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Day Drinking Guide for San Antonio

Gabby Mata

Now that we’ve reached peak adulthood (meaning we’re real adults) day drinking is probably listed as one of the hobbies we partake in. I list is along with reading French + Russian Literature (I have a degree in English but my thesis was on Nabokov + Camus [granted both can be argued that they’re really not Russian/ French but that’s beside the point]), laying around and really thinking about song lyrics and day drinking as my hobbies on bumble. If it’s there it’s real facts.

So I recently sat down with ½ of Sip_SA to come up with our list of the best places to day drink. Really academic, undisputed, tried, true and tested- that being said if new places arise or we get new places we’ll add them little by little! If you’re looking specifically for drink specials please check out my blog of the best happy hours in San Antonio!

Eastside

Drinking on the up and coming Eastside of San Antonio is going to be one of your best bets to low-key day drinking experience. Most of these places tend to have a more laid back base and will allow you to chill with your friends and focus on bonding. Places like Burleson and Alamo Beer host events sometimes so keep that in mind also while the vibe is chill, they can get pretty happening especially in the early evening.

  • Burleson Yard Beer Garden

    • Alcohol: Wide selection of beers, wine, cocktails

    • Eats: Daily Food Truck

    • Amenities: Hammocks, Playground and games, kid-friendly, indoor and outdoor seating, TVs for sports, dog-friendly, happy hour, parking

    • Bonus: Events

    • Address + Hours:

      • 430 Austin St, San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Mon-Thurs 3pm- 12am + Fri-Sun 12pm-12am

  • Alamo Beer Company

    • Alcohol: Alamo Beer

    • Eats: Food Trucks

    • Amenities: Lot’s of seating and space, indoor and outdoor seating, parking

    • Bonus: They often have events and brewery tours Saturdays at 1 and Thursdays at 6pm

    • Address + Hours:

      • 202 Lamar St. San Antonio TX 78202

      • Mon- Thurs 3pm-9pm, Fri 3pm-12am, Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12pm-9pm  

  • The Dakota East Side Ice House

    • Alcohol: Ciders, wine, and beer

    • Eats: Sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and bites

    • Amenities: indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, parking   

    • Bonus: live music, art, karaoke

    • Address + Hours:

      • 433 S Hackberry, San Antonio, Texas 78203

      • Mon -Thurs  3pm- 11pm (sometimes later), Fri  3pm - 12am, Sat-Sun 12pm - 12am

  • Cherrity Bar

    • Alcohol: Beer, wine, cocktails (their cocktails are dope)

    • Eats: Kuriya

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, board games, arcade, happy hour, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, street parking, parking lot, vegetarian and vegan friendly

    • Bonus: Profits go to charity! So you’re literally giving back! You get 1 token per every $10 spent.

    • Address + Hours:

      • 302 Montana St, San Antonio 78203

      • Tues-Thurs 11am-10pm, Friday 11am- 12am, Sat. 3pm-12am. CLOSED Sun + Mon

Downtown and River Walk

Drinking downtown and on the River Walk is a different animal, with the spread out area comes different scenes. You have the chance of sharing the space with regulars and locals that live downtown or with tourists that are just here temporarily. So the atmosphere might be a little different depending on the day you do go. There’s also a mix of dive bars like Sanchos and classier environments like Ocho and the Rooftop at the Fairmount downtown. Either way, let it be known that down on the River Walk it’s open container and you’re allowed to walk around and drink- just don’t fall in the river.

  • Roadmap Brewing

    • Alcohol: Roadmap Beer

    • Eats: You can bring your own food, order food to be delivered, occasional food trucks

    • Amenities: Indoor seating, well lit, board games, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, parking

    • Bonus: n/a

    • Address + Hours:

      • 723 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Wed-Thurs 4pm-10pm, Fri- 4pm-12am, Sat 12pm- 12am, Sunday 12pm-10pm CLOSED Mon-Tues

  • The Luxury

    • Alcohol: Selection of beer and limited cocktails.

    • Eats: Burgers, salads, and snacks, kid-menu

    • Amenities: Swings, outdoor seating, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, street parking, happy hour, vegetarian-friendly

    • Bonus: n/a

    • Address + Hours:

      • 103 E Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Tues-Thurs 11:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am- 10pm, Sunday 12pm-9pm. CLOSED Mon

  • Rooftop at the Fairmount

    • Alcohol: Cocktails and wine

    • Eats: none

    • Amenities: Rooftop views of downtown, laidback space, upscale, valet, paid parking

    • Bonus: Best views for NYE, 4th of July and Fiesta fireworks

    • Address + Hours:

      • 401 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Mon – Thurs 5pm – 11pm, Fri – Sat, 3pm-12am, Sun - 3pm - 9pm

