In what’s become a yearend tradition, the Current’s staff gave our livers a vigorous workout by running down our 50 favorite San Antonio bars of the year.
With the city’s food and nightlife scenes ever expanding and evolving, it wasn’t easy to narrow down the list to just 50. But that’s kind of the point. We’re highlighting our absolute top-shelf favorites, not trying to compile a directory of every local drinkery worthy of attention.
As a result, we had to make tough calls and leave off many personal favorites.
Helping narrow it down, we tried to avoid establishments where the music is the main draw and drinking is just ancillary. Same for places that are primarily dining destinations and don’t attract crowds on the basis of the bar program alone.
That said, there’s a good chance one of your most-cherished haunts didn’t make the cut. If that’s the case, take consolation that it will remain your little secret … at least until next year.
Bottoms up, SA!
1. 2015 Place
For the uninitiated, approaching the 2015 Place might be a tad disorienting. Thanks to its pitched roof and unassuming facade, the San Pedro Avenue mainstay looks more like an old house than the beloved neighborhood dive bar that it is. Fittingly, a relaxed sense of homeyness also pervades the interior — a delightfully unfussy mélange that includes comfy sitting areas, pool tables, old-school video games, a modest dance floor and a compact patio. Although long favored by members of the LGBTQ+ community, the judgment-free watering hole is frequented by all walks looking to unwind in a convivial setting over wallet-friendly well drinks, pitchers of beer and nostalgic jukebox gems. 2015 San Pedro Ave., (210) 733-3365. Credit: Sanford Nowlin2. A Perfect Day
Wine bars can easily fall into the stuffy or slick categories, from pricey casual to pricier pretentious. A Perfect Day, the year-old Southtown bar in Francis Bogside’s former home, turns that notion on its head. The cozy spot avoids the typical and manages to avoid kitsch despite a wall of silver streamers and some bright neon. A Perfect Day offers roughly 100 wines by the glass, all for $10 a pop, and an eclectic, albeit small beer selection includes Lone Star along with local brewery favorites. Food is available from the connected rock bar and eatery Gimme Gimme. 803 S. St. Mary’s St., instagram.com/aperfectdaywinebar. Credit: Jaime Monzon3. Amelia Social Lounge
Housed in a former creamery, this sophisticated cocktail lounge named after Amelia Earhart pays homage to significant women throughout history. The drink menu is distinctive enough that Amelia came in third for Best Cocktails in the Current’s Best of San Antonio 2024 issue. Surely the only one of its kind in the city, Grandma Joe’s Clarified Milk Punch includes vodka, sweet potato, brown sugar and house chai whipped cream. Other specialty cocktails center on classic ingredients such as Campari, Aperol, cognac and vermouth. Fancy snacks include beef tartare, burrata, roasted carrots and a flight of deviled eggs. The lounge also has a modest but respectable wine list. There’s a dress code, so don some dapper duds lest you be turned away. 875 E. Ashby Place, Suite 1120, ameliasatx.com. Credit: Instagram / ameliasatx4. Amor Eterno
From the custom velvet wallpaper to the neon pink lighting, Amor Eterno exudes a certain San Antonio brand of swankiness. The intimate Southtown bar’s seductive ambiance makes it a sought-after spot for date nights and nightcaps. Craft cocktails, including a fine Brown Sugar Old Fashioned and a suitably bracing Hemingway Daiquiri, are the star here, but the wide selections of craft beers and wine are also an attraction. Amor Eterno also has a generous weekday happy hour offering $6 cocktails from 6-8 p.m. 540 S. Presa St., instagram.com/amoreterno_sa. Credit: Instagram / amoreterno_saAy Que Chula
1503 N. Main Ave., (210) 251-4902, instagram.com/ayquechula.tx
Ay Que Chula — a brightly colored nightspot from Ricky Ortiz, the mind behind El Camino and Bésame food-truck parks — opened earlier this year in the former spot of Luther’s Cafe, a mainstay of the city’s LGBTQ+ nightlife district. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Ay Que ChulaCredit: Sanford Nowlin7. Bar 1919
