Granada Theater Dallas Historic Live Music Venue and Event Space
Circa 2006
For a number of years this was the official website for the Granada Theater in Dallas, TX.
Content is from the site's archived pages.
The current website for the Granada Theater is found at www.granadatheater.com/ where you will find the most up to date information.
"My most memorable night at this fabulous theater was watching a handful of unknown bands having a blast one New Years Eve (2008?). The Swinging Johnsons (that's their real name!) cracked me up with their impersonizations of the Beverly Hillbillies - was that Sugar Babe playing bass? The Red Hot Juicies and Bro Bad teamed up for an acid rock trip back to the 70's that was awe inspiring with their custom fuzz boxes and distortion violins. But the band that stole the show in my mind was the Dead Sea Squirrels and their super long riff called Nothingness which had an instrumental in the middle where Bock Hanson read some text that I could barely make out, but it was obvious it was from one of Rev Sale's philosophical treatises titled: "In Search of Nothing." If you don't know what I'm referencing here, read this. It's a long intellectually stimulating rant about how the idea of nothing has been abused by our culture. So thematically, that hit a lot of notes for me since I'm a huge Sale fan. Anyway the crowd seemed to dig it, and were on their feet long before it was over." Stanley Kramer
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|||||
|
 |
 |
|||
|
|||||
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|||||
|
 |
||||
|
|||||
|
 |
 |
|||
HISTORY
Overview
The Granada Theater is an unique historical venue, located in the heart of Dallas, built in 1946 during the Golden Age of the Hollywood era. The interior of Granada features hand painted art deco murals throughout and the exterior boasts a forty foot neon marquee perfect for your event branding.
Granada Theater is located in Lower Greenville, in Dallas, TX. The theater was built in 1946 as a movie house. In 1977 it was converted to a concert hall, only to revert to a movie theatre soon after. In 2004 it was again opened as a concert hall.
Design
The Art Deco design of the Granada reflects the decadence of that Golden Era. The exterior was designed for function with rounded corners, stepped forms and linear accents that echoed the industrialized, streamlined designs of modern machinery, like automobiles. The interior decor employs the influence of ancient cultures. The murals were designed by the artist(s) who also worked on Los Angeles’ famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The grand scale murals depict different genres of film with the ceiling feature depicting a mythological “film goddess” standing over a reel of film. Fitting, since the Greeks gave us theater. The sunburst crowning the goddess and the curved plaster moldings lining the sidewalls point to another Deco theme – designs taken from nature. The neighborhood theater was family friendly providing soundproof rooms available for others. Archives stated the theater was predominantly dark red and the original front doors were made of wood.
AWARDS
Best Live Music Venue 2010/2011Pegasus News DFW's Ultimate Best
Best Live Music Venue 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015The Dallas Observer Music Awards
Best Live Music Venue 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015The Dallas Observer Reader's Choice
Top 10 Cultural Destinations in Dallas 2008Modern Luxury Dallas, Best of the City
2007 Nightlife WinnerCitysearch.com Best of City Search
Best Show-seeing Place 2006D Magazine Best of Big D
Dallas Observer: Best Concert: Sleater Kinney
Dallas Observer: Music Awards
- Best Live Music Venue 2015
- Best Live Music Venue 2014
- Best Live Music Venue 2013
- Best Live Music Venue 2012
- Best Live Music Venue 2010
- Best Live Music Venue 2009
- Best Live Music Venue 2008
- Best Live Music Venue 2007
- Best Talent Buyer 2011
- Best Talent Buyer 2010
- Best Talent Buyer 2009
- Best Talent Buyer 2008
- Best Backstage Area 2005
- Best Lower Greenville Save 2004
- Best Security Team 2011
D Magazine:
- Best of Big D: Best Live Music Venue 2015
- Best of Big D: Best Live Music Venue 2012
- Best of Big D: Best Live Music Venue 2011
- Best of Big D: Best Show – Seeing Place 2006
- Best of Big D - Best Night Out for Mom 2006
- Readers Choice: Best Live Music Venue 2012
- Readers Choice: Best Live Music Venue 2011
- Best of Dallas Awards Critics and Fans Pick: Best Live Music Venue 2009
Others:
- Ultimate Best Pegasus News: Best Music Venue 2010
- WFAA-TV A-List Awards: Best Live Music Venue 2009
- Modern Luxury Dallas: Top Ten cultural destinations in Dallas 2008
- Every Day (Rachael Ray): Best Place to see a show in Dallas 2007
- Citysearch.com: Best of the City Search Nightlife Winner 2007
Granada Theater Events
Type of Events
- - Corporate or Private Events
- - Private and Public Concerts
- - Fundraisers
- - Birthday or Bat/Bar Mitzvah
- - Product Launches
- - Weddings and Receptions
- - Holiday Parties
- - And Many More!
