POUR DECISIONS
5 new bars shaking up San Antonio nightlife this summer
It's all immaculate vibes at Goodcompany.
Folks in the U.S. may be drinking less booze, but San Antonio bar owners are still betting that the city likes to party. This summer, five new bars have entered the chat, ranging from a Nashville-esque party bar to a surprisingly chic cocktail lounge at a longtime dive.
Thursty Turtle Below the Shell
The original Thursty Turtle may have been popping cold ones off Harry Wurzbach for more than a decade, but it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. In late July, the dive bar introduced a younger sibling, a new craft cocktail bar with a moody atmosphere, lounge seating, and a snazzy mural featuring Mercury in flight.
La Bandida
The interior of this River North newcomer is a telenovela fever dream, lit by veladoras and a swoon-worthy chandelier above the bar. The bar program is just as dramatic. The current signature — Knife in the Garter — adds poblano rose syrup, hibiscus tepache, mole bitters, and a pecan smoke tincture to mezcal. The bar only allows one per guest, saying “the drink earns its scarcity.” At $24, it' costs you less than a forbidden romance.
Goodcompany
Opened in May, this new Alamo Street project from the owners of Tryst has an upscale sports bar vibe with several flat screens airing the game. We think it would be just as suitable for a Housewives viewing party. Either way, the move is to sip a tropical cocktail perched on one of the deep banquettes while waiting on a brick-oven pizza.
The Break Room
The Live Oak standby recently branched out with a Perrin Beitel sequel, still serving a mix of affordable mixed drinks, pub grub, darts, and pool. While we’d eventually like to see something like the Simpsons-themed graffiti of the original, the new spot offers more space to roam and an easygoing vibe for a weeknight drink.
Moonshine Off Grayson
Owned by the team behind El Cevichero, this new watering hole is all Southern sass. Not quite a honky-tonk (think Shania, not Loretta), it delivers a Nashville-like feel with touches like Mason jar whiskey cocktails and bathroom wallpaper picturing vintage cowgirls. For a snack, hot chicken, of course, courtesy of a Pete’s food truck.
