Granada Theater and Sundown to Close in Dallas as Owners Sell Venue to Wellness Concept

Key points

• Sundown at Granada will close its regular restaurant service on Nov. 1, 2026, though private events will continue until Dec. 31, 2026.
• The Granada Theater will host its final concert on April 17, 2027, after operating as a live music venue since 2004.
• The 80-year-old venue, originally opened in 1946, will be sold to a new wellness and spa concept named Bathhouse, which is expected to open in late 2028.
• Owners Mike Schoder and Julia Garton cited rising costs, shifting audiences, corporate consolidation, and personal reflections on time and work-life balance as reasons for the closure.
• The venue hosted notable artists including Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Adele, and Billie Eilish, and was named the Dallas Observer's Best Live Music Venue multiple times between 2007 and 2015.

Background

The Granada Theater has been a staple of Lower Greenville for decades, transitioning from a movie theater to a concert hall in 1977 before Schoder reopened it as a full-time music venue in 2004. Sundown at Granada opened in 2012 as a sister restaurant, creating a combined entertainment and dining destination. The closure marks the end of a 22-year tenure for Schoder and Garton, who took over the venue in 2004. The space is set to be redeveloped into a wellness-focused venue, reflecting a shift in the local entertainment landscape.

How outlets are covering it

The Dallas Observer emphasized the emotional weight of the closure, highlighting Schoder and Garton's 22-year tenure and the venue's role in hosting over 3,000 events. D Magazine focused on the personal reasons behind the decision, quoting Schoder's reflection on time and the loss of friends, while also noting the upcoming Bathhouse concept. KERA News highlighted the sale to the wellness concept and the broader industry challenges, including rising costs and shifting audiences. All sources agreed on the closure dates and the sale to Bathhouse, but differed in emphasis: the Observer focused on the venue's legacy, D Magazine on the personal toll, and KERA on the industry context.

Why it matters

The closure of the Granada Theater marks the end of a significant era in Dallas live music, as the venue was a key platform for emerging and established artists. The shift to a wellness concept reflects broader trends in urban redevelopment and the challenges facing independent music venues. The decision may signal a changing landscape for live entertainment in Dallas, with potential implications for other venues and the local arts community.

What to watch

Sundown at Granada will close regular service on Nov. 1, 2026, with private events continuing until Dec. 31, 2026. The Granada Theater will host its final concert on April 17, 2027. The space is set to be redeveloped into Bathhouse, a wellness and spa concept, which is expected to open in late 2028. The remaining concert calendar for the Granada Theater will be released in the coming months, allowing fans to attend final shows.