  • Sanchos

    • Alcohol: Margaritas, beer, cerveza

    • Eats: Tacos, tortas, salads, antojitos Mexicanos

    • Amenities: Rooftop bar, dog-friendly, indoor and outdoor seating, parking, happy hour, vegetarian-friendly

    • Bonus: Live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 628 Jackson St, San Antonio, TX 78212

      • Daily: 11am- 2am

  • Ocho

    • Alcohol: Beer, cocktails, wine, and beer

    • Eats: Full menu  

    • Amenities: Gorgeous aesthetic, laid back vibe, limited parking, paid parking, The Havana Bar downstairs, happy hour

    • Bonus: n/a

    • Address + Hours:

      • 1015 Navarro St, San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Sun - Thurs, 7am - 10pm, Fri & Sat 7am – 12am

  • The Cove

    • Alcohol: Wide selection of craft beers

    • Eats: Full menu, kids-menu

    • Amenities: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, vegetarian and vegan-friendly, onsite parking, street parking, indoor and outdoor seating

    • Bonus: live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 606 W Cypress, SA, TX 78212

      • Tues-Thurs 5pm-11pm, Fri- 4pm-12am, Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-10pm CLOSED Monday.

  • Thirsty Aztec

    • Alcohol: beer, frozen drinks, wine, jello shots

    • Eats: none but it’s the River Walk so it’s free for all.

    • Amenities: indoor seating, drinks to go (it’s the open container)

    • Bonus: live music, karaoke

    • Address + Hours:

      • 200 River Walk St San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Mon--Thurs 10am - 12am, Fri-Sat 10am- 1am, Sun 12pm - 10pm

  • Pat O’Brien’s

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: paid parking, large patio, indoor seating,

    • Bonus: live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 121 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Daily: 11am to 2am

The Historic Pearl and St. Mary’s Strip

Someone told me that this side of town was a breeding ground for useless people (don’t believe me look here). That statement is entirely false. Maybe he got sad no one would be his friend and invite him to day drink. Drinking at the Historic Pearl is gonna be full of the cool kids, the ones taking photos and the ones that are there because that’s the easiest place to make someone in the group happy. Now drinking on the St. Mary’s Strip is gonna be where all the action happens. It’s a street full of art, music and well booze. So bottoms up, y’all.

  • Down on Grayson

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full Menu

    • Amenities: Fans, grassy area, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, indoor and outdoor seating, covered seating, parking, happy hour

    • Bonus: none

    • Address + Hours:

      • 303 East Grayson, San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Sun-Wed 11am-10pm, Thu-Sat 11am-11pm

  • Still Golden

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Food trucks

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, games, dog-friendly, happy hour

    • Bonus: live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 1900 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Mon – Fri 4pm – 2am, Sat 12pm – 2am, Sun 12pm – 2am

  • Tycoon Flats

    • Alcohol: Full Bar, great selection of beer

    • Eats: Full Menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, playground, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, happy hour  

    • Bonus: Live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 2926 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212

      • Sun-Thurs 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm

  • Rumble

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Food tucks

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, street parking, dog-friendly, happy hour

    • Bonus: Live music, Sunday Dip

    • Address + Hours:

      • 2410 N. St. Mary's Street San Antonio, TX 78212

      • Mon-Sat 4pm-2am, Sun 3pm-2am

  • Cullums Attagirl

    • Alcohol: Craft Beers

    • Eats: Chicken, Chicken Sammies, Vegan-friendly

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, street parking

    • Bonus: Occasional pop-ups

    • Address + Hours:

      • 726 E Mistletoe San Antonio, TX 78212

      • Sun and Tues-Thurs 11am-12am, Fri- Sat 11am- 2am, CLOSED Mon

  • Backyard on Broadway

    • Alcohol: Full Bar

    • Eats: Food trucks, full menu

    • Amenities: Rooftop, games, play area, dog area, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, indoor and outdoor seating, grassy area, happy hour

    • Bonus: Live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 2411 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Daily 11am- 2am

  • El Búho

    • Alcohol: Full menu

    • Eats: Food trucks

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, sports on the tv, music, dog-friendly, games

    • Bonus: none

    • Address + Hours:

      • 2710 N. St Mary's, San Antonio, Texas

      • Mon-Fri 4pm- 2am, Sat- Sun 11am- 2am

  • Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery

    • Alcohol: Beer, full bar, funbags

    • Eats: Seafood, though you could eat at the restaurant

    • Amenities: Limited seating, the whole Pearl is your seating ground, onsite parking (you just have to walk), take this on the River Walk, happy hour, outdoors is dog-friendly, kid-friendly   

    • Bonus: Do this during Soundcream

    • Address + Hours:

      • 136 E Grayson St San Antonio, Texas

      • Mon- Thurs-11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–9pm

  • The Bar at the Bottling Department

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Options all around

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating,

    • Bonus: live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215

      • Sun- Thurs 11am - 9pm

      • Fri - Sat 11am - 10pm

Northeast Side

The Northeast side is a place most people don’t really go to due largely to traffic. 281 is still under some kind of mess but it’ll be fixed soon. Granted some of these places are a lot closer to town than you think, I’m still classifying them as the northeast. Also you’ll notice this side of town usually hosts people who literally use happy hour to avoid traffic or meet even more people. I would describe the drinking vibe of northeast San Antonio as laid back but still making face.

