Aura Lounge

This place is a complete scam if you get bottle service. We went with a group of 10. Advised we had to get table service and said it would be $ 380 for 2 bottles. When we got the bill at the end of the night, not only was it $ 2k but they over charged us for 2 extra bottles. Get your head on straight… We’re in Dallas, not Vegas! Never going there again!

I went here on my 21^st birthday and was expecting it to be a lot of fun. Little did I know that in order to get in you had to have a table reserved. Luckily, my best friend had one already and we got in. But my three guy friends (who were black also) didn’t get in. I overheard the bouncer say don’t let these guys in because they won’t spend any money.
It’s sad that people are still judgmental like that. Especially when the club is owned by a minority itself. The atmosphere was alright, the drinks were alright but if they want to keep people coming back they should realize that it’s not 1960 anymore, it’s 2011.
I won’t be going back to this place, they will not get anymore of my money.

I had high hopes for this place but unfortunately it wasn’t all that cracked up to be. Although I was there for about an hour or less, maybe it was because I really wasn’t feeling it. Maybe I need to go there again long enough to experience it more.
I wish the dance floor was bigger, great layout of the place though with the white leather couches in the middle. Decent music that the DJ played, drinks were really not that bad price-​wise.
I don’t mind going back there again, then hopefully I’ll have more say. :)

This is a great/​hot spot if you «pretty people» in your 20’s. Please note: I am not 20 nor considered «pretty people» but I was allowed by the bouncer in on a slow night. My friend and I had a great time, but the second time we went the bouncer turned us away because we weren’t on the guest list. Hopefully, this should give you a sense of the type of place it is.

I was visiting Dallas for a weekend, and decided to check out Aura.
Now, back in Chicago, we have about 20 of these type of clubs; they really are a dime-​a-​dozen, and most of the time, these types of clubs are really obnoxious; you go in, you are treated rudely by the staff, the bouncers, the other patrons are pushy/​shovey, and drinks are usually weak, but yet overpriced.
But, not at Aura!
When I got there (I walked over from Rock ‘N Taco), there was no line (I admit, I got there early), and there was no cover. I got in, checked my coat, and then headed to the bar.
Drinks were priced well (at least compared to what the same drink would usually cost up in Chicago), and had appropriate pours of liquor.
The patrons seemed like they were all having fun and no one seemed to have any off-​putting attitudes.
Music was great; it was not TOO «techno», but at the same time, they were not playing the horrible «Grease Mega-​Mix» nor too much hip-​hop either (some clubs go overboard on these extremes), so whoever was spinning that night had a great set going.
When I left, there was a line, so the lesson is to make sure to go early.
Next time I am in Dallas, I will make sure to return!

I am actually really sad to give Aura 3 stars. It is my fav crazy night spot in Dallas! The club is owned and managed by Israelis and Iranians. The music is awesome, pop and hip hop mashed with dance and electro. Music gets 10 out of 5 stars for me. Patrons get 10 out of 5 stars, Hot Euro Trash, Pro Players, people who want to party hard, drama, fun. LOVE ME SOME AURA!!! Mainly the music, and the crazy hot foreigners who frequent there (love me a man who doesn’t speak English!) Ive been to Aura more times than I have fingers and toes and have always had a wild crazy awesome shit faced night! Aura is really perfect for those nights you want to go balls the the wall and not sleep untill after the sun is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy up.
However… I went there with a new group of friends that had invited me out with them one night. All really cute African American girls, there were 6 of us. They asked me where we should go, I was down for whatever they wanted to do but they knew I am not really a fan of «hip hop clubs» (love hip hop but not the hip hop clubs in Dallas, too damn segregated). I suggested Aura because I feel that even a Hip Hop head could go hard at Aura, and it was my FAV crazy night out spot (we were definitely trying to go hard that night lol) We get to the line and I am not even going to try to pretentiously pass it because I have been here a million times and have never, ever, ever, ever had to wait (not even at 1:35am, yes I am ‘one of those people’ lol).
So we are waiting more than a little bit but people who are walking up are being let in. I am just chillin in the back of our group kinda feeling my buzz :) and in observation mode. Also, from the back I could see one bouncer signaling to the other to not let our group in. Now I am embarrassed, because I choose this place. I notice the girl is now arguing with the bouncer, I didn’t jump in at first because she is being calm. Then I hear the bouncer saying «Do not yell at me» and just going off as if SHE was making the scene. I have heard the whole ordeal and not once has she even raised her voice. I push through our group and his eyes register my face in surprise. I say man I’m here all the time whats the hold up. He says, yes I know, I know, you should have said something I didn’t even see you (So?). We are let in immediately. I end up STILL having an awesome night but it has still left a bad taste in my mouth because of that. Haven’t been back, but won’t say I will not go again because I really like the place. These were really cute, normal, educated, nice girls. It is also sad because as Iraellis and Iranians (and one of the investors is black/​latin) they of all people should be empathetic to racial discrimination. I like to party with a real MIXED crowd. It’s nights like this that I remember I am in Dallas f-​ing Texas not NYC…

