17 Best Bars in San Antonio, Texas

A very cool bar with a friendly vibe and bright decor, Blue Box serves a good selection of house cocktails, house shots of pineapple serrano tequila and strawberry vodka, cigars, wine, and beer—including some good seasonal craft brews. The name comes from the blue box cooler that overnight "third shift" workers at the original Pearl Brewery would keep their beers in (brewery workers could drink on the job back then). Happy hour lasts all day on Sunday and Monday. 

Originally opened in 1933 following the end of Prohibition, the Esquire Tavern has a storied past as the oldest riverfront bar on the River Walk. The legendary locale even claims to be the longest bar in Texas, at 100 feet. The sleek, dark 1930s interior blends well with an elevated pub-style menu. The evolving seasonal classic cocktail menu is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The intimate Downstairs area is directly on the River Walk and is open Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to 2 am.

Choose from the extensive selection of tequilas and margaritas here as well as nearly 30 tequila flights for the indecisive. They also have domestic, imported, and Texas craft beers.

At this historic bar within the historic Menger Hotel (one of the city's great cultural treasures), listen to tales of how Teddy Roosevelt recruited his army of Rough Riders here. The bar was built in 1871, as a replica of London's House of Lords pub. It's a fun place to go with friends for a drink or to meet the locals. A small pub menu is served all day. 

One of the most elegant spaces at the Pearl—no surprise since it's inside Hotel Emma—the bar is named for the Sternewirth Privilege, the 19th-century tradition of giving brewery employees free beer during the workday. The cool, dark, inviting space has a 25-foot vaulted ceiling over a collection of softly lit seats, a fireplace, and a beautiful bar serving signature cocktails, beer, and wine, along with satisfying bar bites. 

On Friday and Saturday night, come to Azúca to put some salsa or merengue in your step. When you aren't dancing, you'll be sipping on a Latin or specialty cocktail. A full dinner menu and more than 15 types of mojitos are available, too.

This quiet, cozy neighborhood bar is a favorite go-to for area locals. You'll get a greeting from pleasant bartenders and, on certain days, from a very sweet dog. The space has a chill, intimate atmosphere that's dimly lit and perfect for conversation. Experienced bartenders serve craft cocktails, wine, and beer. They don't serve food, but there is a restaurant next door.

If you're staying near the Alamo, this is a must-see LGBTQ club for the open-minded and those who aspire to be. Housed in the 20,000-square-foot classic 1892 Turner Hall, the Bonham Exchange is a testament to the tenacity of legendary downtown developer Arthur P. "Hap" Veltman, who scouted the area in 1980 to replace his previous gay nightclub, the San Antonio Country. After a costly renovation, the club opened in 1981, and this amazing place has been going strong ever since. There are three levels of lively dance floors plus a bar area off the entrance. Multiple DJs spin every music genre you can imagine. Every year they throw an impossible-to-describe Halloween bash, and the club has a float in the Battle of Flowers parade during the annual Fiesta Week. Touring companies of Broadway shows have held their cast parties here, and at least one ghost hunter has scoured top to bottom for anybody who might have forgotten to (or didn't want to) leave the party. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and great drink specials. Cover charges vary from nothing to $5 depending on days and times. 

Built in 1935, this fun, casual place has been a staple of the Alamo Heights community for so long that most people can't remember when it wasn't there. The crowd is eclectic, although it skews younger, and it's a great place to hang out, have a cold adult beverage, listen to live music or karaoke, and watch sports. There's also a lunch and dinner menu—the burgers alone have their own devout following. The weekend brunch serves breakfast plates, sandwiches, tacos, French toast, and omelets.

Across from Hotel Contessa, Drink Texas serves tapas and has a large variety of signature cocktails, wines by the bottle, and wines by the glass. They're also known for their long (2 pm to 9 pm) happy hour. 

Come here to have a dueling-piano bar and high-energy live show experience—and don't hesitate to sing along. They have a big selection of cocktails, shots, and beers. It's a great place for parties and group events. 

Book your table and seating times online for a visit to this favorite cool spot for live jazz and fine dining. Jazz, TX is located in the basement of the Food Hall and Bottling Department, accessible by outside stairs or indoor elevator. With seven shows a week (two on Saturday and Sunday nights), they have quite the variety of live music performances: jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, and Latin jazz. The atmosphere is very old-school supper club, with craft cocktails, wine, and beer being served. There's a pretty standard food menu, too. Weekend shows are $35 per person, while weekday shows run $20 to $25. 

Claiming to be an authentic British-theme pub, Mad Dogs offers a selection of imported beers and cocktails as well as entertainment that includes DJs, karaoke, and live acts.They also have a pub menu of fish and chips, Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, and more. Shows are "mostly" family-friendly, but no minors are admitted after 10 pm. 

The San Antonio outpost of New Orleans institution Pat O'Brien's serves the bar's wickedly strong Hurricanes, along with cocktails like the Cyclone and the Cat-5 Margarita. They have live music daily on the patio and a New Orleans–style menu.

With this winemaking and tasting room facility in downtown San Antonio, this urban winery specializes in local wine education and serving only Texas wines. It usually features six wines on tap and dozens of bottles. 

After dinner, the Republic of Texas restaurant transforms into a nightclub. Enjoy one of the nightly drink specials or order the massive 42-ounce margarita served in a souvenir take-home glass. 

Amazingly, this pub was built in County Monaghan, Ireland, and shipped to San Antonio, where it was reassembled. They are open for lunch and dinner daily (lots of Irish specials, naturally) and have live music every night.