Austin’s Legendary Haunted Tavern

“Emily is here.” a customer mutters as one of the 46 HDTVs flickers for a moment.

The Tavern is said to be visited by a murdered prostitute named Emily back in the 1940s when it was allegedly a brothel.  

The Tavern Back-story

However, before I go any further, I think I should start at the beginning of this tale. In the very beginning, when a grocery store was the brainchild of architect Hug Kuehne.

Around 1916 R. Niles Graham turned to Kuehne to design a state-of-the-art store for the 30,000 residents of Austin Texas. Hug Kuehne was an Austinite but his roots stemmed in Germany. He brought a design popular in Europe, a Tudor-style to the growing town. The Grocery store was named Enfield grocery and operated until 1929 when it was moved next door to make room for the new steakhouse, the Tavern we know today.

The Story of Emily

Legend has it that the popular speakeasy ran a brothel on the second floor and a former employee is said to haunt that space. 1933 is when the steakhouse became The Tavern. A popular spot for soldiers, students, and presidents. Sometime during the 1940s, a prostitute named Emily and her daughter were killed. Hapless victims during a fight between two soldiers.

Guest have witnessed the figure of a woman clad in 1940s dress staring out the windows of the sports bar. Most common are the mischievous acts committed by the resident spirits. TV flickering and dish breaking are some of the reported happenings. Others have spoken of hearing phantom pool games, heavy footsteps, and cold spots by the restrooms.

The CW Austin

Some years back the CW Austin was taping a segment at The Tavern and caught something on camera rather intriguing. Currently, it is posted on their Facebook page and I will let the viewer be the judge of what they see.

The Tavern is a great spot to have a few drinks, eat great food, cheer for your team, and maybe– just maybe catch a ghost or two. 

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