Spicewood staple implements change

Deciding to make her bar a nonsmoking venue was a scary move, but Sharon Burke, owner of Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse in Spicewood, says it was a good thing.

"It was bold for us," she said. "But we had one of our best turnouts ever this past New Year's Eve. I attribute a lot of that to going nonsmoking."

Now Burke, who has owned the bar since 2006, is charging full speed ahead with ways to entertain the larger crowds.

A recording device to capture the on-stage music is also on the 2013 agenda.

The bar doesn't require all that much promotion; locals know its claim to fame is that it was opened decades ago by Willie Nelson's now deceased stage manager, Randall "Poodie" Locke. Gimmicks, Burke said, aren't really needed to keep the people coming.

"It's the real thing," she said. "Most people tell me they love the vibe when they walk in here. It just feels good."

• 22308 W. Hwy. 71, Spicewood
• 512-264-0318
• www.poodies.net