https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/ The best articles on the web en-us Copyright 2026 by me RebelMouse JS Custom Feeds Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:00:00 EDT San Antonio Texas Local News Breaking News Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:01 EDT 15 https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8zMTczMjk4My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc5MTg2NjAwMn0.XSOu0dzguUpOcAg4R2FqPvmknNgrwi83nJv4HyuqEMc/image.png?width=210 https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/ San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/city-life/popular-stories-little-joes-closed/ Editor's note: The top San Antonio stories of the week include an ice house's last call and a record store's return. Plus, New Braunfels boasts the hottest ZIP in the U.S. Read on for our most popular stories, then plan your weekend via this guide.]]> 2677571083 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:01 EDT Arden Ward City Life San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/i-want-your-sex-review/ Three Bewildered People in the Night — in 1987. Most of them have had plotlines that revolved around sex in one way or another, and for his latest - his first film in 12 years - he’s putting it right there in the title, I Want Your Sex.]]> 2677492987 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:00:02 EDT Alex Bentley Entertainment San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/travel/statue-liberty-exhibition-fort-worth/ "The Statue of Liberty from Bartholdi to Warhol" will open August 15, for a nearly five-month run.]]> 2677463946 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:00:05 EDT Alex Bentley Travel San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/seaworld-howl-o-scream-2026/ theme park will debut a new haunted attraction for its annual Howl-O-Scream spook fest based on one of the ‘90s biggest slashers.

I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch opens simultaneously at SeaWorld San Antonio, Orlando, and San Diego on September 11. The original film follows four friends who are hunted by a hook-wielding killer after covering up a deadly car accident.

Released in 1997, the film has become a blockbuster franchise and a nostalgic favorite. That's due in no small part to its all-star cast, featuring icons like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.

The haunted house version will take thrill seekers through some of the most harrowing scenes, though visitors will have to wait to see if it reproduces the Croaker Beauty Pageant.

"We're always looking for new ways to raise the bar on immersive entertainment, and bringing I Know What You Did Last Summer to our Howl-O-Scream events is an exciting milestone for all three SeaWorld parks," said Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, in a statement, calling this year's lineup the company's most ambitious Howl-O-Scream yet.

Once open, the haunted house joins the rest of Howl-O-Scream's usual mix of scare zones, live entertainment, themed bars, and after-dark coaster rides.

Unlike the Orlando and San Diego parks, where Howl-O-Scream requires a separate ticket, San Antonio guests can raise their blood pressure with regular park admission. For those who want to be terrified on the cheap, the company is running a limited-time summer sale with discounts on tickets and passes across all three locations.]]> 2677431500 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:00:02 EDT Brandon Watson Entertainment San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/city-life/patrick-mouratoglou-tennis-center-opening/ Patrick Mouratoglou is opening a new 100,000-square-foot complex at 6422 East Campus Dr.

On July 30, a local firm tied to French conglomerate Eren Groupe filed Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project details for the facility, currently set to wrap up construction by December. Although most of the corporation’s companies are tied to energy and HVAC solutions, it also has a sports division that operates trampoline parks and tennis centers.

Although Mouratoglou’s name is not on the filing, Eren is closely tied to his brand. CultureMap was unable to get a direct comment from the company by deadline. Still, a job listing posted on LinkedIn confirms that the firm is hiring a tennis director for San Antonio.

San Antonio may not seem like the obvious choice for a Mouratoglou Tennis Center. Most of the locations are tied to luxury resorts in far-flung locales like New York, Dubai, Beijing, and the French Riviera. Texas does, however, have one outpost at the Horseshoe Bay Resort, opened in May 2024.

Although exact details are not available, Mouratoglou Tennis Center offers multiple tennis and pickleball courses and appeals to players of all skill levels. Personalized training is available following the coach’s lauded methods.

That’s no small thing for San Antonians looking to become the next tennis G.O.A.T. or at least own their friends with a double bagel. In addition to guiding Williams through 10 of her 23 Grand Slam titles, Mouratoglou has worked with Holger Rune and Naomi Osaka.]]> 2677408899 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:30:02 EDT Brandon Watson City Life San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/fashion/uniqlo-north-park-mall-opening/ recently lost pricey retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, but the mall is already attracting a buzzy new tenant. Japanese retailer Uniqlo is opening its first San Antonio shop in 2027.

