The Loft

The venue has great acoustics, but it’s not able to book acts big enough to draw a crowd that fills the space, leaving you to hear EVERY conversation over the performers. On top of that, drink prices are outrageous — $ 10 for a small, standard mixed drink? No, thanks.

I would give 2 – 3 stars. The venue itself is great! An amazing loft (of course) with a view of downtown and a small intimate music venue with two bars. The problem with the venue comes in two forms. First, the acoustics are horrendous. I’ve seen Polica a few times at other venues and had an amazing experience. However, this time the sound for the opening band and Polica were really muffled. My second (smaller) complaint is the price of the drinks. The cheapest 12 oz. beer there is $ 6. This complaint is offset by the fact that the show tickets were relatively inexpensive.
Anyways – hate to give this place such a low review (it has huge potential!). But my experience there, especially as an avid concert go-​er, only warrants a 2 – 3 star rating.
UPDATE: I saw another show here and, unfortunately, the same problem. The acoustics are absolutely horrendous. However, the bartenders are amazing each and every time. So 5 STARS FOR SERVICE. But because music is the draw, 2 STARS OVERALL DUE TO SOUND.

Went to the Loft recently for the Youth Lagoon show and was pleasantly surprised. I’ve been to Palladium Ballroom a few times but never upstairs to this part. It was a great intimate setting for smaller touring acts and the patio is great! One of the best views of downtown Dallas. Parking wasn’t too expensive ($ 5 for a thursday night). Wish they had more shows at this venue because I would be here more often!

I’ve actually never been to a show here but I did have my wedding here this weekend, it’s a pretty unique venue for such a thing I think they did a great job! We had the ceremony on the nifty balcony overlooking downtown Dallas with a great view and once it got dark people loved chilling out there on the cabanas as well. I actually thought it would have been nice for the ceremony to start after it got a little dark since the lights hanging over the balcony and downtown all lit up was such a cool sight but it was great while it was light out as well.
We had about 85 guests who fit nicely into the venue– originally we invited 100 and that might have been a little cramped but with people constantly going in and out side it probably would have been fine. Everyone said the BBQ and the desserts they provided were tasty (I couldn’t really eat much,) the sound system sounded good, and everything went pretty smoothly. There was a little confusion at first when they put the tables out and there wasn’t a dance floor set up that was quickly resolved! It’s overall just a cool looking place and I REALLY liked that it was kind of a one stop shop– they provided all the chairs and tables and linens and food and even parts of the centerpieces which makes it so much easier! And they even had a guy in house (I think the DJ) who rented out a photobooth for really good prices, people LOVED that thing.
The only things I’m deducting a start for aren’t really The Loft’s fault, just maybe a word to the wise about the area– it can get really hectic! Especially considering that there are like 4 other venues inside Gilley’s– I think Earth Wind and Fire was actually playing the night of our wedding so the valet’s were working overtime and it was crazy when everyone was leaving at the end of the night. I felt bad making people brave all that Dallas traffic to get to my wedding but I think once people got there, they could see why I chose it. Also, it was a minor bummer that our names never ended up on the marquee like they told us it would.
It was the first and last venue I looked at and I’m very happy I went with The Loft for my wedding!

Rubbing Elbows
One of the best reason to go see a live band is the ability to feel the music coming out of their mouths and instruments. That can only be accomplished by being up close and personal. The loft is so much more intimate than the Palladium below.
The bartenders can get busy, especially between sets, but don’t worry they’ll get to you. Between sets take a breather on their awesome balcony. Take some pics with your friend/​significant other with the Dallas skyline.
With all these positive marks you would expect a 5 star review. Sadly, the band line up is pretty limited. My favorite recurring band are the Spazmatics. I wish they could take a cue from Granada’s rotation. Still, if your favorite band comes, it’s a no brainer!
Band with a view

I like this venue a lot.
I felt like I was in one of the venues you start off at in Guitar Hero. Smaller crowd, but still rocking out.
Nice, simple acoustics. Floor really shakes with bass.
Bartenders are really cool and nice.
Now all I can hope is that they didn’t toss my ID and debit card. I forgot to close my tab. :/

I got a chance to really check out one of the more popular music venues in Dallas. It’s pretty nice to see «SOUTH SIDE ON LAMAR» in lights at night because its easy for me to get lost.
PARKING: $ 5 CASH only
I am really crazy about Donald Glover and got to see him on his IAMDONALD tour. I brought my dslr and an extra lens hoping to snap a good photo of me and him after the concert. FAIL.
As soon as I got in, they made me check my bag and they saw my camera. Even though I wasn’t a professional photographer, they made me put my camera in the car =(
We waited in line (if you’re over 21) to get a wrist band that that has your name printed on it — they scan your license. When we went into the next stage of entrance we had two people scan our tickets. Even though we got them way in advance, one didn’t scan well. We had to go all the way back to the box office and print a new one. You see we have a legit ticket — can’t you just let us keep going through? They should do the work — not us.
In the end, it was really cool inside. Big space with a tall stage.
Beer available on both sides and monitors surrounding so you can see the stage up close.
The bathrooms are a big plus! They have a person in the BR waiting on you. As soon as you get out from the stall, they put soap in your palm and place a towel next to you. Complimentary br service is always nice.

