August Scholz (1825-1891), a German immigrant and confederate veteran, built his public bar and cafe in 1866 over an old boarding house, the year following the end of the Civil War.   Mr. Scholz had purchased the building and surrounding property in 1862 from Sam Norville for $2400. Scholz Garten (Scholz's Halle) became a restaurant - bar and popular meeting place for the German population in and around Austin. It also became a center for Austin's social and cultural activities (German operas and Orchestra music) and of course a favorite German food restaurant and bar. The Biergarten and other rooms were added later as the need arose. Mr. Scholz operated his unique tavern and cafe until his death in 1891. His step-son operated the little bar and restaurant for two more years, then sold Scholz Garten to the Lemp Brewery Company (Falstaff Beer) in 1893, the same year that The University of Texas football team had its first undefeated season. Since The University was only two blocks away, the team celebrated its victories at Scholz Garten. Celebrating is just one of the traditions that is still alive here at Scholz Garten.
  In December of 1908 a German singing club, The Austin Saengerrunde (singer in the round) purchased the restaurant and bar from The Lemp Brewery and built a bowling alley near the Biergarten boundaries. The six lane bowling alley is still in operation. The Saengerrunde still owns Scholz Garten, but leases the bar and restaurant operation to restaurant entrepreneurs like Liz and myself. Undaunted by prohibition, Scholz Garten came up with a non-alcoholic brew in 1921 and called it Bone Dry Beer. Food sales, for obvious reasons, became more important during prohibition and the menu items included more regional and traditional Texas favorites. Food sales increased to more than 50% over the years and have continued to be a staple of Scholz’s business. Good Food became a Scholz Garten tradition. Did you notice the very large photo of the bar in the front room (upstairs in the northeast corner) taken during prohibition? There are no beer taps or beer advertisements. Prohibition lasted from 1920 until 1933.Scholz Garten is one of the few establishments that fortunately doesn’t change too much, but when it has the public seems to make quite a big deal about it. In 1962, Bob Bales, Scholz’s operator, decided to do some remodeling and even added, heaven forbid...air conditioning!