The company was founded in 1984 in Hiroshima. Founder Tadashi Yanai took over his father’s suiting store, transforming it into a hub for casual unisex basics. Initially, the brand was set to be registered as a shortened contraction of "unique clothing.” An administrative mishap mistook the “C” for a “Q.” Yanai saw it as a happy accident and adopted the misspelling throughout Japan.

Now, the store is a global retail giant with more than 2,500 international locations. Their first U.S. store opened in 2005 in New Jersey, but it’s a newcomer to Texas. The brand’s first five Lone Star locations — two in Houston and three in the Dallas-Fort Worth area — debuted in 2024.

Although often considered a fast-fashion retailer, Uniqlo takes a different approach to competitors like H&M and Zara. Instead of borrowing trends from designer runways, it mostly sticks to everyday wear like t-shirts, fleece outerwear, jeans, and a rainbow assortment of socks.

That doesn’t mean that it isn’t coveted. Its Heattech range of cold-weather gear has long been a fashionista secret in frostier climes. And the label has long been putting an artsy spin on its basics by licensing designs from the estates of Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring.

More recently, it has found success by collaborating with big designer names, although it takes a more underground approach than, say, Gucci-North Face. Avant-garde standard-bearer Jil Sander served as the brand’s creative director from 2009-2011.

Since then, Uniqlo has hitched its star to fashion insiders, working with cult brands like Engineered Garments, JW Anderson, and Anya Hindmarch and legendary figures such as former Vogue France editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld and former Chanel muse Inès de la Fressange.

Uniqlo also has a collab with tennis great Roger Federer, which surely keeps Anna Wintour happy.]]> 2677386731 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:00:04 EDT Brandon Watson Fashion + Beauty popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/bonham-exchange-closing-fire-code/ Bonham Exchange says it will be back in time for its annual Fiesta day party. Still, it is not quite the timeline it had hoped. The owners say upgrades mandated by the city’s fire code will pull the plug on San Antonio’s oldest LGBTQ+ bar for four to five months.

The temporary closure, beginning August 1, is the culmination of a battle spurred by a 2018 ordinance that sought to bring the city’s entertainment venues up to international fire code standards. The city gave businesses five years to comply with the rules, but enforcement was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bonham — along with Club 727, Heat Nightclub, Industry Nightclub, I-10 Icehouse, Nuevo Volcan, and Paper Tiger — was one of seven bars that failed to install automatic fire sprinklers, a requirement for any venue with 300-plus occupancy that serves alcohol.

Tempers flare
The issue came to a head in February when three council members — Dr. Sukh Kaur (D1), Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2), and Teri Castillo (D5) — called for a February vote to extend the city deadline for the Bonham, the only venue not to sign an interim city agreement that allowed clubs to keep operating at limited capacity. At the time, Bonham management argued that the drastically reduced occupancy would cause the nightclub to shutter, and the $550,000 price tag for a new sprinkler system was too much to immediately bear.

On February 5, a closed-session meeting pushed the extension vote to February 12. Later the same day, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones announced to reporters that a deal had been struck with Bonham to help it remain open and pledged to help the club raise money.

Things were allegedly more contentious behind the scenes. According to the San Antonio Current, Bonham's general manager Joan Duckworth left Council Chambers that day nearly in tears. A behind-the-scenes fracas broke out, too. On February 9, Kaur filed a complaint against Jones, accusing the mayor of using “profanity, abusive language, and intimidating behavior” against her and Council staffers. The complaint ultimately led to the first mayoral censure in 75 years.

History endures
The heightened emotions were felt by many in San Antonio’s queer community. Although one of several San Antonio “gay bars,” the Bonham Exchange has presided over 45 years of LGBTQIA-plus progress. When local entrepreneur Arthur Patrick "Hap" Veltman Jr. opened it in 1981, queer safety was far from guaranteed.

The need for sanctuary became especially acute in the ensuing years when the AIDS epidemic ravaged the gay community, triggering a wave of national backlash including public health panic, media sensationalism, and ingrained homophobia. Bonham became a place to grieve loss and organize action. Amidst a storm of anti-trans and drag legislation, it still serves that function today.

