NEWS YOU CAN EAT
3 bar openings and a seafood joint's demise capsize San Antonio restaurant news
This beloved oyster bar may be docked for good.
Fiesta time is just around the corner, so it’s time to train the liver for the long haul. Luckily, three new bars have opened to prepare locals for San Antonio’s booziest Olympiad, and a beloved icehouse tradition returns for more marathon action.
Openings and closings
42-year-old Alamo City icon Dry Dock Oyster Bar appears to have wandered into troubled waters. The sudden shutter, first noticed by a San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group member and confirmed by CultureMap, was due to nonpayment of rent. It’s unclear whether the restaurant plans to get back afloat. Its distinctive boat-shaped building surely has limited appeal for non-seafood eateries.
A retro-themed nightclub and restaurant is now moonwalking in Stone Oak. According to a social media post, Billie Jean Bar and Grill debuted on February 10 at 20711 Wilderness Oak. The expansive space features vintage arcade games, wide screens playing vintage movies, and a light-up floor. The food is an easygoing mix of burgers, tacos, tenders, and pizzas, with colorful drinks that echo the Trapper Keeper tangle of neon lights.
Meanwhile, Conversa Elevated is now offering a more subdued experience in North San Antonio. The two-level cocktail lounge from the Four Skillets Group launched its grand opening week on February 21 at 20327 I-10 #170. As the name implies, the team hopes to provide a tonier experience for guests, offering original cocktails and small bites from former Restaurant Gwendolyn chef de cuisine Andreas Olivier Imhof and consulting chef Teddy Liang. A dress code and a pricey member’s only VIP program will add to the swagger.
Ruff stuff! Six months after handing over the reins of its Jones Maltzberger Road outpost to Pups and Pals, Hops and Hounds has opened its downtown location at Museum Reach. Social media posts show a sprawling outdoor patio for pet owners and a decked-out playground for their furry friends.
Washington-based Trapper’s Sushi Co. is doubling its presence in San Antonio, according to Texas Department of Licensing and regulation records. The small chain, known for all-you-can-eat rolls and Japanese fusion fare, only has one other Texas storefront in Dove Creek. The new location will open at 6626 W. Loop 164 N. #222 in Culebra Commons after renovations wrap up in late April. It’s unclear whether the new Trapper’s will similarly operate as an employee-owned partnership.
Other news and notes
Although gold medals eluded them, several local breweries took home honors at the February 17 Texas Craft Brewers Cup. Dorćol Distilling and Brewing, Wild Barley Kitchen & Brewery, and Longtab Brewing Company nabbed silvers. Freetail Brewing Company, Flix Brewhouse, Back Unturned Brewing Co., and Alamo Beer Company can now brag about bronzes.
Speaking of beer, San Antonio’s third annual Icehouse Week kicks off on February 23. The initiative, founded by The Friendly Spot and Bruno’s Dive Bar co-owner Jody Bailey Newman and Dakota Eastside Icehouse’s Kent Oliver, raises funds for local nonprofit LiftFund while celebrating South Texas’ essential icehouse culture. Head to the event website for more details on participants and deals.
Need even more suds? CultureMap just released its nominees for the Tastemaker Award for San Antonio Brewery of the Year. Plan a weekend pub crawl with our roundup.
