Lightnin’ Bar Thriving as Unique, Inclusive Gathering Place in Downtown Elgin, TX

When Erin Riley and Bob Mann moved to Elgin, TX, a few years ago, they found the city’s Historic Downtown charming but felt they could add some uniqueness to the scene. 

“We wanted something that wasn’t just a dive bar, but had elevated cocktails,” Riley said. “That wasn’t really in Elgin at the time.”

After joining forces with a pair of friends and co-founders, Caleb Dawson and Julian Young, Lightnin’ Bar was born in 2023. Now, it’s thriving as a staple in Elgin, offering a unique atmosphere, cocktails and good times to visitors of all stripes downtown at 109 Central Ave. From its inception, Lightnin’ Bar received a huge boost from the City of Elgin and Elgin Economic Development Corporation, showcasing the region’s potential for small business owners to realize their vision.

Diverse Offerings, Diverse Crowd

Mann cut his teeth in the hospitality business at several New York City cocktail bars and Geraldine’s within the Hotel Van Zandt in his hometown of Austin.

Feeling out the kind of drinks Lightnin’ Bar would serve, Mann drew on his past, combining what he knew with some personal touch.

“I just wanted to bring something a little bit more elevated but accessible and palatable – nothing too over the top,” he said.

When visitors peruse the cocktail menu, Mann always begins offering recommendations by narrowing down their preferred liquors. From there, he suggests some of Lightnin’ Bar’s signature drinks, such as the whiskey-based Texas Gold or his own spin on a margarita, the Moon and 42.

However, more traditional drinkers won’t find themselves out of place or lacking options upon walking through Lightnin’ Bar’s doors.

“You can get a cold beer and a shot of whiskey, or a glass of wine or a cocktail. We have something for everyone,” Mann said.

Lightnin’ Bar’s cocktails attract a certain crowd, as does the pool table, frequent live music, weekly events and patio space. Catering to a wide array of customer preferences has allowed Lightnin’ Bar to become a magnet, creating a sense of community among locals with varying tastes.

As parents themselves, Riley and Mann have also taken steps to appeal to families, regularly scheduling kid-friendly events on their monthly calendar.

“What makes us stick out is the all-inclusiveness of what we do,” Mann continued. “We welcome everyone in for a diverse crowd, a mingling of different folks. It makes for an interesting conversation and environment. We offer diverse drink offerings for a diverse group of people.”

A Bright Future

Guidance from the City of Elgin and Elgin EDC was critical for Riley and Mann when navigating the permitting and application process to launch Lightnin’ Bar. But even more helpful were the local grants they successfully applied for.

“There were some really great incentives for business owners to bring them downtown,” Riley said. “We’ve taken advantage of their grants, which were huge for us because we opened with a really small budget. We built everything ourselves using recycled materials. For that reason, relying on the grants was crucial.”

The City of Elgin’s Main Street Program grants and Elgin EDC’s City-Wide Business Enhancement Grant helped Lightnin’ Bar expand its space to include a side yard. While hot dogs and Frito pies are currently available as snacks, Riley and Mann are set on adding a kitchen to offer a fuller menu.

Connect with Lightnin’ Bar on Instagram and Facebook ahead of your visit, and contact Elgin EDC for more information about small business success stories in the city.