When the Krasniqi brothers Luke and Genc envisioned opening a new bar in Old Town Leander, they wanted to create a place with good food, a great beer selection and a welcoming atmosphere.
After their first business venture, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, the brothers decided to open a bar and restaurant with the aim of providing an affordable place to hang out.
Leander Beer Market, located across the street from City Hall, opened in September and offers wine, food, coffee and entertainment. The menu is filled with Italian-inspired items, such as the spiced Italian sausage and the baked meatball casserole, and a variety of fried appetizers are also offered, such as mozzarella, calamari, mushrooms, pickles and ravioli. For entrees diners can choose from an array of pizzas, salads and New York-style sandwiches.
“It’s a beer garden,” Genc said. “Where you can tour the world from the bar seat.”
Bottled beers sell for $4, and any of the 16 beers on tap are $3.50. The selection includes beers from local breweries such as Live Oak Brewing Co. and (512) Brewing Co. Other products include Bahamian Kalik Beer and Alaskan Brewery beers. The bar carries about 350 different kinds of ale, which is the primary appeal for patron Tony Walker.
“I’m here for the selection of beer,” he said. “You don’t definitely don’t find that anywhere near here. You have to go to Cedar Park or Austin to get something like that, and even then it is not this [extensive].”
The Krasniqis opened a coffee shop in January in the empty space attached to the beer market. The coffee shop serves desserts such as gelato as well as beers and includes a stage for live music. Patrons can choose from a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, while listening to music from local musicians. The coffee shop also serves nonalcoholic drinks such as frappes, floats, hot chocolate and Italian cream sodas.
While visiting the bar, patrons can play arcade games such as “Big Buck Hunter” or billiards. Customers can also participate in a variety of events during evenings such as trivia or painting classes. Another themed evening, deemed Thursday Tap Takeover, highlights local brew masters.
“We promote one local brewery at a time,” Genc said. “We will do different offers for our patrons. We’ll say, ‘Buy a pint and keep the glassware,’ or the brewery will say, ‘First 50 patrons get a pint on us.’”
Additional reporting by Lyndsey Taylor
Leander Beer Market
106 W. Willis St., Leander
512-271-7096
Hours (summer): Mon.-Wed. 4-10 p.m., Thu. 4 p.m.- midnight, Fri.-Sat. noon-midnight, Sun. noon-10 p.m.
Coffee shop hours are same as bar
