Austin’s Scholz Garten
Three centuries of suds and scuttlebutt
As the 85th Texas Legislature conducts its biennial business of hear-ings, resolutions and bills, there’s an equally rich history of a caucus site just outside the Capitol. Known as the “oldest tavern continuously operating at one location” in Texas, Scholz Garten opened in 1866.
“After the Civil War, the Republicans at the time — who would now be Democrats – would meet at Buass’s Garden,” says Mike Miller, managing archivist of the Austin History Center, and the Democrats at the time — who would now be Republicans – would meet at Scholz Garten, In 18/4, when Republicans fell out of favor throughout the South and the Democrats took over state government, Buass’s went away. There just wasn’t enough business for them.”
Billy Lee Brammer’s political roman à clef The Gay Place (1961), a Texas literary classic, describes Scholz Garten in detail as a watering hole the novel calls the Dearly Beloved Beer and Garden Party.
MEETING HOUSE Scholz Garten (then and now) has entertained a mix of politicians and writers, business leaders and artists since its 1866 opening. Scholz’s historic bar and countertop have remained largely unchanged over the decades.
In more current times, wakes for both the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock (1999) and political journalist Molly Ivins (2007) were held there.
“Ann Richards was a fan of their nachos,” Miller says. “We had an event there a few years back to honor Richards, and there were still wait staff working there who’d served her.”
Scholz Garten has been the continuous meeting place of Texans from all walks of life, including pioneers, Texas legislators, writers, University of Texas stu-dents, business leaders and dignitaries.
Today, the popular tavern features an open-air live music stage out back.
Born in 1825 in Germany, August Scholz found himself embroiled in the Civil War shortly after immigrating to Texas. He entered the conflict on the side of the Confederacy until the war ended in 1865. It was then he decided to open a tavern in Austin. Scholz’s Hall, as it was then called, became famous for concerts, dances and social functions in subsequent years. The Austin Sängerrunde, a German singing group, has been meeting at Scholz Garten since 1879 and is the present owner of the property, though it leases the bar and restaurant operations.
The Sängerrunde also operates a bowling alley on the property, and holds dances throughout the year for its members and guests. It’s the oldest ethnic organization in Austin. Scholz Garten is a City of Austin Landmark, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a National Register-listed property.
