OUR PICK: Low Country, 318 Martinez St., (210) 560-2224, facebook.com/lowcountrysa
Now, before anyone gets their chaps in a bunch, we understand fully that Lowcountry, the quaint and relatively new watering hole on Martinez Street, is not a country bar in the overblown sense of Cowboys or Midnight Rodeo. But, in a manner that’s somehow a touch more refined and rustic all at once, Lowcountry hits the sweet spot with its potent drink selection, its Southern snacks (i.e. pickled eggs and boiled peanuts), its Americana house music, and its modest, warm décor, which looks a bit like the way I imagine my great aunt’s house in Goliad must have looked — potted plants, dusty knickknacks, a porch made for reverie. Of course, the place is a bit hipster, but all that means to us is that maybe it’s finally hip to be a kicker again in Texas. The spot also offers occasional live music of the consistently excellent variety and a pleasantly laid-back mood. Hell, during happy hour (4-7pm), you can snag a beer/shot combo (“A Shot and a Wash”) for four bucks. In the immortal words of outlaw country firebrand David Allan Coe: “If that ain’t country, I’ll kiss your ass.”
Previous Winners
2. Bobby Sanchez at Smoke, 1170 E Commerce St., (210) 253-9919, smoketherestaurant.com
3. Esteban Medina at Chisme, 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 530-4236, eatchisme.com
WINNER: Paramour, 102 9th St., (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com
2. Blue Box, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2107, (210) 227-2583, blueboxbar.com
3. Bar 1919, 1420 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1420, bar1919.com
2. Pegasus, 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com
3. Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd
2. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393,
facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea
3. Bang Bang Bar, 119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, facebook.com/thebangbangbar210
WINNER: Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., (800) 513-7540, papertigersa.com
2. Jazz TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 6001, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com
3. The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com
2. Texas Ice House, Blanco Road, (210) 771-2765, facebook.com/texas-icehouse
3. Sanchez Ice House, multiple locations, facebook.com/sanchezicehouse
2. The Palace Men’s Club, 2482 NE Loop 410, (210) 599-6011,
thepalacemensclubsa.com
2. Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd
3. The Squeezebox, 2806 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/thesqueezebox
2. Brass Monkey, 2702 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 480-4722, facebook.com/brassmonkeytx
3. Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St., (210) 224-9219, bonhamexchange.com
2. Sancho’s, 628 Jackson St., (210) 320-1840, sanchosmx.com
3. Artisan on Alamo, 315 8th St., (210) 896-5070, artisanonalamo.com
