Nightlife

RHINESTONE NIGHTS

Texas may be synonymous with the two-step, but there’s more to Dallas nightlife than just square dances.

BY JEREMY DILLAHUNT

My, how DALLAS has grown. Two generations ago, it was a hub for cattle trading and wildcatter oilmen. Then, it was just coming into its own as an oil-boom town complete with shiny new skyscrapers. These days, the city has fine arts museums and five-star restaurants—and its nightlife scene is a reflection of this rapidly changing urban identity. Roots rock is as popular as house music, but country stills stands tallest. Whatever your preference, Dallas will provide you with a wild night, so be sure to practice your “yeehaw!”

Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm St
214-747-4422
www.sonsofhermann.com

Housed in a landmark building, this venue is famed nationwide for its great acoustics and consistent booking. But it isn’t just about music. Downstairs, grab some grub and try your hand at shuffleboard. Wednesday nights feature swing dance lessons, and you can also catch the Hillbilly BBQ or Electric Campfire Jam on special occasions.

Zúbar
2012 Greenville Ave
214-887-0071
www.zubar.com

The design of this NYC-style, narrow dance club ensures close contact with other young and beautiful patrons, and the superb sound system is virtually guaranteed to get the crowd moving. The sounds playing are whatever is current in the house music world from resident DJs Joe Castillo, Just Mike and Demarkus Lewis.

Gilley’s Dallas
1135 S Lamar St
214-421-2021
www.gilleysdallas.com

Named for singer Mickey Gilley, Gilley’s is noted as the place where John Travolta rode a mechanical bull in Urban Cowboy. Expect to hear two kinds of music: country and Western. Some nights you might be surprised by an amateur boxing night or fashion show, but you can always count on the staff’s welcoming attitude and Texas-sized cocktails. Saturdays feature free dance lessons between 6pm and 8pm, so be sure to dust off your Tony Lamas.