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Austin's Oldest Bars, Lounges And Beer Joints, Mapped

by Andrea Grimes Nov 30, 2012, 5:01am CST

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by Andrea Grimes Nov 30, 2012, 5:01am CST

18 comments / new

Since time immemorial, Austinites have been dedicated to drinking. Or at least since 1866, when Scholz Garten opened, and the original manifestation of the Scoot Inn followed in 1871. To close out Cocktail Week 2012, we've mapped out the oldest (continuously operating) bars in Austin.

If we've missed an historic spot, let us know in the comments or down the tipline so we can add it to the map! Bonus points for historic facts and tales from your favorite spots.

[Photo: The Tavern/Facebook]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Scholz Garten

Scholz Garten, founded in 1866 by August Scholz, is the oldest continuously operating bar in the state. Its biergarten is a traditional gathering place to watch Longhorn sports and major political events.

1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

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Scoot Inn

The Scoot Inn's building has been a bar since 1871, though it took on the modern version of its name as Red's Scoot Inn in 1940.

1308 E. 4th St., Austin, TX 78702

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Also featured in:

Rock Out at These Austin Live Music Bars With Drinks and Food

The Driskill Hotel Bar

The Driskill Hotel, which opened in 1886, has more or less continuously been selling booze (Prohibition notwithstanding ... probably) since it opened, including a fabulous 70's stint with an in-hotel club called Scandals.

Open in Google Maps

604 Brazos St, Austin, TX

Threadgill's

Kenneth Threadgill was the first person to own a beer license in Travis County, opening up his North Lamar beer joint in 1933.

6416 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752

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The Tavern

Throughout Prohibition, the second floor of the Tavern building served as a brothel and speakeasy, but went legit in 1933.

Open in Google Maps

922 W. 12th St., Austin, TX 78703

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Mickey's Thirsty I Lounge

Mickey's prides itself on being one of the oldest beer bars north of the Colorado River. This historic North Austin dive first opened in 1934.

Open in Google Maps

11806 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78753

Longbranch Inn

The Longbranch Inn lists its birthday as August 23, 1935 (it's also male, if that matters), and thereby has been serving the east side for seventy-seven drunk years.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Deep Eddy Cabaret

The Deep Eddy Cabaret housed a grocery store and bait shop until 1951, when it officially became the beloved west side beer joint we know today.

Open in Google Maps

2315 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703

Continental Club

The Continental Club opened as a private supper club in 1957, and according to their website is "believed to be the first place in Travis County to sell liquor by the drink."

Open in Google Maps

1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

Broken Spoke

James White opened the Broken Spoke in 1964, and Austin's been honky-tonking to some the best country music in town at the South Lamar spot ever since.

3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

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The Horseshoe Lounge

Rene Gewin and her husband Jimmy opened the Horseshoe Lounge in 1965, taking over the old American Legion Post 83 on South Lamar. A 78704 legend was born.

2034 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Draught House Pub & Brewery

[Photo: the_photographer/flickr]

Open in Google Maps

4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756

Visit Website

Donn's Depot

Austin music legend Donn Adelman opened Donn's Depot in 1972. The downtown dive is home to Eater Austin's 2011 coolest restroom.

Open in Google Maps

1600 W. 5th St., Austin, TX 78703

Cloak Room

The Cloak Room's been a hiding spot for Austin politicos and journalists since the 1970's. It's the kind of place where everybody knows your name, but pretends they don't.

1300 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701

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Also featured in:

Cedar Door

The Cedar Door, which opened in 1975, claims the honor of being home to the original Mexican Martini. The existing downtown location is hardly its first, however--the actual building has seen four different locations.

Open in Google Maps

201 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

Visit Website

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon has been so named since 1993 when Ginny Kalmbach took over, but the bar's been serving beer for more than forty years.

5434 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

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Also featured in:

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Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

Scholz Garten, founded in 1866 by August Scholz, is the oldest continuously operating bar in the state. Its biergarten is a traditional gathering place to watch Longhorn sports and major political events.

1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701

Visit Website

Scoot Inn

1308 E. 4th St., Austin, TX 78702

The Scoot Inn's building has been a bar since 1871, though it took on the modern version of its name as Red's Scoot Inn in 1940.

1308 E. 4th St., Austin, TX 78702

Visit Website

The Driskill Hotel Bar

604 Brazos St, Austin, TX

The Driskill Hotel, which opened in 1886, has more or less continuously been selling booze (Prohibition notwithstanding ... probably) since it opened, including a fabulous 70's stint with an in-hotel club called Scandals.

Open in Google Maps

604 Brazos St, Austin, TX

Threadgill's

6416 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752

Kenneth Threadgill was the first person to own a beer license in Travis County, opening up his North Lamar beer joint in 1933.

6416 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752

Visit Website

The Tavern

922 W. 12th St., Austin, TX 78703

Throughout Prohibition, the second floor of the Tavern building served as a brothel and speakeasy, but went legit in 1933.

Open in Google Maps

922 W. 12th St., Austin, TX 78703

Visit Website

Mickey's Thirsty I Lounge

11806 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78753

Mickey's prides itself on being one of the oldest beer bars north of the Colorado River. This historic North Austin dive first opened in 1934.

Open in Google Maps

11806 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78753

Longbranch Inn

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

The Longbranch Inn lists its birthday as August 23, 1935 (it's also male, if that matters), and thereby has been serving the east side for seventy-seven drunk years.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Deep Eddy Cabaret

2315 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703

The Deep Eddy Cabaret housed a grocery store and bait shop until 1951, when it officially became the beloved west side beer joint we know today.

Open in Google Maps

2315 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703

Continental Club

1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

The Continental Club opened as a private supper club in 1957, and according to their website is "believed to be the first place in Travis County to sell liquor by the drink."

Open in Google Maps

1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704

Broken Spoke

3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

James White opened the Broken Spoke in 1964, and Austin's been honky-tonking to some the best country music in town at the South Lamar spot ever since.

3201 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Visit Website

The Horseshoe Lounge

2034 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Rene Gewin and her husband Jimmy opened the Horseshoe Lounge in 1965, taking over the old American Legion Post 83 on South Lamar. A 78704 legend was born.

2034 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704

Draught House Pub & Brewery

4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756

[Photo: the_photographer/flickr]

Open in Google Maps

4112 Medical Pkwy, Austin, TX 78756

Visit Website

Donn's Depot

1600 W. 5th St., Austin, TX 78703

Austin music legend Donn Adelman opened Donn's Depot in 1972. The downtown dive is home to Eater Austin's 2011 coolest restroom.

Open in Google Maps

1600 W. 5th St., Austin, TX 78703

Cloak Room

1300 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701

The Cloak Room's been a hiding spot for Austin politicos and journalists since the 1970's. It's the kind of place where everybody knows your name, but pretends they don't.

1300 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701

Visit Website

Cedar Door

201 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

The Cedar Door, which opened in 1975, claims the honor of being home to the original Mexican Martini. The existing downtown location is hardly its first, however--the actual building has seen four different locations.

Open in Google Maps

201 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701

Visit Website

Related Maps

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon

5434 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon has been so named since 1993 when Ginny Kalmbach took over, but the bar's been serving beer for more than forty years.

5434 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

Visit Website

Related Maps