Progress stalls
Little progress seemed to follow after Jones announced the agreement with Bonham leadership. A May fundraiser and an ongoing GoFundMe have together raised a fraction of what's needed to cover the bill.

Earlier in July, Duckworth and Bonham attorney Javier Guerra told KSAT that Jones never helped fundraise, but arranged a meeting with Bryant Ambelang, CEO of Silver Ventures, the development company behind the Pearl, to go over business ideas, including splitting the club among multiple operators. At the time, Bonham was still seeking an extension to the sprinkler deadline.

“The only contact I’ve had is where she brought in totally new business ideas that would take away it from being the gay institution it’s been for 45 years,” Duckworth told the news station.

Legacy continues
While the nightclub will go dark at midnight on August 1, the nonprofit overseeing it, The Happy Foundation, assures the community that “the Bonham Exchange is here to stay.” It has secured funding to install sprinkler systems and make club upgrades like refinishing the ballroom floors and upgrading the sound system.

“For decades, this has been a place where people come together to dance, celebrate, connect, and make memories,” wrote the foundation in a statement. “We know what that means, and we are committed to caring for this building so it can keep welcoming generations of San Antonians and their guests.”

For their part, city officials are committed to bringing the Bonham back to life as soon as possible.

“The City’s priority is protecting patrons, employees, residents and first responders,” said a staffer in a statement. “We will expedite all necessary reviews, permits and inspections. Once each sprinkler system is installed and passes inspection, the City will promptly issue permanent Certificates of Occupancy.”]]> 2677360068 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:30:01 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/texas-rent-prices-report/ Millions of Texas renters, both current residents and new arrivals, suffer from wallet whiplash. 2677294167 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:00:01 EDT John Egan Real Estate San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/spiderman-brand-new-day-review/ No Way Home by bringing back two former Spider-Mans - Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield - to assist Tom Holland in a multiversal storyline.]]> 2677293780 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:00:02 EDT Alex Bentley Entertainment San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/paramour-phipps-closing-downtown/ Paramour’s future is uncertain as it faces being moved from its 102 Ninth St. home.

“We may be forced to move, and it is disrupting Paramour’s ability to keep our word to always be there for our family,” the business wrote on Instagram. “To live up to that commitment, we are considering pausing this version of Paramour while we plan the next evolution of this iconic San Antonio night spot.”

Paramour did not share when it expects to vacate the space, but the move seems very likely. The Phipps building, now known as The Paradigm, is currently seeking new tenants. According to a brochure from management company Foresite Commercial Real Estate, which includes Suite 400, the space Paramour currently occupies.

Although some downtown hotels like St. Anthony used their rooftops for socializing as early as the early 1900s, Paramour was San Antonio’s first modern rooftop bar when it opened in 2015. The decor was peak Instagram, with neon signs, kilim rugs, and birdcage chairs. And it hosted regular drag brunches, a rarity outside the Main Street strip.

The bar program was something new, too. Originally led by Chris Ware, the bar program was a serious mix of classics and originals, sold at a then-hefty price: $11.

In recent years, however, the business has been known as much for its controversies as its cocktails. In 2021, owner and attorney Martin J. Phipps was accused of harassing his ex-wife, charges that were later dropped. That same year, his law firm collapsed when several employees resigned, alleging a hostile work environment.

After running into financial troubles in 2022, Phipps reportedly sold the building to his friend and Fort Worth businessman Darren Connel. In 2025, he lost a bitter court battle; Phipps failed to regain the title and was ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in damages and attorney’s fees to Connel. In March, Paramour was briefly locked out of its home due to alleged unpaid rent.

A social media request for more information on Paramour’s future plans was not immediately returned. In the post, the bar suggested that it might move, stating that “the address might change,” but “Paramour won’t.”

Still, if the bar does change locales, it will face a much more competitive market for rooftop real estate. In the 11 years since the bar opened, it has been joined by a host of sky-high hotel destinations that offer a much higher vantage point than Paramour’s fourth-floor perch.]]> 2677293372 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:00:04 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/alebrije-panaderia-popup-poetic-coffee/ Alebrije Panadería is holding a two-day pop-up at Poetic Republic Coffee (2330 S Presa St.) August 8-9.

