While much of Texas is still thawing out from the winter cold snap, San Antonio drinkers can trade parkas for palm trees. Emma’s Tiki Tavern is bringing the tropics to Hotel Emma’s Sternewirth, serving up island-inspired cocktails and Curry Boys' signature Thailand-meets-Texas barbecue on January 31.

The sultry soirée is the bar’s newest takeover after staging several pop-ups in 2025. Last September, Sternewirth hosted Dead Rabbit, the New York City and Austin pub once named top of its class by international industry list The World's 50 Best Bars.

More recently, in November 2025, Hotel Emma’s resident cocktail lounge welcomed Midnight Rambler from Dallas’ The Joule. During the evening, guests sampled creative drinks from legendary Texas barman Gabe Sanchez, currently one of the semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Sternewirth is transforming to a tropical paradise on January 31.Sternewirth/ Facebook

The Tiki Tavern sips will be made using spirits Planteray, El Tequileño, and Tempus Fugit. The menu includes:

• Kingston Gold — Planteray Original Dark rum, falernum, orgeat, pineapple, lime
• Night Cap No. 3 — Hotel Emma single-barrel El Tequileño añejo tequila, Tempus Fugit crème de cacao, vanilla, banana, tres leches syrup
• Sundown in Havana — Hotel Emma single-barrel WhistlePig six-year rye, Aperol, Tempus Fugit crème de banane, pineapple juice
• Black Palm — Citadelle gin, Planteray Cut and Dry coconut rum, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup
• Snacks & Daqs — rum blend, lime, sugar
• Saturn — Citadelle gin, falernum, orgeat, lemon, passion fruit

Emma’s Tiki Tavern pop-up is open to the public and runs all Saturday, noon-2 am. The team from Curry Boys BBQ will fire up the grills on the patio beginning at 5 pm.