Bar 1919 sprouted up as the craft cocktail craze washed over the Alamo City, yet it’s managed to stay trendy despite its longevity. Instead of becoming a meeting place for an aging group of regulars, this well-hidden basement staple at the Blue Star Arts Complex continues to draw young patrons and curiosity seekers. Vested mixologists are well versed in the bar’s array of specialty ingredients and come armed with an impressive knowledge of its large bourbon and Scotch selections. A favorite of those in the know is a house-made infusion of sweet potato with Irish whiskey dropped into a Left Hand Milk Stout poured from a nitro-gas tap. 1420 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1420, bar1919.com.Credit: Travis E. Poling8. Bar du Mon Ami
The cocktail menu at Bar du Mon Ami is an ever-changing work of art based on themes selected by staffers. The list of $13 cocktails this fall and winter features a 1980s rock theme with names such as Killed by Death, inspired by the 1984 Motörhead shout-along, and the botanicals-laden Bohemian Rhapsody, named for the Queen choral masterpiece. Located next to H-E-B’s Central Market in Alamo Heights, Mon Ami is classy enough for ’09 but welcoming enough for those who don’t hail from the poshest of ZIP Codes. 4901 Broadway, barmonami.com.Credit: Travis E. Poling9. Bar Loretta
Busy Southtown fixture Bar Loretta is the perfect spot for a date night, casual drink or family affair like a birthday celebration or anniversary. Although the restaurant serves upscale Texas-inspired cuisine, its bar scene is a draw on its own. The drink list includes 50 wines along with a smartly curated list of bourbons. Bar Loretta’s cocktails are not to be missed either, featuring ambitious spins on classics along with several that highlight Texas-produced spirits. The South Town Fizz, built around SA-produced Kinsman Rakia, offers a complex and velvety spin on a sour, while the espresso martini is one of the best in town. 320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com. Credit: Michael Karlis10. Bar Ludivine
This eclectic bar in the Lavaca neighborhood serves up craft cocktails, beer and a selection of French wines in an intimate but approachable setting that’s made it a neighborhood fave. The menu of rotating seasonal cocktails often centers around Texas-grown or -produced ingredients, and the Ludivine cocktail, something like a zesty, boozy lemonade, is not to be missed. Bar Ludivine also offers karaoke every Tuesday, and periodic burlesque shows, whiskey raffles and more keep things lively. 1014 S. Presa St., instagram.com/barludivine. Credit: Michael Karlis11. Bonham Exchange
The historic grandeur of the stately Bonham Exchange has a knack for inspiring drama and fantasy — which is only one reason you might clock club-goers strutting the hardwood hallways like off-duty runway models. Opened in 1981 in the elegant shell of a late 19th-century German athletic club, the iconic nightspot has always been a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community but also excels as one of the city’s most festive melting pots — a designation fueled by cheap drinks, multiple dance floors, party jams and eye candy spanning from go-go dancers to drag divas. Although we often burn the midnight oil in this storied haunt — especially when Rey Lopez Entertainment brings a touring Drag Race star to the upstairs ballroom — it arguably looks its very best during the outrageously fun day party it hosts each year after the Battle of Flowers Parade. 411 Bonham St., (210) 224-9219, bonhamexchange.com.Credit: Julian P. Ledezma12. Bruno’s Dive Bar
Although San Antonio’s Southtown neighborhood continues its upscale evolution, Bruno’s Dive Bar serves as a reminder of the once rough-around-the-edges charm that originally drew many to the area. Opened by Bruno and Diane Dzanksi in 1961, the building on the corner of South Alamo and Cedar was an authentic Texas ice house before being leased to Friendly Spot owner Jody Bailey Newman in 2014. Newman made the spot a barbecue joint before transforming it back into a neighborhood dive where folks can engage in conversation over affordable drinks in a funky, no-frills setting. 1004 S. Alamo St. (210) 225-9801, brunosdive.com. Credit: Michael Karlis13. Casa Hernan
