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.