The Granada Theater is an unique historical venue, located in the heart of Dallas, built in 1946 during the Golden Age of the Hollywood era. The interior of Granada features hand painted art deco murals throughout and the exterior boasts a forty foot neon marquee perfect for your event branding. The Granada is a turn key event space offering in house catering, state of the art audio and video experience, flexible floor plans and professional event management. The Granada is ranked in the top 10 nationally, among concert venues, per Venues Today Magazine. You are renting a piece of history!
Granada Rentals
What sets us apart?
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Experienced Private Events Team
- Catering and Beverage Service
- Open and Multi-level Floor Plan
- Box Office and Online Ticketing System
- Staging, Concert Sound and Lighting Package
- Audio and HD Projection with three 20' Screens
- In House Talent Buyer
- In House Marketing and Publicity Department
Catering
The Granada Theater provides in-house catering from our restaurant Sundown at Granada, which is located right next door. Sundown prides itself on providing organic, fresh, and seasonal menu options crafted by our Executive Chef Jason West.
Granada Capacities
Location |
Standing Capacity |
Reception Capacity |
Theater Seating Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
Entire Venue |
1,000 guests | 800 guests | 485 guests |
Floor Level |
600 guests | 500 guests | 285 guests |
Balcony Level |
250 guests | 200 guests | 180 guests |
Sundown Events
Type of Events
- - Happy Hours
- - Birthday Parties
- - Corporate Parties
- - Movie Nights
- - Engagement Parties
- - Wedding Receptions
- - Rehearsal Dinners
Are you looking for a more intimate space for your gathering? Sundown At Granada is perfect for small, quaint dinner parties or large exclusive rentals. Sundown features three different indoor and outdoor event spaces, our downstairs bar area, covered patio and larger roof top patio, that can accommodate groups of 20-450. The Sundown roof top patio is a private event space with sunset views overlooking Greenville Ave and the Granada Theater.
Sundown Rentals
Roof Top Patio Amenities
- Fantastic Second Story Views of Vibrant Greenville Ave
- Catering with Custom Menus
- Outdoor Lounge Furniture
- Misters, Heaters and Fire Pits
- Covered Area on Roof Top
- Private Bar and Custom Craft Cocktails
- Valet Parking
- Personal Bartenders and Servers
- Professional Audio and HD Visual Equipment
FAQS
Q: Granada has won Best Live Music Venue in Dallas more than any live music venue… what is the story?
As a child, owner dude Mike, and his family ran a vacation summer camp in Minnesota. He was raised with a military father who became a pastor who encouraged him to collaborate in community with others. His mother taught him to love, work hard and clean. Years later, he created the Granada Theater, a musical vacation just like the resort he loved as a kid. The Granada is a friendly environment (rest assured, the bathrooms will be clean too) with no tolerance for unhappy staff members. We have fun, we rock, we clean, we have a beer together after work. We are a community and family in East Dallas. We will be here forever. Our fellow employees enjoy our “Love Yourself” lifestyle while discovering new music with us (and now, you).
Q: Do you accept all major credit cards?
We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Sorry no American Express
Q: I don’t have access to a printer. Can I just use my cell phone for my print at home tickets?
A: Yes. Each ticketfly order has a specific barcode per ticket. It is a .pdf attachment from your original ticket order. We must have the orginal .pdf format to scan. We cannot scan a screen shot of the original order.
Q: I have a great idea on how the Granada could be better. What do I do?
If you have a comment, please email solutions@granadatheater.com as our focus is to constantly make the Granada better! We will always be excited to improve things that directly affect the guest concert experience. You are truly the reason we are here.
Q: Where is your venue located?
Our exact address is 3524 Greenville Ave.
Q: Are you closeby to the DART rail?
The closest DART station to our venue is the Mockingbird Station. It is about a mile away which is about 15 minute walk away from Granada Theater or a 5 minute sprint if you’re extra fast.
Q: What’s this I hear about dinner before a show at Granada and also an after party each night with a live band next door?
