Spend an evening anywhere in Deep Ellum and you’ll have stories to tell your grandchildren. Spend an evening at one of Deep Ellum’s liveliest bars, however, and somebody might offer to buy the rights to your life story. Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration — but memorable nights are practically guaranteed here. Whether you’re bar-hopping along the neon-lit streets or settling into one standout spot for a few hours of drinks, friends, and spirited conversation, Deep Ellum rarely disappoints.
You already know the best places to eat in Deep Ellum, but the venues on this list are first and foremost all about the drinks.
Punch Bowl Social
Gather over punch bowls at this massive, 24,000-square-foot venue. With three bars on two floors, a trio of patio spaces, bowling, karaoke, ping pong, arcade games, and a scratch kitchen, it’s easy to lose track of time and hang with your friends for hours. 2600 Main St., Dallas; punchbowlsocial.com
Trinity Cider
This taproom specializes in house-fermented hard ciders in a range of flavors, from classic apple to triple-hopped tangerine. Nonalcoholic options, food offerings, and specialty events like boozy bingo and pet adoption pop-ups add to its broad appeal.m2721 Main St., Dallas, trinitycider.com
Ruins
Deep Ellum has long been considered one of the most artistic districts in Dallas, and Ruins capitalizes on that by showcasing local talent on the walls throughout the space. The Limbo Room serves up an impressive lineup of mezcal cocktails and Latin American beers, alongside a dynamic slate of live entertainment — from national touring acts to North Texas indie favorites, plus high-energy dance parties and crowd-pleasing karaoke nights. 2653 Commerce St., Dallas, ruinsdeepellum.com
Rodeo
Here’s your chance to ride a mechanical bull, and impress your friends with bottle service. This bar that is an ode to Western culture gives you a little of everything under one roof. It’s a sports bar, but also a nightclub. There’s a dance floor with DJs. And you can also enjoy dinner and party games. 2724 Elm St., Dallas, therodeobar.com
Select Start
The best thing about a bar with more than 50 arcade games? You can challenge your friends to see who buys the next round. This gamer bar specializes in shots, mimosa towers, and ice-cold brews for a little friendly beer pong competition. 2811 Main St., Dallas, selectstartarcade.com
Will Call Bar
Step into this dive bar with a juke box soundtrack for one of the chillest vibes in Deep Ellum. Snack on wings while sipping on one of their signature cocktails, perhaps a frozen Jack and Coke on the spacious covered patio facing the people parade on the street outside. 2712 Main St., Dallas, willcalldallas.com
Louie Louie’s
Warm up your vocal cords for a night of sing-along and dueling pianos, paired with punch bowls that serve up to four people. Those can get sweet, so consider some fried mushrooms or tots to balance things out with a little savory. 2605 Elm St., Dallas, louielouiespianobar.com
Cold Beer Company
Patio time with your pooch awaits at this long-standing favorite known for—you guessed it—beer. Twenty-one taps anchor the menu, with even more options available by the can, offering everything from easy-drinking lagers to hop-forward IPAs. If you’re in the mood for something stronger, a handful of well-crafted cocktails deliver an extra kick. 3600 Main St., Dallas, coldbeerco.com
Double Wide
Mosey to the edge of Deep Ellum toward Fair Park and stop when you spot the tornado spinning atop this trailer-themed hangout — you can’t miss it. Inside, an eclectic mix of live music keeps the energy high, matching the venue’s offbeat charm. The signature cocktails are just as playful, from the YooHoo YeeHaw, spiked with chocolatey Yoo-hoo, to the Twisted Tang, a nostalgic nod to the citrus drink mix. 3510 Commerce St., Dallas, doublewidedallas.com
Reno’s Chop Shop Saloon
Known as the “baddest metal rock dive bar in DFW,” Reno’s Chop Shop boasts cheap beer, craft cocktails, and a soundtrack that’ll have you headbanging in no time. Come for karaoke to live your own rock-and-roll fantasies onstage, or get tickets to one of their raucous live shows. 210 N Crowdus St., Dallas
Sons of Hermann’s Hall
Dallas’s oldest standing wood structure and oldest bar has been an edge-of-Deep-Ellum staple since 1917. Today, it honors the neighborhood’s history with swing music, blues, and other acts designed to get people up and dancing. 3414 Elm St., Dallas, sonsofhermannhall.com
Three Links
Created with live music enthusiasts in mind, Three Links welcomes indie bands of nearly every imaginable genre. The intimate space brings fans up close and personal with a variety of bands and other live performers. Special events also include DJs and karaoke nights, ensuring live entertainment of some sort nearly every day of the month. 2704 Elm St., Dallas, threelinksdeepellum.com
Electric Shuffle
This isn’t your granny’s shuffleboard. Instead, this UK-based concept features high-tech shuffleboard games, energetic music, drag brunches, and a super-generous happy hour starting at $5 for beer, wine, and seltzer. 2615 Elm St., Dallas, electricshuffle.com
Westlake Brewing
Kick back with a signature Y’All-Star IPA, a glass of Italian wine, hard cider, or a non-alcoholic Hop Water or beer at this Deep Ellum craft brewery. The taproom and patio give you options for where to hang, depending on the weather or your current POV, with weekly trivia nights as a fun way to meet new people or battle it out with your friends. 2816 Commerce St., Dallas, westlakebeer.com
Backyard
Flash back to childhood, but in a decidedly adult way, at this playground full of playful opportunities. The climate-controlled, 12,500-square-foot space allows you to enjoy a patio scene any day of the year. Enjoy more than 40 draft and bottled beers (plus beer towers), cocktails, and wine. Bring your dog, stick around for some interactive games, catch your favorite team on one of more than 40 screens, or try your luck at the mechanical bull. 505 N. Good Latimer Expy., Dallas, backyarddallas.com
Twilite Lounge
Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday with no cover charge at this popular nightspot with cozy nooks and a cool back patio. Play some billiards, challenge your friends during Trivia Night, or settle in with a cold beverage and free popcorn for action movies each Wednesday. 2640 Elm St., Dallas, thetwilitelounge.com