Thanks to its abundance of bold art, Southtown newcomer Casa Hernan offers something of an Alice in Wonderland-set-in-Mexico experience. Part of Chef Johnny Hernandez’s ever-expanding lineup of restaurants and bars, botanas are at the center of Casa Hernan’s small-bites menu and pair well with a host of agave-based spirits such as tequila and mezcal. Many of the drinks are fruit-forward but also include creative twists. For example, the Smoking Gun mixes Woodford Reserve bourbon, Herradura Reposado tequila, sugar cane cola and habanero bitters. Sunday brunch runs 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and the bar opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 411 E. Cevallos St., (210) 226-3670, casahernan.com. Credit: Travis E. Poling14. Cellar Mixology
Although a bright neon sign announces Cellar Mixology’s presence as you descend steep stairs to the doorway, the vibe is still in keeping with the speakeasy theme. The menu comes in book form, its pages filled with fascinating details about the signature drinks, but read it as a 28-page PDF on the website before you go, because the dimly lit room is for cocktails and conversations more than taking in history lessons. The well-stocked bar and top-notch mixologists are there for any drink, but try one of the signatures for a show, perhaps the house Old Fashioned, which includes an infusion of smoke and a garnish of Serrano ham. The spot even offers 90-minute mixology classes where its pros show the curious how to whip up two to three show stopping cocktails. 1142 E. Commerce St., (210) 463-5386, cellarmixology.com. Credit: Travis E. Poling15. Chiflada’s Cocktail Bar
This woman-owned West Side party spot is as sassy as the name suggests. Feel like a fancy tipple? They’ve got you covered. Just a beer or a shot? They can do that too. The key word in this popular West Side hangout is “community,” and big kisses to Chiflada’s for building a thriving one through its dance nights, drag brunches, live music, pop-ups and food trucks. Most importantly, this place delivers a warm, inclusive atmosphere that keeps folks coming back. 1804 W. Martin St., (210) instagram.com/chifladas_sa. Credit: Instagram / chifladas_sa16. Dakota East Side Icehouse
Sipping a cold one outside and under the trees is the ideal way to enjoy this favorite spot in the shadow of the Alamodome. The Dakota is a neighborhood haunt with a melting-pot clientele that spans generations. A robust menu of bar food ranging from basic bean-and-cheese nachos to a satisfying Brisket Biscuit brings home the local flavor. Drink options include wine, wine-based mixed drinks along with a draft and bottle beer selection deep on Texas favorites. Don’t overlook the fun of The Dakota’s specialty Grape Drank and Pink Lemonade frozen tipples. 433 S. Hackberry St., (210) 375-6009, thedakotasa.com. Credit: Nina Rangel17. Double Standard
Located in the heart of downtown, Double Standard offers an upscale American tavern experience at some of the city’s most affordable prices. An 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. happy hour includes double-shot well drinks for $4 along with $1 East Coast oysters. Double Standard is also known for its Steak Friday special, which serves up steak frites with a side for $15 — along with $1 martinis — until 3 p.m. Anything on the chef-driven menu of burgers, po’boys and bar bites is a solid choice, though. 114 E. Houston St., (726) 444-5163, doublestandardsatx.com. Credit: Instagram / doublestandardsatx18. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
Located along the burgeoning section of the River Walk near the Broadway corridor, Elsewhere has made a name for itself as the go-to hang spot for young professionals and those seeking an inclusive after-work gathering place. Elsewhere isn’t just another patio bar, though. Plentiful foliage and vines transports visitors to a funky tropical paradise full of funky decor. Elsewhere serves up signature White Claw margaritas along with an impressive list of beers on draft and in cans. The food, ranging from formidable burgers to addictive gochujang cauliflower wings, is also a draw. 103 E. Jones Ave., (210) 201-5595, 103 E Jones Ave., elsewheretexas.com. Credit: Michael KarlisThe Esquire Tavern
155 E Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com
