Downtown SA doesn’t have everything sewn up when it comes to nightlife. Sometimes you don’t want to mess with the center city parking situation. Not to mention, it can be way more convenient to meet friends at a place closer to home.

We pulled together 35 spots with cool vibes and even cooler drinks — but won’t leave you stressed out about traveling into the thick of the concrete jungle.

The Stetson Bar 7350 Tezel Rd., (210) 541-4529, thestetsonbar.com This Northwest SA joint offers up a classic come-as-you-are scene with a huge dance floor to twirl around on while weekend country music fills the air. Photo via Instagram / silvereaglebeverages
Rusty Nail 15122 Potranco Rd., (210) 254-9201, therustynailsa.com Situated at the end of a small strip mall on SA’s far west side, the Rusty Nail offers up a slightly-elevated neighborhood bar vibe. Grab a cold drink and their chicken on a stick. Trust us. Photo via Instagram / therustynail210
502 Bar 502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com Over on Embassy Oaks, you can trust 502 Bar for your drinking needs. Though technically a spot for live music (especially local bands), this watering hole also lets you get boozy (with plenty of craft beers) and have a blast with karaoke or on a select movie nights. Photo via Instagram / cycliciousb
Chicken N Pickle 5215 UTSA Boulevard, (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com When you’re feeling like an afternoon in the sun is just the ticket, take a drive over to the Northwest side for a game of pickleball and a cold adult beverage at this huge complex. Photo courtesy of Chicken N Pickle Credit: Photo courtesy of Chicken N Pickle
Big Hops Multiple locations, bighops.com With three locations outside Loop 410, Big Hops lets you get your fill of booze without dealing with the craziness of downtown. It’s all about craft beer here, and it’s all but guaranteed that there’s a brew for everyone here. Photo via Instagram / grendel210
Gold Feather 834 NW Loop 410 Suite 106, (210) 342-2473, goldfeatherbb.com Located near SA’s North Star Mall, Gold Feather offers fried chicken and beer without the hassle of fighting downtown traffic. Photo via Instagram / goldfeatherbb
Cover 3 1806 N 1604 W, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com Sure, there’s plenty of food options over at Cover 3, but this northern S.A. spot is also hella reliable for drinking. With a focus on providing a solid spot to watch sports, Cover 3 has a full bar as well as a wine cellar with more than 70 different kinds of this classy booze. Plus, the beer is hella cold so you can’t ask for much else. Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie
Picks Bar SA 4553 North Loop 1604 W #1101, (210) 253-9220
The Sandbox 7280 UTSA Blvd, Suite 110, (210) 277-0970, thesandboxsa.com UTSA students and area residents alike were super excited to hear about the opening of the massive bar appropriately named The Sandbox. There you’ll find a full indoor bar (and restaurant) as well as a rooftop bar. While the views may not be as nice as downtown, this rooftop spot has everything you’re looking for. Photo via Instagram / thesandboxsa
Rocky’s Tavern 11403 O’Connor Rd. Ste. 106, (210) 637-7625 This Northeast SA drinkery just added some pretty spiffy updates to their outdoor patio, which is a prime spot to get to know some of the regulars over a frosty draft brew. Photo via Instagram / sacurrent
The General Public 17619 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 102, (210) 920-1101, thegenpublic.com With another location in Houston, this modern gastropub brings together all the cocktails, wine and beer you could ever want. No matter what your poison is, this spot gives you plenty of options for getting boozy. Photo via Instagram / design_dudes
The Hoppy Monk 1010 N Loop 1604 E, thehoppymonk.com The Hoppy Monk is currently only allowing outdoor dining, but the food menu and huge selection of beers are reason enough to head to this north SA spot. Stop by on Sunday to indulge in their brunch offerings, but be warned: you will wait for a table, so don’t arrive hangry. Photo via Instagram / thehoppymonk
George’s Keep 17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite #1200, (210) 310-3733, georgeskeep.com Who said all the sophisticated bars are in downtown? Not us! It goes without saying that George’s Keep matches that sophistication with craft cocktails, but this La Cantera bar also offers plenty of draft and bottled beers. Photo via Instagram / georgeskeep
Slackers Slackers isn’t slacking when it comes to fun. Whether you’re there for the sports bar aspect or the collection of games, this spot has something for almost everyone. 126 W Rector // 12234 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 845-2603, slackersbars.com. Credit: Slackers
Luna 6740 San Pedro Ave, lunalive.com If you’re looking for a solid choice for date night but don’t want to go to the fancy hotel bars in the heart of downtown, Luna should definitely be one of your first choices. This dimly-lit bar is plenty cozy and inviting for cocktails and live music. You’ll be able to catch eclectic acts across a variety of genres, so there’s no need to put up with the downtown crowd for a night out on the town. Photo via Instagram / mrschadenfreude
Bar du Mon Ami 4901 Broadway St, (210) 740-9229, bardumonami.com If you want to be semi-close to the action, you can head down Broadway to the Pearl and the bars down Grayson or head to the nearby St. Mary’s Strip. But if you want to be a bit more out of the bustling nightlife scene, Bar du Mon Ami will come through with cocktails made with care. Photo via Instagram / bardumonami
Best Dive Bar The Bang Bang Bar, 119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, thebangbangbartx.com Photo via Instagram / thebangbangbar
Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House Masks Required 16080 San Pedro Ave, (210) 462-1894, lucycoopers.com There’s nothing better than lounging in an adirondack chair while the Texas sun beams down and a breeze passes though — except for maybe the addition of a cold libation in your hand. Fresh air aficionados can get all of that and more at Lucy’s. Photo via Instagram / lucycoopersicehouse Credit: Photo via Instagram / lucycoopersicehouse
