By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The bar just outside of Catharine is reopening as The Social Tavern as soon as the end of this month.
The new owners of the bar, 2111 Catherine Road, are local entrepreneurs Brianne and Ryan Sultzer. Brianne owns Refine in Hays, and Ryan owns Smokin' Co. BBQ food truck and catering.
The bar was originally opened as Dick's Corner Club on April 18, 1963. The bar was in an old school house that was moved, and it was a private club for men.
As many of the bar's patrons worked in the oil fields, it was later known as The Petroleum Club. It was Dick's Bar and Grill and became Peggy Sue's in about 2004. In March 2009, John Meier opened the bar as Big John's Saloon. Big John's was closed and the bar remained vacant for a short time before being rented by the Sultzers.
The Social Tavern will feature some of Smokin' Co.'s barbecue favorites with some additions, especially for the bar. Some of these favorites will include pulled pork nachos and Cuban sandwiches.
Ryan said one of the bar's specialties will be a chopped cheese sandwich, which is like a Philly cheese steak except with hamburger. These sandwiches have been growing in popularity on the East Coast, Ryan said.
The restaurant also will have regular specials, and Ryan encouraged diners to watch the bar's Facebook page for weekly specials.
The Social Tavern will have a full bar with various beers on tap and other beers, including selections from local brewery Defiance, in cans and bottles.
The Sultzers have remodeled the bar, creating more seating. The couple also added a fenced patio that has outdoor seating. In total, the bar can now seat about 80 people.
The bar has multiple TVs for watching games.
The Sultzers said they have been asked for some time when they planned to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but they said they were waiting for the right opportunity.
The Sultzers said they hope to serve diners from Catharine, Victoria and the surrounding rural areas of Ellis County. Catharine has no eating establishments, and choices are limited in Victoria.
The couple said they see The Social Tavern as a destination stop and hope to also pull diners from Hays.
The bar will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The exact hours have yet to be set. No reservations are required. The Sultzers hope to have the Tavern open by the end of March. Watch for updates on the bar's Facebook page.