  • Islla Street Brewing

    • Alcohol: Beer

    • Eats: Food Trucks

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, parking

    • Bonus: music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 11911 Crosswinds Way Ste 201 San Antonio, TX 78233

      • Fri- Sat 12pm - 10pm

      • Sun 12pm - 8pm

  • Tbd Bar + Social

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, counter service, giant games,

    • Bonus: events and viewing parties

    • Address + Hours:

      • 938 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78232

      • Sun 11:30am-12 am, Mon - Wed 2pm - 12am, Thurs 2pm - 2am, Fri - Sat 11:30am - 2am

  • Weathered Souls

    • Alcohol: Beer

    • Eats: bites

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, onsite parking, kid-friendly, dog-friendly

    • Bonus: Yoga, events

    • Address + Hours:

      • 606 Embassy Oaks Ste 500, San Antonio, TX 78216

  • Growler Exchange

    • Alcohol: Wide selection of beer

    • Eats: bites and pizza

    • Amenities: indoor seating, take beer in a growler, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, games

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 4130 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX

      • Mon-Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am- 10am

  • Mo’s Irish Pub

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: indoor and outdoor seating, onsite parking, happy hour, vegetarian and vegan-friendly

    • Bonus: Events

    • Address + Hours:

      • 255 E Basse Rd #1400, San Antonio, TX 78209

      • Sun-Wed 11am- 12am, Thurs- Sat 11am- 2am

  • Hoppy Monk

    • Alcohol: Full bar- large selection of craft beer

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, onsite parking

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 1010 North Loop 1604 East San Antonio, Texas 78232

      • Mon 3pm – 12am, Tues 3pm– 1am, Wednesday 11:30am – 1am, Thurs – Sat 11:30am – 2am, Sunday 10am-12am

  • Ranger Creek

    • Alcohol: Beer and whiskey

    • Eats: pop-ups and food trucks

    • Amenities: lots of open-air seating, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, onsite parking  

    • Bonus: Tours and events

    • Address + Hours:

      • 4834 Whirlwind Dr, San Antonio, TX 78217

      • Thurs-Fri 5pm–9pm, Sat 2pm–9pm, Sun 12pm–4pm

Northwest Side

Now drinking on the Northwest side of San Antonio is a whole ‘nother side, it’s a lot of drinking for the ‘gram. A lot of northsiders (I’m one of those) are typically gonna be college crowd or parents who got a babysitter and are finally free to go out. Nothing wrong with that but just know that’s who you’re going to encounter should you choose to drink up there. Also you’ll find some of the cheapest prices bars like The Rustic and the General Public both have happy hours that correspond with the time- so $3 at 3pm, $4 at 4pm and $5 at 5pm. The atmosphere is still gonna be pretty keep to yourself but occasionally you’ll be able to break that mold and make conversation with a stranger.

  • The Rustic

    • Alcohol: Full bar- large selection of beer

    • Eats: full menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, indoor and outdoor bar, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, onsite parking, happy hours

    • Bonus: events, live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 17619 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 204 San Antonio, TX 78257

      • Sun-Thurs 11am-12am Fri-Sat 11am-2am

  • The General Public

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full Menu

    • Amenities: Happy hour (one of the best), indoor and outdoor seating, kid-friendly, onsite parking

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 17619 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 102, San Antonio, TX 78257

      • Mon-Thurs 11am- 12am, Fri 11am – 2am, Sat 10:30am – 2am, Sun 10:30am – 12am

  • Bowl and Barrel

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Full Menu

    • Amenities: bowling, open space, onsite parking, kid friendly

    • Bonus: $3 Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s until 5pm

    • Address + Hours:

  • Signature (specifically the patio)

    • Alcohol: Full bar- great scotch, whisky and whiskey menu

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: Upscale, onsite parking, outdoor and indoor seating

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 16641 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256

      • Signature Hour: Tues – Fri 4:30pm – 6pm

      • Tues – Sat 5:30pm – 10pm

      • Sun Brunch: 10:30am – 2pm

      • Sun Dinner: 5:30pm – 9pm

  • Freetail Brewpub

    • Alcohol: Craft Beer

    • Eats: Sandwiches, pasta & oven baked pizza

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, Growlers, happy hour, onsite parking

