History

Our story

B.D. Riley's

Where the spirit of Ireland blooms amidst the Texan sun

In a tale as enchanting as the Emerald Isle itself, the story of B.D. Riley’s at Aldrich Street begins with a vision – a vision to craft not just a pub, but a piece of Ireland herself in Austin, Texas. With the blueprint of dreams and the spirit of the old world, the craftsmen of Ireland, skilled as the ancient bards in their art, set to work.

Crafted in Ireland

In the lush greenery of Ireland, where the rain kisses the earth and tales of yore fill the air, the new B.D. Riley's began to take shape. Craftsmen, whose skills have been passed down through generations, painstakingly carved, crafted, and constructed each piece of the pub with the precision and care of a poet penning verses. From the dark, rich woods that whisper tales of centuries gone by to the intricate stained glass that captures the essence of the Irish soul, every piece was imbued with a story, a memory, a piece of a land far away.

Across the Sea to Texas

But what is a journey without a bit of adventure, eh? Once the pieces of B.D. Riley's were ready, they embarked on a voyage as epic as any Celtic legend. Across the mighty Atlantic, through storms and sunshine, the essence of Ireland sailed towards its new home in Austin, Texas, on Aldrich Street.

Tradition Transferred

And there, in the heart of Texas, craftsmen from both worlds, Irish and Texan, came together, blending traditions and spirits. They worked hand in glove to piece together this puzzle from across the seas, creating not just a pub, but a portal. A portal to Ireland, where the warmth of an Irish welcome, the joy of a song, and the comfort of a hearty meal await all who enter.

Our Public House Today

Now, B.D. Riley's on Aldrich Street stands not just as a pub, but as a testament to the enduring spirit of Ireland in Austin, Texas. It's a place where the past and present dance in harmony, where stories are shared, friendships are forged, and every visitor is a bit Irish by the time they leave. So, there ye have it - a place born of dreams and crafted by hands across the ocean. B.D. Riley's on Aldrich Street, where every pint, plate, and song tells a story. Welcome home, no matter where you're from.

Crafted in Ireland Across the Sea to Texas Tradition Transferred Our Public House Today

In Louth Timberworks, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Our fine Irish crew

Reviewing the plans at the source

Hand turned on the lathe, back bar posts ready to stain and finish

Our furniture was hand made in Armagh

Our furniture maker in County Armagh

Discussing design and materials with the ladies on tour

John appears skeptical but they turned out fantastic

Our custom stained glass doors and windows were made here

Admiring the handiwork

Part of our back bar, finish underway

First glimpse of our signature red

Very discerning customers

All stools, chairs and tables started here in Armagh

Bare bones, pre-finishing

Custom mirrors, hand-pieced leaded & stained glass made here

The shop floor in Dundalk, Co. Louth

All the pieces built to our specification

Finish work underway

John by some of our signage back boards

Keith admires our beautiful pear wood back bar

Knee panels for the bar front

Carved, pieced, sanded, painted and stained

A keen eye for craftsmanship

The best Irish Craftspeople we know!

Unloading the shopfront

Handcrafted teak, bright red on the outside.

Storefront in plywood for now.

Teak window frames, pre-glazing

How the "Big Pint" was born, pre-Guinnessification.

Custom back bar in place, almost. Look at those plain walls!

Puzzle pieces ready to be unwrapped and placed.

Some red exterior top plates visible

Kitchen entrance

Our local Pinnacle crew working on the non-Irish (but) essential stuff

Before the bar, we were a construction office. The Origin Hotel is now through those doors

Artwork for the walls, stored in the cooler

Sign backing boards, for above the shopfront

Barry delivers some stock

Our Irish crew learns about breakfast tacos

Hardhats and tacos

Publican between foremen, Pinnacle left, Ol Irish right

Paseo, early days

Paseo doors and Library glazing in. Warmer already!

Slowly waving goodbye to plywood out front

Doors hung, backboards ready to hang

Custom glazing, of course

BigAssFan™ pre-blades

Wide shot, down Aldrich

Getting ready for signage

First glimpse of sign identity

Paseo signage

Color makes everything better

We upgraded the address sign

Aldrich door wall, glazed

David McElgunne, master painter

Tile by Barry Keaney. Look for his boots!

Our gorgeous hand carved back bar

Outdoor mural by David McElgunne

Where it was painted--now on Aldrich

Might have come from a church

The Snug takes shape. Writers look on

David bringing Writers' Corner to life

Paint, wires, wood, tile

Steve supervising the hard work

Bar beginnings. Column love

Bar assembly

Library full of furniture

Bar post detail

Bar-end wall

Writers observe it all from the back

Vestibule, wall paint, ceiling antiqued

Looking better daily

Easy fireplace installation

Our neighbors at Alamo underway too

Across our patio down McBee St

Facade

Fun and Live Music!

Our Team from Ol Irish Pubs, Ltd.

From Ireland to Austin

Ready to welcome all

In the Snug

"The Library"

Bessie Dee Riley Above our Kitchen Door

Side of the pub

Always Fun on the Patios

Austin FC supporters showing the Verde

Liverpool supporters, always and forever

Patriots Fans: Where Austin Meets Boston

Doc Grauzer, harpist extraordinaire

Perfect Pints™ at the ready

Very RED patio

Raven pours with care

YNWA

Spirits for all

Testimonials

See What Our Guests Think

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Guide Level 7

What a cool place to hang out and have a great meal. Looks like a soccer game was happening and outside people were really enjoying it and singing. Our server was amazing. Our food was really good as well. [...] Also, if you park in the garage they have a QR code on the door for 4 hours free parking. Awesome. We loved it here and look forward to coming back. Highly recommend. A good place to chill and have a great time.

Minh D.

[YELP] I love the liveliness, unique decor and the soul & spirit of Ireland that they transported here to Austin. It is rare to have a culturally/nationally authentic feel to a restaurant/bar these days. Got the fried pickles - tasty, it was my first time trying and I'm usually not a huge fan of pickle. Very flavorful and light enough batter, great dipping sauce. Their blackened tuna with rosemary potatoes were yummy as well. Exceed my expectations for bar food. Love that they always have some kind of English sports on the screens and the vibe there was great - people are happy to be there.

Martin Andresen

First, this place was amazing. It's probably the best fish and chips that I've had. The Poutine was enormous and incredible. I brought the fish and chips home. She had her reuben sandwich, and everything was incredible. Raven our waiter took care of us. And the place was fun as you can see from the pictures. This is in one of the sections of Mueller.

Michael M. Scott

An absolute must stop when in Austin, well worth the drive. The service was impeccable. The food was outstanding. Three of us went We ordered three separate meals so we could try each one. The bangers and mash for the best I've had since I was in England, The traditional Shepherd's pie with lamb was an amazing, The Guinness gravy superb.

Mary Lester

The service was outstanding. Hearing the history of the bar and it's seeing its uniqueness made the rainy trip to Austin special. I loved this place.

Vivian H.

[YELP] Go here for a delicious burger and get ready for the best pour of Guinness in the city! It is the perfect combo along with some of the friendliest staff. They also have a huge ceiling fan above the patio and portable heaters when it starts to cool off. Stop in even if it is just to wonder-gaze at the architecture of this beautiful pub that was built in Ireland and put back together in Austin. They are open 365-days a year [...] It is one of the few places left in atx where the manager will stop by your table to say hello and make sure your needs are being met. I can also say that you can plant yourself there and never be told your time is up like more and more places are starting to do. I just love B.D. Riley's so much, can you tell?