Idle Beer Hall & Brewery

BLUF: Solid beer, and cocktails, in a somewhat disjointed space with a lot of potential. Idle Beer Hall & Brewery should be on your radar if you’re a fellow craft beer lover, and they’re the last of the breweries in this area that still does craft cocktails as well, so your non-beer drinking guests have something to indulge in as well. Their location is premium and the space they’re in has so much potential, but in my opinion it’s a little disjointed in its current configuration. Not enough screens to be a sports bar, not enough pool tables to be a pool hall, and not enough arcade games to be an adult arcade. Personally, think they’d benefit from leaning heavier on one or two of those concepts and excelling at them instead of trying to do all of them poorly. They have two pool tables, two Skee-Ball machines, two arcade basketball machines, and some photo booths. They have a lone projector in their interior seating area, so you’re stuck with whatever game they’re playing, with no additional screens to check in on other games being played concurrently. You’re also locked into looking in that direction if you’re there for the game. They would benefit from adding a few more screens throughout the venue. No screen behind the bar indoors, but two screens behind the outdoor bar. On chillier nights they have some wood burning chimneas for warmth, but could use a few more. Things worth knowing ahead of time: Dog friendly, in and outdoors. No dedicated parking lot, but ample parking at nearby paid lots, and a limited amount of free street parking. The Make Ready Market lot offers two free hours with purchase, but not sure if an Idle Beer Hall & Brewery purchase satisfies that offering. The Make Ready Market is next door, so plenty of food options but they close relatively early so not recommended for late night dining.

We came across Idle Beer Hall & Brewery while on the No Pet Policy (with the “No” scratched out 😉) mission of finding great pet-friendly spots. The place is huge inside, with pool tables, basketball hoops, ski-ball, arcade games, and even a photo booth. The outdoor area is just as nice — lots of seating, a bar, and big screens for watching games. Their bar is super well-stocked with great beers and cocktails, and the overall vibe is super chill and welcoming. 100% pet-friendly and Retired K9 Bela approved! 🐾🍻

Big open air conditioned bar/brewery with an outdoor patio, pool tables, and some arcade games. Great beers. You can order food directly from the make ready market food hall which is next door and very convenient. I have seen lots of dogs inside so dog friendly as well. Great place to hang with friends and have a beer, cool off in the summer.

In a cool weird way it reminds me of a church. The architecture with all of the wood beams has an old world feel. Change out the lattice windows for stained glass and the vibe is 100% complete. Anyways, I digress. The beer, even with it being a small menu, is impeccable. Bonus, there is a food court that shares the space with Make Ready, a great food court with a solid menu.

It’s a nice big building with pool tables, ski ball, and a basket ball video game you can shoot basketballs. If you want food it can come from one or more of the close restaurants. It was very chill with low key waitresses and waiters.

Awesome Saturday Night at IDLE. Great beer and fun indoors. They have a freaking JAWS pinball machine. Live Music this evening by Gelina and The Diamondbacks, with great renditions of country and americana music

I have drank beer from coast to coast in the US, and from Italy to Germany in Europe, and I have to honestly say that the beers that I tried at Idle were in my top 5 best beers that I have ever had. Now, granted, I love stouts, and they definitely delivered there, but even the IPA I had held its ground. The bartender was awesome, and took time to let me sample several. I will absolutely be back anytime that I'm in San Antonio.

10/10 would recommend. The staff is wildly friendly. Madison recommended some great beers to try and some excellent live local music, so I am very excited to check that out. Perfect place to chill and play pool and enjoy a great experience!!!

This place has easily the best vibes of any brewery I went to in SATX. It feels like you're hanging out in a desert oasis. For food, they often have rotating food trucks onsite but they also allow you to bring in food from the massive indoor food court next door. In addition to beer, this brewery also has numerous fun drinks and cocktails. I got a spicy shot that was served in...a hollowed-out pickle, fun! If I'm ever back in SATX (lawd forbid), this will be one of my first stops! PS: definitely come out for their karaoke nights, their setup is legit!

