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Despite the southern conservative atmosphere that Dallas is known for, a thriving LGBT community has endured here for decades. The Cedar Springs neighborhood near Love Field is where you can find popular bars like S4, J.R.’s, Klub Kaliente and TallyWackers, Dallas’ male equivalent to Hooters. Outside of city limits, there are also some of the more obscure spots like Mable Peabody’s Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw Repair, which I think is the fairest bar of them all. There’s really no better place to be proud in the south than here in the Big D – here’s a quick guide to some of the best places to eat, stay, and play:
Crooked Tree Coffeehouse
Set in a really cute little house in the middle of high-end uptown Dallas, this place sticks out in a delightfully colorful way. It’s perfect for morning meet-ups or an afternoon cup of joe and has that true Southern hospitality sort of atmosphere. It is a small place – so it’s not good for groups but that’s okay. Considering all the concrete and metal that surrounds it, it’s still able to maintain a very small-town Texas charm that Dallas once had in years passed.
Texas Theatre
by: Pablo – Courtesy: Gogobot
As of right now, Texas Theatre may just be the hottest thing that Dallas has to offer. Oddly enough, this is the same theater where Dallas police officers found Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged shooter of the JFK assassination in 1963. After decades as a defunct historical landmark, the theater reopened five years ago along with the Oak Cliff Cultural Center and has since become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. They not only show movies, but also host medium-sized concerts and large events. There’s also a lot of space to move around in the theater, with lounge seating set up on both floors. If you’re in Dallas, this is place is great for all kinds – nightlife goers, music lovers, history and movie buffs alike. Also LGBT-friendly. Just make sure you check their calendar for their events!
Deep Ellum
by: Dan4th flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
Deep Ellum is Dallas’ famous historical music neighborhood, where the roots of blues and country run deep and the strong community vibe here makes it uniquely Dallas. These days the neighborhood is being revived by the recent economic boom in North Texas just to compliment the staying coolness of the area. There are an abundance of music venues, bars and restaurants, along with other quirky places like novelty/consignment and thrift shops, as well as a candy and soda shop and other odd-ball spots. There’s even an eight-track museum, which is only open at certain times or upon booking an appointment. Many spots in Deep Ellum have been open for years, such as the Allgood Cafe and Murray Street Coffee, and most are locally owned and operated by a friendly circle of arts-oriented folks. Some choice locations to enjoy a great night out: Serious Pizza, Three Links, Off the Record, Cafe Brazil and Doublewide.
Station 4
by: jkbrooks85 flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
S4 is the city’s premier LGBTQIA+ club and it’s also perhaps the most open one – it’s not labeled as exclusively gay like JR’s or somewhat exclusively lesbian like Sue Ellen’s. What S4 offers is a lot of space for people of all gender identities and backgrounds to get rowdy and have some fun, Texas style. That’s what makes this place special. It’s sophisticated with that Southern twang, which makes it appealing. Drinks are fairly priced and drag shows on Thursday nights are always a draw. It’s not wonder why this is Dallas’ most popular bar in Cedars.
JR’s Bar & Grill
by: jenny downing flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
JR’s is one of Cedar Spring’s oldest bars and it’s a nice to place to go if you’re looking to spend a fancy night out. Although, during my brief visit to this spot it seemed like most of the people there were pretty well-dressed as opposed to my casual attire. It seemed more like a lounge bar and much less like a place for the younger crowd to get loud and have some fun. This is definitely a place for the older LGBT crowd with money, so that’s why I’d recommend it for luxury travelers.
Beauty Bar
by: carlota flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
I love this bar simply because of its cozy retro atmosphere. While it’s located more in the “old” gayborhood east of Central Expressway, it still has a very LGBT-friendly vibe because of the ownership. This is more often than not the after-party spot for bigger events that usually happen in Deep Ellum or Lower Greenville. Sometimes they have bands play but when it gets crowded, there’s not a lot of elbow space. On a less busy night, it’s cool to go with a friend or two.
Tin Room
by: Pablo – Courtesy: Gogobot
Well, this is basically a male-strip club and bar. From the hot pink design on the outside, you might be taken a back a little bit by the tackiness. But if you’re looking for some adventure apart from the normal bars in the Cedar Springs/Oak Lawn neighborhood, this is your place. The dancers are quite attractive, the drinks are fairly priced and they have fun events ever so often. And this being Dallas – a conservative city in the Bible Belt south, it’s nice that a place like this even exists.
Sue Ellens
by: D.o.M.e.N.i.C.o (memmo77) flickr – Courtesy: Gogobot
If JR’s is the traditional fancy “gay bar” then Sue Ellen’s is its lesbian counter-part except without as much of the fancy – which, in my opinion, is a good thing. Nestled in a corner right off of the main Cedar Springs strip, this place is a little more low-key than some of the other bars in the area. That’s why it’s become more popular with trendsters than most of the other places, with the exception of S4 which has gained its reputation as the most popular bar in the area.
NYLO Dallas South Side
by: Laura Seewoester Bute – Courtesy: Gogobot
“Trendy” isn’t enough to describe a place that’s got every bit of artsy Texas twang intertwined with refined and sophisticated design. Walk in and you’ll immediately notice the worn brick walls, groovy Texas-made art and a funky chandelier aside the front desk. Outfitted in an old fashioned Depression-era building and located within walking distance of the convention center and the Soutside Ballroom – one of the city’s premier music venues – this is where you’re bound to find some of the city’s hippest visitors. It’s also right next to the world-famous Bill’s Records, as well as Poor David’s Pub, a popular hang-out spot for old school music scene locals. If you’re one with love for the arts and local culture, search no more because NYLO Southside is probably the quirkiest place you can stay in Dallas.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Dallas – Love Field
by: Metzae – Courtesy: Gogobot
This place gets four stars for its convenient location right across the street from Love Field airport and its exceptional interior design that is sophisticated but not in an intimidating sort of way. I enjoyed the lobby, which is decorated with some fine local Texas art and neat contemporary furniture. The rooms are quite comfortable, very spacious with plenty of room to do your work or just sit back and watch TV. Points off for the view, however, because here you’re surrounded by a sea of parking lots and car rental places, along with Love Field airport. Maybe on one side you can see a somewhat distant downtown skyline but I guess there’s not much more they can do about that. But hey, it’s also close to some of the city’s best nightlife with the popular Cedar Springs bar strip just a quick five-minute cab drive away.
Gogobot’s mission is to find people places to eat, stay, and play that are perfect for them. Get more advice on Dallas from the LGBT tribe.
Source: gogobot.com