Went here with some friends a few weeks ago and it was a good time.
Honestly, I was very scared of going to a club. I don’t think I’m a clubber. I’ve never had to deal with waiting behind a velvet rope. My husband is half British and 6’4″ and I dance like a Fly Girl. Luckily my assets give me a pass to fit in at these places but just barely. Once we got inside I started doing «the jive,» to Katy Perry or whatever it was, because I see the young kids on tv doing that stuff on like, Dancing with the Stars. I made a few of those, cologne wearing, club-​rat, types giggle so it was all good. Until they thought I was flirting whoops.
If you and your «crew,» want VIP bottle service go Dutch because I hear it’s $ 400– but you know what, get enough people and I’d say it’s worth it. The ambiance was sexy, who doesn’t love dim lighting and gorgeous chandeliers and hot pink walls? And watching people act a fool on the dance floor?
Oh and don’t get there late. I was there at 11 which is way past my bedtime but when we were leaving there was a crazy line at like 1am? I don’t get these people.
My only complaint is that the music was a little too much Lady Gaga and not enough 90s gangster rap, but that’s probably just a personal preference…

I think this place is great… I don’t get all the negative reviews. Perhaps they’re owners and friends of other competing clubs and lounges in Dallas. Or, it’s people with other expectations. Aura is not much different from other upscale places… except it’s PACKED after midnight.
Yes, you need to get there a bit early to avoid the line. If not, be prepared to wait, or I guess pay the bouncer. I don’t know, I haven’t had this problem, but I’m a girl. If you are a group of guys, you’re going to wait FOREVER. Make sure you have lots of girls with you. That’s a given for any popular club anyway.
Yes, it won’t hurt if you call in advance and ask to get on the list.
Yes, the bouncer is not going to be nice when you approach him asking how long it will be to get in, or how come those other people got to go in when you’ve been waiting. Do you know how many times he probably got that question? He’s a bouncer, which is there for security, and is not the club promoter. Why are you surprised when he acts like a bouncer?
Yes, if you don’t buy a bottle, you can’t sit at a table. That’s how most other clubs/​lounges work, when they’re upscale. If you think it’s pricey, try calling to negotiate. These prices are similar to other upscale lounges, and they’re all expensive so try to split the cost with the group.
And yes, the drinks are pricey. You’re paying for the location, atmosphere, etc. They’re not going to have drink specials, because they don’t have a problem getting the place busy.
If you’re looking for a place to hang out, have a beer, have a conversation, and relax, then just avoid this place. This is clearly not the place for that occasion, so don’t try to force it to work.
If you’re looking for a place to be seen at, to see celebs possibly, and to dance all night, this is the place. Also a lot of people seem to be celebrating a big night, have a bachelorette party, etc. If you’re not ready to have fun, you’re probably going to be bored and frustrated because most other people are having a blast.

