Historic Austin Bar Tavern Is Now Owned by Esther’s Follies

Historic West 12th Street German sports bar The Tavern was finally sold to new owners, Shannon Sedwick and Michael Shelton, the co-founders of comedy theater Esther’s Follies, as reported by Austin 360, from previous owners Ellis and Austin Winstanley.

Under Sedwick and Shelton’s new ownership, the couple plans on upgrading the kitchen offerings under the consultation of essential food truck Three Little Pigs chef Raymond Tatum. The publication teased the possibility of pork belly sliders and meatloaf. They also plan on adding live music in the upstairs area. The Tavern will remain open during the implementation of these changes.

Sedwick and Michael Shelton are already familiar with the Tavern, as the couple ran the bar for a brief amount of time from 1979 to 1981. They opened Esther’s earlier in 1977. The couple also run Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe out in Southeast Austin, where Tatum refreshed the menu as well.

The Tavern originally opened as a grocery store in 1916, became a steakhouse in 1929, operated as a speakeasy and brothel during Prohibition, and then became a German sports bar in 1933.

• Founders of Esther’s Follies buy back the historic Tavern on Lamar Boulevard [Austin 360]
• Historic Austin Bar The Tavern Is Up for Sale [EATX]