Lounge

Lizard Lounge

Known as ‘The World Famous Lizard Lounge,’ this venue frequents DJs, touring bands and other live music events. With its two stages, a balcony overlooking the main stage, three bars and a patio with a view of the Dallas skyline, the venue can pack up to 1,000 people. The venue is known for playing electronic dance music. It’s a great spot for a weekend out with friends.

Lizard Lounge, 2424 Swiss Ave, Dallas, TX, USA, +1 214 826 4768

RTB2 at Trees | © Neff Conner/Flickr

4. Trees

Trees

Established in 1990, Trees has hosted some of the biggest leaders in the music world including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Deftones and Radiohead. The venue has a more intimate setting with a capacity of 650 and a standing room-only sloped floor allowing guests to see the stage from all areas of the room. Trees is renown for being a part of the Deep Ellum music scene. Check it out after a day of vintage shopping and craft beer in the neighborhood.

Trees, 2709 Elm St, Dallas, TX, USA, +1 214 741 1122

5. The Bomb Factory

The Bomb Factory

The venue gets its name from its past as a place where bombs and ammunition were manufactured for the military during WWII, but in the mid 1990s, it was converted into a music hall. Located in the heart of Deep Ellum and its music scene, The Bomb Factory has hosted PHISH, Dave Matthews Band, The Ramones and more. The venue recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to accommodate more guests. If you and your friends are looking for a place with a little more breathing room, The Bomb Factory has you covered.

The Bomb Factory, 2713 Canton St, Dallas, TX, USA, +1 214 932 6501

American Airlines Center | © Jeff Attaway/Flickr

6. American Airlines Center

Opera House, Park, Music Venue, Sports Center, Building, Concert Hall

Built in 2001, the American Airlines Center has hosted Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna and lots more. Located in Victory Park, the venue has the massive capacity of holding 21,000 guests. The arena was named the 4th busiest in the U.S. and the 10th busiest in the world by the 2014 Venues Today Magazine. In addition to concerts, the center is the home to the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. Catch a legendary performance between game days.

7. Gexa Energy Pavilion

Opera House, Park, Music Venue, Sports Center, Building, Concert Hall

Located in Fair Park, the Gexa Energy Pavilion can seat 20,000 in its amphitheater arena. While the seating area is covered, the open lawn on the outer perimeter of the venue allows for more seating and guests to join the event in an open environment. The Gexa has hosted more than 600 concerts, including big name headliners like Van Halen, Chris Brown, and Incubus. Spanning a wide range of genres, there’s a concert for every taste.

8. Winspear Opera Center

Winspear Opera Center

In the heart of the Dallas Arts District, the Winspear Opera Center acts as a music center for this section of the community. The 2,200-seat performance hall doesn’t limit its guest to opera; it has hosted many other genres for its well-known quality of acoustics. Of course, if opera is your thing, you can catch performances like Manon, Show Boat, and Carmen. Each season follows a theme guaranteed to win over opera novices.

Winspear Opera Center, 2403 Flora St, Dallas, TX, USA, +1 214 880 0202

9. House of Blues

Music Venue

The Dallas edition of the corporate House of Blues venue chain has a capacity of 1,625 people. It includes a restaurant and gift shop in addition to the stage and balcony overlooking the main floor of the concert arena. This venue is a main stop for bands touring through Dallas. It features big names and up-and-comers alike across the genre spectrum like Nick Jonas, Bullet for My Valentine, and Vanessa Carlton.

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