COMING ATTRACTIONS

In-N-Out eyes new San Antonio location in red-hot UTSA development

In-N-Out is planning to go animal-style on UTSA students.

Open wide, UTSA students. In-N-Out Burger is planning a fourth San Antonio location at The Merc, the $350 million mixed-use development taking shape on the Northwest Side.

Alamo City locals don’t need much of an introduction to the brand. The California chain opened its first San Antonio outpost in 2014. But for those with burger blinders: In-N-Out is known for its griddle patties, animal-style fries, and a “secret” menu that might as well have its own marketing team.

The new outpost was revealed in new preliminary plans filed with the city. The company has not yet revealed an opening date and did not immediately return a request for a timeline.

In-N-Out is the newest restaurant offering attached to The Merc, a 112-acre center anchored by multi-family housing and Park Golf, a nine-hole, par-three course outfitted with a putting punchbowl, beer garden, food trucks, and flexible green space.

In June, the development announced its first hospitality tenants, including açai bowl chain Pure Green, plate lunch purveyors Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill, Canadian brunch café Pür & Simple, and Sora Sushi — a new concept from the founders of Wild Goji.

According to a previous release, all of the above are on track for a 2027 opening. Eventually, the ambitious build will also include 1,600 apartments, 200,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and outdoor amenities including pickleball and an ice house.

The goal is to create a new walkable community similar to live-work developments like Austin’s Domain.

"Northwest San Antonio continues to be one of the most dynamic growth corridors in Texas, and The Merc is being built to meet that momentum with something more intentional," said project developer Rob Schumacher in the June release.

chains northwest side burgers utsa fast food openings

BAR RESCUE

Jue Let revives San Antonio dance club The Davenport for one night

Still from Jue Let/ Instagram

Donnie Dee, one of the Davenports frequent DJs, is no stranger to Jue Let.

The San Antonio nightlife community is nostalgic these days. Pearl hot spot Jue Let is bringing back long-shuttered downtown bar The Davenport for a one-night pop-up on September 20.

The sometimes rowdy spot ran from 2002-2007 at 200 E. Houston St., now the site of a Starbucks. Originally, owners Jackie Saha and Bruce Cooper imagined it as a quiet lounge similar to their Houston concept of the same name, but the open downstairs space has all the right makings of a dance club.

The decor was of its time with saturated colors and a few abstracts from local artists on the wall, but the vibe was more determined by the faithful who showed up on Wednesday nights. It soon became the epicenter of San Antonio’s electronic and hip-hop scene, hosting DJs who defined the era like Theory of Everything, DJ Jester the Filipino Fist, and Donnie Dee.

But the fun wasn’t as embraced by the club’s landlords. The Davenport closed its New Year’s Eve party in 2006 after an extended battle between Cooper and Saha and building owners Majestic Development Company, who reportedly used a lease loophole to force the couple out.

“They wanted us to change our clientele, either not have music, or definitely not do music the way we’re doing it,” Cooper told the San Antonio Current at the time. “Our employees had to dress to their satisfaction. We would have had to redecorate the bar, again to their satisfaction. They had a vision for it that didn’t conform to what it was. So they saw this as their opportunity to make us conform or bring in somebody who would.”

Almost two decades removed from the disappointing end, Jue Let is looking to bring back some of the magic. According to a release, the menu will be a combination of the club’s classics with a few new drinks that riff on Davenport favorites. One of the original DJs will also be making a return, but the bar is keeping the name hush-hush for now.

San Antonians in the mood to reminisce about hazy party weekends can also head to Southtown’s Gimme Gimme on September 3. Former proprietor Jeret Peña is bringing back The Brooklynite for a one-night pop-up with many of its former bartenders.

And if elder Millennials and Gen Xers need some inspiration on just what “going out” shirt to wear to the Davenport event, there’s a Facebook group full of pre-iPhone shots that surely wound up on Friendster.

dance clubs closings downtown pearl nightlife pop-ups