Stout House Stone Oak 18730 Stone Oak Parkway Ste #108, (​210) 239-5799 stouthouse.stoneoak
Oak Hills Tavern Come for the cheap drinks and good grub, stay for the cool events and hidden-gem charm. Oak Hills Tavern calls itself the best damn diver bar in San Antonio, and has been proudly flying under the radar for 25 years. 7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, oakhillstavern.com. Credit: Photo via Facebook, OAK HILLS TAVERN
Who’s Who Cocktails 1711 Babcock Road, (210) 973-5055, facebook.com/whoswhococktails Who wants to go to Who’s Who? Sure, cocktails are front and center at this northwest side bar, but there’s also karaoke for you to partake in. So swing by when you’re in the area and enjoy drinks & a show. Photo via Instagram / realcameralero
Main Street Bar 13477 Wetmore Road, (210) 490-3038, barsanantoniotx.com Located not too far from the airport, Main Street Bar has all the workings of a solid watering hole: plenty of booze, pool, darts, a patio, and live music on the weekends. Photo via Instagram / mainstbar
Copa Wine Bar 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy Suite 704, (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com If wine is your drink of choice, it only makes sense that you spend some evenings over at Copa. Carrying both European and domestic wines, you can order by the glass or by the bottle if you’re a big spender. Just remember to even out your booziness with tapas or pizza in this intimate bar. Photo via Instagram / chuck_corbitt
Hanzo 7701 Broadway St, (210) 826-1488, hanzobar.com Folks who love elevated Asian-inspired pubs will definitely want to visit Hanzo. During its all-day happy hour on Sundays, you can sip on $5 cocktails, American and Asian beers starting at $4, $3 shots and $5.50 wines. Tip: There’s also reverse happy hour every day from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Photo via Instagram / hanzobarsa
The Rustic 17619 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 204, (210) 245-7500, therustic.com Nestled in the bustling Rim shopping area, The Rustic is a very obvious choice for when you want the lively bar scene. On top of the advantage of not being downtown, this northwest watering hole offers a large patio as well as a massive indoor bar for all the beer, cocktails and more you could hope to drink. Plus, the bar brings in live music acts on the regular, and surprisingly it’s not all country. Photo via Instagram / therusticsa Credit: Instagram / therusticsa
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 11255 Huebner Rd #212, (210) 696-5080, beerknurd.com Sure, it’s a chain, but it’s the only location in San Antonio and it definitely proves itself with so many beers it’ll feel like you’ll never have to order the same kind twice. This tavern-like watering hole also serves American pub fare, so beer lovers can have the best of both worlds here. Add the fun events like trivia night and you’ll be well entertained too. Photo via Instagram / flyingsaucersa
Shenanygans Multiple locations, facebook.com/shenanygans2 With one location on Babcock near Prue Road, and another at Highway 151 and Potranco Road, Shenanygans is your typical sports bar. The drinks are cheap, the tunes are poppin’, and there’s bar games and big TVs to keep you entertained while you get boozy. Why not give this neighborhood dive bar a try? Photo via Instagram / sacurrent
The Green Lantern 20626 Stone Oak Pkwy #101, (210) 497-3722, greenlantern.bar The movie might have been terrible, but this Green Lantern is another story. This underground bar offers speakeasy-style digs while serving up classic and craft cocktails. No matter what liquor you prefer, Green Lantern will surely make it the way you like. Photo via Instagram / sacurrent
Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling 4834 Whirlwind Dr., (210) 339-2282, drinkrangercreek.com On top of having some of the best beer in the area, Ranger Creek also offers an impressive array of bourbons, if you’re in the mood for something a little stronger. Play it safe with a San Antonio Lager, or go for something less traditional like Love Struck Hefe and Red Headed Stranger. Photo via Instagram / rangercreek
10. RD Speakeasy 8400 N New Braunfels Ave, (210) 824-0116, facebook.com/rdspeakeasy “This place is amazing! The atmosphere is enchanting and romantic, the drinks are so good and made with precision (best sazerac in San Antonio) and the charcuterie board is a perfect snack for the drinks. I will be returning to this spot for sure!” – Dora K. Photo via Instagram / atanotherangle
Best Happy Hour Wurzbach Ice House, 10141 Wurzbach Road, (210) 877-2100, wurzbachicehouse.com Photo via Instagram / wurzbach_ice_house
Evil Olive 2950 Thousand Oaks, Suite 5, (210) 495-0970, facebook.com/EvilOliveSA This neighborhood joint offers a huge menu of hearty bar food as well as a heavily-stocked bar. Snag a seat at the bar to watch karaoke or the game at this northeast SA spot. Photo via Instagram / evilolive_sa
The Thursty Turtle The Thursty Turtle is a chill spot to take it slow and ponder the philosophical question that greets patrons at the door: Are you a turtle? We’re not sure, but maybe we can get to the bottom of it after a few beers. Happy hour at this dive runs until 8 p.m., after all.1626 NE Interstate 410 Loop, (210) 820-3600,https://www.facebook.com/TheThurstyTurtle/. Credit: Photo via Instagram / jonwiener
Kennedy’s Public House 19179 Blanco Road, (210) 764-1333, kennedysirishbar.com Whether you want to hang out at the bar or lounge around on the couches, this Irish bar might just be your new favorite hang out if you’ve never been. Found in the Stone Oak neighborhood, Kennedy’s has daily specials and always has 16 beers on tap, including some Texas craft brews. Plus the food here is pretty solid, so you’re bound to have a good time, lad. Photo via Yelp / Jennifer O. Credit: Photo via Yelp / Jennifer O.