Maybe it was the band I saw but this venue is easily my favorite spot in Dallas to catch live music. I love the Granada for it’s location, artists that come by but damn, they can’t beat the view of the Dallas skyline that the Loft has.
The place is small and you really can get right up next to the band you’re there to see. I’ve been to shows at the Palladium but even though they’re in the same buillding, they’re not even the same.
Parking is cheap, getting there isn’t my favorite, and the neighborhood around is kind of shady but the Loft is worth it.
You almost feel like you’re at some underground show, climbing stairs to get to where you gotta go, and flashing your tickets to some random guy.
Prices are Dallas average at the bar but it’s gonna be like that everywhere.
People are complaning about the bowed floor but it kind of adds to the charm and you really get up in the grill of the artist and can really enjoy the music. Awesome.

Saw Kool Keith here a few months ago. Yes, all personalities were there. Great show but it sure would have been nice to know before I got there that he wasn’t taking the stage until after midnight. Mixed drinks were cheap. Not much bathroom space but they’ve got another bathroom downstairs that everyone seems to forget about. Smoking deck has a very nice view. Almost makes downtown Dallas look appealing.
Crowd was a little too nerdy/​trendy for my liking. This is coming from a guy who attended Animé Expo and Comic Con on a yearly basis and has been told by the ladies that nerdiness is one of my more endearing qualities. Still, I can put up with nerds who make Kool Keith seem normal by comparison. Better über nerds than roid rage chumps looking for a fight. Can’t wait to see Guitar Wolf when they play here!

I like The Loft, but its not in my favorite of Dallas venues. Too many times I’ve felt like the floor was just going to cave in. It’s bowed and rickety, and when the crowd gets rowdy, it moves like crazy.
I’ve seen some great shows here, though, so The Loft staff does a great job at booking. Honestly, though, I’d rather see bands at Palladium. Much better set-​up.
The drinks are crazy expensive. $ 4 for water, when beer is only $ 3.50? Excuse me for wanting to hydrate!

i was here last sunday for toubab krewe which i had never heard of before but im a new fan. the venue is on a second floor and you can buy your tix at the door with a credit card. the bouncer checks your id and swaps it on a machine that prints a wristband with your name which i always find creepy. i hate that shit. dont track me. this is why i dont ‘check-​into’ places like on 4sq or whatever. bartenders were nice and attentive. this bartender liked my glasses so she gets extra cool points. beers are fairly priced and it seems like interesting bands play here very often so i am sure that ill be back.

I love this venue… I tend to not see many bands in the larger venues in town, just cos it is so impersonal. This place is fantastic.
The view from the rooftop patio is awesome. The size of the venue is perfect for seeing your fav band.
Don’t worry, i don’t think the floor will cave in if too much jumping around is happening, but it sure feels like it.

The Loft is awesome. If you haven’t heard about it, that’s cool, it’s easy to miss as it gets somewhat overshadowed by the larger Palladium Ballroom, which is located directly below. This positioning of the 2 venues is a pretty appropriate metaphor for the types of places each one is. Whereas the Palladium is large and features more well-​established and popular acts, The Loft is much smaller and intimate, about 500 capacity, and generally features local and indie acts that are popular but not enough to fill the cavernous Palladium.
However, as the saying goes, size doesn’t really matter in the case of the Loft. I’ve seen several artists of different genres come through in the past and each time have yet to be disappointed. The sound is excellent, the vibe is always warm and energetic, and the place is so small that you really can’t get a bad view. In fact, half the time the bands just walk around the place before and after the show. Speaking of which, I was just there the other day to see The Drums (so sexy) and the band was just standing around talking at the bar a good hour before the show (which they totally rocked the house with).
Another good feature is the patio, which, besides being spacious and having an excellent view of the city, is being spruced up with little cabanas and trees making it a more pleasant place to just hang with a drink from the bar between acts.
Anyways, I’m crap at concluding paragraphs and I’ve said everything I wanted to say, so I’ll end it here. But really, dude, go check it out, it’s a great place.
P. S.- some minor contentions with some previous comments. They DO take CREDIT CARDS. Maybe not in the past, but I have paid with a credit card before. Also, the place is wheelchair accessible with ramps and an elevator. I think you just have to ask someone at the door.

The Loft is in an intense battle with Prophet Bar for my favorite place in Dallas to see lesser known bands. Smaller venues used to mean the bands performing had to make some sacrifices — typically by way of sound quality. Not so much here — they’ve got a great sound system and a great staff that knows how to run it.
The space itself is clean and open and the stage is elevated only a couple feet off the ground — this means a clean view of the bands but you’re still close enough to keep it intimate. There are also some couches and chairs towards the back for those that don’t want to stand.
Probably one of the best parts of the venue is the huge balcony area. If the band that’s currently on stage isn’t your cup of tea, grab a drink (full bar!) and head outside for an awesome view of the Dallas skyline.
Add in a Shiner on tap for only $ 4 and you’ve got yourself a great time.

