Hey! Ho! Let's Go
Veteran San Antonio bar owners strike a chord with 2 new Southtown concepts
Roger Herr (left) and Aaron Peña have teamed up to open a pair of Southtown bars.
Mere days after announcing the shutter of St. Mary’s Strip bar Squeezebox, Aaron Peña is on a blitzkrieg. The Amor Eterno proprietor has teamed up with Roger Herr of Bar Loretta to introduce two new Southtown concepts in the former home of Francis Bogside.
Opening in mid-July, the sibling bars are the first collaboration between the industry vets. The upcoming spots, Forged over a shared love of music, are named in tribute to two of the giants of ‘70s rock.
Gimme Gimme, a reference to Ramones’ 1977 track “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment,” will fittingly offer a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. Though menu details were not included in the press release, the bar will offer craft cocktails and a full food menu developed by Bar Loretta partners Michael Neff and Paul Petersen, respectively.
“Growing up in San Antonio, I’ve always known our city as the home of rock ‘n’ roll,” explained Herr via a release. “The inspiration for Gimme Gimme comes from wanting to create our own version of what we think a rock ‘n’ roll bar can be. Great music, great food, great cocktails, great service, and always a sense of humor.”
Adjacent to the more raucous environment of Gimme Gimme, A Perfect Day will be a wine-bar offering small bites and batched cocktails. Again, the name draws inspiration from a ‘70s classic — Lou Reed’s similarly named B-side to the eternal “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Though the concepts are a departure for both bar owners, they look forward to bringing an edge to the popular entertainment district.
“Musically, the 14-year-old punk rocker version of my younger self is really excited to help curate the selection of tunes we will feature inside both Gimme Gimme and A Perfect Day,” says Peña. “I think the neighborhood is going to love having an additional late night food and beverage option in the most walkable neighborhood in San Antonio.”
