Music to our ears: Five great local music hangouts

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is more that the Boot Scootin’ Boogie kind of town that outsiders may imagine. Sure, big venues like the American Airlines Center, AT&T Stadium and Billy Bob’s Texas bring in some pretty notable names, but it's an entirely different scene when it comes to our local talent.

Often featured at smaller, more authentic venues, the bands, duos and individuals who get their starts in Dallas, and those who choose to stick around for a while after, may just happen to find their big breaks at the little hole-in-the-wall next door. So what are some of the hometown hangouts where one can scope out popular local performers, grab a beer and make some friends?

Adair’s Saloon

Not only does this graffiti-covered bar in the middle of Deep Ellum have one of the best burgers in town – it has some of the best talent, too. With live bands playing seven nights a week, Adair’s stage has been home to successful artists such as The Dixie Chicks and Jack Ingram. And when the music on the stage stops, it’s time to get the jukebox—chock full of Willie, Waylon and the boys—fired up!

Levitt Pavilion

From jazz to country to children’s music, the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington hosts 50 free outdoor concerts each year, bringing in over 100,000 people from around the city, state and country. Grab a blanket, a lawn chair, a picnic basket and the whole family, and turn any concert into an event. The outdoor pavilion can hold up to 2,500 concertgoers at a time, and there is room for the audience to spill over onto the steps of Arlington’s City Hall and still be within earshot of the music.

Aardvark

Just down the street from TCU sits The Aardvark – a Fort Worth institution for nearly 20 years. This hidden honky tonk has featured bands such as Bowling for Soup, Son Volt, David Allan Coe and Reverend Horton Heat. Prior to the establishment of The Aardvark, the bar was known as the House of Pizza (HOP), and showcased artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Patsy Cline and even Bob Dylan. In addition to its Texas-based talent, The Aardvark serves up killer BBQ and other tasty menu items.

Sons of Hermann Hall

Sons of Hermann Hall, located between Fair Park and Deep Ellum, was built in 1910 and is a popular venue for local musicians. In addition to its live performances, Sons of Hermann Hall also offers swing dance lessons every Wednesday for $5 and an Electric Campfire Jam open to acoustic players of all instruments, ages, styles and skill levels from 7:00 p.m. to midnight every Thursday. This fun and friendly family environment was highlighted in a Ray Wylie Hubbard profile in Pat Green’s Dance Halls & Dreamers.

Hailey’s Club

Hailey's, in the heart of North Texas, has been the largest live entertainment venue in Denton, serving up indie, rock, classic rock and hip hop for the last ten years. Hailey's Club received Dallas Observer’s "Best of Dallas" award for the best live music venue in the Metroplex, and has been nominated by the Dallas Music Awards as the area’s best dance club. With a rotating selection of 52 beers and its widely popular Dance Nights, Hailey’s Club is definitely a Denton staple.

Whether you're interested in foot tapping, cutting a rug or just enjoying a night out with some sweet background sound, the Metroplex offers a bevy of musical hot spots that accommodate the unique tastes of North Texans.

Rachel Kaufman is a Houston-born, Mizzou-schooled and Dallas-based writer.