Winner: Sternewirth Tavern (Hotel Emma)
136 E. Grayson St.
(210) 223-7375
thehotelemma.com/culinary/sternewirth
For the second year in a row, this impressive lobby bar has won over Current readers by paying homage to The Pearl's industrial past while offering guests of all walks of life unmatchedservice. Sternewirth is a perk for guest of the uber-luxury Hotel Emma, but locals also gather to enjoy the atmosphere, well-made cocktails, local beer, wine and small plates. The Three Emmas cocktail — named for the scandal surrounding the brewery founder's wife and two mistresses of the same name — remains a crowd favorite with its pear and rose cordial flavor notes.
2. Ocho (Hotel Havana)
1015 Navarro St.
(210) 222-2008
havanasanantonio.com/restaurant-and-bar/ocho
3. The Moon's Daughters (Thompson)
115 Lexington Ave.
(210) 876-1234
Previous Winners
Nightlife
Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave.
(210) 446-9303
2. Bar America
723 S. Alamo St.
(210) 223-1285
3. Bonham Exchange
411 Bonham
(210) 224-9219
Winner: Lucy Cooper's Texas Ice House
16080 San Pedro Ave.
(210) 462-1894
Lucy Cooper's is taking its Naughty Bingo show on the road with plans to open a second location in New Braunfels later this year. We're guessing no small part of that expansion is driven by locals' love for the 21-and-over spot's bar grub, which includes signature items such as clothesline bacon and tin can nachos along with the expected — and well-prepared — pizzas, burgers and wings. While the food at plenty of bars is an afterthought, it's clear Lucy Cooper's takes pride in the plates that come out of its kitchen.
2. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave.
(210) 446-9303
3. Francis Bogside
803 S. St. Mary's St.
(210) 369-9192
Winner: Slackers Sports Bar
Multiple locations
2. Dave & Buster's
Multiple locations
3. Little Woodrow's Stone Oak
606 W. Afton Oaks Blvd.
(210) 403-2340
littlewoodrows.com/watering-holes/san-antonio/1604-stone-oak-pkwy
Winner: Liberty Bar
1111 S. Alamo St.
(210) 227-1187
2. Social Spot
930 Broadway
(210) 263-9009
3. Bistr09
6106 Broadway
(210) 245-8156
Winner: Bar 1919
1420 S. Alamo St.
(210) 227-1420
Plenty of cocktail havens aspire to Bar 1919's classic speakeasy vibe — it's in a basement for one, and it's also plenty dark and stylish. Atmosphere aside, what really sets this booze haven aside is the seriousness with which it approaches its craft. You'd be hard pressed to find a more robust list of Scotch and bourbon, not just in San Antonio, but much of the country. And you've got to dig the fact that they only carry a single brand of vodka. The bartenders know their stuff and do a good job of taking the drinkers along for an enjoyable ride, whether they're new to the craft-cocktail scene or seasoned hands looking to notch their belt by trying a new spirit.
2. The Modernist
516 E. Grayson St.
(210) 901-8646
3. Soho Wine and Martini Bar
214 W. Crockett St.
(210) 444-1000
Winner: Thirsty Horse Dance Hall & Saloon
2335 Northwest Military Highway
(210) 348-1513
2. The Lonesome Rose
2114 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 455--0233
3. Cowboys Dancehall
3030 N.E. Loop 410
(210) 646-9378
Winner: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
11255 Huebner Road, Suite 212
(210) 696-5080
beerknurd.com/locations/san-antonio-flying-saucer
OK, OK. Flying Saucer is a chain. We get it. But it's based in Fort Worth, so it meets Best of San Antonio's Texas-only rules. Beyond that, it's apparent that SA beer enthusiasts can get behind supporting the Saucer because it includes craft brews from Ranger Creek, Freetail, Weathered Souls and more in its voluminous selection. Throw in an engaging atmosphere and friendly service and it's that much easier to stick around and keep tasting your way down its wall of taps.
2. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave.
(210) 446-9303
3. Hoppy Monk
1010 N. Loop 1604 E.
(210) 545-3330
Winner: Bonham Exchange
411 Bonham
(210) 224-9219
Superlatives like "legendary" and "iconic" get tossed around far too often these days to describe people, places and things that arguably fall short of extraordinary. The Bonham Exchange, however, undeniably deserves those terms. For starters, the downtown landmark is housed in a late 19th-century structure first used as a German athletic club. Ninety years after opening its doors, it transformed into a wildly different type of club at the hands of visionary San Antonio developer and gay nightlife instigator Arthur "Happy" Veltman. Within LGBTQ+ circles of a certain age, everyone has a legendary story set in the iconic locale — whether it's dipping into a fishbowl of complimentary ecstasy (which was legal until 1985) or catching a live performance by one of the many acts that have graced the Bonham stage, from punk pioneers the Ramones to the Queen of Drag herself, RuPaul. While old-schoolers may whine that the Bonham doesn't feel as gay as it once did, the club's open-door policy has undoubtedly contributed to its remarkable staying power as a safe space for all to enjoy. Recently renovated during a 16-month COVID closure, the beloved melting pot is back on the scene and ready to serve up budget cocktails, trash disco, go-go dancers, drag divas and plenty more in between.
2. Brass Monkey
2702 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 480-4722
3. HEAT Nightclub
1500 N. Main Ave.
(210) 227-2600
Winner: The Bang Bang Bar
119 El Mio Drive
(210) 320-1187
The phrase "dive bar" typically evokes thoughts of a dingy, unglamorous spot with surly bartenders. The Bang Bang Bar doesn't quite fit that image. Its eclectic ambience includes cozy conversation corners outfitted with vintage furniture and a stage that bears more than a little resemblance to living room. And the bartenders tend to be a friendly bunch. There's something about the place's dark-yet-welcoming vibe that brings folks out in droves, and if they want to call it a dive, we're not going to argue.
2. The Hangar
8203 Broadway
(210) 824-2700
3. The Mix
2423 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 735-1313