In January 2012, Mike and his lovely lady Julia, opened Sundown At Granada, a farm to table restaurant with organic food, 60 beers, craft cocktails and a double decker patio next door to Granada. It is a great place to meet before the show for dinner, spirits, good conversation and a roof top sunset view. After the concert enjoy local bands or relax under the stars on the roof top patio.
Q: Where can I purchase tickets to upcoming shows?
Tickets can be purchased right here on our website or at the box office on show nights. You can see our complete calendar . Tickets are the exact same price online as they are at the box office unless day of show increase is noted on the website.
Q: Does the Granada have seats?
Depending on the artists’ preference, we may have only seats, standing room only, or a mix of both seats and standing. Standing tickets are cheaper and seating is reserved. You get to pick your exact seat online. It’s fun to find your favorite place to sit and call it your “home” at Granada. On the floor Section 302 B-4 and C-4 are my favorite as you can push your chair back to the wall and have massive leg room.
There are 8 levels inside Granada. My favorite for an incredible view of the entire stage is to pick an “A” row which is at the front of each level. In the balcony I also like to go for an “A” row one section back instead of a “B” or “C” row in a closer section, for a super open view of the entire stage. On the floor it does not matter as much as our stage is 5′ tall.
Q: Is there handicapped seating at our venue?
The Granada Theater’s main entrance is wheelchair accessible and our bathrooms are ADA compliant. If needing accommodations,we suggest that you purchase a ticket to the show, arrive at the venue when doors open, and speak to a venue manager. They or a venue staff member will accommodate you accordingly.
Q: I can’t make the show, what are my options with tickets?
Our tickets are non-refundable once purchased. If you’d like to transfer them to a friend, please provide to them A copy of the confirmation email / Print At Home tickets.
Q: Where should I park?
There is a paid parking lot located directly behind Granada that charges $8. There is also free street parking in our friendly neighborhood. I’ve never had to park more than a few blocks away and the walk gets me pumped for the show. One entire side of a couple streets have very obvious no parking signs.
Don’t park at the apartments as they do tow. Pick up a piece of trash on your happy walk in just to blow someone’s mind that may be watching you.
Q: I left my credit card at the show last night, how can I get it?
First, give our office a call at (214) 824-9933 to make sure we do have your card. All cards can be retrieved at Sundown at Granada, our restaurant adjacent and South of the venue, starting at 5PM Mondays through Fridays and 11AM Saturdays and Sundays.
Q: What is your venue’s age limit?
Our venue is 10+ if accompanied by a parent/guardian and 14+ to go solo.
Q: Do I need an ID to enter the venue?
You’ll need a valid ID to enter the venue and pick up your tickets. If you are planning on drinking, a valid, non-expired, government issued ID will be required at check-in to verify that you are over 21 years old.
Q: I’m coming to a show tonight, what do I wear?
Our dress code is casual and 100% up to you. We only insist that you are fully dressed (no pants, no entry) and advise you to wear some type of foot covering for your own safety. See you in the pit.
Q: Do you serve food and drinks at your venue?
There are two to four bars that are open during our shows. At certain shows, we do have tacos available to purchase at the bars.
Q: What restaurants are close by to Granada Theater?
We have a restaurant and beer-garden right next door to our venue called Sundown at Granada. There are also restaurants within walking distance of the venue and many within driving distance of the Theater down Greenville Ave.
Q: Are there any hotels nearby your venue?
Here is a list of hotels nearby Granada Theater:
The Highland Dallas Hotel (used to be Hotel Palomar
5300 East Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206
214-520-7969
Best Western Citi Place
4150 N Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75204
214-827-6080
Hyatt Summerfield Suites Dallas – Lincoln Park
8221 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75225
214-696-1555
Doubletree Hotel Campbell Centre
8520 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX
214-691-8700
Holiday Inn Select
10650 North Central Expressway (between Meadow and Royal)
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 373-6000
(888) 477-7829
La Quinta
10001 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 361-8200
A list of other cool Dallas hotels:
Hotel Zaza
2332 Leonard Street
Dallas, TX 75201
214-468-8399
Belmont Hotel
901 Fort Worth Avenue
Dallas, TX 75208
866-870-8010
W Dallas – Victory
2440 Victory Park Lane
Dallas, TX 75219
214-397-4100
The Joule
1530 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201
214-748-1300
The Stoneleigh
2927 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75206
800-921-8498
Comfort Inn & Suites Market Center
7138 N. Stemmons Fwy
Dallas, TX, 75247
(214) 461-2677
Q: How can my band play at the Granada Theater?
