10/23/2026
23 years ago today, on October 23, 2003, a small spot called On the Half Shell opened its doors at 203 S. Seguin Ave. A server named Christina clocked in for that very first shift.
Ten years later, she walked back through those same doors as an owner.
In 2013, Christina and Dave Cinotto, along with Chef Nathan Vosper, bought the bar from Paul Rimmelin. They gave it the name the whole town already called it: The Oyster Bar. They went non-smoking years before the city required it. They turned a cold-food-only menu into a full scratch kitchen, where everything is made in-house in small batches. In 2016 they expanded next door and more than doubled our space.
When Christina worked that opening night, downtown New Braunfels had only a handful of bars and restaurants. A lot has changed since then. Some things haven’t: fresh oysters, a kitchen that makes everything from scratch, and a room full of familiar faces.
To our regulars: many of you have been with us for all 23 years. You kept coming back through every change, and we wouldn’t be here without you.
To Paul: you handed this place over in 2013, and you’ve never really left. You still stop by every day to take your seat on the patio. Thank you for trusting us with your bar, and for still being a part of it.
To our staff, past and present (bartenders, servers, cooks, dishwashers, managers and closers): you are the heart of this place, every single shift. Some of our crew have been with us for 10 years, and we’re so grateful for every one of you.
To Christina, Dave and Nathan: thank you for believing in this little bar and building something this town loves.
Here’s to 23 years, New Braunfels. 🦪🥂
