Tuesday nights are traditionally the deadest nights downtown, which also means they’re the best nights for finding prime parking. Located a block off the River Walk and a block away from the towering iconic red Torch of Friendship sculpture at the Commerce Street traffic circle, Club Sirius draws a diverse crowd. On a recent visit, I found lots of service-industry folks blowing off steam after work, river rats, the occasional old-timey cigar smoker, and couples with matching neck tattoos who could rip the place apart if the music ever got bad, which (fortunately, for the furniture’s sake) it doesn’t often.
General manager Lesa Ammann invests a good deal of time in making sure that Sirius has something to offer that other downtown spots overlook. Specialty drinks include El Jefe, the house margarita made with Hanger One Chipotle vodka, and the Chamoy Margarita, which tastes like an adult version of those hoochie raspas you used to get from the ice cream man. Sirius also offers alcohol-infused Skittles that Ammann makes herself by soaking the candies in vodka and filtering out the leftover sugar, which leaves a vibrant, tasty treat behind.
The club also showcases an impressive selection of over 100 shots; all but a few costing $3.50. Sixteen patrons have completed the shot challenge so far by braving each one on the board (though not in a single sitting). Regular Carlos Torres even has a dedicated stool. I met him as he came in to order a beer — and geeked out a little bit when I realized his chair was right behind me.
Sirius has personality, and Ammann obviously likes a good laugh, evidenced by her posting the names of tab skippers on a “wall of shame.” I recognized one name as a talkative, good-looking local server I had met on my first night in the place. (Psssst! Your tab is not that high. Time to come settle up.)
The narrow bar has a small stage in the back that showcases one of two DJs nightly from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJ CeeJay spins old-school hip-hop with a bunch of R&B slow jams on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, while DJ Mister E rocks some Top 40’s the rest of the week that do not disappoint.
Drink prices vary from night to night, and are always posted on the bar’s Facebook page. Your best bet is the 32-oz. schooner — domestics run $4.50, while imports are $6.25.
Club Sirius
228 Losoya
(210) 223-3722
myspace.com/clubsirius
VIBE: Like a block party where the game is always on and someone is always yelling over the music.
BEST USE: Tuesday nights, the shot board challenge, and the Chamoy margarita.
PRICES:$3.50 wells, $2.50 domestic bottles, $3-$3.50 imports
