Gruene Hall, built in 1878 by Henry (Heinrich) D. Gruene and located in the historical town of Gruene, Texas (now a part of New Braunfels), bills itself as "the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas". By design, not much has physically changed since the hall was first built. The 6,000-square-foot (560 m2) dance hall with a high-pitched tin roof still has the original layout with side flaps for open-air dancing, a bar in the front, a small lighted stage in the back, and a huge outdoor garden. Advertisement signs from the 1930s and 1940s still hang in the old hall and around the stage.[citation needed]
In 2006, Gruene Hall was shown in the movie Coyote Funeral.[2]
In 2009, George Strait's album Twang CD cover and insert photos were taken at Gruene Hall.[citation needed]
In 2019, ZZ Top did interviews and played live music for many parts of the documentary That Little ol' Band from Texas at the dance hall. At the end of the documentary, they walk out to the front of the dance hall in Gruene, with a clear view of some of the town, and drive off together into the horizon.[3]
In 2021, Gruene Hall was featured in an episode of the TV show Landmarks: The Stages of Country Music (S01 E02).[4]
In 2022, Scotty McCreery filmed his music video "Damn Strait" at Gruene Hall. It holds a special meaning to McCreery since he is a George Strait fan and its the venue is where George Strait started and where he got his record deal which launched his career. After the video was released George Strait gave it his approval. The song turned out to be a #1 on Country Radio for McCreery.[citation needed]