I like this venue — it’s fairly new, clean and simple and the outdoor patio has a smack dab view of downtown Dallas. Parking is $ 5, unless you want to park in the dark urban neighborhood and hoof it.

I finally got to check The Loft out. Wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting given that it’s above the Palladium, which is quite large. The Loft is fairly small. Think I heard it holds about 400 people. There’s a bar in the back, and a bar to the side of the stage, so it was pretty easy to get a drink at all times (important!). I can’t really comment about the sound because the Buzzcocks played LOUD, but I enjoyed it, even when I went deaf. The opening band wasn’t really my cup of tea, so we all went out to the patio. A huge patio at that. It was fun looking at the Dallas skyline and watching the hoochie mama’s below going to the Pittpull concert. Hello silicone, but I digress.
I didn’t really mind paying $ 4.50 for weak cocktails, or $ 4 for Shiner, even when it was poured in a plastic cup. The bathroom attendant was so unnecessary, though. Is she always there? There are only two bathroom sinks, and we were at a punk show ferfucksake.
Any who. I felt the venue was solid for what it does, and the fact that I was able to get so close to punk legends sealed the deal.

I saw Justin Nozuka at The Loft. Great venue, small and quaint, not too packed for this particular show. We were ten feet from the stage! There was no line at the front door, and we didn’t wait in line for parking either. $ 5 parking, not bad for this type of place but you did have to mention The Loft, costs more for the other venues (Palladium). There were two bars, never had to wait for a drink. $ 4 cocktails, cheap! As mentioned before, beers were $ 3.75, I don’t know for sure but the cups were fairly large so seems worth it. Sound system was good, view of downtown was pretty amazing, and even the bathrooms were decent. After reading reviews I was hesitant, but I really had a great time and didn’t find anything to whine about.

The three reasons I deducted three stars:
1) We walked up to the box office and saw that the price for the Spazmatics concert had been raised from $ 10 (as advertised on The Loft’s website) to $ 15. Oh, and CASH ONLY? Yeah, I know I should have read these other Unilocal reviews more closely, but C’MON!
2) We could not find a place to stand where we were not constantly being jostled and shoved by people trying to get to a bar or another spot on the floor. It’s hard to dance to 80’s music when you’re pinned between three sweaty strangers.
3) When I asked a bartender for water toward the end of the night, he grabbed a Dasani bottle and told me, «That’ll be 2 dollars.» Sorry, did you think I looked gullible? Give me tap water, you ass. I also disliked how the drinks are distributed in cups according to what you’re drinking. Every once in a while, I just need a plain soda rather than a rum-​and-​coke, yet you’re going to shout this to the world by giving me a red Coca-​Cola cup? And water comes in a distinct cup as well? Gee, thanks…

I would like to respectfully disagree with the post below. Seems as if some of the complaints are a little ticky-​tac.
The small venue is what makes it so nice, as opposed to the huge Palladium Ballroom below… When you come to the Loft you really feel apart of the show and every spot is a great one. My favorite moment here was when the Fleet Foxes came here summer of 2008. The Loft was crowded, everyone was in great spirits, and the Fleet Foxes were absolutely stunned by the turnout. In my mind, had this show been elsewhere the experience would not have been the same.
Drinks are not cheap at all, and I think everyone knows that, which is why it’s not a 5 star place. They also put the beers in plastic cups which I don’t particularly like because I prefer a bottle in my hand, but to let that get on your nerves is kind of ridiculous.
What I do like about this place is 1) small, intimate venue 2) great sound 3) bouncy «old-​time» floors 4) AWESOME view of downtown from the outside porch! So yes there are a few downfalls, but for my money I’ve seen some damn good bands here for under $ 15, I’ll go back anytime!

All of a sudden every place in Dallas is called The Loft it seems. I went to the one on Lamar to see the All-​American Rejects last night. Well, it definitely is just like a real loft. This means small but… how can that be bad when you are seeing a band. I kid you not, seems like you are spitting distance regardless of where you stand (although I don’t recommend it as there is no accounting for splatter and the beating you are sure to get from your victims)
There are two bars available and the tenders were very attentive. Of course, I was one of the only post-​teens in the audience so I was easy to recognize. As opposed to Andrea, I didn’t think $ 3.75 for a 16 oz draft beer was bad at all for this type of place.
Now the acoustics were inconsistent but I probably would have to blame the equipment of the bands themselves. The second group, which played a special kind of self-​involved excuse for music anyway, sounded awful, but the opener and AAR sounded great. I certainly would go here again.
There is only one bathroom, however. There was never a line but you had to fight your way across the crowded huddle near the stage to reach it. So I might be harsh but I knocked this down one star for the Pee Break Obstacle Course. Other than that, «Well done Loft!!!»