Posted: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:41 PM - 13,076 Readers

By: Cade Jackson

Nestled away peacefully in the quiet Texas hill country is Austin’s answer to historic dive-bar preservation. Surrounded by million-dollar homes and a million-dollar sunset is a quaint little beer joint known as the Dry Creek Saloon. Located on 4812 Mt. Bonnell Road, Dry Creek Saloon is a local’s favorite of favorites when it comes to good ol’, down-to-earth, country music jamming dive-bars. This double-decker domain thrives off of its simple, old fashioned way of running a business. Dry Creek Saloon is a true American beer joint, offering only domestic bottles and cans at prices that remain constant every hour of everyday. Right behind the pool table downstairs rests the best jukebox of all time when it comes to Texas music. Brought in during the early 1980’s, the tunes are sure to drive you back to the Outlaw era with Willie and Waylon, Kris and Merle, Ray Price, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and Jerry Jeff Walker ruled the scene. This 45 playing machine could easily pass as Johnny Cash’s headstone.

Dry Creek Saloon was built in 1952 and was bought by Sarah Ransom in 1956. Sarah was locally known as “the meanest bartender in Austin, Texas.” There are stories and fables that could back that title up, too. Former State representative and son of Sarah, Jay “Buddy” Reynolds, speaks of when Sarah reformatted the ending of Psalm 23 to read “I shall fear no evil because I am the meanest SOB in the valley” and posted it on the backside of the bar’s front door. Also, if you drank a beer upstairs and came back down for another without bringing the empty with you… let’s just say that you’re not getting another one. Sarah passed away April 16th, 2009 at the age of 95. Her son Jay Reynolds now owns the bar.

The view Dry Creek offers is what really brings its customers back for more. The upper patio overlooks the hill country and Lake Austin, and is famous for having the best sunsets in town. In fact, the Dry Creek Saloon won the award for “Best sunset with a Shiner Bock” in 2000 by the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin Awards. Also, like every great place in Austin, Dry Creek features some damn good Texas Country music every Friday when Damon Bramblett takes the stage. I could ramble on about the spiritual beauty of Dry Creek Saloon but I believe Owen Temple summed it all up when he sang…

“There's a weathered deck right upstairs
A few old tables and rusty chairs
Spring days when the hills are green
The view beats all I’ve ever seen
Feel the Texas sun warm on your skin
Ain't it good to be back again
People's voices with the swaying trees
Honeysuckles on a gentle breeze”

If you are looking for a heart-of-Texas experience with a getaway feeling then make your way to Dry Creek Saloon and enjoy $2.00 to $3.00 beers and watch the sun set while Bob Wills is Still The King.

*  Story Contributed by: Cade Jackson