Winner: San Antonio Zoo
3903 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 734-7184
Like much of the city, the San Antonio Zoo and newly adjoining Kiddie Park closed for an extended period of time this spring while the city hunkered down due to COVID-19. For the safety of patrons, the attraction innovated, launching the Drive-Thru Zoo experience, through which families can enjoy the animals from the safety of their vehicles. Both the zoo and Kiddie Park reopened with new pandemic safety protocols in place this summer, but those unwilling to visit in person can still take advantage of the drive-thru version, which takes places on select dates, as well as virtual tours that can be enjoyed from home. The best part? Visits to the zoo help fund the non-profit organization's conservation programs, which work to help preserve endangered species both native to Texas and from around the world.
2. The Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway
(210) 212-7260
3. The DoSeum
2800 Broadway
(210) 212-4453
Previous Winners
Around Town
Winner: 1221 Broadway
1221 Broadway
(210) 899-4910
2. Arrive Eilan
17803 La Cantera Terrace
(866) 574-5766
3. Lenox Overlook
17715 Overlook Loop
(210) 320-0930
Winner: Blue Star Contemporary
116 Blue Star
(210) 227-6960
It's hard to imagine what San Antonio's distinct art scene would look like without Blue Star Contemporary. Founded in 1986 as a platform for local artists, the nonprofit institution paved the way for some of the city's first artist-run spaces, many of which cropped up in the surrounding Blue Star Arts Complex. Over the past three decades, the cavernous space has hosted hundreds of exhibitions showcasing local, national and international artists; cultivated countless young artists through its Mosaic outreach program; and sent dozens of talented San Antonians to live and work in Germany as part of its Blue Star Berlin Residency. As we were assembling this issue, BSC was in the midst of mounting the 30th anniversary edition of Red Dot — a fundraising exhibition featuring more than 100 local artists that will be enhanced this year with a free Blue Star app promising an "augmented reality experience."
2. Southtown Art Gallery
1913 S. Flores St., Studio 9
(210) 441-0075
facebook.com/southtownartgallery
3. Presa House Gallery
725 S. Presa St.
Editor's Pick: FL!GHT Gallery
112R Blue Star
Long a top destination for First Friday crowds at Blue Star Arts Complex, FL!GHT Gallery is an icon of the SA art scene. The gallery locked down the with the rest of the city this spring, and it looks like it won't be hosting swarms of onlookers for big art openings anytime soon, but that doesn't mean that it's down for the count. Au contraire: FL!GHT resumed its exhibition schedule in May with an online-only showcase of Greg Mannino's glitter paintings, followed by a solo show of illustrations by Charles Benjamin Russell, for which viewings were scheduled on an appointment-only basis. In October, look for Angelica Raquel Martinez's eerie fiber works in "Tell Me It Haunts You Too," available to view by appointment.
Winner: Mane Man Men's Grooming
2230 Southeast Military Dr.
(210) 437-0039
2. Razors & Rims Barber Shop
8803 TX-151, Suite 105
(210) 332-5661
Tie:
3. Heavyweightz Parlor
3230 Hillcrest Dr.
(386) 965-3733
3. The Good Barber
20079 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 2104
(210) 497-0092
Winner: King William Manor
1037 S. Alamo St.
(210) 222-0144
2. Brackenridge House Bed and Breakfast
230 Madison
(210) 271-3442
3. Arbor House
109 Arciniega St.
(210) 472-2005
Winner: University Bowl
12332 West I-10 #10
(210) 699-6235
2. Main Event
Multiple locations
3. Astro SuperBowl
3203 Harry Wurzbach Road
(210) 824-6348
Winner: Brackenridge Park
3700 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 207-7275
This year, the city's outdoor spaces became more important than ever, and it's no surprise that the centrally located, 343-acre Brackenridge Park was voted top dog. Visitors can meander the paved walkways or eat lunch at a picnic table along the picturesque 2.2 mile stretch of the San Antonio River that flows through the park, bike through its trails or get their play on at one of its sports fields. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, particularly in the spring, when the trees fill with egrets and yellow-crowned night herons for their annual nesting season. For a change of scenery, the nearby Japanese Tea Garden mesmerizes with landscaped tiers and koi ponds built out of the former Alamo Cement quarry. Those looking for more family-friendly fun need not go far. The San Antonio Zoo, recently relocated Kiddie Park, Zoo Train and Witte Museum are a mere hop, skip and a jump away, and all are currently open for business with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
2. Phil Hardberger Park
13203 Blanco Road
(210) 492-7472
3. Hemisfair
434 S. Alamo St.
(210) 709-4750
Winner: LOL Comedy Club
618 NW Loop 410
(866) 468-3399
When it comes to hosting touring stand-up comedians, there's no question which local venue comes out on top. Part of the storied Improv string of comedy venues, LOL regularly books bigs names such as SNL alum Rob Schneider and YouTube sensation JP Sears alongside local and regional comics. Even during the pandemic, the club has remained active, putting new safety measures in place and pulling together a lineup of touring shows through the remainder of the year. Throw in comedy defensive driving classes and the ability to host parties and groups and it's easy to get why LOL came out on top.
2. Blind Tiger Comedy Club
902 NE Loop 410
(210) 828-1470
3. Overtime Theater
(210) 557-7562
Currenly without a venue location
Winner: Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Road
(210) 267-8388
2. The Magik Theatre
420 S. Alamo St.
(210) 227-2751
3. The Public Theater of San Antonio
800 W. Ashby Place
(210) 733-7258
Winner: CryoFit Alamo Heights
6486 N. New Braunfels Ave.
(210) 375-9087
2. Total Regen Whole Body Cryo
22103 Bulverde Road, Suite 105
(210) 701-8822
3. Stratton Sport and Spine
818 Knights Cross Dr. #5107
(210) 837-8244