There are a lot of factors that we take into consideration when booking our venue including what we, our Granada fans, and our neighborhood likes. You can submit all press kit or information to booking@granadatheater.com.
More Background On Granada-Theater.com
Granada-Theater.com functioned for many years as the official online presence of the Granada Theater, one of Dallas, Texas’s most revered historic entertainment venues. During its active life, the website served not merely as a ticketing or promotional tool, but as a cultural archive documenting performances, community engagement, venue philosophy, and the evolving identity of a landmark institution in the Lower Greenville neighborhood.
Unlike modern venue websites that emphasize rapid ticket conversion and social media integration, Granada-Theater.com reflected an earlier era of the web—one in which venue identity, storytelling, and local culture played central roles. The site provided detailed listings of performances, artist spotlights, event descriptions, and contextual material that helped audiences understand why the Granada mattered, not just what was playing there.
Today, Granada-Theater.com stands as a valuable historical artifact that captures a formative chapter in Dallas’s live music history and the Granada Theater’s resurgence as a premier concert venue in the early to mid-2000s.
Ownership and Management Background
The Granada Theater is locally owned and operated, a point of pride repeatedly emphasized through its public communications and reflected in the tone of its website. Ownership has long stressed independence, community responsibility, and hands-on management rather than corporate venue standardization.
Granada-Theater.com conveyed a strong sense that the venue was not simply a business but a labor of love shaped by personal values, collaborative culture, and long-term commitment to East Dallas. Management narratives highlighted staff cohesion, cleanliness, hospitality, artist respect, and guest experience—values that distinguished the Granada from larger, more impersonal concert halls.
This ownership philosophy helped cultivate deep loyalty among artists, staff, and patrons alike, contributing significantly to the venue’s sustained popularity and critical acclaim.
Location and Proximity
The Granada Theater is located at 3524 Greenville Avenue in the Lower Greenville district of Dallas, Texas—an area known for its walkability, nightlife, dining, and historic character. Granada-Theater.com consistently emphasized the venue’s integration into the neighborhood rather than isolation from it.
The site detailed proximity to public transportation, including Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail access via Mockingbird Station, as well as nearby parking options and pedestrian routes. It also highlighted the Granada’s adjacency to restaurants, bars, and accommodations, reinforcing its role as a destination rather than a standalone attraction.
This emphasis on place positioned the Granada as both a cultural anchor and an economic contributor to Lower Greenville’s revitalization.
Historical Origins of the Granada Theater
Originally constructed in 1946 during Hollywood’s Golden Age, the Granada Theater began life as a neighborhood movie house. Designed in the Art Deco style, the building featured ornate hand-painted murals, curved architectural elements, and a prominent neon marquee that quickly became a visual landmark.
Granada-Theater.com offered rich historical context, tracing the venue’s transformation from cinema to concert hall, back to cinema, and ultimately to its modern incarnation as a live music venue. These shifts mirrored broader trends in American entertainment consumption while underscoring the Granada’s adaptability and resilience.
The site treated the building itself as a character in the story—an enduring witness to Dallas’s cultural evolution.
Architectural and Design Significance
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Granada Theater emphasized on Granada-Theater.com was its architectural pedigree. The Art Deco exterior and interior murals were not presented as mere decoration but as essential components of the venue’s identity.
The website described the murals’ mythological themes, film imagery, and symbolic celebration of storytelling. It explained how natural motifs, geometric forms, and cinematic references combined to create an immersive environment that honored theater as both art and ritual.
By foregrounding these details, Granada-Theater.com helped audiences appreciate the Granada not just as a music venue, but as a preserved architectural treasure.
Evolution Into a Live Music Venue
Granada-Theater.com chronicled the venue’s reopening as a concert hall in the early 2000s, a pivotal moment that coincided with Dallas’s growing appetite for intimate, high-quality live music experiences. The site’s event archives reveal a remarkably eclectic booking philosophy.
From indie rock and punk to blues, funk, country, experimental acts, and nationally recognized touring artists, the Granada positioned itself as a genre-agnostic platform for both emerging and established talent.
This diversity contributed to the venue’s reputation as a tastemaker rather than a trend follower.
