25 great places to get a drink outside in San Antonio

Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215, (210) 446-9303, elsewheretexas.com
Elsewhere is located right on the River Walk, making it perfect for people-watching as guests sip their drinks or nosh on the spot’s gourmet goodies. Its drinks range from beers to margaritas to even spiked coffees, guaranteeing a good time as folks revel in adult-sized swings and eclectic outdoor seating areas.

Dakota East Side Ice House
433 S. Hackberry St., (210) 375-6009, thedakotasa.com
With its "Just be nice, dammit" tagline painted on the wall for all to see, the Dakota East Side Ice House has been offering feel-good vibes since its inception in the spring of 2018. At the ice house’s wooden picnic tables in its wide front patio area, people can expect to enjoy live music and livelier conversation, not to mention hearty American food — and even heartier drinks. It’s a solid place to “Eat. Drink. Chill,” as the Ice House’s tagline says.

Rosario’s
722 S. St. Mary's St., (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com
Rosario’s newest (and since March, its only) location is a two-story building featuring a 5,000-square-foot rooftop bar in Southtown with breathtaking views of the downtown skyline. The rooftop bar welcomes guests ages 23 and up with a small bites menu and a dedicated specialty cocktail menu.

Texas Dog Co. & Beer Garden
4302 Hyatt Place Drive, texasdog.co
This dog-friendly drinking spot features a full bar and food truck park, sand volleyball courts, kid-focused playground and gated dog runs. Take advantage of their $3 margaritas on Monday while your dog makes some new friends.

Bombay Bicycle Club
3506 N. St Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 737-2411, bombaybicycleclubsa.com
Bombay Bicycle Club, near Brackenridge Park, sports an updated 1,850-square-foot seating area underneath a massive live oak tree. The popular near-downtown hangout also boasts a full bar replete with cocktails and wine, as well as tasty food items such as their classic BLT sandwich and a Beyond Meat burger.

Home Room
517 Live Oak St., homeroomsa.com
This bar, located in an old schoolhouse, aims to invoke the vibe of recess 24/7 with patio games, a school-bus-turned bar and even “juice boxes” — which contain more than just juice. While they sip on classic cocktails or frozen coffees, guests can enjoy classic yard games and even a swing set in Home Room’s large outdoor “schoolyard.”

The Friendly Spot Ice House
943 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com
Southtown’s Friendly Spot Ice House, with its colorful chairs, neon signs and massive projector screen, feels like a home away from home. Plus, it’s located just a few blocks away from the San Antonio River, which is fitting, because the drinks on tap flow just as the river does.

Cherrity Bar
302 Montana St., (210) 598-0496, cherritybar.com
Seated comfortably at the corner of Cherry and Montana streets on the East Side, Cherrity Bar covers nearly an entire city block, combining cocktails, charitable giving and a ramen shop. Guests can sit in the huge covered patio area, where a spectacular view of the Tower of the Americas adds to the vibe.

Burleson Yard Beer Garden
430 Austin St., (210) 354-3001, facebook.com/BurlesonYard
Burleson Yard Beer Garden has made a splash with its huge array of activities such as a large play area for kids, table tennis, hammocks, giant flat-screens and live music. As the name suggests, hopheads will be pleased with the large beer selection, and the frozen drinks tend to be a big hit as well.

Wurst Behavior
358 E. Craig Place, wurstbehaviortx.com
Wurst Behavior, a beer garden inspired by Asian and German culinary traditions, opened on the St. Mary’s Strip in the spring of 2023, serving up classic biergarten food and drink with an Asian twist. Guests at the spacious outdoor patio — which is fronted by a torii-like gate with a devious red “W” atop it — can expect to enjoy a wide variety of daring drinks, from bier to Gruner Veltliner wine to sake bombs.

Chicken N Pickle
5215 UTSA Blvd., (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com/san-antonio
The massive four-acre Chicken N Pickle complex features pet-friendly spaces, a fast casual dining restaurant, four outdoor Pickleball courts, two bocce ball and four shuffleboard courts — plus a full bar to fuel the fun.

Hops & Hounds
13838 Jones Maltsberger Road, (210) 592-9400, hopsandhoundsllc.com
This northeast San Antonio joint offers several snacks on which to nosh while you grab a drink and play some good ol’ fashioned cornhole with your friends. As the name implies, man’s best friend of all shapes and sizes are welcome at Hops & Hounds, and the patio even sports a fully furnished dog park.

Dos Sirenos Brewing
231 E. Cevallos St., (210) 442-8138, dossirenosbrewing.com
Producing brews in Southtown since 2019, Dos Sirenos boasts a large patio and a comfortably shaded kid- and dog-friendly outdoor space. Post up at the sturdy wooden picnic tables on the patio and indulge in a brew and table or card game.

McIntyre's
1035 S. Presa St., (210) 957-1385, mcintyresusa.com
This 21-and-up Houston-based chain is known for its icehouse-style setting, replete with sprawling patios, multiple TV screens and glass garage doors to welcome warmer weather. Its Southtown location features a regular rotation of food trucks and, on the patio, the company’s signature swings.

El Camino SA
1009 Avenue B, elcaminosa.com
In this food truck park and bar just north of downtown, two massive, light-clad trees cast shade over a bar and sprawling seating area. The on-site bar serves beer, cocktails and house shots to San Antonians enjoying the festive atmosphere, and the food trucks stationed there dish out delicious fusion food.

The Good Kind
1127 S. St. Mary's St., (210) 801-5892, eatgoodkind.com
The Good Kind’s picturesque outdoor garden is open for patrons to eat and drink while the sun beams down. While guests sip their cocktails or craft beers, they can enjoy various events that The Good Kind hosts in its outdoor space, from live music to dance parties and film screenings.

Brooster’s Backyard
815 Pleasanton Road, (210) 253-9104, facebook.com/BroostersBackyard
This kid- and pet-friendly Southside venue offers live music, DJs, chancla-throwing contests and Lotería nights on its spacious patio. Grab a drink from the full bar — which also offers a booze-free menu for those looking to abstain — as well as snacks from a variety of food and snack trucks.

The Cove
606 W. Cypress St., (210) 227-2683, thecove.us
The Cove has long been a haven for San Antonians, offering burgers, tacos and more made with locally-sourced, hormone-free and homegrown ingredients. Its spacious patio and playground accommodates those looking to enjoy the summer weather. Keeping with the local theme, the Texas bar offers over 40 different beers made right here in the Lone Star State.

Aquaduck Beer Garden
9214 Espada Rd., (210) 600-3280, theaquaduck.com
Set within the San Antonio Mission Trails area and historic Aqueduct District, the Aquaduck offers an extensive selection of beers, wines and margaritas. The location also boasts tons of TVs and a spacious outdoor seating area.

La Tuna Icehouse & Grill
100 Probandt St., (210) 212-5727, latunasa.com
For 30 years, La Tuna Icehouse has been serving cold beer and wine to guests on their front outdoor patio, which includes an array of pecan tree-shaded picnic tables. Don’t miss the Southtown spot’s colorful outdoor mural — a punchy background to your next selfie.