The Night Owl Podcast, Episode 62

"Spirits of Moonshine Bar & Grill - Part I"

Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Stephen Belyeu, Night Owl Paranormal Research Society

Overview:

This episode launches a two-part investigation into Austin's Moonshine Bar & Grill, a bustling downtown restaurant with a deep history and a reputation as one of the city’s most haunted venues. Host Stephen Belyeu and the Night Owl team gather firsthand stories from owners and longtime staff, sifting through nearly two centuries of myth, documented events, folklore, and personal encounters with what staff believe is a cast of distinct spirits still inhabiting the property.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Exploration of Moonshine's haunted legacy:
  Unpacking the blend of history and supernatural lore surrounding the site, originally part of Austin’s old Waterloo compound (dating back to 1835).

• Community & continuity:
  How the venue’s stewards and employees treat the spirits as former residents and old family, navigating supernatural events with a sense of respect and responsibility.

• Separation of myth and witnessed event:
  Through interviews and shared experiences, the episode differentiates persistent urban legends from direct personal accounts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Historical Context & Reported Activity

[00:59–10:59] Stephen Belyeu

• The building’s past:

  • Built as a mercantile by Henry F. Hoffeins in the 1850s.
  • Survived numerous floods, fires, and devastating events.
  • Original spaces now serve as dining rooms, event areas, and the speakeasy kinfolk.

• Hauntings tied to history:

  • Reports of cold spots, shoulder taps, flicks at the neck, unexplained movements of objects, and distinct presences in certain locations.
  • Notorious "Table 34" is a focal point for ghostly taps and chills.
  • A dominant female presence (“Catherine”), a mischievous child spirit, and more malevolent or ambiguous forces have been repeatedly described.

• Host reflection:
  “Some accounts are harder to dismiss. Glasses flying, violent pounding on walls after hours, unexplained injuries, even a voice once heard shouting at a lone staff member to get out.” [09:30]

B. Owner Experiences & Facility Lore

Interview: Chuck (co-owner)

[11:04–20:56]

• Sense of stewardship:

  • Emphasizes the history of gathering, hospitality, and continuity.
  • Maintains the view that “hauntings” at Moonshine feel more like “visits” from family than hostile activity.

• Notable experiences:

  • First night: a jar of cherry-infused whiskey “flies” off the bar and shatters while planning a new menu item, taken as a sign the spirits had preferences.
  • A distributor quitting after witnessing glasses “fly” from the carriage house bar’s racks.
  • Multiple reports of guests tapping on the shoulder at Table 34.

• Quote:

  “At Moonshine, it’s only felt like visits. We've always felt like there was this family presence from the past there… we’re curators of what was started here so long ago.” [18:12]

Interview: Larry (co-owner)

[21:17–33:51]

• Two “resident” spirits:

  • A playful, young, feminine spirit—seen by Larry’s daughter and depicted in children’s drawings.
  • An older, dominant woman, matching Catherine’s historical presence.
  • Both are distinct from a third, more malevolent presence detected recently (“the blackest black shadow” in the restroom).

• Physical disturbances:

  • Plates and glassware flying, documented on video.
  • Vendors and contractors so frightened they abandoned jobs or quit.
  • Spirits running off certain staff or customers. Some staff reportedly sustained mysterious injuries.

• Shifting relationship:

  • Spirits seemed displeased by initial renovations but “absolutely love it now."
  • Ritual of offering a drink at the start of each shift now “calms things down.”

• Quote:

  “What’s crazy is that we’ve learned... this isn’t just a watering hole for us, it’s a watering hole for spirits as well.” [22:28]

C. Longtime Staff Accounts

Jordan, Business Director

[38:33–55:20]

• First encounter:

  • Unexplained popping of wine corks from decor bottles. Subsequent distinct poltergeist-like pranks: running fingers up window blinds; computer keyboards typing “gibberish”—calmed only after offering a spare keyboard for the presumed child spirit.

• Patterns and escalation:

  • Noticed more activity following extensive pandemic-related closure and renovations.
  • Multiple injuries among construction workers and staff until they began respectfully “asking permission” of Catherine before making changes.

• Catalogued spirits:

  • Mischievous child (early staff believed it to be a girl who died falling down the well or, later, a boy killed by a streetcar).
  • “Drunk at the Bar” (B1): spectral cowboy, seen only by overnight staff/contractors, last active in 2016–2018.
  • “Mean Guy” in Carriage House bar (thought to be Adolph, Catherine’s husband), evoking unease and documented incidents of glassware shattering.
  • Catherine: “boss babe” spirit, responds to respect, dislikes unsanctioned changes, and is honored nightly with a shot of gin.

• Quote:

  “I know Catherine likes me… I think she was a boss babe, and I’m kind of a boss babe. I think we get each other.” [54:14]
  “If we are respectful of her...she tends to be protective of the people who are respectful of her.” [54:40]

Devin, Event Manager

[59:11–69:18]

• Sunday House story:
  • Experienced a dramatic cold wind and physical goosebumps while closing up alone; later learned from owner Chuck, “Yeah, we’re haunted. You didn’t know that?”
• Kinfolk (basement) incident:
  • During private time in the cellar, the lights repeatedly went out only to snap back “intensely bright.” “I wasn’t scared...it was very odd.”
• Further technological issues:
  • Persistent computer problems and mysterious pop-up messages; resolved only after a medium’s visit and attributed to an unwanted spirit’s removal—“I think that Catherine kicked [that spirit] out.” [68:23]
• Perception of spirits:
  • Spirits can be surprisingly direct; technological malfunctions, environmental changes, and sudden senses of presence are all interpreted as communication.

