23. The Friendly Spot Massive Live Oak trees frame this popular beer garden in the heart of the King William Historic District. There’s nothing pretentious at The Friendly Spot, which is the key to its lasting appeal. Inside its graveled grounds and seated at its weather-battered tables, you’ll find folks from all walks of life sipping inexpensive longnecks or enjoying pricier craft beers from one of the many eclectic taps. The Friendly Spot’s front and back bars together boast 76 beer and cider taps and 300 bottles and cans from Texas and beyond. Burgers, Mahi Mahi tacos and steak nachos are among the varied food offerings. Throw in a playground for the kids and Spurs games on a giant blowup screen, and you’ve got a place where an afternoon drink can stretch into an hours-long hangout. 943 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com. Credit: Sanford Nowlin

It shouldn’t take much arm twisting for Alamo City residents to turn out for specials on cold beer and stiff drinks during the Fourth Annual San Antonio Icehouse Week.

Throw in a chance to win up to $500 in prizes and the fact that the celebration — which runs Saturday, Feb. 15, through Sunday, March 2 — raises money for the Animal Defense League of Texas makes participation a no-brainer.

Patrons of South Texas’ many icehouses no longer swing by to pick up the blocks of ice that give the neighborhood spots their name. Even so, the accompanying tradition of grabbing a frosty beer while engaging in friendly conversation remains a draw. 

This year, at least a dozen locations are participating in Icehouse Week with more joining the list before Saturday’s launch. The promotion is put on by the San Antonio Current and made possible through sponsorships from new beer brand Texas Special, Kiolbassa Smoked Meats and Local Culture Creative Marketing.

Last year’s San Antonio Burger Week stretched the definition of “week” to 11 days, but Icehouse Week has that misnomer handily beat by spreading the love across 16. And why not? 

February weather can be fickle, sometimes treating Alamo City residents to freezes at the beginning of the week and demanding full-blast AC a few days later. However, forecasts show moderate temperatures and sunny skies perfect for propping up elbows on a picnic table under Live Oak trees.

Jody Newman of the Friendly Spot and Bruno’s Dive Bar along with Kent Oliver of Dakota East Side Icehouse teamed up with the Current in 2021 to launch Icehouse Week. Then as now, the intent is to celebrate SA tradition while supporting locally owned small businesses.

“It’s a slow time for food and beverage, so we take the weeks to put the focus on hyper-local icehouses,” Newman said. “Small businesses have been in a very odd place since the pandemic, and some have closed. We need to do anything we can to keep the focus on small business and public awareness of it.”

The Friendly Spot will stage a “Beer Break” at the celebration’s Saturday, Feb. 22, midpoint. The gathering will feature samples from 20 breweries along with tastings of tequila and Kiolbassa smoked meats.

In addition to the Friendly Spot, participants in Icehouse Week 2025 include Bruno’s Dive Bar, Burgerteca, La Tuna, Ladybird Beer Garden, Louie’s Icehouse, Rino River North Icehouse, Texas Star Inn and others.

The Icehouse Week website will include frequent updates, and participating businesses will use social media to communicate specials and events throughout the run. The website also lets customers download an official app to track visits to participating businesses and enter a chance to win prizes worth up to $500.

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This article appears in Feb 5-18, 2025.