Introduction
Remembering Pat Molak – The Man Who Saved Gruene Hall, the Heart of Texas Country Music
Not far from Austin, Texas, lies a small town called Gruene — home to one of the state’s most treasured landmarks: Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. This week, the music community mourns the loss of Pat Molak, the beloved owner of Gruene Hall, who passed away on Good Friday at the age of 76. He wasn’t just an owner — he was the man who saved the hall from being lost to history.
In the 1970s, Pat Molak made a life-changing decision: he dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin and happened upon a neglected, rundown dance hall in the quiet town of Gruene, just north of New Braunfels. Built in 1878, the hall was little more than a dusty bar with a handful of regulars. In 1975, Molak bought it, restored it, and — most importantly — preserved its original charm and authenticity.
Thanks to his vision and deep love for music, Gruene Hall became one of the most iconic country music venues in the world. It’s where a young George Strait got his start, and it became a favorite stage for legends like Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, and Little Richard. For decades, it has remained a beloved home for rising Texas country artists, embodying the spirit of live music.
Pat Molak was known not only as the man behind the venue but as its heartbeat. He ran the hall in shorts and flip-flops, always approachable and full of life — truly the life of the party.
His passing is a great loss, but his legacy will live on. Gruene Hall will continue to echo with music and memories — a living tribute to the man who gave it a second life.