HILL COUNTRY HEADLINES

Anticipated Irish tavern sets opening date in New Braunfels landmark

Kennedy's Tavern is finally opening St. Patrick's Day weekend.

New Braunfels’ booming hospitality scene is giving San Antonio a run for its money. Long-awaited Irish pub Kennedy’s Tavern will finally debut on March 13 at 308 E. San Antonio St., adding to an already energetic slate of new restaurants and bars opening in the Hill Country community.

“To make sure everything is absolutely perfect when we open outdoors, we’re pushing our grand opening to St. Patrick’s weekend — and trust us, it’s going to be worth it,” wrote the business on social media, adding that it wanted “every drink poured, every plate served, and every experience to be flawless.”

The renovation of New Braunfels' landmark Voigt House has already been painstaking. The 1870 Mansard-roofed home has deep connections to the town, sitting on land once owned by early cultural leader Hermann Seele. Besides, it’s a registered Texas Historic Landmark, so owner Kyle Kennedy couldn’t just slap on drywall.

Once open, the pub will keep the drink offerings traditional with 25 beers on tap, whiskies, and original recipe Irish coffee. The concept hasn’t teased any dishes on the food menu, but promises hearty Irish fare and classic pub grub.

Those not playing pool or ordering a drink from the main bar can check out the Emerald Room, an intimate 25-seat speakeasy with a hidden entrance. Outside, guests can listen to live music or gather around fire pits at the shaded Tree Bar.

Kennedy’s Tavern joins two other high-profile concepts that have recently opened in historic near-downtown spaces. Old City Hall, from the family behind McAdoo's Seafood Company, is now dishing out steaks and martinis in a former municipal building. Nearby, ¡Saludos! Cocina + Bar is serving Mexican street food in the historic Dittlinger Roller Mills building.

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

Box St. All Day team reveal new café and bar at San Antonio's Pearl

Photo courtesy of LoverBoy House Eats

Partner Edward Garcia III, Caroline Garcia-Bowman, and Daniel Trevino stroll in front of the future site of LoverBoy House Eats.

After seeing two restaurants unexpectedly close at the end of 2025, San Antonio’s Pearl district is growing again. On Tuesday, February 17, the near-downtown development revealed that LoverBoy House Eats, a new concept from the Box St. All Day team, will open later in 2026 next door to the Coopers Row apartment complex at 1118 E Elmira St.

“We can’t wait to introduce San Antonio to LoverBoy House Eats later this year,” says Caroline Garcia-Bowman, the creative partner behind parent company No Magic Hospitality Group, in a release. “This concept represents a new chapter, one that celebrates creativity, connection, and the energy that makes San Antonio so special, and we look forward to sharing more in the coming months.”

Details are still slim on the LoverBoy, which is not to be confused with the canned cocktail line founded by Summer House star Kyle Cooke. A press release says it will offer “morning coffee, a leisurely lunch, or cocktails and vinyl in the evening,” making clear the spot won’t be a new location of Box St.

“With this new project, they’re expanding on that foundation to create something entirely fresh that feels both familiar and unexpected,” says Ryan Howard, Managing Director of Potluck, the hospitality arm of developer Silver Ventures.

LoverBoy House Eats is the first opening announcement since a string of 2025 restaurant closures at Pearl, including Carriqui, Full Goods Diner, and Cured. But there are clues that the development will soon regain momentum. New signage at Carriqui hints that a new operator will soon take over the showy space.

Pearl did not release a timeline for LoverBoy, but the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listing estimates the $1,306,550, 3,733-square-foot space will be completed in July. State regulatory filings are subject to change without notice.

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