If you’re looking for unique nightlife and lots of creative flair on your Dallas vacation, spend some time in Deep Ellum. A colorful history and edgy vibe have helped this downtown neighborhood become a vibrant arts & entertainment hub in the Big D.
You’ll find endless options for your evening entertainment in the buzzing Deep Ellum district. If you want to keep things relaxed, laze away an afternoon at pretty patio bars and friendly craft breweries. Or hit up one of the many clubs and entertainment venues around the neighborhood for something a little wildest.
Deep Ellum is the live music capital of North Texas, with venues like The Factory helping to put it on the map. If comedy is more your jam, you’ll find plenty of it at the Dallas Comedy Club. Or, for thought-provoking performances, book tickets to the next critically acclaimed show at the Undermain Theatre.
Ready to spice up your trip to Dallas? Reinvent your itinerary with this Deep Ellum guide, including where to stay, what to see & do, and the trendiest places to eat & drink.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Texas Travel Guide for more tips & recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do on your vacation!
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What to see & do in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum Art Co.
If you want to get a real feel for Deep Ellum, start at the Deep Ellum Art Co. The beating heart of the neighborhood’s creative scene, this entertainment venue and hangout spot is dripping with artwork at every turn.
Perch by vivid murals in the twinkling courtyard. Graze the food trucks, try some yard games, or grab a drink from the bar. On tap, you’ll find 27 beers and ciders, seven cocktails, and four wines.
Whatever gets your creative juices flowing, Deep Ellum Art Co. has it. For your eyes, check out rotating art exhibits and an innovative projection-mapped art gallery; for your ears, snag tickets to live music from multiple genres, whether you’re looking for soothing jazz or thumping techno.
Stimulate your brain with independent movie screenings, poetry readings, and book launches. If you’re looking for new ways to express yourself, the venue has hosted workshops on everything from comedy to calligraphy.
Undermain Theatre
If you’re expecting a generic night at the theater, you won’t find it here. Undermain Theatre is an 80-seat venue that produces intimate and innovative performances. The restored 1913 warehouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and provides an atmospheric setting for immersive shows.
The Undermain Theatre is fast gathering a collection of some of the most experimental writers in the United States. This has attracted national praise and prestigious awards. A visit to this popular Dallas attraction might be your chance to watch the next star show before anyone else!
This thriving theatre company has just 17 members of actors, directors, designers, and producers. But they never fail to blow audiences away with spectacular sets and gripping stories.
Descend to the gold columns in the basement and take a pew in the restored Frank Lloyd Wright seating; the circle of chairs enveloping the stage put you right in the heart of the show.
The Factory in Deep Ellum
Craving some tunes to end your day in Dallas? Catch a gig at The Factory in Deep Ellum. Henry Ford bought the site in 1914 as a car assembly plant, then as a factory for ammunition during WWII. Today, it’s a thriving event space and one of the top live music venues in Dallas.
From the outside, you wouldn’t expect much from The Factory in Deep Ellum. It’d be easy to walk past its small and unassuming brick façade, but step inside, and you’re treated to an epic concert space with a vast dance floor and shining upper mezzanine seating.
Whether you want to rock out or sing along, The Factory in Deep Ellum has hosted greats like Rage Against the Machine and Disclosure. Despite having space for 4,300 people, you’ll get a high-quality and intimate concert experience here. Air conditioning, advanced light and sound systems, and a centered stage keep you comfortable and immersed in the music.
Dallas Comedy Club
Pack in some giggles on your city break with a visit to Dallas Comedy Club. Open five nights a week, the club shows you the very best local and national talent in improv, stand-up, sketch, and storytelling. Their relaxed and affordable shows make it a fun way to fill an evening during your stay in Dallas.
With rotating comedians and lots of audience interaction, no two visits to the Dallas Comedy Club will be the same. Seating only stretches to 120, so you’ll feel every bit of comedic tension in the room.
After the show, relax on the outdoor patio. Grab a drink and compare your favorite jokes with the rest of the audience.
