The video above takes you on a road trip through Moulton, TX, a small town of less than a thousand people sitting roughly midway between Houston and San Antonio. It's about 10 miles south of I-10, making it an easy detour if you're passing through the area. David Bridwell stopped in on his way from Houston gigs to upcoming shows in the Hill Country and Austin area, and what he found was a compact but genuinely interesting little town with historic architecture, good food, and more live music than you'd ever expect from a place that covers less than one square mile.
A Quick History of Moulton, Texas
The modern town was established in the early 1800s by American settlers who were drawn to the area's deep, fertile soil. Homesteads were scattered across the region until the 1830s, when the Texas Revolution disrupted things — particularly the famous "Come and Take It" conflict in nearby Gonzales. By the 1850s, families from the American South along with German and Czech immigrants were settling here, many of them fleeing revolutions and wars in Europe. When the railroad arrived in the late 1800s, the train station became the new center of town, and businesses followed — a hotel, general store, saloon, post office, cotton gin, bank, and even an opera house. The population has held steady for the past 50 years, and farming remains the primary activity.
What Live Music Venues Are in Moulton, TX?
For a town this small, it's genuinely surprising that there are three different spots with live music, all within walking distance of each other in the historic downtown area:
- Closner's Steakhouse and Bar — A well-known, long-established restaurant with a historic feel that hosts live music alongside solid steaks and drinks.
- The Old Moulton Bank — A former bank building that's been converted into a live music and drink spot, keeping its historic character while serving up entertainment.
- Pavla's Tavern — A tavern right along the main downtown strip that features live music on occasion in a laid-back, casual atmosphere.
What to Do in Moulton's Downtown
The main downtown area is a strip of old storefronts worth walking through just to take in the historic architecture. There are a few restaurants and shops, and David Bridwell ended up eating at Lainka Mexican Grill. On the second Saturday of every month, there's an outdoor commerce market where local vendors sell goods — a nice reason to time your visit if you can. It's the kind of place where you can park, walk the whole downtown in 20 minutes, grab a meal, and catch some music without ever moving your car. If you're driving between Houston and San Antonio or heading into the Hill Country, pulling off I-10 to spend an hour or two here is worth the detour.