Sternewirth is a bar in Pearl, San Antonio.
Sternewirth is the bar inside Hotel Emma at the Pearl, set beneath the old brewery's restored cast-iron tanks, one of the most atmospheric rooms in the city.
Food program: Bar snacks from Hotel Emma
Tip: Come for the room as much as the drink; the converted brewhouse is spectacular. Snacks come from the Emma kitchen.
Address: 136 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78215
Paramour sits on the rooftop of the Phipps building near the river just south of the Pearl, a glamorous open-air bar with skyline views, shareable plates.
Signature drink: Cocktails with a skyline view
Food: Shareable plates
Tip: Go at sunset for the skyline. It draws a dressed-up crowd; arrive early to claim a railing spot.
Hugman's Oasis is a river-level tiki bar on the River Walk where tropical cocktails meet mid-century flair, named for the architect who designed the river.
Signature drink: Tropical tiki cocktails
Food: Island-leaning snacks
Tip: The river-level patio is the tiki seat to want. Go for the rum drinks; reservations help on weekends.
Bar 1919 hides downstairs in Southtown's Blue Star complex behind an unmarked door, a Prohibition-styled speakeasy built around whiskey-forward classics.
Signature drink: Whiskey-forward classic cocktails
Food: None
Tip: It is downstairs in the Blue Star complex; look for the unmarked entrance. Whiskey classics are the strength.
Paramour sits on the rooftop of the Phipps building near the river just south of the Pearl, a glamorous open-air bar with skyline views, shareable plates.
Signature drink: Cocktails with a skyline view
Food: Shareable plates
Tip: Go at sunset for the skyline. It draws a dressed-up crowd; arrive early to claim a railing spot.
The Friendly Spot is a family and dog friendly Southtown ice house with a huge beer list, where a frozen margarita and a taco under string lights is the move.
Signature drink: Cold longnecks and frozen margaritas
Food: Tacos and ice-house plates
Tip: It is family and dog friendly with a huge beer list. The frozen margarita and a taco is the order under the string lights.
Faust Tavern is a Tobin Hill dive with stiff pours and a craft-beer list past sixty, cash-friendly and busy with the St Mary's crowd on weekend nights.
Signature drink: Stiff pours and 60-plus craft beers
Food: None
Tip: A proper dive with stiff pours and a deep beer list. Cash-friendly and busy with the St Mary's crowd on weekends.
The Esquire Tavern downtown keeps the longest wooden bar in Texas upstairs and a cocktail room by the river below; a burger soaks up the drinks either way.
Signature drink: Cocktails at the longest wooden bar in Texas
Food: Burgers and bar snacks
Tip: Sit at the historic bar upstairs, then drop to the downstairs cocktail room by the river. A burger soaks up the drinks.
