Station 4
Station 4 is a large LGBTQ+ nightclub located in the Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, United States. Situated at the corner of Cedar Springs Road and Throckmorton Street, an area known historically as "The Crossroads," the multi-venue complex spans between 24,000 and 29,000 square feet. It features multiple bars, a large dance floor with high-tech sound and lighting, patio spaces, and the notable drag venue, the Rose Room. Considered an institution within Dallas's LGBTQ+ community, Station 4 represents the fourth iteration of a Caven Enterprises venue at this central location, tracing its lineage back through previous clubs like Village Station and The Old Plantation.
History
Caven Enterprises and early venues (late 1960s - 1970s)
The history of Station 4 is intertwined with Caven Enterprises, founded by nightclub pioneer Frank Caven. Caven began opening bars in Texas in the 1960s and established a significant presence in Dallas by the 1970s, particularly at the Cedar Springs/Throckmorton intersection, which Caven Enterprises has occupied for over 50 years.One of Caven's key early Dallas ventures, co-founded with Charley Hott, was The Old Plantation. Originally downtown, it relocated to the current S4 site on Cedar Springs Road after its land was acquired for the Dallas Museum of Art. The Old Plantation faced significant adversity, including reported incidents of arson, sabotage, and persistent Police harassment, but thrived as a popular community space. It hosted events like a performance by Bonnie Pointer in 1984.
Village Station era (c. 1980s - 2004)
The Old Plantation was eventually rebranded as Village Station. According to Caven Enterprises event manager Chris Bengston, this involved relocations, first occupying a building later used by other businesses, before settling at the current S4 address on Cedar Springs Road in the 1990s. Village Station became a well-known institution throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The Rose Room drag venue was established within Village Station in 1986.This period was also marked by significant conflict with law enforcement. Village Station was frequently targeted for police harassment, including raids and intimidation tactics like recording patrons' license plates. A notable incident on October 24, 1979, involved the arrest of Richard Schwiderski and five others inside the club by undercover Dallas Police Department officers for "public lewdness". Schwiderski's legal challenge, supported by the Dallas Gay Alliance, drew attention to the harassment. Protest graffiti appeared on the building in 1980. The DGA's Social Justice Committee documented these incidents, leading to dialogue with police leadership and eventual improvements in police-community relations.
Village Station also served as a central gathering point during the peak years of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and early 1990s. While specific bar initiatives are not detailed, venues like Village Station functioned as vital community hubs for information sharing, support, and solidarity when institutional resources were scarce. Nearby, the AIDS Resource Center was established, providing essential services.
Transformation into Station 4 (2004)
In late 2004, Caven Enterprises undertook a "mammoth remodeling project" to transform Village Station into the larger, modernized Station 4. This "face lift" involved expanding the physical space, adding a front balcony and a no-smoking room, installing new lighting and sound systems, and updating the decor with metal plating. The goal was to create a state-of-the-art "juggernaut" for the 21st century.The grand opening occurred during the holiday season of late 2004, confirmed by S4 celebrating its 20th anniversary on November 23, 2024. This rebranding coincided with efforts to promote Dallas as an LGBTQ+ travel destination, with S4 positioned as a modern superclub.
Venue evolution timeline
The Station 4 experience
Station 4 provides a large, multi-faceted nightlife environment. The main level features a large dance floor with advanced sound and light systems. Multiple bars serve patrons throughout. Upstairs, the Granite Bar offers lounge seating with views of the dance floor, while a large outdoor patio provides additional space.The club primarily plays DJ-driven dance music, featuring both local and international DJs. It attracts a diverse crowd of LGBTQ+ people and allies, often noted for its welcoming atmosphere.
The Rose Room
A major component of S4 is the Rose Room, a renowned drag show venue located upstairs. Established in 1986 within Village Station, it is considered one of the premier drag stages in the U.S.The original Rose Room was smaller; the 2004 S4 renovation significantly expanded it into a large cabaret theater with a raised stage, multi-level seating, lounge area, bar, backstage, and dedicated restrooms. It received another major update around 2016.
The Rose Room has hosted top-tier female impersonators, including winners of national pageants like Miss Gay America, Miss Gay USofA, and Miss Continental. It has been a home stage for Dallas drag icons like Valerie Lohr, Cassie Nova, Krystal Summers, Layla LaRue, and Maya Douglas. It has also served as a launching pad for numerous performers who later competed on RuPaul's Drag Race, including Alyssa Edwards, Kennedy Davenport, Asia O'Hara, Sahara Davenport, Plastique Tiara, Ra'Jah O'Hara, and A'keria C. Davenport. Regular shows continue weekly, featuring the resident cast and amateur nights.