Just because you’re on the River Walk doesn’t mean you have to dine poorly. The Esquire Tavern is known for having the longest bar in Texas, but its menu offers so much more. Fans rave about the elevated bar bites and creative craft cocktails, and guests are welcome to choose between the downstairs speakeasy vibe and upstairs dining room. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Esquire TavernCredit: Sanford Nowlin21. The Friendly Spot Ice House
The Friendly Spot celebrates San Antonio’s ice house culture in a big way. Literally, the sprawling complex is a larger-scale version of the beloved outdoor beer-bar concept that manages to keep the friendly, laid-back atmosphere while drawing substantial crowds. Located in the heart of Southtown, The Friendly Spot is one of the city’s go-to spots to catch a game — displayed on a huge LED outdoor TV, no less — catch up with friends while the kids scramble over the playground or grab after-work drinks with coworkers. It’s a quintessential Alamo City experience. 943 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com. Credit: Michael KarlisCredit:Photo via Facebook / George’s KeepCredit: Michael Karlis24. Hangin’ Tree Saloon
The Hangin’ Tree Saloon is a step back in time in Bracken, a village steeped in capturing the past with its restaurants and retail spots. This rustic watering hole offers shelter from the harsh light of day when it opens at noon, and by night it transforms into a honky-tonk refuge from the world’s problems. Free pool tables, a shuffle board, a long bar and generations of accumulated décor — including money stapled to the ceiling — are the backdrop for the friendly service, inexpensive drinking and boot scootin’ on the well-trod hardwood floors. 18424 2nd St., Bracken, (210) 651-6812, facebook.com/Hangin-Tree-Saloon-100057859831165. Credit: Travis E. PolingCredit: Travis E. PolingCredit:Photo via Instagram / heatnightclubCredit: Nina RangelCredit: Photo by San Antonio Current Staff29. Holy Diver
Tiki bars can go one of two ways. They can play up the absolute camp of the Trader Vic’s aesthetic — Hugman’s Oasis on the River Walk does this capably. Or they can elevate tiki by mixing classy exotic décor with an artisanal approach to tropical cocktails. Holy Diver is in the latter camp — with one part speakeasy mixed in as well. The experience of getting to Holy Diver is worth it alone. Enter through Hi-Tones, push through the crowd accumulated for what’s likely to be an emo night and climb the stairs to this hidden oasis. Upstairs at Hi-Tones, 621 E. Dewey Place, (210) 785-8777, instagram.com/holydivertikilounge. Credit: Instagram / holydivertikilounge30. Jaime’s Place
It doesn’t get much more Puro San Anto than Jaime’s Place. This West Side watering hole and outdoor venue launched during the pandemic, and despite the unfortunate timing, managed to flourish and become a communidad hub. Events like Show Us Your Stacys celebrate West Side cultura and give local pachucos and pin-ups the chance to show off their slick duds and lowrider cars. Jaime’s was strictly a beer joint at first, but this year, the establishment landed a liquor license and has since introduced specialty cocktails for those who want a little more finesse than an ice bucket of Sol lager with lime. But by no means is this neighborhood spot putting on airs. It’s “built for the barrio and beyond” — and that’s por vida. 1514 W. Commerce St., (210) 564-9083, instagram.com/jaimesplace. Credit: Instagram / jaimesplaceLiberty Bar
1111 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1187, liberty-bar.com
This restored-convent-turned-eatery has lots of outdoor seating in front of its iconic pink façade. We recommend going for brunch, particularly the eggs benedict, and enjoying a mimosa or two outside this historic building. Credit: Sanford Nowlin32. Lighthouse Lounge
Unfussy neighborhood watering hole Lighthouse Lounge sits right next to Woodlawn Lake Park. In fact, the bar is named for the lighthouse that sits in the middle of its neighboring body of water. Lighthouse Lounge is the kind of place where regulars gather for tequila shots, games of pool and cutting it up on the dance floor. The venue also features local music on its small stage, and great tacos at a tent outside. Further emphasizing its role in the community, the Lighthouse Lounge invites patrons to participate in its annual ofrenda under a sea of pinpoint lights from the disco ball. 1016 Cincinnati Ave., instagram.com/thelighthouselounge.Credit: Michael KarlisCredit: Bryan Rindfuss34. Little Woodrow’s