Cameron Trevino, Head Bartender

[69:18–71:57]

• Security camera evidence:
  • Documented a batch bottle of gin imploding and charcuterie boards falling simultaneously: “No one could explain why that happened.”
• Kinfolk ritual:
  • Now gives the spirits a drink before service as tradition and acknowledgment.
• Sensations in the Sunday House:
  • “It just felt like an adult woman presence in that room from what I felt.” [71:55]

Sarah Baxter, Bar Manager

[71:59–78:20]

• Personal turning point:
  • Once skeptical, turned believer after joking she was “the ghost” in the alley and having her phone flung across the dark.
• Table 34 confirmations:
  • Multiple guest complaints about “shoulder taps” and “cold, drafty” feelings; TV ghost investigators pinpointed the table without being prompted.
• Historical context:
  • Sunday House once a hippie commune; a former resident was protected by the ghost from an abusive partner, with doors slamming and locking between them.
• Child spirit investigation:
  • Earlier belief: playful girl died in the well. Later research suggested a young Black boy killed by a streetcar; “that’s why she thinks there’s not much record about it, because it was a long time ago.” [77:59]
• Patterns noticed:
  • Trashcan in the office seen being tucked around as if a child was playing; children of staff drawn to the same spot.

Sonja, General Manager

[79:20–90:53]

• Skeptic turned believer:
  • Initially worked very late alone; noticed intense feelings of being watched and foreboding.
  • Experienced untraceable, loud “dripping” which escalated into pounding shaking the building—“I could literally feel vibrations through the walls. It was very unnerving.” [81:51]
• Extreme event:
  • While on the phone with a friend as backup, friend reports hearing loud voices and screams over the phone: “Are you okay? The last minute I’ve been hearing people screaming at you… I thought you were being attacked.” [85:41]
• Direct vocal encounter:
  • Alone late at night, Sonja clearly hears a very loud “GET OUT”—believes it may have been protective rather than malicious, possibly Catherine.
• After acknowledging the spirits and vowing respectful stewardship, her experiences calmed dramatically.
• Quote:

  “After that experience, I was willing to try anything...I went ahead and communicated with the spirits that may have been there...Other than that, it’s been smooth sailing.” [90:03]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Stephen (Host) [09:30]:

  “Some accounts are harder to dismiss. Glasses flying, violent pounding on walls after hours, unexplained injuries, even a voice once heard shouting at a lone staff member to get out.”

• Chuck (Owner) [18:12]:

  “At Moonshine, it’s only felt like visits. We've always felt like there was this family presence from the past there… we’re curators of what was started here so long ago.”

• Larry (Owner) [22:28]:

  “What’s crazy is that we’ve learned... this isn’t just a watering hole for us, it’s a watering hole for spirits as well.”

• Jordan (Business Director) [54:14]:

  "I know Catherine likes me… I think she was a boss babe, and I’m kind of a boss babe. I think we get each other."

• Sonja (GM), recounting her friend's words [85:41]:

  “Do you need me to call APD? ...The last minute I’ve been hearing people screaming at you … I thought you were being attacked.”

• Sarah (Bar Manager) [77:12]:

  “It took them forever to dig it up and to find the records, they found one tiny article that a little boy had been killed by a streetcar in the corner. He was a young black boy. And that's why she thinks that there's not much record about it, because it was a long time ago.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• History and introduction to Moonshine’s lore: [00:00–11:04]
• Chuck’s experiences and philosophy: [11:04–20:56]
• Larry’s spirit encounters and staff injuries: [21:17–33:51]
• Jordan on playful spirits and Catherine: [38:33–55:20]
• Staff-specific stories (Devin, Cameron, Sarah): [59:11–78:20]
• Sonja’s harrowing encounters: [79:20–90:53]
• Episode close and promise of Part II: [90:53–End]

Structure of the Hauntings/Spirits

The Five (Main) Spirits of Moonshine Bar & Grill

1. Mischievous Child (believed girl or boy, possibly killed on property—most commonly interacts via pranks, technology malfunction, playing)
2. “Catherine,” the Matron (dominant, protective, particular; expects respect from staff; associated with historical owner’s family)
3. Adolph (“The Mean Guy”) (suspected presence in Carriage House Bar; angry, unwelcome energy)
4. “The Drunk at the Bar” (male, seen at seat B1 by late-night or overnight personnel)
5. Unconfirmed Fifth Presence (alluded to by visiting mediums, mystery remains)

Tone & Atmosphere

• Respectful, matter-of-fact, and community-oriented: Staff and owners speak with admiration and caution, applying practical routines (offerings, acknowledgments) to coexist peacefully.
• Stories blend warmth, pride, humor, and sometimes genuine fear.
• Narrative voice maintains curiosity and empathy, never sensationalizing guests’ or staff’s supernatural experiences.

Memorable Moments

• Chuck’s first paranormal experience leading to a menu change at the spirits’ behest.
• Catherine’s approval/disapproval seeming to directly affect staff safety and restaurant fortune.
• Discovery that the supposed “ghost girl” may in fact be a long-forgotten Black child, shifting the understanding of the building’s spectral history.
• Sonja’s intense late-night encounters culminating in disembodied voices, confirmed by a friend over the phone.
• The tradition of offering Catherine a shot of gin every night—a ritual of respect.

Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead

The episode concludes on a note of anticipation: Stephen is invited to conduct an overnight investigation with his full team, hinting that Part II will bring even more voices and revelations. Throughout, a pattern emerges—spirits and the living staff at Moonshine Bar & Grill exist in a delicate but enduring truce, one rooted as much in mutual recognition as in the building’s indelible history.

For part two and ongoing details:
Visit thenightowlpodcast.com

This summary captures the essential themes, personal testimonies, spirit lore, and the distinct atmosphere that define Moonshine’s haunted reputation as reported in Episode 62 of The Night Owl Podcast.