The Best Bars In Downtown San Antonio Texas

Downtown is the business district of San Antonio and spans the area between Interstate 35 and Interstate 37 north of the Interstate 10. This roughly rectangular loop standing on end has an overall circumference of 9 miles. The area is also the hub of nightlife in the city, and has some of the best bars going. Here are 10 of the best. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Esquire Tavern

The River Walk is dominated mainly by the big chains, but traditional places like the Esquire Tavern manage to hold the loyalty of locals even today. Opened in 1933 to celebrate the end of the Prohibition, this classic bar boasts of a bar over 100 feet in length, the longest in Texas. Acknowledged for its cocktail creations and named one of the best bars in America in 2013, this place has a variety of local craft beers and standard pub food on offer.

Ocho

TBA

Standing for To Be Announced, this unique bar’s concept is to ride on mystery. Chef James Moore and the bartender do not announce in advance what they’re cooking up each night but invite patrons to step in and find out. The bar does not even have a sign, as that would spoil the fun. What you do get are awesome craft cocktails that are amazingly well put together, along with batches of bourbon and tequila infusions that are very tempting. The food is elevated above the ordinary, with sandwiches made from gourmet ingredients and some southern specialties.

Bar 1919

Are you a whiskey fan? Then the 1919 is for you. It boasts the largest collection of whiskies in the city. The rarer spirits do come with equally rarified prices, but if your wallet can stand it, drop by in the afternoons to sample some of the finest malts. Evenings are usually crowded with the younger generation but service is good and the bar food covers a variety of cheeses and charcuterie, essential for bringing out the bouquet of finer malts in their cellar.

Sancho’s

Ever felt like trying something from south of the border? Then Sancho’s is the place to be. They serve beer only from Mexico, and the cocktail list spans tequila and more tequila. The avocado margarita is a special treat, and the food (all Mexican, of course) is definitely worth sampling. The music adds to the ambiance and on weekends they usually have a live band.

The Friendly Spot

A converted ice-house, The Friendly Spot serves over 180 beers, mostly local craft brands and 25 Texas beer drafts to boot. Ice-houses were earlier used to store foodstuffs and beer for the Texan summers but have now been converted mostly to beer pubs after refrigerators became household appliances. Food is mostly Mexican and pub fare and the place is a local hangout for families with a welcome pet-friendly policy.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.