The Honest Take
What it's actually like
Riley's Tavern has a claim no other bar in Texas can make: it holds Beer License Number 00001 - the first license issued by the state of Texas when Prohibition ended in 1933. A seventeen-year-old named James Curtis Riley drove a Model T to Austin and camped on the Capitol steps to get it. The building itself is older still, dating to around 1900 in what was then a cotton and cattle stop on the Missouri-Pacific railroad.
The tavern sits in Hunter, an unincorporated community halfway between Austin and San Antonio on FM 1102 just off I-35. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Austin, which makes it an entirely reasonable evening trip. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The dance floor was added in 2006 and the live music program - seven nights a week - is what keeps it genuinely alive rather than a museum.
The vibe is pure Texas roadhouse. Pool tables up front, long wooden bar, eclectic memorabilia on every surface, and an outdoor beer garden with picnic tables for when the inside gets full. The music leans toward American roots - country, blues, rockabilly, and everything between.
The Dance Floor
Two-stepping at Riley's Tavern
The Riley's Tavern dance floor is in the back room - a concrete and wood surface added in 2006 that's become the heart of the venue's live music operation. It's not a grand historic floor like Gruene Hall, but what happens on it is authentic: people two-step and waltz to live country and roots music in a building that's been serving that purpose since before their grandparents were born.
The outdoor space also functions as overflow dancing when the weather cooperates - picnic tables pushed aside, string lights, and the Texas sky above. That outdoor-indoor flow is part of what makes Riley's feel different from a purely indoor venue.
When to Go
Best nights for dancing
Live music seven nights a week. Check schedule for country and roots acts best for dancing.
Biggest night. Often multiple acts and the outdoor area in full use.
Full operation. The beer garden fills up on warm Saturday nights.
This Week
Current schedule
The full Riley's Tavern schedule is included in our daily-updated Austin two-step guide. Check there for tonight's band and set times.
Riley's Tavern bands are listed in the main schedule, updated every day since 2021.
See Today's Schedule →Practical Info
Everything you need to know
FAQ
Common questions
How far is Riley's Tavern from Austin?
Riley's Tavern in Hunter is about 45 minutes south of Austin via I-35, between Austin and New Braunfels. Easy day trip or evening destination.
What is the history of Riley's Tavern?
Riley's Tavern holds Beer License Number 00001 - the first license issued in Texas after Prohibition ended in 1933. The building dates to around 1900 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's been continuously operating as a bar and music venue since J.C. Riley opened it at age 17.
Does Riley's Tavern have dancing?
Yes - Riley's Tavern has a dance floor in the back room with live music seven nights a week. Country, roots, and blues acts play regularly. The outdoor beer garden also hosts informal dancing on good-weather nights.
Is Riley's Tavern 21+?
Yes, 21 and over. Bring ID.