It ’s no secret that Austinites like to have a beneficial fourth dimension – our entire culture is base around music and intellectual nourishment and drinks . turn out , things were n’t much different a one C ago , and gratefully a handful of historical beer - drinking foundation have been preserved for us and future generation to slip up out of . These are Austin ’s 10 oldest bars still in operation today .
The Little Longhorn Saloon
Burnet RdOpened : 1963Originally known as Dick ’s Little Longhorn Saloon , the streak became its current personification in 1993 when the original owner passed away and left the bar to Ginny Kalmbach who had been a waitress there since 1981 . Since then , The Little Longhorn Saloon – acknowledge by regulars as “ Ginny ’s ” – has clear its reputation as a honky - tonk creation with ice cold cheap beer and carrying into action every night by the likes of Dale Watson , Redd Volkaert . Every Sunday , the saloon and parking lot are packed with the great unwashed of all years for Chicken Shit Bingo , which is exactly what it sounds like ; live chickens make in a coop bearing grid of numbers and letters .
Carousel Lounge
Cameron RdOpened:1963A lot of words identify the Carousel Lounge well – ” way-out ” , “ window pane head trip ” , “ David Lynch - ian ” , “ WTF ” – and , they are all correct . The circus - themed prevention opened in 1963 and has n’t changed much since . They still serve cheap beer and wine-coloured . The jukebox still volunteer many of the same 1960s selection , local acts execute here on a regular basis , on the dance trading floor , right in front of the jumbo garden pink , paper - mache elephant because , well … this is the Carousel Lounge . This locus is BYO - liquor , and set - ups cost only $ 3.50 .
The Continental Club
South CongressOpened : 1955The Continental Club is the family of Austin ‘ cool . ’ The South Congress location is in the heart of Austin ’s OG place - to - be . The neon signage , dim lighting , and red rampart give off a distinguishable fifties vibration ; It has gone through several evolutions since 1955 ; supper club , burlesque lodge , dingy - collar bar , and finally a premier music venue . performing artist who have graced the point let in Stevie Ray Vaughan , Social Distortion , Dale Watson , and many , many more . For a ace intimate experience , see out the more forward-looking Continental Club Gallery upstairs , where Austin ’s legends - in - the - making caper for a handful of guests every night .
Deep Eddy Cabaret
ClarksvilleOpened : 1951Situated on Lake Austin Blvd , right across from the pool of the same name , Deep Eddy Cabaret stands out , like a relic , just a short distance from Austin ’s now condo - dominant skyline . To apprize Deep Eddy Cabaret , you also have to appreciate cheap beer , a no - falderol atmosphere , and pocket billiards tables all lit by atomic number 10 beer star sign . In plus to a great jukebox ( Lightnin ' Hopkins , The thirteenth Floor Elevators for good example ) you may also catch a twirler for just $ 9 .
Longbranch Inn
East 11thOpened:1935Before the Eastside was revered as “ the ” place to be , and before rocket rent cost and crops of modern bungalows , Longbranch Inn was just a place one could go for a stiff drink . afford in 1935 and then buy by Kevin Crutchfield and James Stockbauer around 2001 , the Longbranch Inn has uphold its gritty ingathering over the year . If you want to know its magic properly , catch a tail at the antique oak cake , order a Lone Star and a crack of whiskey … and soak in the DGAF - ness this place absolutely oozes . You ’ll either get it , or you wo n’t .
The Tavern
West EndOpened : 1933The Tavern was establish in 1916 as a enceinte , innovative ( for 1916 ! ) grocery store and was modeled after Hellenic German architecture . In 1933 , after a stretch as a chophouse , The Tavern became a seat for people from all walks of living to forgather for food , beer , and sports . Today , The Tavern is a large place to watch “ the secret plan ” on one of their ostensibly endless figure of turgid screens . Legend has it that the 2nd floor of the building once operate as a speakeasy / brothel and is haunt by the ghost of one of it ’s former workers .
Threadgill’s
CrestviewOpened:1933Threadgill ’s is much more than a eatery serving comfort food , it ’s where our music scene come to living . In 1933 , Kenneth Threadgill buy the former natural gas station and ran it as so for a few years … until the repeal of forbiddance was passed . As a music lover , he had steady performances in the bar , the most famous being medicine caption , Janis Joplin . Mr. Threadgill was so unrestrained by the vista of running a taproom when Prohibition was lifted , he was the first someone in Travis County to acquire a beer license .
Driskill Hotel Bar
6th StreetOpened:1886The “ crown jewel ” of Austin since it ’s construction in 1886 , The Driskill has long been a hangout for celebrities , politicos , and the wealthy . Lyndon Johnson met his wife here , Sul Ross held inaugural globe here , and you may bet many conversations between go bad down in the Driskill ’s Bar . Present - mean solar day release on at the bar include live music , a killer happy hour , and a endearing refuge from Downtown loose to both hotel Edgar Albert Guest and topical anesthetic looking for revel in the historical luxury of the space . According to folklore ( and hotel employee ! ) , the spirit of a little girl who died around the prison term the hotel was build roams the hotel . Her eerily aliveness - like portrayal can be get hold on the 5th floor ; do n’t be surprised if the eyes come along to postdate you .
Historic Scoot Inn
East FifthOpened:1871Since being rear in 1871 , the edifice where the Historic Scoot Inn has now gone from grocery to cafe to saloon to grocery to cafe and back to saloon – thanks to the ending of prohibition in 1933 . In 1955 , after a few more sottish personification , the bar became “ Scoot Inn . ” These days The Historic Scoot Inn is an Eastside jewel known for drink special , a calendar full of local and touring musical act , and … skee ball . Fun fact : in 1933 , former owner Harvey and Lillie Lee ran a gambling and bootlegging operation .
Scholz Garten
DowntownOpened:1866While Scholz Garten also service a mashup of German , American , and BBQ – they are always agnize as not only the oldest bar in Austin , but the erstwhile operating business in Texas . Scholz Garten was founded by August Scholz and was frequented by German immigrant . Today , it ’s the stomping flat coat for pre - gaming UT alum as well as Austin ’s politician and lawyer . The Austin Saengerrunde next door – which was established in 1879 as a meeting place for a traditional German singing group comprised of German settlers – has a vintage bowling alley which is open to the populace and is where AusTober Fest fail down each dip .
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Courtesy of Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
The Little Longhorn Saloon
Flickr/Lars Plougmann
Deep Eddy Cabaret
Courtesy of The Tavern
The Driskill
Flickr/Bob Tomlinson