Nice variety of beers and mixed drinks. The bartenders are great, sometimes getting a drink takes a bit of time but it's worth it. The OJ and bacon shot is delicious, definitely give it a shot! Plenty of outdoor and indoor seating.

Fun place! Delicious cocktails and good brews!! Bar staff are genuinely nice and pleasant!

The hot mulled wine and Mexican candy shots were good and reasonably priced. It wasn't too busy here, and they did have live music.

Very nice venue with a cool ambiance. Their beer selection is pretty limited, only 6 brews. They were good examples of their styles, but it wasn't stellar. However, the stout was very tasty. It is nice they have a full bar option so you can bring more of the crowd to enjoy some time relaxing. The proximity and collab with the "food hall" next door makes it worth the trip.

Came for happy hour stayed for the vibes. This was our first visit and we really enjoyed the venue. Plenty of indoor seating. The hall has a few arcade games and a projector to pass the time. We came during happy hour on a Friday and it was very chill, not too busy and the bartenders were very friendly. The whole vibe is just chill, grab a beer and relax! Kids welcome until 8pm. Pay to park lot across the street. Can order food from market & enjoy inside.

Huge space for groups. Located in the Make Ready area. You grab a beer from the bar and can just hang out anywhere. I tried one of their apricot beers which was ok but didn't taste as fruity as I expected. They have skeeball and basketball arcade games inside which was fun.

Dropped in at Idle which was recommended by my partner and her colleague. Grabbed a stout and took a seat inside. I absolutely loved the ambiance and the aesthetic of the building. The layout is very spacious and quite edgy. I definitely enjoyed being out in the patio as well - the sun was out and there was a strong breeze. Will def be back!

This is a pretty cool spot. They have a good little variety of drinks available. My husband and I each got IPAs that were good. It's a cool space with areas for lounging, as well as, a few games (skee ball, basketball, pool, etc).

We visited this location on a Sunday for Sunday-Funday. When we arrived the DJ was playing great music and it was an older crowd because it was Fathers Day. They were also promoting tequilas and tacos for the day. The drinks were good but kind of small for the price We switched to beer because it seemed more cost effective. The bartenders were not too friendly but were ok. I would go back again...maybe during happy hour.

So far, so good! I really can't comment on the beer yet since they were serving free beer on the day of their soft opening. They were so busy handing out the free stuff that I really wasn't sure what they were serving me, except that all of the beers were smooth and they went down well. The only one I was sure of was their Oktoberfest - again, very smooth. It was their soft opening, so it's not fair to comment on anything other than the venue. It's about 15,000 square feet, and it reminds me of a spacious Texas dance hall. The outside patio is just as enjoyable as the inside. The bottom line is that this is a new beer hall that you WANT to hang out at. They have a full bar (liquor and beer), and the price for a pint runs between $6 and $7. This is very reasonable for the area. This is an up and coming area for nights out in San Antonio. You need to check it out!

I've been in to Idle a few times and each time I've found a beer I like and the staff is always super helpful! On Tuesday there is karaoke and it can get louder. But I've gone in during the day and I've always had a great time! The fact it's a full bar is great for when you are with people who don't drink beer. It's a great place to meet up with friends. The only downside is the parking. It's all street parking and you pay for the meters. But only until 6pm Monday thru Saturday. Sunday parking is free if you can find a spot.

This is a cool spot for a beer or cocktails. I got a pint of Mad's Crystal Hef. It's a nice refreshing beer light beer. They normally don't have food on offer,so feel free to grab something from the Made Ready Market nearby. The Idle beer hall is big inside with outside seating as well. Their beer menu is small and lacking some originality in my opinion. Their coffee beer was lacking a strong coffee flavor. I tried a few samples before making my decision. The stout is nothing special. This place has potential. The area around it has plenty of food options and even some pop up shops. Idle is dog friendly as well. I think people should check this place out.

In door and out door ambiance were terrific , and great for large parties. Had the "Gold Standard" golden stout- notes of malt, toffee, burnt white sugar. The finish was a little flat, but would recommend a try. 4 in-house beer and decent cocktail list as of 11/3/2023 Food vendor outside in the courtyard Taxidermy ocelot was my favorite decor.

