Best Of San Antonio® Nomination round is now open!

Best Of 2014

Best SA Place That Feels Like NYC

Lawrence Markey Gallery
311 6th, (210) 228-9966, lawrencemarkey.com

Next time your East Coast-loving relations turn up their snotty noses at San Antonio’s perceived lack of posh, take them to Lawrence Markey Gallery. Markey, a SA native, did in fact spend several years in NYC’s art world, operating his eponymous gallery there from 1990-2004, first in SoHo and then on the Upper East Side near the Whitney. Markey’s San Antonio space, which he opened in 2005, has the gritty urban reuse feel of SoHo (courtesy of an airy downtown warehouse renovated by Lake|Flato and modified by New York architect Andrew Berman) and the exclusivity of an UES gallery (note the subtle little door plaque in place of a business sign and the lack of front-facing windows). There’s also a lovely garden terrace open during receptions for pretending that we don’t actually live in the climate of Mordor. Then, of course, there’s the artists and exhibitions: Markey has displayed works by well-known international artists like Suzan Frecon, Fred Sandback, Lawrence Weiner, James Castle and Wayne Thiebaud. Though he primarily focuses on works on paper, his latest exhibition (which you can still catch if you hurry, it ends April 25) features some captivating paintings on canvas by John Zurier. You likely won’t see Markey’s next exhibit splashed on billboards and full-page ads, but you can get on the mailing list by contacting [email protected] or by visiting during regular gallery hours (how very New York!) from noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. For any serious art lover here, it’s worth it.

Best Art Gallery

1. Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum
116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960, bluestarart.org

Despite the “museum” moniker, San Antonio’s longest-running contemporary art space has always felt more like a big gallery. Last year, amid a swirl of leadership changes, Blue Star managed to host the gargantuan centerpiece group show for the Texas Biennial. More recently, the institution wisely chose Mary Heathcott as the latest executive director, sure to help this star shine even brighter.

2. Cinnabar Art and Custom Jewelry Gallery
1420 S Alamo, Ste 147, (210) 557-6073, cinnabarart.com

3. Gravelmouth Gallery
1906 S Flores, (210) 367-2528, gravelmouthgallery.com

Best Authentic Jukebox

1. Bar America
723 S Alamo, (210) 223-1285

The votes came in before the announcement that Bar America’s new owner would switch the vintage, LP-playing juke box for a streaming number, so let’s consider this a eulogy to the best juke in town. But don’t worry—Roger Miller, Patsy Cline, Ella, various Fats-es and all the favorites of yesteryear will be uploaded into the new machine.

2. Tucker’s Kozy Korner
1338 E Houston, (210) 320-2192, tuckerskozykorner.com

3. Mary Ann’s Pig Stand
1508 Broadway, (210) 222-9923, sanantoniospigstand.com

Best Bathroom to Sneak into as a Non-customer During Fiesta

Starbucks
Multiple locations, starbucks.com

We’re going to break our own rule here and nominate a non-local business as the best place to sneak into as a non-customer during Fiesta. For one, locally owned businesses downtown have it tough as it is without your cheap, stanky asses fouling up their joints. For two, Starbucks is known as the haven for weenie bladders worldwide, because the bigwigs realize that once one has relieved oneself, a venti iced sugar-free hazelnut latte suddenly sounds much more appealing. And for three, there’s plenty of Starbucks downtown alone: one by River Center Mall, one on St. Mary’s and Houston and one on McCullough and Quincy. Just remember, while it’s corporate policy to give furtive whizzers a pass, employees themselves may be less understanding. Since they’re the ones watching the Sbux thrones, make nice and be respectful if they ask you to take your pee-pee dance somewhere else.

Best Bed & Breakfast

1. King William Manor
1029 S Alamo, (210) 222-0144, kingwilliammanor.com

Once known as “The Columns on Alamo,” this 1892 Greek revival mansion boasts a stately bohemian character, with previous reincarnations as a community theater and a bookstore. A modern touch of vintage spans nine distinctly themed guest rooms; a few lead out to the veranda overlooking Southtown. Guests enjoy strolling to galleries and restaurants, and breakfast is served at Madhatter’s
Tea House.

2. O’Casey’s Bed & Breakfast
225 W Craig, (210) 738-1378, ocaseybnb.com

3. Eva’s Escape at the Gardenia Inn
307 Beauregard, (210) 223-5875, evasescape.com

Best Bike Route

1. Mission Reach
sanantonioriver.org/mission_reach/mission_reach.php

2. Leon Creek Greenway
sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/greenway_trails_leon.aspx

3. McAllister Park
13102 Jones Maltsberger, (210) 207-7275

Best Bowling Alley

1. University Bowl
12332 I-10 W, (210) 699-6235, ubbowl.com

2. Bandera Bowling Center
6700 Huebner, (210) 523-1716, banderabowlingcenter.com

3. Oak Hills Lanes
7330 Callaghan, (210) 344-6251, oakhillslanes.com

Best Childcare

1. Block and Dreeban School for Young Children
Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, 1200 NW Military Hwy,
(210) 302-6846, jccsanantonio.org

The JCC’s daycare and pre-school covers children ages six weeks to five years old. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Jewish culture and traditions are integrated throughout daily activities. There are also afterschool programs for grades K-12. And rest easy, staff members are college-educated and well-credentialed to take care of your little one.

2. TIE: Colonial Hills United Methodist School
5247 Vance Jackson, (210) 349-1092, colonialhills.info

Discovery World Learning Center
Multiple locations, discoveryworldsa.com

3. Country Home Learning Center
Multiple locations, countryhomelearningcenter.com