IDLE HANDS

Easygoing brewery pours into booming River North in San Antonio

The San Antonio area has been called the next big thing for so long that it’s been hard to keep up with the hype. National publications like Eaterare wowed by our culinary diversity; Condé Nast Travelerpractically lives at Hotel Emma — heck, even the Gray Lady pulls up her monocle to have a closer look. The only question left to ask is when next becomes now.

That may be closer than locals think, as a new brewery plans to make Alamo City home. Unlike most homegrown players in the city’s beer arena, this one comes from one of the major forces behind Los Angeles’ nightlife scene.

Californian hospitality group Pouring With Heart will debut Idle Beer Hall & Brewery this summer at 711 Broadway — the property adjacent to the upcoming food hall Make Ready Market. The concept, developed in collaboration with Hixon Properties, will be the firm’s second foray into San Antonio after acquiringThree Star Bar in October 2022.

Details are still forthcoming, but a press release promises Idle will serve an ever-changing selection of approachable craft beer, draft cocktails, and an affordable array of agave spirits. There was no mention of a food program, but guests can enjoy scores of bites from Make Ready’s lineup of 10 food vendors.

While waiting on the menu, San Antonians can marvel at another stellar example of one of the city’s strengths, adaptive reuse. Accomplished firm Studio8 made use of the historic Cavender Cadillac property for both Make Ready Market and Idle. The beer hall will be housed in the former machine shop of what once was a car lot.

Lilianne Steckel, an Austin interior designer responsible for some of the city’s most popular eateries, offset the industrial elements of the structure with earthy materials. Mexican-inspired features like carved wooden doors and equipale chairs add warmth — along with a collection of rafter slogans to remind patrons to sit and relax.

While future patrons may be lounging, the players behind this River North development make it clear that the 305-year-old city is about to see some significant change. Buckle those seatbelts; it’s going to be a blockbuster summer.

Renderings by Studio8

Idle Brewing's building was adapted from a former car dealer machine shop.

beer craft beer river walk openings

Happy New Year

12 top New Year's Eve events to ring in 2025 across San Antonio

San Antonio Parks Foundation / Facebook

Several San Antonio hotels, restaurants and bars will offer special menus and events on New Year's Eve..

While San Antonians are preparing Christmas festivities, there are plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations to look forward to. Events are being offered at local restaurants, bars, and hotels, where partygoers can enjoy lots of activities and amenities to welcome 2025.

Read each listing carefully for a full scope of events; some locations include multiple venues with multiple offerings.

Kimpton Santo Hotel
431 S. Alamo St.
Tenfold Rooftop at one of San Antonio’s newest high-end hotels will have a black-and-white party for New Year's Eve. Interested guests can choose between a pre-party and a midnight party, with ticket options of general admission or VIP tables for four. Price varies between $100 to $1,800 based on the chosen party and ticket option. The pre-party is from 3-7:30 pm, and the midnight party goes from 8 pm to 1 am.

General admission includes small plates from the restaurant’s 10x Tour menu, complimentary coat check, and a DJ. The VIP table option adds cocktail service and a complimentary bottle of champagne.

Additionally, Dean’s Steak & Seafood is celebrating the new year by extending brunch service from December 28 through January 1.

Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar
722 S. St. Mary’s St.
The "Toast from the Top" celebration at Rosario's begins at 8 pm when patrons can enjoy music by DJ Steven Lee Moya, a photo booth, and rooftop views of the downtown fireworks. Individual tickets are $125 and include rooftop lounge access, a midnight champagne toast, party favors, a cash bar, and midnight bites.

Guests may also reserve a table for six for $800, which includes six individual tickets, reserved seating, a bottle of premium champagne, and all individual ticket amenities. For larger groups, a reserved table for eight is available for $1,050, offering the same perks with eight individual tickets and a bottle of premium champagne.

Tickets for Rosario’s New Year’s Eve celebration are now available on Eventbrite.

Pullman Market
221 Newell Ave.
These four new Pearl-area eateries are offering their own special menu options and experiences for New Year’s Eve revelers. Isidore will provide a variety of dining experiences. In the main dining room, Isidore will have a tasting experience highlighting locally sourced ingredients. The menu will feature seven courses for $140 per person, with an optional $75-per-person wine pairing. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

The bar at Isidore will also serve a special à la carte menu for the evening. Additionally, guests can enjoy an Old Fashioned and Martini cart, and a champagne tower at midnight.

Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Nicosi is going to roll out a two-hour experience combining the delectables served at the dessert bar with dishes available at his Austin Caribbean restaurant, Canje. Seatings are available at 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 10 pm, and are available to reserve on OpenTable. The experience is $120 per person with an optional $60 wine and cocktail pairings add-on.

Mezquite will have menu specials available while guests can enjoy live mariachi music from 6-9 pm and a DJ from 9 pm to midnight. Reservations are available on OpenTable and walk-ins are also encouraged.

Fife & Farro will have a special menu of pizzas and champagne to-go.

Copa Wine Bar
19141 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 704
This Stone Oak wine bar will offer a prix fixe menu from 5-9 pm on December 31. The menu will consist of three courses, including a previous menu item beloved by customers: frites. Copa's regular menu will also be available to enjoy.

Indulge Wine Bar
21 Truss Dr., Boerne
Indulge will present a prix fixe dinner to ring in the new year, with offerings such as salmon crudo served on beet rounds with herbed labneh; a winter soup with carrot, apple, fennel, and prosciutto; and a duck pastilla filled with duck confit, accompanied by a mini salad and demi-glace. Cap off the night with a blackberry tiramisu. Wine pairings for each course will be suggested, and select bottles of sparkling wine will be available at 25 percent off the retail price.

Evil Olive Bar
2950 Thousand Oaks Dr., Ste. 4
Partygoers can greet 2025 at a disco-themed bash from 8 pm to 2 am on December 31. There will be live music, a complimentary champagne toast, and festive favors at midnight, all for a $20 cover charge. For VIP treatment, reserve a table. Bartop seats are available for $25 each, with a bottle of champagne and favors for $100.

Thirsty Horse Saloon
2335 N.W. Military Hwy.
This Castle Hills-area dance hall will have a New Year’s Eve party featuring live music, a $2,025 cash drawing, $100 giveaways every 15 minutes, and free party favors. General admission tickets are $10-15. VIP tables are available for reservation.

Upstage Comedy Lounge
4441 Walzem Rd.
This Northeast Side bar will offer a free evening of live music, comedy and poetry on New Year’s Eve, starting at 9 pm.

san antonio new years eve

IDLE HANDS

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Happy New Year

12 top New Year's Eve events to ring in 2025 across San Antonio