The music only paused. The beer taps only went dry for a moment. Now, the New Braunfels favorite once known as Billy’s Ice is tuning up for its next act.
After an emotional farewell in September, fans thought the iconic venue was gone for good. But maybe the curtain never fully closed. In a surprise Facebook post that quickly racked up almost 1,000 likes, the owners hinted at what’s next. If everything goes smoothly, the ice-cold drinks and live music that made Billy’s a local institution will return in just a matter of weeks, under a new name and a new roof: Bobby’s Ice.
When Billy’s Ice closed its doors on September 30, many thought it was the end of an era. For 16 years the bar had been a cornerstone of the city’s nightlife, known for its cold beer, live music and deep community ties that helped raise more than $1 million for local causes.
Still, some fans were curious, why the new name? The owners explained that while the spirit of Billy’s will carry on, it couldn’t simply be duplicated. “You can’t replicate Billy’s,” they wrote in a reply. “Plus Bill sold it 7 years ago and is no longer involved with the business so we wanted to respect that.”
As for the original spot, the business confirmed in Facebook comments that the building itself was sold, citing “fairly significant issues” with the property. That’s why Bobby’s Ice will open in a brand-new location, one the owners say could be ready within weeks, if all goes smoothly.
The beer and the music may have paused, but not for long. Bobby’s Ice is set to pick up right where Billy’s left off.
MySA has reached out to Billy’s Ice for comment on the closure.