Riley’s on the Backbone comes to life again

Just over the Comal County line on FM 32, Riley’s On the Backbone has come to life again. Known mostly as a biker bar in the past, the bar reflected the rough clientele that frequented the place. That is a thing of the past though. The litter, graffiti and trash are now gone and like a phoenix, the bar has come back to the delight of patrons and visitors.

Jennifer and Bill Townsend, the new owners of Riley’s, have put their heart and soul into making the bar a fun place to be . With a huge clean up, they have plans to make it much more than what it has been and what it is now. This is also a music venue, a place to hang out with your friends and neighbors.

“It’s a crazy mix of people who come together to have a blast,” Jenifer said. “Golfers, riders and locals.” There on the jukebox, the music is a mix of country and rock. Every Tuesday there is customer appreciation with homemade food and smiles all around.

But there is still a lot of work to do. “We have been blessed. It came together so quick,” Bill said. They have owned the bar for only four months.

The land behind the bar was an abused property that had to be cleaned up along with the inside. Total strangers came to help and lots of dumpsters filled to get rid of trash from inside and out.

But now that it is cleaned up and warm and inviting, the credit has to go to Jennifer and Bill. They also have other jobs. Bill is the Fleet Manager at a Harley dealership and Jennifer is an International Real Estate agent.

“It’s a Hill Country gathering place, it’s just a great mix of people,” Jennifer said. “They are from every walk of life and get people from all over…it’s a hands on business, you have to be there to greet people.”

The music is available four days of the week. It just gets bigger on the weekends. During the week, music is played to the side of the bar, perfect for one or two musicians.

When there is a bigger band they play out by the back porch, which will be renovated this summer with air conditioning and permanent windows and a bar.

There will also be a stage for live music that will soon be finished. It will be in the back property for summer fun outdoors. A wedding venue was also mentioned for the future.

The atmosphere is very comfortable, putting patrons at ease the minute they enter. There are lots of beer on tap, including local, imported and even a couple of Middleton brews. Wine is also served, but not hard liquor.

They are open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday 11 to 1 a.m. According to Jennifer “we have the prettiest bartenders around.”

It is a super friendly bar, with one huge advantage, a great view overlooking the valley. “There are people who come at 6 in the morning and sit on the deck to see the sun rising,” Bill said. The sunsets are just as breathtaking.

For more information can be found by phone at (830) 715-4069.