When classes have you feeling Britney circa 2007, it's necessary for your sanity to have your own near-campus Cheers — a place where everyone knows your name, but more importantly, your drink. We're pretty sure there are some studies out there that prove drinking while working is more efficient because it helps you relax ... or something along those lines. You know, science. Choice spots open early, around 11, and include comfy seating, outlets, Wi-Fi, and cheap drinks and food. Here are some of our favorite spots to get a drink between classes while you finish up that essay you have due in an hour.
UTSA
Flying Saucer If you're looking for more variety than the JPL food court sushi and heat-lamped Chik-fil-A, the Saucer's food menu has got you covered. The Hungry Farmer, a meat and cheese board, is perfect for a small study group or for one very hungry and stressed-out student. With creamy vanilla ice cream floating in Russian Imperial Stout, the Beer Float has to be one of the most efficient dessert/alcohol combos of all time. Flying Saucer also has one of the largest beer selections in San Antonio with well over 200 different brews. Great for the student on a budget (ahem, you), the daily Fire Sale offers beer specials for $3. If you have a break in your schedule between afternoon and night classes, all drafts are $1 off from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The Block The Block is perfect for when you only have a short break between classes. It's a quick bike or shuttle ride away from campus. Food options can be a little tricky since the trucks all have different schedules, and it usually doesn't pick up until a little later. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the bar doesn't open until 5 p.m., and it's closed on Tuesdays (grrr), but Thursday through Sunday you can grab a drink from noon to 2 a.m. There's outdoor seating and usually a ton of other students gather for fun games to play, if you're into that sort of thing. It can get a little hot if you don't find a shaded spot, but a cold michelada and a taco from Chela's usually makes it worth it.
Taco Cabana on Chase Hill If you've heard the rumors that you can find bean and cheese nachos and a margarita for only $3, we're here to tell you that they're true. TC's specials are something from a 20-something's hangry dream. They start serving beer and margaritas at 7 a.m., and there ain't no party like a TC party 'cuz a TC party don't stop until 1:30 a.m. From 4-7 p.m. you can get $1.50 margs and domestic beers. During this magical hour, nachos are also $1 off.
UIW & Trinity
The Broadway 5050 The Broadway 5050 combines convenience (you could walk there from UIW) and a good atmosphere. It's usually not too dark, and they've got booths, tables and outdoor seating. There's even a pool table for when you really need to give your brain a breather. Happy hour is every day from 3-7 p.m., when you can grab $2 Coors, Miller and wells. The happy hour doesn't include much in the way of food, but they do offer a "Burger of the Week," which is loaded with extras and fries for $8.99. Notable daily drink specials include Texas Thursdays, when all Texas brews go for $3 to $5; on Wednesdays, you can get $3 wells all day.
Olmos Bharmacy Walking through the doors of this San Antonio staple is like being transported back in time about 60 years — if a 1950s diner included electrical outlets along with two USB ports above every booth and a wine bar. The food menu contains the classic diner fare, shakes, malts, floats and burgers. It also offers a pretty good array of vegetarian options and salads. Apps include fried mushrooms, fried pickles and hot wings. Sinatra is usually playing in the background, providing the perfect studying playlist. Service can be a bit slow sometimes, which isn't so great if you're in a pinch to get back to class. Happy Hour is every day from 4-7 p.m. and includes $1.50 off house wine and $1 off domestic bottles.
Bombay Bicycle Club BBC is the perfect neighborhood bar, complete with a friendly, whistling bartender. The food is delicious, and they offer a good selection of salads as well as some more hearty options, like their reportedly legendary chili. The atmosphere will make you feel like you're sitting in someone's living room, albeit with access to cheap drinks. Couches, outdoor seating, plants galore, booths, cozy armchairs and a bounty of outlets on the walls and at the bar could keep you comfortable and set for marathon study sessions. Happy hour starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Shiner Seasonal, wells, domestics and regular frozen margaritas all cost around $3 or $4 and appetizers are one-third of their regular price (we recommend the Scotch Eggs). They also offer great daily drink specials, like Margarita Mondays and Royal Fridays.
SAC
Luther's Literally a two-minute walk from campus, Luther's has been a San Antonio hub for the past 60 years. There are two separate bars along with outdoor and indoor seating outlets and USB ports at the bars. Luther's knows what you need after a long day of class. Happy hour is seven days a week from 2-7 p.m. Frozen drinks like the Blue Hawaiian are $3 and wings are only 50 cents — perfect for the student on a budget.
Sparky's Pub Sparky's is another classic on the Strip with Wi-Fi and good specials. Deemed by Zagat as the "most straight-friendly bar on the Main Strip," the multipurpose spot includes a patio, cafe and a wine bar. Happy hour is everyday from 2-9 p.m. with $2.25 wells and domestics. On Wednesdays, the pub offers two bottles of house wine for $15.
The Cove This veggie-friendly hangout offers a wide selection of beer and wine. There's an indoor and an outdoor bar so you can hit it up in fall, summer or spring semesters. They also have some outdoor misters that can alleviate some of the sweltering heat. Outlets aren't as common here, but there is Wi-Fi; stick to the indoors if you want to get any work done. Tuesday-Thursday you can get $5 glasses of wine to pair with the daily 11 a.m.-3 p.m. lunch special: fish tacos or a quarter-pound burger for $6.95.