    • Bonus: Military discount, weekly specials

    • Address + Hours:

      • 4035 N. Loop 1604 #105, San Antonio, Texas 78257

      • Mon-Sat 11am-12am, Sun: 12pm-12am

  • Flying Saucer

    • Alcohol: All the beer and craft beer

    • Eats: Full bar

    • Amenities: indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, onsite parking

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 11255 Huebner Rd #212, San Antonio, TX 78230

      • Mon- Thurs 11am- 1am, Fri-Sat, 11am- 2am, Sun 11am- 12am

  • Tiny Cantina

    • Alcohol: Cocktails, wine and beer

    • Eats: none, but there are restaurants around.

    • Amenities: Drink while you shop, alcohol to go, outdoor seating, dog friendly, kid-friendly, onsite parking

    • Bonus: Take the drink to go while you’re shopping

    • Address + Hours:

      • La Cantera Mall by Yard House and Zara

      • Mon – Thurs 2pm – 9pm, Fri – Sat 12pm – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm

  • Hills and Dales Ice House

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: food trucks

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, games

    • Bonus: events and live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 15403 White Fawn Dr San Antonio, TX 78255

      • Daily 2pm-2am

Southside

On the Southside- you’ll find that this part of town is growing a lot faster than it knows how to handle. This section of the ultimate day drinking guide also covers the largest amount of land in San Antonio. So there’s a lot more options, a lot more possibility and a lot more time to enjoy just kicking back and sipping on some booze with your friends.

  • Seersucker Southern Style Gin Distillery

    • Alcohol: Gin and Vodka

    • Eats: Occasional food trucks but you can bring food

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, dog-friendly, onsite parking, kid-friendly

    • Bonus: You can buy gin and vodka bottles, events

    • Address + Hours:

      • 8501 Cover Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78263

      • Fri & Sat 12pm- 7pm

  • Cactus Land Brewery

    • Alcohol: Craft beer

    • Eats: You can bring food

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, onsite parking

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 368 County Rd 325 Unit B, Adkins, TX 78101

      • Fri 3pm - 9pm, Sat 12pm - 9 pm

  • Aquaduck Beer Garden

    • Alcohol: Beer, wine, and specialty drinks

    • Eats: Full menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, onsite parking,

    • Bonus: Live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 9214 Espada Road, San Antonio 78214

      • Monday through Thursday, from 4 p.m. to midnight and noon to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday

Southtown

Southtown would be the chill version of downtown. You’re still super close to everything but parking is usually free or at least significantly cheaper, the air is slightly more creative, and this all means you can stay here for hours on end talking about Kant or watch a Spurs game or whateva. You’re likely to encounter a lot more locals and regulars on this side of town because a lot of people live and drink in Southtown. BONUS: This side of town is home to First Friday and Second Saturday art walks so you can definitely take advantage of hanging out here before and during the art walk events.

  • Küntsler Brewing

    • Alcohol: Beer and wine

    • Eats: bites and sandwiches,   

    • Amenities: indoor and outdoor seating, onsite parking, street parking,

    • Bonus: occasional pop-ups and food trucks

    • Address + Hours:

      • 302 E Lachapelle San Antonio, TX 78204

      • Mon-Wed 4 pm- 10 pm, Thurs 4 pm- 12 am, Fri 2 pm- 12 am, Sat 11 am - 12 am, Sun 11am - 10pm

  • Friendly Spot

    • Alcohol: A wide selection of beer, cocktails

    • Eats: full menu, kids-menu

    • Amenities: lots of shaded outdoor seating, playground, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, happy hour, street parking

    • Bonus: tv screen, live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 943 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Daily 12pm - 12am

  • Bar America

    • Alcohol: Full bar

    • Eats: Brunch menu, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, bites

    • Amenities: Rooftop bar, bar games, street parking, reservations,

    • Bonus: live music

    • Address + Hours:

      • 723 S Alamo St San Antonio, TX 78205

      • Sun 12pm- 12am, Tue - Fri 4pm - 2am, Sat 3pm - 2am, CLOSED Mon

  • Stella Public House

    • Alcohol: Full bar- lots of beer

    • Eats: Pizza and a full menu

    • Amenities: Indoor and outdoor seating, onsite parking, mimosa flights

    • Bonus:

    • Address + Hours:

      • 1414 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210

      • Mon-Wed 11am-10pm, Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri 11am–12am, Sat 10am–12am, Sun 10am–10pm

There’s the drinking guide. I’m currently drinking because it took too long to make. As always be sure to follow my San Antonio foodie instagram @sanantoniolovelist to keep up with the latest.