Historic Gin House Opens to Public as Jazz Club

WATCH: DRNN gets a sneak peak inside Gin House Jazz Club.

Owners and stewards of the 117-year-old Cassinelli Gin House, Ely and Buddy Laing are the latest to contribute to a rich legacy in perhaps its most defining era yet.

Completed in 1908 by immigrant Italian stonemason G.B. Cassinelli, the Cassinelli Gin House was commemorated by the Texas Historical Commission in 1981. The humble, stone structure sits upon a hill in old downtown Del Rio overlooking San Felipe Creek. As its name reflects, the century-old building housed a cotton gin machine in its earliest days, having been originally built for an industrial purpose.

But after soon going out of business, it would serve many uses over the decades. Upon its first repurposing, the Gin House became a social spot in the early 1900s (though not much is know about those days). It became a private residence in the 50s, then an insurance company, then came abandonment, until eventually falling into the life-giving hands of its current keepers Ely and Buddy Laing.

The Laings adopted the Gin House as their new residence around 2017. They soon had a son together, and Ely began planting a garden, growing vegetables, and hosting family and friends for evenings of live-music.The House was now a home, and it overflowed with the warmth and energy of human tenderness it likely hasn’t seen in its century plus.

Walking through the grounds today, it’s an idealistic combination of an aesthetically romantic structure nestled within a lush, walkable garden. And thanks to an idea sprouted between the Laings after moving to a new home (just across the street), 2025 will mark a new era for the property. Del Rioans and travelers can experience the magic of the now-dubbed Gin House Jazz Club as a live-music space, outdoor garden, and wine bar Wednesday through Sunday.

With final touches still falling into place, DRNN’s Eddie Martinez stopped by for a sneak peak inside the Gin House Jazz Club’s cave-like stonewalls, and inside Ely’s thoughts and emotions ahead of October’s grand opening. Watch the VIDEO above.