86 September 18 - 24, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Contents | ReadeRs’ PiCks | shoPPing & seRviCes | aRts & enteRtainment | Food & dRink | sPoRts & ReCReation fairly basic, but the walls are littered with graffiti and countless band stickers to stare at while taking an inebriated dump (and while washing your hands, hopefully). They’re single-stall too, which increases the likelihood of having to wait in line, but sometimes that kind of privacy is invaluable when you’re out and about. Just like anywhere else in Deep Ellum, the cleanliness is heavily dependent on the night you show up and the assholes who got there before you, but we’ve never had any issues. 2704 Elm St. 214-484-6011 threelinksdeepellum.com › BEST RECORD LABEL Good Records In 2025, longstanding Dallas institution Good Records celebrated 25 years. The label and record store, which often hosts listening parties tied to vinyl releases, also lost a giant in the Dallas music community, its co-owner Chris Penn, who passed in April at the age of 54. He was a champion of local music, serving as band manager for North Texas rock legends Polyphonic Spree and Tripping Daisy. During his memorial in May, his wife, Jennifer Penn, left us with a message that still resonates: “Keep buying vinyl because, as he warned us, you can’t roll a joint on digital download. Say yes to going to the show, even if it’s a school night. Stand in the long line for merch. Chris would have. He did. I promise you, you won’t regret it.” 9026 Garland Road 214-752-4663 goodrecordstogo.com › BEST COMEDIAN Marissa Nieto California native Marissa Nieto has called Dallas home for over a decade and is an indomitable force in the local standup scene. A great comedian says what we’re all thinking, but funnier. Nieto’s rants on true crime, marital sex and how lesser-known Supreme Court justices can raise their profiles by dating Kardashians do just that. Her work is both side-splitting and deeply validating. She’s performed across the country and is a regular at the Dallas Comedy Club. She was also named one of our 10 DFW Comics to Keep on Your Radar in 2024. › BEST DRAG QUEEN Bleach As her name suggests, this bombshell is a striking Dallas blonde known for turning the party out. It also might imply that she’s so naughty it will take literal bleach to get fully clean after seeing her in action, and we love that. You’ve likely caught her aesthetically versatile magic, inspired by 2000s icons like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, around town on stages like the Rose Room at S4 or JR’s Bar & Grill. Or maybe you’ve seen her officiating vibrator races at Double Wide’s Pride celebration. Wherever it was, a good time probably followed. › BEST DRAG KING Buck Wylde Drag isn’t just for queens, and Dallas’ Buck Wylde is leading the charge for representation, not only in North Texas but nationally. Earlier this year, the multi-hyphenate performer landed among the cast of King of Drag, a first- of-its-kind reality competition putting the long overdue stage spotlight on drag kings. As Wylde told us earlier this year, “People will be able to see somebody on their screen that they can relate to, and know that not everyone is trying to get rid of us.” That mission alone is enough for us to crown Wylde as Dallas royalty. › BEST SMALL VENUE AND BEST PLACE TO SEE A PUNK SHOW Deep Ellum Art Co. Deep Ellum Art Co. is a smaller venue tucked in the corner of Deep Ellum and is the perfect venue for those looking to celebrate art in all forms, catch a show from small and bigger acts alike, and spend some time playing games in the backyard. It's more than just a music venue. It’s a place where visitors can appreciate physical art available for purchase from local artists. With frequent galleries, shows almost every night and a yard for playing Jenga, Deep Ellum Art Co. is a perfect place to spend an evening in the city. This is especially true for fans of all types of punk music — classic punk, pop punk, hardcore punk, post-punk, garage
