Spandex, spandex, spandex! - Community Impact Newspaper
Spandex, spandex, spandex! - Community Impact Newspaper
Spandex, spandex, spandex! - Community Impact Newspaper
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Cody Miles<br />
Sharon Burke (left), owner of Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse, and Brooks Brannon, Poodie’s cook, look to carry<br />
on Poodie’s legacy.<br />
BUsiness<br />
Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse<br />
An iconic Spicewood treasure<br />
By Cody Miles<br />
Opened by Willie Nelson’s stage<br />
manager of 34 years, Randall<br />
“Poodie” Locke, Poodie’s Hilltop<br />
Roadhouse has been a Spicewood bar and<br />
music venue since 2002.<br />
Known for its atmosphere, sunset<br />
views, great food and traditional Texas<br />
country music, Poodie’s has been home to<br />
music artists such as Willie Nelson, Toby<br />
Keith, Kevin Fowler and Cross Canadian<br />
Ragweed.<br />
“It’s not just a bar; it’s an experience,”<br />
owner Sharon Burke said. “It’s a historical<br />
establishment as part of the Hill Country.”<br />
After settling in Briarcliff, Poodie<br />
purchased the bar in 1998. Owner Sharon<br />
Burke took over the venue in 2006 and<br />
has been the sole proprietor since Poodie’s<br />
death in 2009.<br />
Every week Poodie’s is host to several<br />
live Texas country music events. Steak<br />
and Songwriter’s Night, which occurs<br />
every Monday at 6:30 p.m., gives local<br />
talent, as well as renowned country music<br />
writers, an opportunity to showcase their<br />
new original music.<br />
“We always keep a seat for the new<br />
songwriter,” Burke said. “Texas is probably<br />
the most respectful of the songwriter.<br />
We really support live, original music.”<br />
It is not uncommon to see popular<br />
Austin musicians stop by unannounced<br />
during “No Bad Wednesdays” open mic<br />
night, which begins at 7 p.m. Willie Nelson<br />
has been known to come support, eat<br />
and watch some of his friends perform,<br />
Burke said.<br />
“Every walk of life hangs out in this<br />
bar,” Burke said. “It doesn’t really matter<br />
what economic or social class you’ve come<br />
from; it just kind of washes away when<br />
you walk in.”<br />
Since becoming sole proprietor, Burke<br />
has initiated many cosmetic and internal<br />
changes to the bar. Of the most notable,<br />
the shaded two-tiered deck outside the<br />
bar allows patrons to view the skyline<br />
or watch the sunset. The quality of the<br />
sound system has also been dramatically<br />
improved, Burke said.<br />
The most recent change to the bar<br />
occurred July 4, 2012, when Poodie’s initiated<br />
a smoking ban inside the bar. This<br />
ban was enacted because of health concerns<br />
for employees and musicians, Burke<br />
said. Although smoking is not allowed<br />
inside the bar, smokers can also enjoy the<br />
evening sunset from the deck.<br />
Pictures of Poodie with Willie Nelson<br />
and other well-known artists adorn the<br />
walls of the bar to serve as a reminder of<br />
the past and a goal for the future.<br />
“I think we keep the tradition of Texas<br />
music,” Burke said. “We keep the heritage<br />
and what this bar represents. If you don’t<br />
have places like this, you don’t have places<br />
where musicians get to go on and move<br />
on from.”<br />
It is the love of tradition that keeps<br />
Burke striving to keep Poodie’s a cornerstone<br />
in the community.<br />
“I loved the way it felt when I came<br />
down here. I loved the music. I loved the<br />
area. I loved the lifestyle,” Burke said.<br />
Poodie’s Hilltop<br />
Roadhouse<br />
22308 Hwy. 71,<br />
Spicewood<br />
264-0318<br />
www.poodies.net<br />
71<br />
Bee Creek rd.<br />
Hamilton Pool rd.<br />
impactnews.com • August 2012 | FEATURES | 29<br />
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