Classic art and cocktails? Count us in.

The Bunker Mixology utilizes classic art for a refreshing new bar concept in downtown San Antonio

Inside at the Bunker Mixology.

Katherine Stinson

Nestled near the Majestic Theatre is an elegant new speakeasy-esque bar known as The Bunker Mixology. The entrance is marked by a vintage classic car to the right, and plenty of artistic intrigue once the steel door is opened.

The Bunker Mixology absolutely shines with its unique design details, from the classic art pieces adorning the walls (there's also a separate section with NFT art), the vintage car that greets you upon arrival (a peak photo opportunity before the door even opens), and the illuminated hallway guiding guests to the restrooms.

Photo-ops aside, the Bunker Mixology truly lives up to its name with its innovative cocktail menu. Based on the concept of the owner's fine art collection, each cocktail on the menu is named after a famous art piece. Thankfully, guests don't have to be as rich as fine arts dealers themselves to order a drink off the menu (the way the prices were notated on said menu was also a clever, subtle detail in the bar's design scheme).

Cocktail options match the art adorning the walls, from the $16 gin-based Marilyn Monroe cocktail (with a touch of 24 karat gold, naturally), the floral-centric $16 Great Wave of Kanagawa vodka drink, and more. Naturally, there is a mezcal-focused Mona Lisa cocktail on the menu (Da Vinci's iconic art subject is situated on the wall where she sees all at the Bunker Mixology), complete with a tortilla salt rim and Serrano and bell pepper ice cubes.

Ordering a cocktail at the Bunker Mixology is an artistic process in itself — although the art and cocktails were understandably the stars of the show, the Bunker's hardworking bartenders deserve a spotlight as well, for their dedication to ensuring that each cocktail's design details lived up to the art on the walls (truly putting the "craft" in craft cocktails).

There are some legitimate premium cocktail experiences on the menu that do involve copious amounts of cash. This writer is still eager to see the serving process for the $6,000 Amour Eternel option, which involves Louis XIII cognac, elegance, and a Tiffany diamond necklace (no, seriously.)

One note – don't come to the Bunker looking for a full dinner to pair with your drinks. They have some light bite options, but if you need a meal, make sure to stop elsewhere either before or after your visit.

All in all, if you're looking for a quality cocktail in a classy space, artistic inspiration, or just some downright fun photo opportunities, the Bunker Mixology is definitely worth a visit the next time you're downtown.

The Bunker Mixology is located in the basement of 229 E. Houston St. Their official public opening is April 14.

NYT loves AUS

Pastry chef from San Antonio makes New York Times Best Bakeries list

Comadre Panadería/Instagram

Comadre Panadería is known for nostalgic Mexican bakes with feminine flair.

The New York Times has once again shined its spotlight on Austin’s culinary scene. It included Comadre Panadería, an Austin bakery by San Antonio native Mariela Camacho, on its new list of the 22 of the Best Bakeries Across the U.S. Right Now.

Interim food critic Priya Krishna praises pastry chef Camacho’s pastries that include conchas and her signature pink cake. “Despite their saccharine appearances, not one of the desserts is overly cloying, and even the coffee drinks (Texas pecan horchata! Cranberry vanilla agua fresca!) strike the playful tone of the pastries,” she writes.

Comadre Panadería has been widely recognized, including by this publication; Camacho, who is now based in Ausitn, won Pastry Chef of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Austin Tastemaker Awards. She also earned a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.

Camacho and Comadre as a whole are both invested in using baked goods to make a more equitable world, from the bakery's early days as a fundraiser for disaster relief, to a current insistence on charging enough to support ethical and organic foods, and paying staff enough to keep up with rising costs in Austin.

Although Camacho was born in San Antonio and started her baking career there, she also spent a significant time in Seattle, Washington, where Comadre started as a pop-up. According to Austin Monthly, she then moved back to San Antonio, and then to Austin. But no matter where she is, the Mexican cooking traditions of her ancestors take precedent.

Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panaderia in Austin Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panaderia. Courtesy photo

The Times also recognized Houston's Koffeteria. Krishna hails the bakery for pastry chef-owner Vanarin Kuch’s creative fare that includes dishes such as beef pho kolaches, Chinese sausage breakfast tacos, and butter mochi.

“Some of Mr. Kuch’s offerings are rooted in his Cambodian American identity — he makes cornbread with the coconutty, scallion-forward flavors of Cambodian street corn — while others are odes to Houston’s multicultural makeup. But most of the fun of Koffeteria is having no idea what Mr. Kuch will do next, and eagerly awaiting his next innovation,” Krishna writes.

Open since 2019, Koffeteria has been riding high this year. It earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Outstanding Bakery and a CultureMap Houston Tastemaker Award for Pastry Chef of the Year.

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Comadre Panadería and Koffeteria are the only Texas establishments to make the Times’ list. Only California and New York City, which each have three representatives, earn more recognition.

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