Riley’s Tavern in Hunter, a historical landmark issued Texas Liquor License No. 00001, continues to draw visitors with its rich history, music and community spirit.
HUNTER, Texas — There’s not much in Hunter, Texas.
A set of train tracks cuts through the tiny community just north of New Braunfels. A handful of roads intersect nearby. And then there’s Riley’s Tavern.
For nearly a century, the historic watering hole has been drawing locals, travelers, musicians and history buffs to a place that feels frozen in time.
“An average day is regulars shooting pool, jukebox on and folks in here paying the bills for us,” said owner Joel Hoffman.
But there’s nothing average about Riley’s Tavern.
Opened in 1933, the bar holds a distinction that no other Texas establishment can claim: it was issued Texas Liquor License No. 00001.
“It wasn’t a big thing to him at the time, of course,” Hoffman said. “But you let time go by and that becomes an important historical fact in Texas.”
The story behind the license has become part of Texas lore.
On Sept. 13, 1933, founder James Riley and his uncle left Hunter in a Model T Ford and drove 38 miles to Austin. Arriving the night before licenses were to be issued, they slept on the steps of the Texas Capitol.
When the clock struck midnight, Riley became the first person in Texas to receive a liquor license after Prohibition ended.
“They got there at night and they were just the first people there,” Hoffman said. “It was kind of an accident. That’s what Riley always said.”
For decades, Riley’s Tavern proudly displayed the license, but questions remained about whether it was truly the first. In 2013, the state officially recognized Riley’s claim and installed a historical marker outside the building.
Hoffman is only the third owner in the tavern’s 93-year history.
“We no longer have to argue about our status or if we were the first beer license,” he said.
While the license attracts history enthusiasts, it’s far from the only reason people stop by.
For Oralia Torres, Riley’s has been a second home for more than 50 years.
“Mr. Riley, he would always give us peppermint candy or bubble gum,” Torres recalled.
Others discover the tavern while passing through the Texas Hill Country.
Bobby Worley, a member of a car club that regularly visits the area, said Riley’s quickly became a favorite stop.
“We came in here and it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this place is awesome,'” Worley said.
Music has also played a major role in Riley’s enduring appeal.
The walls are covered with photographs and memorabilia from artists who have performed there over the years. Every Sunday, musicians gather to play for whoever happens to walk through the door.
“People come back, even the great artists that play here,” musician Bo Porter said. “They come here because it’s like coming home.”
For many Texans, places like Riley’s represent something larger than a bar.
“Places like this are essential to the makeup of what Texas is,” said visitor Hunter Howell. “Not just the music scene, but everybody coming around to share a beer and have a good time.”
Regulars say the atmosphere is what keeps them returning.
“I love the people, I love the environment,” said Misty Price. “The energy is just great.”
“I’ve met most of my friends through this bar,” added Zack Avery.
And for some visitors, a trip through Central Texas simply isn’t complete without a stop.
“I was like, we’ve got to stop at Riley’s,” said Chad Rode. “I mean, you’ve got to stop at Riley’s.”
Nearly a century after James Riley’s midnight trip to Austin, the tavern remains one of Texas’ most enduring gathering places.
Whether visitors arrive for the history, the music, the cold beer or the sense of community, Riley’s Tavern continues to welcome them through its doors — just as it has since 1933.
And if its loyal customers have anything to say about it, they’ll keep stopping by for many years to come.