Freddo, the South Congress coffee shop tucked inside a two-story Victorian, is back with a new name and a whole new vibe. The space has relaunched as Walter's Tavern, a haunted-themed sports tavern that keeps coffee on the menu but now leans into a full bar, a late-night kitchen and programming built around game-day crowds. The shift followed Freddo's owners bringing in additional partners in February to relaunch the business with a heavier focus on watch parties and live events.
According to Community Impact, Walter's Tavern plans to host watch parties on a 15-foot jumbotron outside, plus trivia and poker nights, free pool and live music. The outlet notes that the venue added a full bar and a kitchen that will run until midnight, while continuing to pour coffee during daytime hours. Community Impact also reports the relaunch wrapped up in late February after the ownership change.
What Walter's Tavern Is Offering
The Walter's Tavern site lists the address as 2336 S. Congress Ave. along with weekday and weekend hours, describing the spot as a "neighborhood sports bar" outfitted with a large outdoor LED screen and multiple TVs for game viewing. The hand-crafted wood bar and patio are pitched as gathering places for watch parties and other events.
Food, Brunch and the Haunted Angle
The tavern's posted menu sticks to classic tavern fare, including burgers, a fried chicken sandwich and weekend brunch dishes, with brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The team is leaning into the spooky branding: the site teases, "A haunted bar? come find out for yourself." The Walter's Tavern menu lays out breakfast and lunch alongside late-night items, underscoring how the former coffee shop now runs a fuller kitchen.
A House With History
The building itself comes with a backstory. The Walter Tips House, which now hosts Walter's Tavern, was built in 1876 for hardware merchant and state senator Walter Tips and later moved to South Congress in 1975, according to the Austin History Center. The center's records highlight the home's civic significance and the preservation push that saved it from demolition, an unusually historic pedigree for a bar on one of Austin's busiest corridors.
Community Impact first reported the reopening on March 24, 2026, detailing the ownership changes and programming slate that separate Walter's Tavern from the old Freddo concept. For locals sizing up where to watch the next big game or jump into trivia and poker nights, the tavern's site and the original coverage remain the go-to sources for the latest schedule and hours.