Lame. That is the best way to describe this place.
They like to act like it is some kind of prestigious place to be by making people wait in line outside behind the «velvet rope». Funny, because once you get in, the place is empty and you realize you’ve been duped.
And make sure NOT to stop by their partner in crime, Rockin Taco, as you will be equally underwhelmed by the experience.
What is the saying here in Texas? A big cowboy hat but no cattle? I think that applies here…

I’m not sure why this place doesn’t get any love, but perhaps that’s because my party pretty much gets in anywhere we want in Dallas without waiting…(hookups!)
I actually like this place when I was here… it wasn’t our final stop, but I think it very well could’ve been. The music was good enough and so was the scene. I can’t comment on the drink prices since this was kind of a transition spot between a bar and another club, but I’m sure they were about the same prices as the other places nearby.

So I roll up hard (on foot) and ask the bouncer to please hold my fob while I check this place out. Needless to say, that was not his style. So we go to the back of the line. Keep in mind, the summer is here folks and we are waiting outside to experience this glorious mecca of mayhem. As more and more range rovers and mercedes roll in, we still get no admission.
At this point, I am getting sad, I think, no please, I hope I can make it into this place tonight (as it nears 11p).
We decide to play the game, we slip the bouncer a $ 10 and say, «keep the change». He looks back in anger, like we dissed him… he says, «no way man». So I am thinking to myself, this guy NEEDS this job, why wouldn’t he take it. Then I realize, I probably should bump it to $ 20…ok, last chance. Still nothing, he drives a hard bargain.
At this point, sweat is soaking my back, and yes, you know where it goes from there. I just want to get in this place, I mean to be waiting outside for so long, it has to be good. Finally, $ 30 for 3 people did the trick… hook, line, sinker!!!
After walking in, I noticed all 18 people that came in before me, I thought, no certainly there is more to this place. Nope, not really.

Bouncers and management practice discrimination. Unless you have a equally racially diverse crowd or majority Caucasian crowd don’t even waste your time going here.
Had a group of about 8 Asians, 1 black, and 1 white. As we were walking towards the club, our group got slightly separated from chit chatting and what not by 30 feet into 2 Asians, 1 black, 1 white and 6 Asians. The first group get to the bouncer (there was no line) and allowed in. We finally arrive 15 seconds later and was told that we can’t get in because we have to be on the guest list. We told them that the group that just went in are not on the guest list and they got in and they asked us how we knew and we replied «because they’re with us!» Also outside was the manager smoking his cigarette making gestures to the bouncer not to let us in. After much frustration we just all left.
We went on two separate occasions and same treatment happened.

We were on a wait list. Went there with 6 girls and 4 guys including myself. The door guy tried to convince us to get bottle service for $ 500. We just wanted to go inside since we were on the wait list, but they wouldn’t let go of the bottle service idea. A buddy of mine is a club promoter and said it was too exp and then the door guy raised the price to $ 700 and was rude /​talking down to us. I thought they were going to not let us in.
We got in and the place was empty at 11pm. There must’ve been 15 people there total. But 30 minutes later, it start filling up. In fact, it got so crowded at the end of the night, it was hard to move at all. There was hardly any room to stand around. They had to have been breaking a fire code to have so many people in there! It was nearly impossible to move from one side to another.
If it wasn’t so crowded, I would’ve had a great time. Unfortunately the big crowd ruined the experience, even on the dance floor. I’m lucky to have been with good people or else I would not have enjoyed the night at all.
The men’s restroom had a broken urinal was either leaking water or urine. It was not marked out of order. Gross.
Double (Bacardi) rum and coke: $ 18
Will not be returning due to the crowd and I hope they are fined by the FD so they learn their lesson. All you need is one fire and you’re going to have at least 100 people trampled. Would you want that type of baggage for life? Apparently the owner of this place does.

Don’t ask me. I don’t know why I went back I just did ok. Saturday night around 11ish. Despite not dressing the part (massengill box) We all got in pretty easy. We did not plan on hitting Aura up but someone in our group had the need… It was not quite as douchey as I remembered but there was still the slight smell of vinegar in the air. There was the short skirt drunk chick rocking the sunglasses… in a club. at night. (she bit it hard on the sidewalk). There was the collar popped freak dancers trying to freak the ladies in the our group, and of course there were plenty of t shirts with lions and snakes (not mentioning dragons here because I like dragons).
Music was decent. Drinks were pretty pricey. $ 16 after tip for a beer and a mixed drink. It was not too packed but gets more packed as the night goes on. We left at about 1:30 and people were still rolling up (not sure why as last call was there).
I think the reason we go back is location location location.
but we too had a «misplaced card» in our group… suspicious.

