In a city known for its rapid growth and constant reinvention, Scholz Garten stands as a rare anchor to the past. Opened in 1866 by German immigrant August Scholz, the beer garden and restaurant holds the title of the longest continuously operating business in Texas. It has remained steadfast through wars, prohibition, pandemics and political upheaval — all while serving cold beer and German fare just steps from the Texas State Capitol.
Owner Daniel Smith, who has operated the establishment for the past eight years, views himself not as a disruptor but as a steward of the legacy.
“It’s always been a social center,” he said. “Whether you’re here for schnitzel, sports or live music, we want people to leave their troubles at the door and just enjoy themselves.”
The building itself still retains much of its original character. Smith has leaned into that authenticity, reintroducing traditional German dishes and adding spirits to the menu — a first in its century-and-a-half history.
“For the first six months, people weren’t sure what to think,” he said. “Now, they’ve embraced it. We’re going back to the roots.”
Those roots include items such as house-made schnitzel, bratwurst and Bavarian-style pretzels, paying homage to the German immigrants who helped shape Central Texas culture.
“People don’t always realize it, but Germans brought over smoked meats, and that evolved into what we know as Texas barbecue,” Smith said.
That connection to heritage runs deep. In the 1880s, Sunday afternoons at Scholz included live orchestras and tethered hot-air balloon rides offering views of Austin’s early skyline. It was a place where Austinites gathered for celebration, conversation and the occasional spirited debate. Former Governor Ann Richards once joked that more legislation got passed at Scholz than in the statehouse.
The beer garden’s links to the University of Texas run just as deep. UT’s first national championship football team celebrated there, and on game days, the patio fills with fans in burnt orange — and their rivals, too.
“The best part is that everyone gets along,” Smith said. “It’s a positive rivalry.”
Scholz has weathered many storms, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith recalled closing during the pandemic’s onset, then hosting live music streams, complete with hazmat-suited production crews, to bring entertainment to quarantined Austinites. They reopened with a week of music to mark the return.
“It was a hard time,” Smith said, “but it also showed us what this place means to the community.”
That community stretches beyond state employees and students.
“You’ll see construction workers at one table, government staff at another and a family with kids a few seats down,” he said. “We’ve got big tables because we want people to sit together.”
Smith, who has spent decades in hospitality, says he’s drawn to places that mean something to people.
“Every city has one or two iconic places,” he said. “In Austin, Scholz is one of them.”
On October 25, Scholz will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration, featuring live music, sausage tastings and the ever-popular beer stein-holding competition. For Smith, events like these aren’t just parties — they’re extensions of a nearly 160-year-old tradition.
“You can’t fake this kind of history,” he said. “It’s not just about the food or the beer... It’s about belonging.”