Alebrije has been mostly quiet since owners Cris Méndez and Claudio Navarro shuttered their Government Hill shop in May 2024. At the time, the husband-and-wife duo explained they were going “through a personal and career transition that makes it difficult for us to continue running our beloved project at the standard we hold ourselves to.”

Although the closure was framed as temporary, Alebrije never reopened. The bakery’s social media profiles went dark until July 15, when Méndez posted a video in the style of the “preparing for my Netflix documentary” meme. On July 20, she told the full story.

“I feel like I had to put a mask in getting to the bakery…and nothing was happening, but it wasn’t having the sellings that we need,” she said. “And by that point, we were putting money from our own pockets to kind of like continue the bakery.”

Méndez went on to explain that she would have had to fire her staff to continue running the panadería. When she was presented with an outside opportunity that would allow her to work with her team, she took it.

Alebrije started as a delivery business in 2019, before opening at 1931 N New Braunfels Ave. in 2022. The concept drew immediate acclaim for its moist pink cake, guava rolls, and marranitos. Texas Monthly Taco Editor Jose R. Ralat called the conchas some of the best he has had in Texas or Mexico.

In a follow-up video, Méndez said she wasn’t sure if she would ever open a brick-and-mortar, but she still has the baking bug. She promised that the Poetic pop-up was the first of more one-off engagements to come.

Alebrije has not shared the menu or the hours for the August event. We will update this article should the bakery reach out with more specifics.]]> 2677292780 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:30:04 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/bruce-campbell-ernie-emma-tour/ The Evil Dead. Instead, he is skipping traditional distribution to bring his newest film, Ernie & Emma, directly to the people.]]> 2677292243 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:00:01 EDT Brandon Watson Entertainment popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/everbowl-alamo-ranch-opening/ A shuttered Alamo Ranch shop will soon trade cannabis for chia pudding. Everbowl is making its San Antonio debut inside the former Purely CBD space at 5619 W Loop 1604 N. #117. 2677291850 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:30:03 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/weekend-events-7-30-2026/ Hamilton at Majestic Theatre or see headbang to screamo greats Silverstein and Story of the Year. Check out the top seven things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.]]> 2677284311 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:00:04 EDT Paige Turner Entertainment San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/smashd-burgers-doubling-size/ Smash’d (520 E Grayson St.) is more than doubling its size — and that means more air conditioning.

“The San Antonio community has shown their appreciation through continued growth in new and repeat customers and Smash’d is responding with an exciting expansion that will increase interior and exterior space as well as our ability to serve a larger audience with an expanded kitchen,” said the restaurant in a prepared statement.]]> 2677288891 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:02 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/cheeseme-cheese-shop-opening-pearl/ CheeseMé will relocate its Beacon Hill location to 1107 E Quincy St. near the Pearl on Thursday, July 30.

Jessica Mueller, sister-in-law Melinda Mueller, and friend Sandrine McCurdy first opened CheeseMé next door to Folklores Coffee House in January 2025, closing the shop the following January. Since then, the team has been renovating a charming bungalow steps away from Pearl.]]> 2677287987 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:00:04 EDT Brandon Watson Restaurants + Bars popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/hottest-zip-codes-new-braunfels/
Nearly 5.3 million moves were recorded throughout the U.S. during the first six months of the year, according to MovingPlace's new 2026 mid-year migration report. An astounding eight of the top 10 U.S. ZIP codes attracting the most movers are based in Texas, with New Braunfels' 78130 ZIP code topping the national list with the highest number of moves during that timeframe.

A total of 2,930 moves have been recorded in 78130, which encompasses central New Braunfels, Gruene, Lake Dunlap, and stretches as far north as Hunter. New Braunfels has turned into a bustling boomtown for San Antonio families over the last several years, and frequently tops annual lists of the best places to live.

New Braunfels' rapid expansion demonstrates the "continued strength of the Central Texas growth corridor," MovingPlace said.

"Positioned between Austin and San Antonio, the city has become a major destination for families and relocating households seeking newer housing, more space, and a lower cost of living compared with nearby urban markets," the report's author wrote. "Strong population growth, expanding infrastructure, and a steady pipeline of residential development continue to drive demand."

