Preserving Austin Music with Steve Wertheimer

Austin's music scene didn't happen by accident. It grew from the people, places, and venues that gave generations of musicians a stage and a community. Discover how preserving these iconic spaces helps keep the city's musical story alive for future visitors and performers alike.

The piece below is adapted from a recorded interview between Preservation Scholar Kamille Anaya and Steve Wertheimer, owner of The Continental Club, and is not intended to be a complete official history of the business.

As a Preservation Scholar with the Texas Historical Commission, I had the honor of learning more about the ongoing Texas Treasure Business Awards (TTBA) program. The first stage of my project, "Mapping Texas Treasures," uses GIS to map more than 700 recognized TTBA businesses, making them more accessible to the public. As part of that broader effort, I wanted to focus on one of those honorees, highlighting their story and giving a voice to the business behind the designation. The Continental Club was selected because of its significant role in Austin's music history and the current owner's commitment to preservation, which has maintained the venue's old-school character amid the city's rapid modernization.

Early Days

The Continental Club opened in 1955, founded by Morin Scott as an upscale supper club featuring live jazz performances on the weekends. The name has remained unchanged, reflecting Scott's desire for a cosmopolitan identity to match the club’s atmosphere. During Scott's tenure, the club hosted jazz musicians that complemented its swanky, supper-club character. This identity shifted in the late 1960s when ownership passed to Martin Schuler, who transformed The Continental Club into a casual bar, complete with pool tables. In the 1970s, Schuler leased the club to Jeanette Ward and her husband Mark Pratz. Drawing on their experience with Liberty Lunch, an open-air live music venue located at 405 W. 2nd Street, they reimagined the space as a cutting-edge punk venue. Their tenure was brief, and ownership eventually returned to Martin Schuler’s heirs, who sold the club in 1987 to business partners Steve Wertheimer and Louis Charles “C-Boy” Parks.

Six people pictured at The Continental Club in Austin, Texas. Pictured is the original owner, Morin Scott, and
quarterback Bobby Layne, date unknown.

Pictured: The Continental Club's original owner, Morin Scott (standing on the right), poses with quarterback Bobby Layne (standing on the left), date unknown.

Credit: The Continental Club

Steve Wertheimer (left) and C-Boy Parks (right)

Credit: C-Boy's Heart & Soul

Steve & The Continental Club

Steve Wertheimer, a fourth-generation Texan raised in Rosenberg, grew up in a family of small business owners. This background shaped his understanding of the important role local businesses play in their communities. After acquiring The Continental Club, Wertheimer’s priority was to research and preserve its history.

One early restoration effort included uncovering the original murals which had been boarded up. These four European street-scene murals painted in 1957 are still intact and offer a visual link to the club’s early days. Today, they are once again visible in the main room, illuminated by handcrafted neon signs and vintage decor.

In the early years of ownership, Wertheimer and C-Boy experimented with different business models, including offering full kitchen service throughout the day. Ultimately, they chose to focus on live music — a decision that proved successful. Over the years, the club has hosted legendary artists such as Williams Roosevelt Thomas [Grey Ghost], Stevie Ray Vaughan, Terry Allen, Robert Plant, Jack White, and more. Their music-first approach continues today, with the venue now welcoming multiple generations of performers, including the children and grandchildren of earlier acts.

Bar owner glances at images behind him dating since the mid-twentieth century.

Pictured: Steve Wertheimer glancing at images in The Continental Club

Credit: Ana Alicia Acosta

"Some of these musicians have been playing at The Continental Club for over twenty years. Their kids are on stage now; it has become a multigenerational thing."

-Steve Wertheimer

Preserving the Past

Wertheimer’s preservation efforts extend beyond The Continental Club. He has worked to maintain the character of South Congress by supporting and investing in historic local businesses, including Avenue Barber Shop, and by opening C-Boy's Heart & Soul as a tribute to his late business partner. In an era of increased development in Austin, Wertheimer says,

"I am a preservationist. It is killing me seeing all these places disappear."

Today, The Continental Club hosts live music seven nights a week and remains a cornerstone of Austin’s cultural identity. Walking into the club you are comforted by the dim lights, nostalgic music, and old-school vibe. Wertheimer's passion for live music and commitment to preservation ensures that the spirit of Austin music continues to thrive for future generations.

The Continental Club is a 2023 Texas Treasure Business Award recipient, recognized for its continuous service to the community for more than 50 years.

About The Author

Kamille Anaya is a rising senior at Trinity College where she is double majoring in Sociology and American Studies. Her drive for preserving local histories is motivated by the significance public memory holds for communities.

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Preservation Scholar