Welcome to our home!  The Sons of Hermann Hall is staffed entirely by unpaid member volunteers.  We do this to help keep the Hall a friendly, family oriented place where everyone is welcome and to keep prices as low as possible.  We love our grand old building and hope you have a wonderful time when you visit.  In no particular order, here are a few things we are frequently asked.

Money
The Sons of Hermann Hall cannot accept credit cards or checks for ticket sales or bar purchases.  We've been Cash Only since 1911.  We're kind of old fashioned and plastic money hasn't caught on yet.  Sorry!  The good news is there is an ATM machine in the downstairs hallway.  It is at the bottom of the down (left) staircase.

Admission Policy

Unless Otherwise Noted:

Please forgive us if we aren't always punctual - this is a part time volunteer activity for us and sometimes our day jobs get in the way.

We Check ID
For most shows you won't need photo ID to get in but you may need it to buy alcohol.

If you look younger than 30 we will card you at the bar.   Per Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulations, a valid Texas driver's license or ID card is the ONLY acceptable ID for alcohol sales.  We apologize to those with out-of-state ID but please don't ask us to break the law.  (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Title 4, Sec. 106.03 (b), SALE TO MINORS, September 1, 2007)

Not from Texas?  You're welcome but please understand that Texas law limits the types of ID we can accept for alcohol sales without risk (see above).  If you are obviously over 30 we may not ask.  If we do, it will help if you have official photo ID (such as a driver's license) from your state.  If you are young looking and do not have photo ID please understand if we refuse to sell you alcohol.  The TABC regularly conducts sting operations at all clubs in Deep Ellum and the penalties are severe.  We will not put our unpaid volunteers at risk of arrest in order to sell alcohol.  Sorry, but that is our policy.

For most shows you will only be asked to show ID if you attempt to purchase alcohol.  However, at shows for which we expect many guests under 21 we may check everyone's ID at the door and issue color-coded wristbands.  You will need an appropriate wristband to purchase alcohol.  Anyone seen removing or exchanging wristbands will be escorted off the premises immediately without a refund.  Please work with us and obey the law and we will all have a great time.

TABC regulations do not allow alcohol to be brought into or taken out of the Hall by patrons.  The fines for this are severe (for us and you) so please do not attempt to bring alcohol in and understand if we won't let you take it out.  We are simply obeying Texas law.

Is the Sons of Hermann Hall a Bar or Niteclub?
Neither.  The Sons of Hermann Hall is a private lodge building jointly owned by Texas Sons of Hermann Dallas Lodge 22 and Columbia Lodge 66 and managed by the SoHH Home Association.  Most shows are put on by unaffiliated outside promoters that rent the hall from the Sons of Hermann Home Association.  The Sons of Hermann Hall is staffed entirely by unpaid member volunteers.

Advance Tickets
Advance tickets are never sold at the Sons of Hermann Hall.  The Hall is staffed entirely by unpaid member volunteers and we haven't found a satisfactory way to handle advance tickets.  Promoters may offer advance through other outlets such as Front Gate Tickets.  The decision to sell advance tickets is the sole responsibility of the show's promoter.  Services such as Front Gate Tickets will leave tickets at the "box office" or "will call" for purchases too late to mail.  Will call tickets can be picked up when the doors open for the show and not before.  Such tickets are handled by the show's promoter only and are not kept at the Sons of Hermann Hall.

Smoking Policy
By popular demand, all shows and public events at the Sons of Hermann Hall are smoke free.  Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking is not allowed in the upstairs ballroom, the bowling alley, or any of the meeting rooms at any time while the Hall is open to the public.  Smoking is also not allowed on the front porch or by the back door - we must keep these clear as fire exits.  Smoking is allowed in the downstairs bar so people hypersensitive to smoke may want to avoid this area.  The Downstairs Bar is the only place smoking is allowed.

Who Runs The Shows?
The Sons of Hermann Hall is not a nightclub.  It is a private building owned by two local Texas Sons of Hermann Lodges.  Most shows are run by unaffiliated outside promoters that rent the Sons of Hermann Hall. The promoter selects the acts, determines ticket prices, arranges for advance sale, etc.

Advance tickets to some shows may be available at the sole discretion of a show's promoter.  If the promoter shares the details with us (and we can verify the information) it will be noted on the calendar.

Although promoters sometimes advertise otherwise, advance tickets are NEVER sold at the Sons of Hermann Hall.  We ask promoters not to advertise advance tickets but it still happens.  We apologize for any confusion this may cause.

