The Prophet Bar

Deep Ellum has been born, died, and been resurrected many times. The Prophet Bar was instrumental in the resurrection of Deep Ellum which became the cool art and music scene in the early 1980s. In the late 1990s, greedy real estate owners and opportunists turned Deep Ellum into a tacky carnival. It needed to die. Finally, Deep Ellum is resurrecting once again with the elements that have always stood the test of time. Inspired Live Music, Raw Inspiration, and Real People.

The Prophet Bar opened in 1985, spearheading an unforgettable art and music scene. Russell Hobbs' vision for the Theatre Gallery was to make and promote art, music and theatre in its purest form whether it was profitable or not. As the hub of a buzzing scene, The Prophet Bar enabled the Theatre Gallery financially. Dallas has always been searching for its identity, to be more than a trading post on the Trinity River. So what if JFK died here, so what if JR lied here, and so what if Jerry Jones wins another Super Bowl. In a city obsessed with status toys, trophy wives, and designer drugs, The Prophet Bar stirred up Dallas and made waves by challenging its belief systems with controversial booking, provocative advertising, and promoting a counter-culture of seekers. Russell's message to seek truth, be real, and leave the cloning at the mall behind resonated with Dallas and multitudes converged upon Deep Ellum. The Prophet Bar became the epitome of a movement, much like the 60's, where a generation was saying, "There must be more". The Prophet challenged the city with music, theatre and special events transcending the traditional bar scene. Many bands got their start at The Prophet Bar and have gone on to great success. Russell named Reverend Horton Heat, hosted The New Bohemians, TimBuk3, Mo Jo Nixon, Screaming Jay Hawkins, the True Believers, the Smithereens, and many more.

Dallas has been a city with weak leadership, held hostage by unresolved racial issues. In the 1860's, when the slaves were set free they established their own "Freedman's Town" east of downtown. There was hope and liberty. People were inspired to make a better life. The oppression was still a reality; it just changed forms from steel chains to segregation and soon hopelessness set in. Freedman's Town was singing the blues and became known as "Deep Ellum". Today, Dallas has millions of slaves. Materialism, dead religion, and lust hold millions of people in bondage - every day. Today, The Prophet Bar operates in the spirit of Freedman's Town for those who love art and music and will dare to step out of the parade of the status quo. The Prophet Bar is back in Deep Ellum, shining the light in a dark corner of town for all those who seek something more.

The Prophet Bar, Established 1985, Re-Established 2007.