While thousands descend on Austin for the annual South by Southwest bacchanal — including at least 9 San Antonio musicians or bands — Alamo City is enjoying a quieter week. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of bar and restaurant news to sink your teeth into.

Openings and closings

The implosion of America’s craft beer industry has claimed another victim. Via social media, lauded brewer Second Pitch Beer Company announced that it would shutter March 16. Although the owners did not share the reason for the abrupt move, changes in drinking habits and overall economic worries have translated to a punishing environment for brewers nationwide.

An upscale speakeasy is now tucked into longtime Broadway watering hole Rebar. Niche opened with a bang on February 22 but has otherwise kept low key. Now, according to an Instagram post, the bar is in “full swing.” Guests can expect a more intimate environment than its parent bar with a curated collection of fancy cocktails.

Meanwhile, another bar has opened to take advantage of San Antonio’s current obsession with vacay vibes. Sunnyside Loungequietly debuted March 7 in Balcones Heights, taking over the former home of The Texan Icehouse. The spot doesn’t bill itself as a tiki bar, serving resort classics like Blue Hawaiians instead of volcano bowls. Fans of the genre will be delighted, however, with the plethora of tropical kitsch.

After dipping its toes in Alamo City waters in 2022, Missouri-based ice cream shop Andy’s Frozen Custard is expanding. According to a permit listing filed at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a new storefront will soon break ground at 9703 Potranco Rd. Though an official opening date has not been announced yet, the buildout should wrap up in November.

Oops! Even though we scour news weekly, occasionally we miss openings. This time we missed a big one. With little fanfare, cult burger chain Cuatro de Kilo opened its first U.S. location at 2411 Bandera Rd. #108 in June 2023. The brand has become a phenomenon in Mexico thanks to its jumbo Bestia burger and its unique rotating grills. Looks like we weren't the only ones — we found out through a new PR campaign.

Other news and notes

River Walk staple Ácenar Mexican Restaurant has launched a new menu ahead of its 20th anniversary. New dishes include cabrito with ancho salsa, chicken tinga empanadas, and several seafood dishes for Lent.

In another reminder of the importance of supporting homegrown restaurants, Sawasdee Thai Cuisinetook to Facebook to announce a few changes. City increased operational costs and continued pricing pressure, the eatery said it was editing down its huge 94-item menu to avoid raising prices overall. Although it did not share which menu items were getting the chop, it did offer hope for fans of particular dishes, saying that some favorites may return as specials.