Setting the bar

5 classic San Antonio spots with tried-and-true happy hours

During happy hour, The Esquire Tavern serves contemporary cocktails at historical prices.

The Esquire Tavern/Facebook

With more and more San Antonio bars and restaurants opening every year, there’s a new happy hour to try every week. But sometimes it’s just easier to take all the guess work out of the afternoon ritual.

That’s why more often than not, we flock to Alamo City spots that have been around long enough to feel like second homes. With decades of experience under their belts, they’ve earned it.

Aldaco’s
Since first opening in 1989, Blanca Aldaco’s namesake restaurant has had one of the most bumping happy hours in town. From 2-6 pm on weekdays, enjoy a trio of margaritas for only $5.95. Everyone has a favorite, but it is hard to beat the signature avocado version with so much of creamy fruit it’s almost a health drink. Sip it with snacks like the layered dip or, better yet, arrive before 3 pm to take advantage of the lunch specials.

Bar America
This classic spot has been around since 1942, but it took it until 2014 to serve liquor. Celebrate that wise decision from 4-8 pm Tuesday through Friday or Saturday from 3-7 pm when refreshing cucumber martinis are $5 and Bloody Marys and well margaritas are only $4. While your at it, pig out on decidedly not health-conscious snacks like fried pickles, tots, breaded mushrooms, wings, or brisket nachos — none priced over $5.

The Esquire Tavern
Once Prohibition ended on December 5, 1933, this historic downtown bar wasted no time. The very next day, it was serving cold ones to thirsty San Antonians. Save for a few years in the 2000s, it still does the same today, especially during the weekend happy hour between 3-7 pm. The prices may be a higher than when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, but with a selection of $3 small plates and $3 off the entire cocktail menu, it’s pretty close.

Luther’s Cafe
Popular for its drag shows and its late night eats, this 60-year-old cafe also has one heck of a daily social from 2-7 pm. The snacks menu includes lots of choices under 10 bucks, including street tacos, sweet corn nuggets, and hefty piles of fries topped with everything from barbecue pork and queso to Philly cheesesteak fixings. Go late on Wednesday to stretch the wallet further. After 7 pm, all “frozenated” drinks are $3 a pop.

The Martini Club
The spring chicken of this list, The Martini Club has only been around since 1980, but that’s more than enough time to figure things out. From 4-7 pm on Tuesday through Friday, specialty martinis are naturally one of the best deals, clocking in at only $6.50. Well drinks are even cheaper at only $3, a small price to pay for some liquid courage before karaoke.

cocktails craft-beer downtown happy-hours drinks

Betting on baseball

Baseball stadium backers hit a home run with San Antonio city leaders

San Antonio Missions, downtown stadium, Minor League Baseball

Courtesy San Antonio Missions

A sold-out crowd enjoys a San Antonio Missions game on July 4, 2024, at Wolff Stadium.

San Antonio’s elected leaders reached first base in a push to put a professional baseball stadium downtown.

City Council voted 9-2 on September 12 to approve an agreement with three parties to start the first of a four-phase effort and relocate the San Antonio Missions to a new downtown ballpark.

The approved pact involves Bexar County (whose commissioners haven't yet approved the deal), local developer Weston Urban, and ownership for the Double-A Minor League Baseball team, which includes entrepreneur Graham Weston, former San Antonio Spurs greats David Robinson and Manu Ginobili, and baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

Initial plans call for construction of a 7,500-capacity stadium that can host Missions home games, plus other sports and non-sports events. The Missions currently play at the 6,200-seat Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio’s West Side.

The new stadium will be built along San Pedro Creek Culture Park near Fox Tech High School. Developers plan to open it in time for the 2028 baseball season.

The deal is estimated to cost $160 million, including the land purchase and development; the Missions will chip in $34 million. The remaining funds will come from revenues of bond sales issued by a new San Pedro Creek Development Authority, and from the existing Houston Street Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

The project will require demolition of the neighboring Soap Factory Apartments, and relocation of tenants. The developers promise to offer $2,500 to help displaced tenants in their transition. Developers plan to redevelop the apartment property beginning in fall 2025.

Ballpark supporters said the project could spark $1 billion in new economic redevelopment around the new stadium, including a hotel and apartments.

Some backers added a new downtown Minor League Baseball stadium could get Major League Baseball’s attention, and advance efforts to build a new downtown Spurs arena. The Spurs’ lease at their current home, Frost Bank Center on the East Side, expires in 2031.

The Missions’ owners want to show MLB they are committed to a new stadium that meets MLB’s facility requirements.

“As of now the San Antonio Missions’ baseball field is positioned too far away to draw large crowds,” small business owner Heather O'Neill said. “(A new stadium) will draw people from all over the city, bring more economic growth and commerce to existing businesses, and bring new businesses to the downtown and Southtown areas.”

Project opponents said the deal was rushed, that Soap Factory tenants had no chance for input, and that displacement will hurt residents who are already financially struggling.

Still, critics such Stewart Blanton of community group COPS (Communities Organized for Public Service)/Metro are willing to give the project a chance so long as the developers engage neighbors.

“COPS/Metro is not opposed to the stadium or economic growth for San Antonio, but not at the expense of its residents,” Blanton said. “COPS/Metro will continue to watch each phase of this project, and hold the city and developers accountable to the plan.”

Courtesy San Antonio Missions

A sold-out crowd enjoys a San Antonio Missions game on July 4, 2024, at Wolff Stadium.

downtown stadium minor league baseball san pedro creek san antonio missions