Why are there no prices listed?
Like all establishments that feature music, the Sons of Hermann Hall is required to pay performance royalties to BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC.  Some of these agencies base charges on every mention of the word "music" and any cover price listed.  The Sons of Hermann Hall has limited funds available and often the income from the bar or the cover charge barely covers our expenses, especially for the weekly events.  To keep our costs as low as possible we must be careful how our advertisements (including the web site) are worded.  The alternative would be to cancel the weekly events and we would rather not do that.

Is The Hall Available For Private Parties?
Absolutely!  The Sons of Hermann Hall is available for weddings or receptions, corporate events, birthdays, holiday parties, or just about any private event.  We have several rooms available and can assist with arranging catering and entertainment.  Please see the Hall Rental page for more information.  Our calendar fills up fast so please inquire about availability as far in advance as possible.  We already have bookings for next year!  NOTE: We cannot respond to e-mail requests for Hall rental availability or rates.  Please phone 214-747-4422 and press 2 to leave a message for the Hall Manager for all rental inquiries.

Who's playing two months from now?
We wish we could tell you.  Please understand that, because we are volunteers, we work for the Hall in our spare time.  Sometimes we just can't get everything together until a week or two out.  We try to post the schedule as far out as possible but please forgive us if we don't seem to know who's playing next week.  We don't!  Pretty much everything we know about upcoming shows is already on the calendar.

Mobility Impaired Guests
As a registered historic building the Sons of Hermann Hall is exempt from ADA compliance but the member volunteers will do whatever they can to assist mobility impaired guests.  Everyone is welcome but please remember this is a 90-year old building and some areas may not be easily accessible to guests with mobility impairments.

Can I Reserve A Seat?
Unless noted otherwise, all shows are general admission and first-come seating.  The Sons of Hermann Hall can NOT reserve seats or tables in advance.  Occasionally a show's promoter will make arrangements for reserved seating and this will be noted.  To ensure a good seat please arrive early.

Had Too Much?
TABC rules require us to stop serving alcohol to anyone that displays signs of intoxication.  We can't do a blood test so we have to go by what we see.  The fines for serving a visibly intoxicated person are severe for the Hall and the bartender so please don't ask us to break the law.  It is illegal to purchase alcohol for a person that has been cut off so please don't make a problem worse.  You aren't doing yourself or your friend any favors.  The TABC really does do unannounced spot checks and undercover stings.  There is a good chance you will get caught.

Recycling
We recycle glass and aluminum (the city even gave us bins!) and ask you to help by returning empties to the boxes near the bars.  If the boxes are full, please tell one of the bartenders and we'll put some more boxes out right away.

Shhhhh!
We want you to have fun at the Sons but please be respectful of your fellow guests.  If anyone becomes so noisy or boisterous that we get complaints from other patrons we will ask them to tone it down or move to another part of the room.  If they continue we will ask them to leave.  We want you to have fun but not so much fun that no one else can have a good time.

Parking
There is plenty of parking around the Sons of Hermann Hall but please understand that the surrounding lots DO NOT belong to the Sons of Hermann Hall and we have no say about fees or parking restrictions.  For parking tips and warnings, please see the directions page.  And for goodness sake, please do not park in the spots marked "Reserved for Baylor Police" unless you want your car towed to the City of Dallas impound lot.

Should I Drive Home Drunk?
The short answer is HELL NO!  Are you crazy?!?  That is a stupid and dangerous thing to do.  Please do not endanger yourself or others.  The amount of alcohol needed to impair your driving is remarkably small.  It isn't always easy for a person to tell if they've had too much.  But the police are experts at measuring blood alcohol levels and they get a lot of practice checking in Deep Ellum.  A DUI arrest is embarrassing and expensive and you never know who your overnight "roommates" will be in jail.  Please don't take a chance.  Pick a designated driver (or volunteer to be one).  Keep track of how much you drink and take it slow.  Switch to water or soft drinks for the last round or two.  Drink responsibly because we want you to come back.

Security
Our end of Deep Ellum is a bit more peaceful than others but if you are concerned about walking to your car alone after a show please ask one of the Hall's member volunteers at the downstairs bar.  We will be glad to escort you to your nearby vehicle.

Other Questions
We tried to think of everything but may have missed something you are wondering about.  If you have a question that wasn't answered here, please send a note to

jmac413 at sonsofherman dot com

Thanks!