Fancy trying out a sketch for yourself? Dallas Comedy Club offers regular classes and workshops. Master your stand-up routine or play around with improv. Experienced local performers and qualified instructors will guide you toward comedy gold.
Immersive Gamebox
If Deep Ellum isn’t exciting enough for you, try entering a virtual world instead. The Immersive Gamebox uses virtual reality to create the ultimate game night. Put on your visor and step into the box to battle your way through puzzles, challenges, and escape rooms.
Using motion tracking, touch screens, and surround sound, you’re transported through interactive and team-building challenges. Take part in your own version of the Netflix hit Squid Game or help to set up society for a new life on Mars.
Immersive Gamebox offers a wonderful chance to bond as a couple, get competitive as a family, or take your friendship to the next level. It’ll test your problem-solving skills and ignite your imagination.
You can fit up to six people in your game box. Drinks are delivered while you play, so there’s no need to stop the fun!
Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Get a rich taste of Deep Ellum at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company, the production location of the brewery’s award-winning craft beers. Have an educational day with a brewery tour or just educate your tastebuds in the taproom.
On a tour of the first craft brewery in Dallas, you’ll learn about the history of this bold brand, the brewing process, and its plans for the future. You’ll also get an insider scoop on the vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood.
Head to the lively bar to enjoy a rotating menu of the Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s finest draft beers. Choose from a crisp lager, a full-bodied stout, or an exciting IPA. Sit in the edgy industrial-style interior or soak up the sun on the patio.
There’s a fantastic range of events at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company throughout the year. Try five-course dinners with special beer pairings or dance to live music and silent discos.
Where to eat & drink
With a funky foodie scene, you find no shortage of unique places to eat & drink in Deep Ellum. But sometimes you just want a sandwich. Uncle Uber’s Sammich Shop has tasty burgers and sandwiches from simple classics to quirky and bizarre. The unassuming deli-style joint is a hip spot for a tasty treat.
Get your BBQ fix at Terry Black’s Barbecue. The Austin staple has finally made it to Dallas. With a rich family heritage, this is authentic Texas BBQ at its best.
Or, for perfect fried chicken, hit up Hattie B’s Hot Chicken Dallas Deep Ellum. The Nashville import has a simple menu of tasty made-from-scratch dishes.
STIRR will offer you a high-end experience. The modern American restaurant has a sleek bar, a rooftop patio, and a bold food and cocktail menu.
Continue the night with more al fresco fun at Dot’s Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard. This dreamy patio bar has a relaxed atmosphere and twinkling industrial architecture.
Angry Dog is a no-frills bar with high-quality food and drink. With no loud music and a laid-back vibe, it’s the perfect place to catch up over a quiet drink.
The old-world interior of Armory D.E. is a cozy spot for an aperitif. A Hungarian-themed menu includes comforting snacks and daring cocktails.
To really get the night going, head to Louie Louie’s Dueling Piano Bar. Part show, part nightclub, these interactive performances never fail to get everyone dancing and singing along.
Where to stay
Although it’s one of the city’s most interesting neighborhoods, there isn’t a wide selection of accommodations in Deep Ellum. If you run out of options, expand your search to neighboring Downtown Dallas, where you’ll find many of Dallas’s most popular places to stay.
Kimpton – Pittman Hotel, an IHG Hotel
This beaux-arts-style building has been standing since 1916. As it was once the site of legendary blues performances, you’ll find nods to the building’s heritage in the blend of old and modern design, live music at the American tavern, and art-filled common areas. Relax in a cabana with a cocktail at the pool bar, or let off some steam at the gym.
Cozy 1BD in the Heart of Downtown Dallas
This one-bedroom apartment packs a punch with its fully equipped kitchen, spacious balcony, and an outdoor pool. At just a block away from The Factory and surrounded by some of Deep Ellum’s tastiest eateries, it’s a convenient spot for your evening entertainment.
The Heart of Dallas, Deep Ellum
Live like a local in this stylish Dallas apartment. Less than one mile from the Dallas Museum of Art, it offers a central location for exploring Deep Ellum and the rest of the city. Minimal but colorful interiors give you plenty of space and privacy across two double bedrooms.