Whether it’s a Super Bowl, a Spurs playoff game or a college football matchup, the Austin-based Little Woodrow’s chain provides destinations for SA sports fans to catch all the action. All three San Antonio locations have the same consistent atmosphere — big screens, beer buckets and rowdy fans. Each also features a large patio with lawn games. Multiple locations, littlewoodrows.com. Credit:Photo via Instagram / littlewoodrowsstoneoak35. The Lonesome Rose
The “oldest honky tonk on the St. Mary’s Strip” is only six years old, but it’s already an institution. On any given night, the bar and music venue will attract all walks of life, from bikers to old-school vaqueros to punks to hipsters to honky-tonk angels to a hayseed hoss or two. As a dyed-in-the-wool “y’allternative” venue, live music at the Rose spans from classic country and Americana to bizarro and international offerings. The beer selection is as eclectic as its music, from Lone Star to craft beers and even sours. Bartenders are experienced and friendly, serving up specials like the Cowboy Breakfast — a pony High Life, shot of whiskey and a Slim Jim. And though it might seem highfalutin to order a cocktail at a honky tonk, the Tequila and Teardrops is just too good to pass up. Slab Side BBQ also serves up mouth-watering brisket mac if you get hungry after depositing tears in your beer at Cowboy Karaoke. 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerose.com.Credit: Michael KarlisCredit: Michael Karlis37. The Modernist
This speakeasy-style cocktail bar is located in an unassuming house across the street from Three Star Bar. But don’t let the humble exterior fool you — this place serves up some of the most inventive and artisanal cocktails in the Alamo City. Indeed, it earned the top spot in the Cocktails category of the Current’s 2024 Best of San Antonio issue. This top-shelf hideaway features a singular experience not replicated anywhere else in this city, and it’s a feast for the senses. Enjoy the dryness of an extra dirty martini contrasted by the sumptuous ambiance of dim light and delicately alluring music, surrounded by classy cocktail enthusiasts speaking in low murmurs. This isn’t the place to turn up, this is the place to level up. 516 E. Grayson St., instagram.com/themodernistsa. Credit: Instagram / themodernistsaCredit: Photo courtesy of The Moon’s Daughters39. Near Dark
This death-themed bar blends vampiric vibes with craft cocktails for one of the city’s more unusual drinking experiences. A skeleton sits atop the liquor rack and dark tunes, from metal to death-rock, often blare over the speakers. The drinks are equally intriguing, including the appropriately named Not Today Satan and a formidable classic Tom Collins. Emo and nu-metal nights along with various service-industry events add to the appeal. 1024 S. Presa St., (210) 600-4009, instagram.com/neardark_sa. Credit: Michael Karlis40. Pecan Grove Drive Inn
Anyone wanting to sample true San Antonio ice house culture should look no further than Pecan Grove Drive Inn, where cold beer and chill vibes rule the day. The interior of this converted South Side residence includes a bar, a pool table and little else. Head to the tree-shaded backyard to pass your time tilting back longnecks under the stars, string lights and namesake pecan trees. There’s a good chance someone will be firing up the barbecue pit and spinning some smooth West Side soul. The spot’s Cheap Ass Mondays live up to their name with $1.75 domestics. 1526 Roosevelt Ave., (210) 532-4113, facebook.com/pecangrove.driveinn.1. Credit: Sanford Nowilin41. Pegasus
If drag shows are your jam, look no further than Pegasus — a diamond in the rough that hosts performances every single night of the week on the Main Strip. Staged in a repurposed parking lot equipped with cabaret-style seating, the Peg’s programming runs the gamut from Talent Night Tuesdays to Super Sunday revues. Hosted by local drag legends Tersa Mathews and Layla LaRue — both quick-witted masters of the mic who get crowds cackling — these shows are an excellent opportunity to get familiar with established and emerging talent alike, with occasional bonuses like a recent birthday appearance by San Antonio-born Drag Race star Jorgeous. But drag is far from the venue’s only strong suit. Strong, cheap drinks start pouring here at 2 p.m. every single day of the year — and “366 days during leap years” — while regulars mingle and take in music videos curated with the LGBTQ+ set in mind. And once the evening hours kick in, the Peg’s back patio plays host to what just might be the city’s most amusing karaoke stage. 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com.Credit: Julián P. Ledezma42. Pink Shark
