Moving on
World-famous Horseshoe Lounge moving from South Lamar outpost
KVUE — Another piece of Austin history is packing up its bags and moving on. CultureMap's reporting partners at KVUE confirmed Friday The Horseshoe Lounge in South Austin will close on February 15.
According to a bar spokesperson, the 50-year-old bar will have a new location. KVUE could not confirm where the new home will be.
Affectionately called 'The Shoe,' the bar use to be American Legion Post 83.
Rene Gewin and her husband, Jimmy, opened up the Horseshoe Lounge in 1965 after Rene suggested they take over American Legion's lease. Little did they know, their beer joint would go on to become a world-famous dive bar where Anthony Bourdain and Elijah Wood are known to hang out — relatively undetected.
According to The Shoe's website, people still come into the bar listen to the jukebox, play the shuffleboard table and to talk about Rene and Jimmy. "Rene was the nicest bartender you'll ever meet, until you got out o'line," according to the website. "That's why you won't see photos of ol' Willie or Waylon here; she kicked their drunken [expletive] out."
The couple's daughter, Tennia Brown, took over The Shoe with her husband in 2004.The Horseshoe Lounge was the oldest bar in South Austin. The bar will have "a big blowout" on February 13, 14 and 15 before closing its doors.