San Antonio bar owner Alex Amaro knows plenty of locals are hesitant to go downtown for a night out.
He’s hoping to change that with his latest concept, Paradise Unknown, a tiki outpost with bonafide Trader Vic’s-era flair, complete with classic episodes of Scooby Doo playing on TV screens above the bar. Amaro knows a thing or two about creating an immersive bar experience, having cooked up the nostalgia-tinged Be Kind & Rewind back in 2022.
My question as the skeptical local was whether Paradise Unknown, which debuted last Thursday, would create an enjoyable enough environment to make it worth braving downtown parking.
After a sip of the bar’s spin on a classic Zombie, the answer is a resounding yes.
Finding Paradise Unknown was a bit tricky. Located at 238 Losoya St., the bar’s entrance almost looks like the gateway to another touristy gift shop. Once inside, though, it became abundantly obvious that a tiki getaway awaits, thanks to a large door with a sign that reads, “All souls welcome.”
Once inside, a disco-ball skull illuminates the dimly lit bar and seating area. I wondered if the glittering object was from the same mastermind behind Jue Let’s disco ball chicken foot and Pink Shark’s signature mascot. The walls were adorned with a smattering of smaller skulls with glowing red eyes.
Another sign, etched in a combination of wood and a bright neon glow, was impossible to miss: “Welcome to Paradise.”
Clearly, the two-level Paradise Unknown had a great interior setup, but how did the drinks compare?
The menu boasts a clever rating system that reflects the strength of each cocktail — the highest rating, three skulls, is cheekily dubbed “Lost at sea.” The selections range from classic tiki concoctions and a few Paradise Unknown signatures to the mandatory frozen margarita. This is San Antonio, after all.
Both the Zombie and Mai Tai I sampled were well balanced. Some tiki drinks can veer into overly sweet territory — that never happened during my visit to Paradise Unknown. In true tiki fashion, the bar had Chinese food onsite, thanks to Chef Jaime Gonzalez’s popular food truck concept Wok Wey.
Gonzalez told the Current he’s selling a smaller version of his menu at Paradise Unknown and Be Kind & Rewind. Those wanting larger Wok Wey entrees still can order from his food truck, currently parked at El Camino.
Light bites available at Paradise Unknown range from standout spring rolls to tacos chino with char sui pork. I loved that the tacos were made with bao bun dough — a nice nod to Wok Wey’s dedication to showcasing Gonzalez’s Chinese and Mexican heritage. The dishes offered a counter to balance out the strength of the drinks.
For those with a sweet tooth Paradise Unknown also has Dole Whip, and if you’ve got an Uber waiting, you can even add a rum floater to the treat.
The bar kept the music at a reasonable volume level, so it wasn’t too challenging to hear yourself think or carry on a conversation. While plenty of tables are arrayed throughout the place, I found sitting at the bar to be a more entertaining experience.
For the inevitable comparisons to Hugman’s Oasis, the River Walk tiki spot that opened in 2021, Paradise Unknown is its own tropical beast. The newcomer focuses more on the vintage kitsch of the ’60s and ’70s tiki ambience versus Hugman’s’ South Pacific influences.
The back of the Paradise Unknown menu also has a nice tale of a weary traveler that adds a fun bit of lore to the bar.
“I want locals to see how vibrant our downtown bar scene can be,” Amaro told the Current of his new venture.
Paradise Unknown certainly made me a believer.
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