With a name that seems plucked from the SpongeBob Universe, Pink Shark delivers all the kitschy quirkiness one might expect. Launched in 2022 by couple Jessica Marinez and Amber Hernandez, the young downtown haunt serves up frozen concoctions in boot-shaped tumblers, tiki-style cocktails and elevated bar bites in retro-inspired digs with underwater-themed murals and neon signs. Part of the same family as Northside drag-brunch fave Picks Bar and reinvented downtown sports bar Sore Loser, Pink Shark recently underwent a holiday makeover involving miles of multicolored tinsel and a menu of seasonal tipples — including a tempting North Pole Collection featuring gingerbread, eggnog and cranberry-orange libations in mini martini glasses. Word to the wise: pay the gay-friendly cantina a visit during Shark Hour, promising discounted drinks from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and all day on Sunday. 203 N. Presa St., (210) 834-3372, pinksharkbar.com. Credit: Instagram / pinksharkbar43. RD Speakeasy
RD Speakeasy lives up to the “speakeasy” part of its name, requiring advance reservations and a password to enter. It’s also tucked away behind an unmarked door on an exterior wall of a certain Alamo Heights steakhouse with a barnyard motif — hint, hint. The low-ceilinged interior, bathroom hidden behind a bookcase and funky mismatched furniture add to the clandestine vibe. There’s more than atmosphere and mystique to recommend RD, however. Service is attentive, and the bartenders know their way around a short but varied menu of classic and house cocktails, including the Passionate Stranger, a sweet-sour-smoky delight featuring mezcal, lime, Montenegro and passion fruit. 8400 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 605-2292, mixed4u.com. Credit: Sanford Nowlin44. Rough Rider Bar
The bar at the Alamo-adjacent Menger Hotel has a major claim to fame in American history and has now fully claimed that connection via its name. It was within the cherry wood and carved mahogany walls of the Rough Rider Bar that leaders of the volunteer army that would drive Spain out of Cuba in 1898 — including future president Lt. Col Theodore Roosevelt — would cavort after recruiting outside the hotel and at an encampment on the edge of the city. The hotel bar was built in 1887 as a replica of London’s House of Lords Pub. Whiskey, wine and old-school cocktails are the order of the day. Sadly, a pedestrian beer selection misses out on celebrating the fact that the spot was once the site of Texas’ first brewery. 204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 223-4361, mengerhotel.com. Credit: Instagram / mengerhotelCredit: Nina Rangel46. Slow Ride
If you’re looking to take it sleazy, San Antonio newcomer Slow Ride is willing to deliver. The bar is another hip new spot from the minds behind The Lonesome Rose and Holy Diver. But, like the Foghat song to which its name is a nod, this one is all about sweet ’70s sleaze, baby. We’re talking bikes, babes, brews, wood-paneled walls and handlebar mustaches. 1524 Grayson St., instagram.com/slowride_sa.Credit: Chris HernandezCredit: Sanford NowlinCredit: Sanford NowlinCredit: Travis E. Poling50. Tony’s Siesta
Tucked away on the quiet downtown corner of Brooklyn Avenue and Avenue E, Tony’s Siesta offers an intimate experience that’s quintessentially San Antonio. Initially opened as Tony’s, the bar went through a major 2020 renovation after the former owner sold the place. The hip, dimly lit spot — neon bar signs seem to provide most of the illumination — attracts a younger crowd than the original, but it still offers a bar experience that feels decidedly old-school. In addition to cold ones, Tony’s Siesta offers and array of puro SA cocktails, including the Siesta Rita, Frozen Cuban and La Leche Prohibida. Get there early, though, as seats fill up fast on the weekends. 206 Brooklyn Ave., (210) 227-4551, tonyssiesta.com. Credit: Michael Karlis