Programming and Event Listings
During its active years, Granada-Theater.com functioned as a comprehensive event hub. Listings included performance dates, ticket pricing, seating configurations, artist descriptions, and contextual commentary that reflected genuine enthusiasm rather than formulaic promotion.
The site frequently highlighted unique performances, themed nights, private events, and community gatherings, reinforcing the idea that no two nights at the Granada were exactly alike.
Archived listings now serve as a historical record of Dallas’s live music ecosystem during a particularly vibrant era.
Ticketing and Guest Experience Philosophy
Granada-Theater.com devoted significant space to explaining ticketing practices, seating layouts, accessibility options, and guest expectations. Rather than burying this information in fine print, the site treated transparency as a core value.
Detailed explanations of seating preferences, viewing angles, and stage height reflected a deep understanding of audience experience. This level of care fostered trust and repeat attendance, particularly among patrons who valued comfort and predictability without sacrificing excitement.
The website’s tone suggested that the venue viewed guests as partners in the experience rather than transactional customers.
In-House Dining and Sundown at Granada
A major feature of Granada-Theater.com was its integration with Sundown at Granada, the farm-to-table restaurant located adjacent to the venue. The site framed Sundown not as a separate business but as a natural extension of the Granada experience.
Menus emphasized organic ingredients, craft beverages, and seasonal offerings. Event rental pages described how catering and dining enhanced concerts, private events, and social gatherings.
By highlighting food, drink, and atmosphere together, the website reinforced the Granada’s identity as a holistic cultural destination.
Private Events and Venue Rentals
Granada-Theater.com positioned the theater as a versatile event space suitable for corporate functions, weddings, fundraisers, product launches, and private celebrations. Detailed capacity charts, floor plans, and technical specifications were provided to demonstrate professionalism and readiness.
The site emphasized in-house talent buying, production support, marketing assistance, and experienced event staff—elements that distinguished the Granada from generic rental spaces.
This content broadened the venue’s appeal beyond music fans to planners seeking a distinctive, meaningful setting.
Awards and Recognition
The Granada Theater has received extensive recognition from regional and national media, much of which was documented on Granada-Theater.com. Awards spanned multiple years and categories, including best live music venue, best talent buyer, best nightlife destination, and best show-seeing place.
Publications and organizations regularly cited the Granada as a benchmark for excellence in live entertainment, reinforcing its reputation among artists, audiences, and industry professionals.
The website framed these accolades not as marketing trophies but as validation of sustained effort and community trust.
Press and Media Coverage
Granada-Theater.com frequently referenced coverage from local newspapers, magazines, television stations, and cultural publications. While the site avoided sensationalism, it acknowledged the role of press in amplifying the venue’s influence.
This media presence helped cement the Granada’s status as a cultural institution rather than a transient nightlife spot.
Audience and Community Engagement
One of the most striking aspects of Granada-Theater.com was its emphasis on community. The site portrayed the Granada as a gathering place where staff, artists, and audiences formed an extended family.
Policies around age limits, accessibility, cleanliness, safety, and mutual respect were framed as expressions of shared values rather than restrictions. This tone resonated strongly with patrons who sought authenticity and belonging.
The website also invited feedback and suggestions, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.
Cultural and Social Significance
Granada-Theater.com captured a moment when independent venues played a crucial role in shaping local music scenes. By supporting emerging artists, preserving a historic building, and fostering neighborhood vitality, the Granada contributed meaningfully to Dallas’s cultural fabric.
The site’s archived content now serves as a digital time capsule, documenting how live music, architecture, community values, and early web culture intersected during a pivotal period.
Legacy of Granada-Theater.com
While the Granada Theater’s current online presence has evolved to meet modern expectations, Granada-Theater.com remains historically significant. It reflects a time when venue websites functioned as storytelling platforms, community bulletin boards, and cultural records.
For researchers, historians, music fans, and digital archivists, the site offers insight into how independent venues communicated identity, values, and purpose in the early internet era.
Granada-Theater.com was far more than a promotional website. It was an extension of the Granada Theater’s soul—documenting its history, philosophy, community impact, and artistic ambition. Through detailed event listings, thoughtful guest guidance, architectural storytelling, and a distinctly human voice, the site helped define what the Granada meant to Dallas.
Today, its archived presence continues to educate and inspire, reminding us that great venues are built not only with brick and neon, but with care, collaboration, and cultural vision.