Summer is traditionally a slow time for San Antonio restaurants and bars, but this season has been brutal. The post-Covid hangover, economic anxieties, and a rise in coldcationing among customers with means have forced some of the most well-known names in local hospitality to abandon some of the city's most beloved concepts. It's part of why a group of heavyweights have created the Business Community PAC.
The list of this summer's dearly departed is by no means comprehensive, but it does establish a trend. If this list of San Antonio closures provokes pain, there's never been a better time to support local.
Acadiana Cafe
Letting the good times roll for 38 years can take its toll. Dave Saylor, the owner of this Cajun classic, seemed to agree when he sold his property to Hacienda Vallarta Restaurant Group in July — along with his beloved recipes.
Allora and Arrosta
After a turbulent year that included founding chef Robbie Nowlin's departure and a few concept tweaks, these sibling restaurants are now fond memories. Arrosta folded on June 29, followed by the upscale Allora on August 31.
Barbarella
Barbarella, we hardly knew ye. After a brief four-month tenure, the San Antonio sibling of one of Austin's most popular nightclubs dimmed the lights in early September. A new darkwave concept called The Factory has already opened in its place.
Blue Box
This anchor Pearl tenant brought the craft cocktail revolution to the neighborhood in 2012. With "heavy hearts," it announced dampened spirits in late July. Owner Steve Mahoney still operates several concepts in the area, including George's Keep, Lilly's Greenville, and Hanzo.
Botika
This Peruvian-Asian trendsetter, a Pearl anchor for eight years, threw in the towel on August 4. At the time, chef-owner Geronimo Lopez hinted at new opportunities. That came to fruition on September 23, when he was named the new executive chef of Hotel Emma.
Cypress Cafe
Faced with lemons, this Korean favorite made lemonade. In late May, it was notified that it was being ousted from its longtime home, an H-E-B-owned office building. By June, it reinvented itself as a ghost kitchen in the Lombrano Food Hall.
Diez Flores
This promising newcomer had a unique hook when it opened in December 2023, promising an homage to 10 diverse Latin cuisines. Six months later, Folklores Coffee House owner Tatu Herrera and bar pro Hector Vargas pulled the brakes.
Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant
Following a Chapter Seven Bankruptcy filing in July, this iconic sushi spot folded on August 31. Although proprietor William "Goro" Pitchford has had a 35-year career in the River City restaurant world, he gave no indication that he was considering retirement. In Godai's swan song, he promised to "see y'all soon again."
Greenhouse
Led by the team behind Mixtli and located in the tony Olmos Park neighborhood, this coffee shop and bakery was a home run at first. After eight months in business, it shuttered on September 15 due to high rent. The rapidly growing Broadway corridor may spark a rebirth, however. A coming soon sign has popped up in the new Light Building, but no official opening announcement has been made.
Hands Down
This artsy bar helped turn an underutilized Southtown strip into an entertainment destination. On June 15, it shuttered for good. The spot is temporarily being filled by Empty Stomach Group's Merci Jones before it heads downtown. Meanwhile, Hands founder Amada Claire Miller promises the concept will live on through a series of pop-ups.
Krazy Katsu
Although counter-service establishments have had an easier go of it than sit-down spots, this chicken sandwich upstart could not handle a business expansion. Weeks after pleading for public support, it closed its Medical Center outpost in early June. Another location in Olmos Park is still active.
Rooster Crow Bakery
This Shavano Park bakery, helmed by lauded pastry chef Jenn Reisman, flew the coop on September 6. While that brick-and-mortar may be done, Reisman is still soaring. On September 25, she announced she would lead Max & Louie's New York Diner's upcoming bakery.
The Rustic
This once-popular music venue unexpectedly unplugged in late May. A sign on the door explained that "ongoing freeway construction" significantly reduced the concept's traffic. Though the notice hinted at a possible new location, there haven't been any public developments.
Saucy Birds
In December 2023, hospitality fixture Ceasar Zepeda announced he was 86ing Sangria on the Burg, his seven-year-old casual dining hot spot. In January, the concept was reinvented with uber-popular chicken strips and sandwiches. The Hail Mary didn't last long. In late May, Zepeda decided to not renew his lease.
Allora's last day was August 31.