I have mixed feeling about this place.
I’ve been twice. Once on a random night and once on NYE. Both times were kind of boring. NYE was over crowded and just plain blah!
There were two DJs. One who was great and played great music and then one who stood in the DJ booth in his Affliction Tshirt and played techno from 11pm-​12am. No one listens to techno??? WTF!
The managers and staff are friendly but the bar is lacking something.

Bouncers selective about the who they let in, you sign up for guest list and they don’t even add you on there half the time. Bouncer let in a grandpa who just walked up and entered. I don’t care how much money you have, you should be home not getting in a club before me.
It is a plastic crowd, all fake boo… well you know. DJ is always good, ALWAYS. That is the part that sucks. Great DJ but pretentious bouncers and… to top my night off, the bartender gave me a guy’s credit card at the end of the night!!! WAHHHHH but i didnt realise and went somewhere else and kept spending.

If there is one thing I hate it’s when a Club/​lounge trys to be more than what it is. Case in point aura. No one gets there till at least 12 which is cool. But then it fills up with the assholes. I actually might say they might be a little racist at the door as well. Them the drink are horrible and over priced badly.
My main problem is this I love Dallas because it’s a nice chill place. Coming from Philly which is filled with spots like this I was hoping this be different. I’ve been out in all the major cities and they are filled with places like aura. So I was hoping this place was gonna be different, I was wrong.

A douche palace.
Somehow I got on the list with friends who knew a guy who had a table. Turns out, no one knew the guy, but we still drank his bottle… sucker.
Bottom line, I would not pay to get into this place, or pay for drinks here, unless you want to be surrounded by $ 30k millionaires and douche bags. The wait staff bottle rats are hot, but they’re not worth paying for bottles.
If the above gave you slight wood, then this is your place. If you just threw up a little in your mouth, then you would be best to avoid it.

Smokey club with a Euro-​pop/​techno feel.
Reviewing the latest Dallas hot spot is about as useful as predicting when lightening will strike next. It’ll either be hit or a miss. Experiences vary from person to person because there are so many variables to consider, for instance: personal preferences, budgets, short-​term agendas, desirability to the opposite sex, desirability to seek the opposite sex, alcohol consumption, time of entry, and the specific day of the week. About the most useful thing here would be a status report that helps you gauge whether it’s worth the risk.
* Date: Friday, February 27, 2009.
* Time of Entry: 12:20 AM.
* Duration: 30 minutes.
* Cover Charge: Free … but we sent an attractive female to do the negotiating. Not certain whether the guest list was an actual barrier-​to-​entry or a façade. The club was 60% capacity when we went in.
* Male-​to-​Female Ratio: All around … a solid 5:4 mixture. Although there were pockets of men, the overall atmosphere never seemed like an overwhelming sausage fest.
* Attractiveness of the opposite sex (on a scale of 1 to 10): 6 to 8 … Not as attractive or pretentious as Lotus Lounge next door (see
). The scene seemed more like a dance club.
* Music: Hip-​hop and Electronic (?)
* Accessibility to Alcohol: Two bar areas. The bar nearest to the door has a long service area. There’s another much-​more-​crowded bar towards the back near the DJ booth.
* Interesting features: Large and spacious. Private lounge areas run along both sides of the dance floor that’s ideal for people watching. The coolest part would be the pixilated light show where rows of color spectra would fall against columns of narrow white screen panels that result in a checkered-​box pattern. Also, smoking is allowed indoors.
* Approximate Waiting Line at 12AM: 5 minutes.
* Total Tab: We skipped the bar this time.
3 Stars — Good for dancing and lounging but nothing that makes Aura a «Must Go» destination.

Definitely a great club with a very modern décor, lots of people (but not too crowded), and superb music. The bartenders were very fast.
The action is on the dance floor. Right above the dancing is the DJ and lights, and the people are jamming to the pulsating, but not-​too-​loud music.
No Eurotrash or European House music here– mainly Hip Hop.
Definitely will be back.