Closure News

Dallas bar closes after surviving a decade in Deep Ellum

On Premise Deep Ellum: RIP

On Premise

A Dallas bar that opened 10 years ago in Deep Ellum is closing its doors: On Premise, which rode a decade-long wave in the often-turbulent neighborhood, will close on October 31.

According to founder Adam Salazar, they were unable to come to terms on a new lease. Salazar calls it "a helluva run."

The bar occupied a prime spot at 2711 Elm St. in what is arguably the hottest address in Deep Ellum: along the stretch of Elm Street between Crowdus and Good Latimer Freeway — and right in between the old Green Room (also now closed) and Trees.

On Premise took over a space that had previously been home to Lemongrass Bistro, a Thai restaurant which also lasted an equally impressive 15 years in a neighborhood. The space clearly has good karma.

It originally started out as a restaurant with a menu by then-ultrahot chef Brian Zenner, Salazar recalls.

"In the beginning, we were a restaurant-bar, so we'd have a dinner rush, then a little late-night bar activity — we could do it all," Salazar says. "We had a cool steampunk theme, with nicely appointed decor."

"But Deep Ellum 10 years ago is a lot different than what it is now," he says.

That was also pre-pandemic, and like every other business, On Premise pivoted. Their strategy was to cut back on the restaurant element, and for a brief spell in 2021, they hosted a pop-up burger joint called Holy Cow. In the end, they transitioned into strictly a late-night bar.

Salazar also owns two other successful concepts: The Mitchell, the swanky bar in downtown Dallas which is coming up on its 10th anniversary; and Ye Olde Scarlet Pumpernickel Tavern, the pub-style American tavern also in downtown.

The landlord at On Premise is Westdale, who are reportedly going to redo the building, which hasn't been renovated since at least 2000.

On Premise will close out with a big party on Halloween night.

"My only regret at this point is feeling bad for our staff who put everything into it and had everything to do with us staying open," Salazar says. "But I feel proud to say that we managed to be successful to the end."

deep-ellum closings

Joie de vivre

New Bishop Arts bistro brings French elan to historic Oak Cliff home

Photo courtesy of Trapèze/Peter Novotny

Trapèze is serving French fare in a laid-back bohemian yet deeply thought-out atmosphere.

Transforming historic Oak Cliff homes into dining destinations is an art, and a duo known for their Deep Ellum hot spots has a new work on display: Trapèze, a French bohemian bar and bistro, that has quietly opened at 240 W. 8th St. in a repurposed bungalow on the west end of the Bishop Arts District.

Owners Peter Novotny and Dan Murry, who operate Ruins on Commerce and Armoury D.E. on Elm Street, told CultureMap in February that they envisioned Trapèze as “an old-fashioned bohemian artist’s enclave.”

Now in the soft opening phase eight months later, they say, by "drawing inspiration from the old French bohemian bars and cabarets,” they've accomplished their goal of creating "a place where people can enjoy a great meal and drinks, listen to some music, and just lose track of time a little.”

Trapèze has been welcoming guests discreetly the last couple weekends, as they complete a few finishing touches both to the building — they are excited about the near-complete patio — and to the food: “We have a limited but very solid menu available now, and should have the full menu, brunch and all, ready very soon,” Novotny says.

A grand opening date is still in the works.

Novotny has said that inspiration for Trapèze came from Oak Cliff’s historical French influence. Bishop Arts once was home to the French utopian community La Reunion, which settled in the mid 1800s. The neighborhood pays homage to these roots at its annual Bastille on Bishop celebration.

“We’re trying to do a tribute to the French history of Oak Cliff and Bishop Arts, and our goal is to capture the things we love about regional French cuisine and culture,” Novotny said earlier this year.

trapeze Designed by local artists at Decotron, the front-porch sign at Trapèze offers a taste of what's inside. Photo courtesy Trapèze/Peter Novotny

Novotny and Murry hired New York-bred chef Jeremy Spector to direct Trapèze’s culinary program. He’s worked in famous kitchens such as Balthazar and Gramercy Tavern and has owned and operated restaurants in NYC. The owners have told CultureMap that Spector's menu represents different regions of France, along with flavors inspired by France’s once-vast colonial empire, including Moroccan cuisine.

The bar menu is full of classic French and New Orleans-esque cocktails made with French spirits and liqueurs like absinthe and chartreuse; an extensive list of cognacs; French Caribbean-rooted Rhum Agricoles (or Agricole rums), and French and “French-adjacent” cider and beer.

The house that is now a restaurant underwent a massive revamp, which lasted months due in part to weather-related delays. To make matters more challenging, Trapeze is located in a conservation district, which means construction had to be done in a specific way that would preserve the home’s original look.

“It’s basically a complete renovation,” Novotny says. “They had to rebuild the entire structure. The whole exterior is all new.”

The new sign out front reads Bien Mangé, Bien Bu, which translates roughly to good food, good drink. Made by the sculptural artists at Decotron, an Elm Street-based signage fabrication company, it creates curb appeal and offers a preview of the attention to detail, whimsy, fine craftsmanship, and French flavor found inside.

Hours have been slightly fluid. At this time Trapèze is open 4 pm-"late" Wednesday-Thursday and 4 pm-2 am Friday-Sunday. Updated days and hours will be posted on Instagram along with information about live music performers, they say.

bar food drink craft cocktails french food live music bishop arts restaurants