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Music On Tap

Typical Girls plays at The Porch’s recent New Year’s Eve event. Photo by Christopher Paul Cardoza

Music On Tap: Big plans in store for Taproom, The Porch

Sunday, January 30, 2022

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a beer and Works Burger while listening to live local music, that dream is about to come true.

The new owners of The Taproom and The Porch are introducing new ways to enjoy the restaurant and its sister bar while remaining true to its deep San Marcos roots.

“It’s important to us and the staff that The Taproom continues to provide great food, drinks and service in a space where you can hang with friends, watch sports and kick back,” co-owner Samantha Strahan said. “The Taproom has a legendary history with locals and Texas State; we hope to put our own ideas into the business without losing sight of what makes the bar so unique and special to everyone.”

Both long-standing downtown institutions came under new ownership on Nov. 1, 2021, after Sara LeVine and Samantha Strahan purchased the businesses from Travis Kelsey and Kevin Shea, who ran the combined restaurant and bar space establishments since 1998.

LeVine and Strahan worked with Kelsey and Shea throughout the COVID-19 shutdown to finalize the deal, with a focus on keeping much of what makes The Taproom and The Porch such a successful and memorable part of the Downtown San Marcos experience.

Overall, Levine and Strahan intend to maintain the charm, menu and reputation of The Taproom as is, while at the same time adding vegan opens to the menu and debuting live music at The Porch.

“The two spaces are connected and share a kitchen, which means you can enjoy our Taproom burgers while catching a show or playing trivia or singing karaoke,” Strahan said. “By adding weekly live music at The Porch, we're expanding your ways to enjoy a night or afternoon out in San Marcos.”

Rusty Dusty plays at The Porch’s recent New Year’s Eve event. Photo by Christopher Paul Cardoza

The owners are currently working to revamp the layout of The Porch, allowing a smooth transition into its live music programming and events, which will begin this month. Long-time Austin musician and front-man/ songwriter with Strahan & The Good Neighbors, Chili Cold Blood and The Memphis Strange, Doug Strahan (husband to owner Strahan), will manage all booking for the venue. Utilizing his 20-plus year history performing and collaborating with regional musicians of all genres will help ensure that the new music events will run smoothly.

And, coming this spring, LeVine and Strahan will introduce another big thing to get excited about.

“We're adding brunch,” Strahan said. “You'll be able to enjoy brunch every Saturday and Sunday, beginning Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.”

During that time, the Taproom will continue to serve the full menu — draft beers, burgers, ribs and bar snacks — plus the brunch menu, while The Porch will only feature brunch.

Additionally, The Porch will feature Sunday afternoon music programming from 2 - 4 p.m., weekly events and two to three bands every Saturday and Sunday night starting in February. The owners have installed a new sound system, pool tables and have planned all kinds of parties for the Spring. These events will kick off with a Mardi Gras weekend featuring New Orleansstyle jazz, brass and Cajun music.

“On our menu, we’ve added some new vegan options, new sandwiches and plan to introduce seasonal specials and burgers,” Strahan said.

Here is the schedule for The Taproom and The Porch’s weekly events and live music:

Mondays – Karaoke 8 p.m. -Midnight

Tuesday – Get It Gals Themed Trivia 6 p.m. -9 p. m. (last Tuesday of every month: Feb. 2 Outlander (STARZ) Trivia)

Wednesday – Wingo Bingo (every other Wednesday 7-9 p.m. – hosted at The Taproom)

Thursday – College Night with DJ Chow 10 p.m.-2 a.m., no cover

Friday – live music after 8 p.m., $5 cover

Saturday – live music after 8 p.m., $5 cover

Sunday – Country Brunch 1-3 p.m. Rotating country bands for dancing, grabbing a bloody mary and people watching on the square

For more information, visit taproomsanmarcos. com/events for all event listings and additional programming coming this spring.

“The Taproom has a legendary history with locals and Texas State. We hope to put our own ideas into the business without losing sight of what makes the bar so unique and special to everyone.”

— Samantha Strahan, The Taproom & The Porch

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666