It doesn’t have a player piano, but the newest bar in Southtown gives off plenty of Wild West vibes. Palomino, the latest project from the prolific San Antonio nightlife group behind Lonesome Rose, Hi-Tones, and Slow Rise, trotted into 109 Playmoor on April 25, bringing a stacked tequila selection and more than a dozen taxidermy mounts.
The unassuming building near Brackenridge High School most recently housed hybrid salon, coffee, and bar concept Head Space, but there are no traces of the former use. Palomino currently has no signage, and the tinted windows give little indication of the life within.
Head Space’s sunny interior has also been completely transformed. The new owners gussied up the spot with a stamped tin ceiling, velvet upholstered furniture, and a pool table. Coyotes, boars, and more than a half dozen stags watch over guests in the intimate space clad in draped curtains and reclaimed wood.
A stampede of taxidermy watched over the pool table.Photo by Brandon Watson
The inside area doesn’t offer much wiggle room, but the owners packed in several round tables and sitting areas. A sizable back patio and a few front seats handle any overflow.
The bar didn’t have a dedicated drink menu during an April 27 visit, but that doesn’t mean revelers must make do with a beer and a shot. Palomino has a deep well with some hard-to-find whiskey, mezcal, and tequila brands, and the bartenders can easily whip up any classic cocktail.
According to staff, Palomino has yet to solidify its hours of operation. Over the recent weekend, it opened at 8 pm, but that may change as the bar settles. As of publication time, the concept appears to have no web or social media presence.