13 Feb 2024 Me and the husband took the bus down to the area and walked about half a mile to get there. Pretty large place. There is a courtyard and across the way is a few eating spots. Inside Idle are games and picnic benches and comfy sofas, chairs and coffee tables. A decently long bar is against one wall. Don't judge me, but I am not a big fan of 'craft' beer. The beers I had were fruity and just not enjoyable. Fleetwood and IPA Hazy Dry. I choked down three. Funky aftertaste. What was enjoyable was the karaoke setup. 7pm - 11pm. Great sound system and great versions available for the songs. Sound Choice and Sunray among them. None of that Karafun crap. He kept the rotation intact while feeding in new singers. This is much appreciated. I'd feel a lot better if I could just get a Bud Light. Maybe I can just drink soda next time.

I feel like a found a hidden gem in SA! I hope they expand the number of beers on tap down the road. Love the atmosphere. My husband and I were saying this would be a great place to bring our friends who visit from out of town. I didn't see any food inside the building, but there is plenty of food nearby at Make Ready nextdoor. Drinks were tasty, and well poured. Lots of dogs chilling with their owners, love that. Just note: You can't bring outside food or drink inside the bar. But you can bring your drinks that you buy at Idle outside to their patio/garden area. I should've taken pictures of the area, it's so cute! I'd dig one of two more pool tables, or social games, in the inside area. The two they had got scooped up really quick. Such a cool joint, we'll be back!

Nice open space and a modern spin on a drafty building. The make ready market is so close I can see this being a great hangout for food drinks and coffee when it opens. It's a great area on the outer rim of downtown. I enjoyed the Mexican lager and the views outside.

It's a very open concept floor plan! They brew their own beers as well as sell mixed drinks for those who do not like beer. Indoors, they have pool tables, skeeball, and plenty of seats. There are intimate 2 chairs with a table, couches surrounding custom tables, high tops, as well as concrete tables with benches. They had a projector playing NFL red zone for those who need the highlights! Outside is super cute, for groups or dates. They have a bar outside too! Its dog friendly with bowls of water for the pups! There were plenty of dogs out when we were there on Sunday. They also gave us free cups since it was their opening weekend! Overall super cute place for a date or group hang outs!

What's not to like about Idle? Besides the stellar service and the knowledge of the bartenders, they're many reasons to like this place. When it comes ti craft beer? They got you. Great selection and only the freshest Ingredients. Cocktails? Be sure to scour through a book and come prepared as they can make you whatever you desire. Draft cocktails? Unreal and full of the good stuff. Be sure to bring some dolla bills ti take advantage of ski ball, pool and basketball! It's also a 15k square ft facility. Bring your best slippers to explore!

So excited to see this finally open! Checked it out a couple of Saturdays ago and had a great time. Ate at the food hall and after came over to idle. FYI you can bring food from the hall over into Idle. The outside ambiance was nice and I loved how they had 2 pool tables indoors. They'll definitely need some type of shade structures in their outdoor area come summer but since we were there at night there was no issue. The parking is paid in the direct area and street parking is done by city of San Antonio which you pay by app. When I had gone the app was showing that the lot didn't exist so to be safe I paid for the lot privately owned next door. All in all can't wait to come back!

Idle Beer & Brewery is located downtown near the intersection of Brooklyn and Broadway. They have a plethora of beer on tap and also have liquor available for cocktails. Inside, you'll find a pool table, pinball machine, basketball and skee-ball. You'll also see a large projector/screen inside. They also have a large outdoor patio with another bar outside. I've come to this place a few times and I've been satisfied with their beer selection. There is a food hall next door that has a wide variety of food and you can eat the food in the beer hall. This place is dog friendly so feel free to bring your pet. The staff has been great every time and I'll keep frequenting when I'm in the area. Peace.

Very chill place to hang out on a nice day. Similar to the pearl but different which is nice. The beer is really good. Not far away is plenty of food options. It was really nice to just hang out and relax. Lots of space. Games. Picture booths. Great place to take a date. Hang with friends.

