Winner: The Magik Theatre
420 S. Alamo St.
(210) 227-2751
For the past 25 years, the Magik Theatre has brought children's books to life with colorful costumes, engaging acting and a commitment to enhancing the literacy of San Antonio's youth through thoughtful education and outreach. What started in 1994 as a handful of actors putting on The Jungle Book has become a staple in every young San Antonian's childhood. If you're under the age of 30, there's a good chance you spent at least a few spellbinding afternoons at the Magik as a kid. Over the years, the Magik has played host to a number of lovable characters, including Charlie Brown, Bunnicula, Ella Enchanted and, most recently, the Very Hungry Caterpillar. With three locations, a summer performing arts camp and year-round classes for preschoolers through high school students, the Magik Theatre binds the city together while instilling a sense of wonder and love for the arts in children and adults alike.
2. The Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Road
(210) 267-8388
3. Bexar Stage
1203 Camden St.
(210) 281-4259
Previous Winners
Around Town
Winner: Presa House Gallery
725 S. Presa St.
(210) 913-5842
Launched in October of 2016 in a homey Southtown locale, Presa House Gallery is technically still in its infancy — which is somewhat hard to believe considering its robust fan base and steady track record of exhibitions. Co-founded by artists Jenelle Esparza and Rigoberto Luna, the aptly named favorite hooked us — and many others — early on with a Morrissey-inspired group show ("November Spawned a Moz Show") and we haven't stopped returning for smartly curated exhibitions that get revealed during First Friday celebrations with puro San Anto house-party vibes. Described by McNay Art Museum Director Richard Aste in a 2018 Sotheby's article as "a wonderful showplace for emerging talent in the city's thriving arts scene," Presa House also wins props for recognizing of under-appreciated San Antonio artists and an inclusive bent that's resulted in collaborations with artists, curators and galleries from Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Los Angeles, New York and Mexico.
2. Little Studio Gallery
La Villita Historic Arts Village
418 Villita St. #2300
(210) 227-8893
3. AnArte Gallery
7959 Broadway St.
(210) 826-5674
Winner: Mane Man Men's Grooming
2230 S.E. Military Dr.
(210) 427-0039
2. Los Barberos Classic Barbershop
443 McCarty Road
(210) 370-3262
losbarberosclassicbarbershop.com
3. Victory Salon & Barbershop
4745 Fredericksburg Road
(210) 281-5808
Winner: King William Manor
1037 S. Alamo St.
(210) 222-0144
2. Inn on the Riverwalk
129 Woodward Place
(210) 225-6333
Winner: Bowl & Barrel
17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 102
(210) 920-1102
2. EVO Entertainment
18658 Interstate 35 North, Schertz
(210) 764-6986
3. University Bowl
12332 Interstate 10 #10
(210) 699-6235
Winner: Phil Hardberger Park
13203 Blanco Road
(210) 492-7472
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department has prioritized our city's people and their pups, and the gem in its crown is Phil Hardberger Park. Hardberger's two massive dog parks, which comprise a total of 3.3 acres of canine paradise, have separate areas for large and small dogs so that they can play safely with one another, plus plenty of shade from live oak trees. The West Side dog park has agility equipment for Type A canines to work off excess energy, while couch-potato pups can lounge in the two-story doghouse located in the small dog area of the East Park. Whether you've got Fido on a leash or are own your own, you can also run, hike or bike the park's seven-plus miles of trails, which connect to the greater Salado Creek Greenway trail system. Additionally, Hardberger features picnic areas with BBQ pits, a bicycle repair station, basketball courts and even free Wi-Fi if you can't manage to unplug for an afternoon. For the kiddos, there are two playgrounds and a Nature Play Area constructed from reclaimed trees where they can climb, explore and otherwise get dirty in the outdoors.
2. Hemisfair
434 S. Alamo St. (210) 709-4750 hemisfair.org
3. Brackenridge Park
3700 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 207-7275
Winner: Phil Hardberger Park
13203 Blanco Road
(210) 492-7472
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department has prioritized our city's people and their pups, and the gem in its crown is Phil Hardberger Park. Hardberger's two massive dog parks, which comprise a total of 3.3 acres of canine paradise, have separate areas for large and small dogs so that they can play safely with one another, plus plenty of shade from live oak trees. The West Side dog park has agility equipment for Type A canines to work off excess energy, while couch-potato pups can lounge in the two-story doghouse located in the small dog area of the East Park. Whether you've got Fido on a leash or are own your own, you can also run, hike or bike the park's seven-plus miles of trails, which connect to the greater Salado Creek Greenway trail system. Additionally, Hardberger features picnic areas with BBQ pits, a bicycle repair station, basketball courts and even free Wi-Fi if you can't manage to unplug for an afternoon. For the kiddos, there are two playgrounds and a Nature Play Area constructed from reclaimed trees where they can climb, explore and otherwise get dirty in the outdoors.
2. McAllister Park
13102 Jones Maltsberger Road
(210) 207-7275
3. The Bark Park of Alamo Heights
Alamo Heights Blvd. & La Jara Blvd.
Winner: Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
618 N.W. Loop 410
(210) 541-8805
If you've exhausted every standup comedy show on Netflix but just need more, readers agree that the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club may be the best bet for a fix of live laughs. An offshoot from the now defunct Improv Comedy Club at the Rivercenter, this place has everything: performances from the best local and touring comics, an extensive cocktail menu and Tuesday open mic nights, where locals take the stage to earn their standup stripes. Boasting past acts such as Ali Wong, Eddie Izzard and even 2020 presidential candidate Ben Gleib, LOL Comedy Club safely lands first prize for pulling in the big names. Before finding your seat, be sure to stop by the bar to wet your whistle with drinks ranging from a shot of "alien secretion" to a glass of chardonnay. Margaret Cho, Joel McHale and Rick Gutierrez are slated to perform this fall, so it may be a good time to grab your pals, Tinder date or even your good ol' dad and see for yourself why readers say it's the top place in the Alamo City for laughs.
2. Bexar Stage
1203 Camden St.
(210) 281-4259
3. ComedySportz San Antonio
11950 Starcrest Dr. #210
(210) 338-0279
Winner: Elite Crossfit
18847 Redland Road #201
(210) 490-9348
2. Crossfit San Antonio
5337 Glen Ridge Dr. #119
(210) 825-3613
3. Jones N4 Crossfit & Personal Training
3131 Thousand Oaks Dr.
(210) 997-1600
