20 Essential Dive Bars in San Antonio You Should Know By Now

Faust Tavern
517 E Woodlawn Ave, (210) 257-0628,
With a rock feel to it, Faust should take pride in being the no-fucks-given spot of the St. Mary’s Strip. If you’re looking for a surprisingly romantic spot, grab a few beers (or cocktails) and take your boo to the back patio with the two-seater picnic tables. We can’t think of anything more intimate than that, paired with cigarette smoke and metal playing in the distance.
Photo via Instagram / drdithers

Broadway 5050
5050 Broadway St, (210) 832-0050, broadway5050.com
If you want a no-frills, non-pretentious sports bar with grub to keep you satisfied, this is your spot. This Broadway spot is always hosting fun events, so you’ll constantly have a reason to go (like you even need one).
Photo via Instagram / nishal_sinfin

Reggae Bar
826 San Pedro Ave, (210) 772-9891
Reggae Bar brings the chill, laid-back attitude of the island back to SA. The Jamaican theme is all around, from food and drink to music and aesthetic. Be sure to visit on reggae & dance nights to get extra wild.
Photo via Instagram / christinafrasier

Oak Hills Tavern
7920 Fredericksburg Rd, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com
This is probably SA’s collective favorite dive bar – so you’re really missing out if you haven’t been already. With good food, better beer and generous happy hour offerings, you can’t get much else out of Oak Hills Tavern – it’s got everything you need.
Photo via Instagram / mexa_pina

Betty’s Battalion
1524 E Grayson St, (210) 227-9255, facebook.com
Though Grayson is known for its posh drinking spots, do yourself a solid and pay a visit to Betty’s Battalion. This homey spot is popular among military folks (being very close to Fort Sam Houston), but all are welcome here. Karaoke nights, live music and borderline-borracho drink specials will have you become a regular in no time.
Photo via Instagram / bettysbattalionsatx

Cootey's Tavern
8318 Jones Maltsberger Rd #128, (210) 342-4998, facebook.com
Whether you want a chill spot or one where you and the crew can goof off, you’ll find all that at Cootey’s. Beer, cocktails, pool, darts, shuffleboard and weekend karaoke will keep you entertained here.
Photo via Instagram / ethanopilis

Boneheadz
9503 Console Dr
Round up the bros and have a boys night out on the town, just as long as you visit Boneheadz. This place is like a cross between a barn, a church and a frat house – and that’s okay. Just know that you’re getting yourself into a wild night.
Photo via Instagram / 4everlondonbound

Hangin’ Tree Saloon
18424 2nd St, (210) 651-5812, facebook.com
Go country and boot scoot boogie your ass on over to Hangin’ Tree. This roadhouse-style joint offers live music and dancing as well as your traditional bar games. On top of drink specials, you’ll have plenty of reason to stick around.
Photo via Instagram / chef_susie

Joey’s
2417 N St Mary's St, (210) 733-9573, facebook.com
No matter where your bar crawl takes you on the St. Mary’s Strip, you should always make it a point to hit up Joey’s. Drink specials, bar food, multiple pool tables and ample outdoor seating make for an all-around good night of getting boozy.
Photo via Instagram / shaunsee

El Luchador
622 Roosevelt Ave, (210) 272-0016, facebook.com
Bow down to el supreme luchador! You’ll love the Lucha Libre theme and let loose with the cocktail menu and weekly DJ takeovers.
Photo via Instagram / chachaluxedevil

Shenanygans
Multiple locations, facebook.com
With two outposts in SA, Shenanygans lets you feel welcome with the sports bar attitude (and cool patios!) and cocktail menu. Don’t worry – they have specials all the time. Trust us, you’ll feel like family and become a regular in no time.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent

Texas T Pub
121 Broadway St, (210) 271-1058
If you just want to have a good time with friends, stop here and share a few rounds of ice cold beer. Plus, if you’re feeling like a tourist then you definitely need to add this as a bar stop sometime during the night.
Photo via Yelp / Vincent A.

Lowcountry
318 Martinez St, (210) 560-2224, facebook.com
Solid drinks, a country theme and laid-back? Yup, Lowcountry has it all. Plus, it has live music to boot that will have you comin’ over on at least a weekly basis.
Photo via Instagram / do210

The Bang Bang Bar
119 El Mio Dr, (210) 320-1187, thebangbangbartx.com
With just a few years under its belt, Bang Bang Bar takes pride in being a place that everyone is welcome. You and your crew will be able to kick back with dope ass cocktails and drink specials.
Photo via Instagram / bevels3

Rookie's Bar
6402 Callaghan Rd, (210) 377-0909
Bump up the Nirvana ‘cause this spot is definitely one to “come as you are.” This laid-back watering hole has everything you need for a night of boozy fun – yes, that means TVs, a jukebox and bar games.
Photo via Instagram / andtheneyewokeup

Retox Bar
1031 Patricia, (210) 775-2886,
This rock ‘n’ roll bar doesn’t have a cover, so you’ll be able to take part in karaoke nights and drink specials without any hassle. There’s also a bunch of TVs and live music, so you’ll always be entertained here.
Photo via Instagram / andjdubyawaslike

Ventura
1011 Avenue B, (210) 802-6940, facebook.com
If you want dope ass live music lineups and to get sloppy with sweet drink specials, you should already know about Ventura. In the off chance that you don’t, you’ll want to visit ASAP for just that.
Photo via Instagram / sirktyler562

Rod Dog's Saloon
2617 Wagon Wheel, (210) 828-2582,
While most local country spots are known for being extra with the whole cowboy feel to it, Rod Dog’s sticks to the bare essentials needed to feel western. Most notably: beer. You’ll have all sorts of fun here with Texas Tuesdays and Thirsty Thursday specials on beers and shots as well as Trivia Wednesdays.
Photo via Instagram / godzilla_banzai

Zombies
4202 Thousand Oaks, (210) 281-8306,
Love heavy metal and getting boozy? Zombies is the place for you. There’s live music on the regular – both local and touring acts – as well as horror flick screenings, karaoke, cocktails and a loooooong beer list.
Photo via Instagram / whatdivawants52

Hidden Tavern
11407 West Ave, (210) 541-0001,
Need a bare-bones drinking spot that makes it the priority for you to get drunk off your ass? We found it. This underrated watering hole has billiards, darts and of course live music for all types of fun.
Photo via Instagram / mrschrislopez