LAST CALL

Favorite San Antonio craft beer bar taps out of Midtown

Growler Exchange Midtown will close on December 13.

It’s last call for The Growler Exchange’s Midtown shop. The owners of the popular neighborhood hangout craft announced that the 914 E. Elmira St. craft beer bar will permanently close on December 13 after two years of business.

“With all the memories and great times, it’s tough to say this, but our Midtown location is closing,” the owners wrote on an Instagram post. “Don’t worry, we wouldn’t do it without some beer specials for all of you.”

Sure enough, Growler Exchange fans can help to clear out the remaining inventory during the last days of business. Specials this week include $5 pints and 30% off growler fills.

The owners also reminded patrons to bring their own food to the bar because the on-site kitchen will not reopen during these final days of operations. The beer bar is open noon-11 pm, Thursday and Friday, and noon-10 pm, Wednesday and Saturday, the final day.

The Growler Exchange did not give a reason for closing the Midtown location, but the post-COVID era has been a particularly tough time for the craft beer industry. Since 2022, the San Antonio area has seen the closure of several breweries and taprooms.

Local craft beer bar chain Big Hops has had multiple franchises close in recent years, with the Potranco Road storefront being shuttered earlier this fall. San Antonio’s Vista Brewing location, K ünstler Brewing’s Tap Haus, Man Overboard Brewin g, and Freetail Brewing’s Southtown location also tapped out in 2025.

The craft beer industry is struggling nationwide, according to media reports, many of which point to inflation, rising business expenses, and changing drinking habits.

However, The Growler Exchange’s owners said it is business as usual at their well-established Mahncke Park shop at 4130 Broadway St., where 30-plus beers are currently on tap and various types of pizza are baked fresh.

“Don’t worry, folks, Broadway is here to stay,” The Growler Exchange Midtown post stated. “Long live The Growler Exchange!”“Don’t worry, folks, Broadway is here to stay,” The Growler Exchange Midtown post stated. “Long live The Growler Exchange!”

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

Popular Canadian chicken chain spreads wings in San Antonio

6ixty Wings/ Facebook

These are just a few of 6ixty Wings' 60 flavors.

Canadian chicken chain 6ixty Wings is going all-in on San Antonio. After opening its first U.S. restaurant in Rogers Ranch in January, the Ontario-based franchise is already slated to open a second outpost at 12030 Culebra Rd in summer 2026.

The concept was founded in Ontario in 2021 and quickly became one of Canada’s fastest-growing franchises. While San Antonio’s current location at 2703 N Loop 1604 W #106 is the only outpost outside its home country, it has restaurants in the works in Dallas and Houston and in international destinations like Dubai, London, Sydney, and New Delhi.

True to its name, 6ixty Wings offers a menu stacked with 60 different flavors. The lengthy list, handily divided by profile on the website, covers crowd pleasers like lemon pepper, garlic Parmesan, and spicy ranch, but then takes a detour from popular chains like Wing Stop. Guests can order globally inspired wings seasoned with chipotle mango, tandoori spices, or sriracha, or sink their teeth into novelty wings like dill pickle.

Diners who want a break from chicken can also dig into a towering double-patty burger, a salad topped with popcorn shrimp, quesadillas, or grilled wraps. Sides include garlic bread, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, and loaded fries. One of the latter purports to be dusted with Tex-Mex seasoning, but San Antonio will be the judge of that.

Local customers will also be happy to know that the prices are generally affordable. One pound and one flavor runs $15.99, and there are several combo deals that give wing fans a little more bang for the buck. Most of the appetizers and sides are in the $8-$12 range, and the cheesecake dessert is only $4.99.

6ixty Wings did not immediately return a request for more information on the opening timeline. But the chain's recently filed Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project details estimate that the finish-out will wrap up in June 2026. State records are subject to change and do not always represent actual opening dates.

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