AUSTIN, Texas — The music will soon be put on pause at a popular, decades-old karaoke bar in Downtown Austin.
On Sunday, Ego's posted an announcement to Instagram, at first stating its tentative last day is Sunday, Aug. 11. In an update on Monday, Ego's said it will be open at least through the end of the month.
"We're gonna be real with you. It's not looking like Ego's is going to be open much longer," the post said. "Right now we're taking it day by day while we wait to see if the landlord is willing to fix all of the pipes that keep collapsing, but it's not looking good since they plan on demoing the building at some point anyway."
The bar is located inside a building at 510 South Congress Ave. Ego's said it is the only business left inside.
The bar said its landlord is sending out "his premier plumber" to see if they can keep the business open. If it's is unable to find a way forward, the bar plans to host "one last big hurrah" to celebrate 45 years in business.
"This is an extremely emotional and hard time for everyone who loves this bar, especially the staff," the Instagram post said.
Hidden behind a gas station, the garage-like dive bar first opened back in 1979. Since then, it has become a central spot for karaoke among Austinites and tourists alike.
Ego's said it eventually hopes to reopen in the same area.
"The owner still plans on being in the new build when it happens, but unfortunately, we won't be relocating until then," the bar said on Instagram. "We're not for sure how long that will take, but we will be back."
The changing face of South Congress
Ego's isn't the only business along South Congress Avenue to shut down in recent months. Earlier this spring, artisan store Mi Casa closed its doors, as did women's clothing stores The Good Company and Sunroom. The businesses cited high rent as their main concern.
As some long-lasting businesses close for good, newer, higher-end brands often end up taking their place.
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