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Historic El Paso Gardner Hotel receives Texas alcohol license

Historic El Paso Gardner Hotel receives Texas alcohol license

Rule Changes El Paso, TX local

Century-old hotel takes one step in alcohol licensing; final approval and opening not yet confirmed

August 25th, 2026: TABC license issued

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

El Paso's oldest continuously operating hotel picked up a state alcohol license. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issued the Gardner Hotel a BG-category permit on August 25, 2026.

The hotel, open since 1922 at 311 E Franklin Ave, runs private rooms and hostel dorms downtown. A liquor license is a single permit in a longer process; it hints at expanded food-and-drink service but doesn't confirm any bar or restaurant opening.

Why it matters

A new alcohol license at El Paso's oldest hotel hints at expanded downtown food-and-drink service.

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Key Indicators

1
TABC license issued Aug 25, 2026
A BG-category license was filed for the hotel at 311 E Franklin Ave.
104
Years of continuous operation since 1922
El Paso's oldest continuously operating hotel.

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Organizations Involved

Timeline

1922 August 2026

3 events Latest: August 25th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
  1. TABC license issued

    Latest Regulatory

    Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues a BG-category license to the Gardner Hotel.

  2. Dillinger stays at the hotel

    Historical

    Bank robber John Dillinger stays at the Gardner while in El Paso.

  3. Gardner Hotel opens

    Milestone

    Hotel opens at 311 E Franklin Ave, later becoming El Paso's longest-running hotel.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1934

John Dillinger at the Gardner (1934)

In 1934, bank robber John Dillinger stayed at the Gardner Hotel while passing through El Paso, one of many colorful guests since its 1922 opening.

Then

The stay drew attention to the hotel and its downtown bar culture.

Now

It became part of the hotel's lore, cementing its image as a historic El Paso landmark.

Why this matters now

Shows the hotel has long operated as a social gathering spot, so a renewed liquor license fits its century-old role.

1970s

Cormac McCarthy's residence (1970s)

Author Cormac McCarthy lived at the Gardner Hotel during parts of the 1970s while working in El Paso.

Then

McCarthy's time there tied the hotel to one of America's major novelists.

Now

The hotel's literary history adds to its downtown cultural identity.

Why this matters now

The literary history ties the hotel to downtown El Paso's cultural identity.

Sources

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