Best Bars in San Antonio (2025)

A 1933 River Walk original with the longest wooden bar top in Texas, Esquire pairs vintage swagger with serious cocktails and late‑night bites. Praised by San Antonio Express‑News and San Antonio Current, its downstairs lounge rewards lingerers.

A mid‑century bungalow where bartenders build bespoke drinks after a quick chat—no printed menu needed. Crowned Best Cocktail Bar by San Antonio Current in 2024 and 2025, it’s intimate, inventive, and pure local craft.

Blue Star’s subterranean speakeasy obsesses over classics and whiskey, with encyclopedic spirits and jazz nights. Regularly cited among the city’s best by local critics, it remains a rite of passage for serious cocktail fans.

An East Side cottage channeling European aperitivo culture—amari, vermouth, ciders, and elegant house cocktails. Celebrated by local critics and expanding with a sister project in 2025, it’s date‑night magic with real neighborhood roots.

Doc Watkins’ cellar club at Pearl blends jazz, Texas swing, salsa, and a strong cocktail program. Recommended by national outlets like Thrillist and beloved locally, it’s where the music and drinks command equal attention.

A lush tiki escape below street level downtown, designed with classic Polynesian pop details and balanced rum‑driven cocktails. Covered by local media since opening and now open nightly, it delivers theatrical fun without sacrificing craft.

A tiny Southtown house‑bar with backyard shows, unfussy hospitality, and well‑made classics. Spotlighted by Distiller Magazine’s San Antonio bar guide, it’s where DJs, neighbors, and bartenders unwind after service.

The St. Mary’s Strip honky‑tonk that also books indie, conjunto, and everything between. Voted Best Country Bar by San Antonio Current in 2025, it’s pure SA nightlife—neon, two‑step floor, and a sprawling patio.

A Japanese‑style gastropub in Alamo Heights with cheeky, flavor‑packed cocktails and late‑night snacks. Highlighted by MySA for happy hour, it bridges izakaya comfort and San Antonio’s cocktail chops.

Hotel Emma’s soaring brick‑and‑steel bar pours classics amid Pearl Brewery history. With weekly Sternewirth Sessions and 2025 guest events, it’s a stunning, genuinely local hotel bar experience.

A Southtown institution mixing ice‑house tradition, sports‑watching, and 300‑plus beers. Often cited by local outlets for game days, it doubles as a neighborhood backyard with late kitchen hours.

Government Hill’s laid‑back hangout with strong pours, wings, and a big patio—a local’s pre‑ and post‑Pearl stop. Regulars and visiting chefs cross town for its welcoming vibe and late hours.