Great spot and they have daily happy hour from 3 to 6. They don't have an extensive food menu. There's only two items but there is a great food hall right next-door and you can order while you're at the bar and then they will text you when it's ready to be picked up. I see this being one of my new favorite spots.

I went to Idle with my boyfriend when we wanted to try a new bar and this place was perfect for when you want a drink but you don't want to go anywhere too loud. They have seating outside in a patio that has lights, outdoor bar, and when we went there was a pop up restaurant. Their beer selection was great, with a lot of unique flavors and they also had a lot of options for mixed drinks. The service was amazing, the bar tender walked my through the different beers, she let me try a couple and she event went outside to bring me a different flavor. We will definitely be going back !

Super cool space. We got the imperial ale, pale ale, and Belgium wit. All were on par. I can't wait till this area gets built out more somewhere I would definitely visit again.

Such a vibe indoor and outdoor seating, fun atmosphere and the drinks are perfect! Skinny margaritas and try the Tea. Service was friendly and quick.

Great place to watch a big game with an excellent beer & cocktail selection. If you're in downtown SA, you have to check out this spot. It's seriously awesome with a nice patio and service.

$10-12 drink with a spits-worth of liquid...mostly sugary mixer. They were all like this. Not drinking here anymore.

This is the place I bring people from out of town. The decor is great and the beer even better. Great location. You can enjoy the indoors and outdoors. It has become one of my favorite San Antonio breweries.

I spent an evening here reading and I loved it. There were a lot of people milling around and socializing. I will be going back next time I'm in San Antonio

Love this place so much so glad that they were able to open it up. The beer selection is very good. I really enjoyed the Oktoberfest beer. They have a lot of seating inside which is nice. There are dog friendly and they have a really fun arcade game.

This place is fantastic! The Oktoberfest and Peach Kolsch are really good (says my husband). I love that they have some actually good cocktails, like a daiquiri made by someone who knows what they're doing. The patio area is expansive and lovely. We visited for the first time yesterday and came back today. I'm sure we will visit often.

Great beer selection. The food hall is right next door which is convenient. You can order from your table and they text you when it's ready. We went on a Saturday evening and it wasn't crowded, which was nice. Very family and pet friendly. There's lots of parking too!

Cool spot with pool, dart, ski ball, and pinball. Only negative is the bartenders are D*cks. If they had good service they would probably be a lot more popular.

Great beer selection and full bar! Get ur specialty drink on! Snacks and Stranger Things pin ball!

So far so good. Arrived during happy hour. Not crowded, beer was good. Warehouse vibe, needs more action and people to flourish.

Fantastic addition to the San Antonio beer scene. Big, beautiful space. Super fun and hip vibes. Awesome outdoor space as well. Nestled in a great neighborhood for entertainment. Great beer selections, and a robust full bar. Great staff and service. Count me in as a regular. Drink local!

Super cute, chill vibe. There strangely were a lot of small children and babies. I asked at the bar and they said it's all ages until 8pm and then 21 and over. We will definitely be back it's a nice addition to the area and they have a great happy hour!

Music is terrible. Everything else is great. I feel like my grandpa could pick better music. The speakers do kind of suck which could be part of the problem. Great place to site outside, especially because you can't hear the music all that much.

Good selection of beers and they even have various cocktails for those non-beer lovers. Only one hazy IPA, which is my favorite style of beer, but they do have a good selection of beers overall for all different tastes. Very open space with a few games (pop a shot, skee-ball and pinball). They don't serve food, but they allow you to have food delivered or bring your own in.

We stopped in at this charming brewery on our way to dinner. All the staff was friendly and the cocktails offered in addition to the brews were very tasty and had a generous pour. We played a few games of skee ball, pool, and basketball shootout. I wish we could have spent more time here but we had reservations

The place is great but the bartenders suck. They don't even smile or seem happy. If you don't like your job then leave. That goes for the manager as well. The only person who smiled with us was the barback.....he was super cool.