The city boasts a population of nearly 95,800 residents, a median household income of $83,064, and its median home price sits at $296,300, according to the report's data.

San Antonio's 78253 ZIP code, stretching far west from Alamo Ranch into Rio Medina, ranked No. 10 nationally on MovingPlace's top 10 list of the hottest ZIP codes by total move volume so far in 2026. The area's population of 67,578 residents got a boost with 2,319 new moves recorded during the first half of the year.

The report designates this ZIP code as one of the "strongest growth areas" in San Antonio thanks to "large-scale residential development." Homes for sale in the 78253 area have a median price of just under $335,000.

"The area’s newer communities, access to major employers, and relative affordability compared with many Texas metros continue to attract families and relocating households," the report said.

These are the top 10 hottest ZIP codes in America right now:]]> 2677286803 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:15:01 EDT Amber Heckler Real Estate popular San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/gabriel-iglesias-fluffy-netflix-taping/ 10th comedy special on August 20 at downtown’s Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

Iglesias revealed the performance in an Instagram video touting two big announcements. But before introducing the sure-to-sell-out show, he had another priority: fans to his tiny new chihuahua, Bronco. After nibbling Bronco’s nose, he soon got down to business.

"I have a new comedy special that I'm gonna be recording next month, August 20, and I wanted to let you know the city that I'm doing it in,” he said, “It should come as no surprise — we were supposed to do it there the first time — San Antonio.”

Iglesias was referring to his 2021 Tobin Center residency, which he was forced to cut short after a COVID-19 diagnosis. The cancellation came two days before he planned to tape two gigs for an earlier Netflix special.

Although Iglesias’ main home is in Southern California, he is often sighted in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area, enough for locals to wonder if he has a second home near town. In 2024, he even hinted at a move.

“There is no question, and there should never be any question about the love I have for the 210,” he reportedly told a San Antonio audience. “All I got to say is…I’ll see you at Buc-ee’s.”

Since then, amateur paparazzi have spotted him at Los Gallos in New Braunfels, Grumpy’s Mexican Cafe, Garcia’s, and Taco Palenque. Further proving his San Antonio bona fides? During the video, he broke out into a few bars of Phyllis Sentiva Ochoa’s viral “Where We Roll” anthem.

Tickets for the Tobin taping go on sale at 2 pm via Iglesia’s website.]]> 2677286859 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:30:02 EDT Brandon Watson Entertainment San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/city-life/willie-nelson/ A country music legend is joining the conversation surrounding data centers in Texas. 2677286300 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:00:02 EDT KVUE Staff City Life San Antonio Texas Local News https://sanantonio.culturemap.com/news/city-life/witte-museum-friesenhahn-cave-exhibit/ Witte Museum is letting locals spelunk a space few ever get to see. "Adventures in Texas Deep Time” maps out Concordia University Texas’ Friesenhahn Cave, once the home of one of the Ice Age’s most fearsome cats.

The joint effort between the museum and university used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to scan the North Bexar County cave. For most, the resulting video will be a first look into the active paleontological site, considered one of the United States’ most significant Ice Age finds.

Only Los Angeles’ famed La Brea Tar Pits has yielded more Pleistocene vertebrate fossils. The cave has produced more than 4,000 specimens across ice age mammals, reptiles, and birds. The only entrance, used since the earliest twentieth-century explorations, is a vertical twenty-eight-foot shaft, and there are no plans to open Friesenhahn to the public.

“The Friesenhahn Cave offers an extraordinary window into Texas’ distant past and new technology allows us to advance our research into unearthing many of the cave’s secrets,” said Dr. Jennifer Hofmann, associate professor of biology at Concordia Texas, in a statement.

In addition to exploring the den of the scimitar-toothed Homotherium serum, “Adventures” digs up millions of years of history from archaeological and paleontological sites throughout the state. The exhibit features research into the Battle of Medina and a glimpse at ancient West Texas rock art.The display also walks visitors through the research. Patrons can discover giant Texas mosasaur fossils, search for hidden artifacts using archaeological tools, and create their own dinosaur trackway.]]> 2677286023 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:30:03 EDT Brandon Watson City Life