Hey, the Cowboys didn’t make it to the end. That’s something San Antonians will have to live with. But chances are, most locals will be watching the Super Bowl on February 12 anyway. The commercials are (mostly) clever. Riri is performing for the first time in years. And, at the very least, it’s an excuse to tackle a mountain of mozzarella sticks. Whatever one’s reason for watching the big game, it’s more fun to watch with a crowd. Let these 10 local spots be your weekend goal.
Backyard on Broadway
This Alamo Heights-area complex is kid-friendly until 9 pm, which should be just enough time to see the last touchdown. It’s pet-friendly, too, in case Rover is a big Eagles fan.
Big’z Burger Joint
This UTSA-area hangout is full of genius ideas for the championship day. For one, the $2 Gatorade shots are a brilliant blend of hydration and intoxication. Have one too many? Soak them up with the All-American burger, a monster half-pound Angus patty topped with a butterflied hot dog.
Charlie Brown’s
With plenty of screens to watch the action and a quiet enough atmosphere to discuss the commercials, this North Side neighborhood haunt is as comfortable as an old jersey. The food wears equally well, especially the pizza and its killer rib eye deal.
The Friendly Spot
No, the name wasn’t plucked out of a hat. This rambling bar really is one of the most sociable spots in town. Keep the camaraderie going with hundreds of craft brews and shareable snacks like Buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers and fried cheese curds. Then, settle in to watch the big game on a giant inflatable screen.
The Hangar
Not a huge football fan? This Broadway strip bar has plenty of games to keep fair-weather fans busy until halftime. The menu is mainly fried, but there’s no sport in salads. Munch on the celery served with a dozen wings for a bit of roughage.
Lucy Cooper’s Ice House
No food pairs with football better than wings, so here’s the Sunday game plan. Head to this North Side icehouse and pony up $49.99 for 40 cluckers. Choose up to four sauces and wash it down with a $12 beer bucket. Way to be on the ball!
McIntyre's
Get cracking to this luxe Southtown sports bar, and you might go home $1,000 richer. Still, football squares isn’t the only game available. Cravorites will be dishing out crawfish from 2-6 pm, and the bar will be cranking out $20 mimosa carafes and domestic beer buckets until 8 pm. The big game, of course, will be broadcast from multiple flatscreens.
Picks Bar
This North San Antonio hot spot is staging a drag brunch and a Super Bowl watch party on the same day, which is reason enough to visit. It also has a sturdy cocktail program (both boozy and zero-proof) for those who punt on the usual longnecks.
Tony’s Siesta
There are Chiefs fans, there are Eagles fans, then there is the Rihanna Navy. The latter will be at Tony’s Siesta for a Gay-lentines bash featuring themed cocktails, bubbles, a food pop-up, a DJ, and the most important concert of the year. Score!
spirited events
Whiskey tasting festival to make San Antonio debut with 200 distilled faves
With more than 20,000 different whiskey brands in the world, exploring the diverse flavors and nuances can be an expensive endeavor. But the upcoming Whiskey Riot festival is the perfect opportunity for whiskey lovers of all levels to expand their palates without breaking the bank.
Featuring more than 200 whiskies to sample, and exclusive access to rare bottles, the festival promises to be a spirit-filled event for aficionados and novices alike. The festival visits San Antonio's Freeman Expo Hall on May 18 for a day of sipping.
“It's a great way to really taste and do side-by-side comparisons across a large portfolio of whiskies” said Whiskey Riot co-founder Bobby Finan in February about the event's stop in Austin.
Whether your preference is bourbon, rye, or scotch, you'll get to taste a wide range of styles and brands. The final list hasn’t been released yet, but “historical partners” are listed on the festival’s website. Among them are:
- Jim Beam
- Maker’s Mark
- Bulleit
- Jameson
- Wild Turkey
- WhistlePig
- Prizefight
- Devils River
- The Macallan
- Sazerac Rye
- Jack Daniels
- Woodford Reserve
- Uncle Nearest
- Milam & Greene
- Still Austin
- Garrison Brothers
- And many more
Whiskey Riot is also a valuable learning opportunity for newcomers to develop their whiskey knowledge. Guests can learn directly from brand ambassadors what distinguishes different whiskey styles.
"You can just learn little tidbits and stuff about the brands, little pieces of the story that would be hard to find online," said Finan. “By understanding what you’re tasting, sometimes those stories make the whiskey taste even better.”
In addition to the tastings, specialty cocktail bars will serve drinks made with featured brands like Bardstown Bourbon Company, with each guest receiving one complimentary cocktail coupon. The final brand list will be released in March 2024.
In case keeping track of all those sips gets to be a little much, the festival supplies a tasting worksheet for email subscribers. There will likely be more than enough time waiting in lines to make careful notes. These events can be logistically challenging (unless you’ve perfected your bare-hand multi-item claw grip), so if you plan to fill out a worksheet, consider bringing a bag to free up your hands.
Tickets ($90 general admission) are only available online via Tixr, and include access to the tastings, an official glass, and one cocktail made with your choice of featured brands. For $120, VIP ticket holders get early entry, plus access to exclusive rare bottles not available during general admission hours.