Quantcast
Joe Gatto/Instagram

Artful experiences, comedic commentary, and a little bit of bubbly are on our agenda over the next few days. Enjoy brunch by Landrace with sparkling wine on the barges at Go Rio, or see comedian Joe Gatto live for a night of laughs. Check out the top five things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, June 1

McNay Art Museum presents "Big Little Stage"
Explore a selection of small-scale and large-scale models of stage productions, known as maquettes, at the McNay Art Museum’s newest exhibition. Featured small-scale maquettes include a miniature Hanging Gardens of Babylon (1860) by Victor St. Leon and a substantial ship’s prow by William Dudley for Billy Bud (1976). Large-scale pieces displayed include the Trojan Horse by Helen Pond and Herbert Senn for Les Troyens (1972) and a futuristic set by Ralph Koltai for Shakespeare’s Othello (1985). Following opening weekend, this exhibition on display through February 2024.

Friday, June 2

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts presents Josh Gates: An Evening of Legends, Mysteries and Tales of Adventure
Explorer and Discovery Channel star Josh Gates shares stories of his most notable adventures, and insights on famous mysteries live at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Fans can expect an immersive and exciting recount of Gates’ global journeys and discoveries with sharp detail. Ticket options include general admission and a VIP meet and greet package offering.

Majestic Theatre presents Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy
Joe Gatto brings his comedic talents to the stage for an evening of certain laughter. He’s best known for his improvisational roles in hit shows Impractical Jokers and The Misery Index, both of which require thick skin and an impenetrable sense of embarrassment. Check out majesticempire.com for ticket details.

Max Stalling in concert
Country music singer-songwriter and Texan Max Stalling takes the stage at Gruene Hall for one night only. He’s best known for his live projects, including a full-length DVD, and hits songs “The Pila Song” and “Ping Pong, Pool.” General admission tickets are available at thundertix.com.

Sunday, June 4

Joe Gatto

Joe Gatto takes the Majestic Theatre stage on June 2.

Thompson San Antonio Bubbles + Bagels Brunch on a Boat
Float into the new week ahead on an effervescent cloud of boozy bubbles at this brunch-inspired Thompson San Antonio boating event. The swanky hotel’s restaurant, Landrace, is now offering a brunch experience complete with sparkling sips on the historically famous Go Rio river barges. Get more information and tickets on Eventbrite

.


.

Photo courtesy of Brian McKnight

Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this holiday weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Clear your calendars for the holiday weekend ahead for concerts, cultural festivities, and more can’t-miss happenings. Frolic in the sunflowers at Traders Village or see top musical talent live on some of the most-loved stages in Alamo City and beyond. Check out the top seven things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, May 25

Briscoe Western Art Museum presents "Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch" Preview Party
Be among the first to view the newest Briscoe Western Art Museum exhibition showcasing the collected works of late American art dealer Elaine Horwitch. Esteemed guests Bisco President and CEO Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., and curator of "Southwest Rising" Dr. Julie Sasse will be in attendance among the partygoers. Tickets to the preview party include complimentary valet, specialty cocktails, light bites, beer, and wine.

Friday, May 26

Traders Village presents Sunflower Field
A seasonal San Antonio tradition is back in full bloom for locals and visitors alike to experience. Traders Village features 10 acres of sunflower fields lining paths and mazes for guests to wander through at their leisure. Other activities include a petting zoo, photo opportunities, and an inflatable slide. The sunflower field will open through June 18. For more information, visit tradersvillage.com.

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club presents Jamie Kennedy
Entertainer and multihyphenate talent Jamie Kennedy takes up weekend residence at The Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club. Kennedy is best known for his roles in Wes Craven’s Scream and Scream 2, which catapulted him to scene-stealing fame. Shows are scheduled through May 28.

An Evening with Brian McKnight
Singer-songwriter and R&B star Brian McKnight serenades fans live in concert at Majestic Theatre for one night only. McKnight has released 19 albums throughout his 25-year career and is a 16-time Grammy-nominated artist. He’s best known for hit songs like “Hold Me” and “Anytime.” Get seating information on Ticketmaster.

Saturday, May 27

Spoon in concert
Spoon comes to New Braunfels’ Whitewater Amphitheater in support of their 2022 album, Lucifer on the Sofa. The Austin-based band is best known for songs like “Inside Out” and “Don’t You Evah.” Get additional concert information on Ticketweb.

UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures presents Asian Festival
The University of Texas at San Antonio invites visitors to the downtown campus for the first Asian Festival since the pandemic. Guests can feast on authentic food while enjoying multicultural performances, crafts, music, and more. Get a schedule of events and festival tickets at asianfestivalsa.org.

Kool & The Gang in concert
Groovin’ soul band Kool & The Gang comes to San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre in support of their 2021 album, Perfect Union. The musical band of biological brothers and longtime friends is behind timeless classics such as “Get Down on It” and “Ladies Night” and has amassed fans around the world since forming in 1964. Buy tickets on majesticempire.com.

Brian McKnight
Photo courtesy of Brian McKnight

Brian McKnight performs live in concert at Majestic Theatre this Friday.

Photo courtesy of Fortune Feimster

Fortune Feimster: Live Laugh Love!

A stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, Fortune Feimster first made a name for herself on Chelsea Lately. Her one-hour special, Sweet and Salty, is now streaming on Netflix. She is also well known for her role of Nurse Collett on The Mindy Project, frequent appearances on Lights Out with David Spade, and her half-hour special released as part of Netflix’ The Standups.

Photo courtesy of Tony Hinchcliffe

Tony Hinchcliffe: The Fully Groan Tour

Hyena's presents Tony Hinchcliffe

Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe gained popularity with his 2016 one-hour Netflix comedy special, One Shot, which follows Tony in one continuous take. He has worked as a staff writer on the past six Comedy Central Roasts, and appeared on HBO’s Crashing, Comedy Central’s Unsend, and Fusion’s All Def Roast: Snoop Dog Smoke Out. Hinchcliffe also hosts his own weekly show and podcast, Kill Tony.

Photo courtesy of Pinky Patel

Pinky Patel: New Crown, Who Dhis Tour

Originally from Illinois, Pinky Patel is a PTA mom turned creator, comedian and personality with a fan base of over 5 million. She is best known for her hilarious commentary and viral videos from her glam cave that have garnered over 64.5 million likes on TikTok.

Photo courtesy of The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Charline McCombs Empire Theatre presents Paula Poundstone

With smart, observational humor and a legendary spontaneous interaction with the crowd, Paula Poundstone is one of the country’s pre-eminent comedians. She improvises with a crowd like a jazz musician, swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net. There's a disarming ease in her craft, an immediate sense that she's so quick on her feet you need never worry about the possibility of something going wrong.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

7 go-to Father's Day spots for every type of San Antonio Dad

POP CULTURE

Despite all the propaganda that Father’s Day requires a slab of brisket, no two Dads are exactly alike. This year, treat him to something a little more curated. Whether he likes a dry aged steak lavished in butter or a simple sandwich paired with a quality brew, we have you covered with a spot for every Pop.

For the hop head: Alamo Beer Co.
Backyard barbecues seem fun on paper, but who wants to deal with all the heat and flies. This year, focus on the best part: the beer. The Alamo menu includes something for every type of drinker — poundable lagers, citrusy IPAs, and everything in between. The hearty food, a mix of fan favorites like nachos, sausage sandwiches, and soft pretzels, is ready for game day.

For the weekend warrior: Burnt Bean Co.
If the Old Man has wanderlust, take him on a road trip to one of Seguin’s brightest treasures. Chefs Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland pull off a rare feat — making food accessible enough to please everyone in the family while showing enough culinary finesse to be a finalist for this year’s James Beard Awards.

For the sports fiend: McIntyre’s
We’re not saying this Southtown spot can be seen from space, but it has enough glowing flatscreens to be seen for miles. Plus, the drink menu is varied enough to keep even fair-weather fans fueled. The beer menu ranges from domestic standbys to local craft brews to a propriety lager. The cocktails skip complicated drink craft in favor of the tried-and-true. Peruse the menu over a couple of rounds of cornhole.

For the amateur mixologist: Pastiche
If your Dad has a freezer full of specialty ice cubes and a cabinet stocked with various tinctures and bitters, he’ll have a blast at this East Side haunt. The cocktails — made with fortified wines, rare European spirits, and unique liqueurs — are the perfect prelude to a Father’s Day dinner — and tinkering inspiration for weeks to come.

For the plant-based pop: Pharm Table
Let’s face it, most of Alamo City’s vegan fare is hardly suited for a special occasion. Still, at least one place delivers in the clutch. From a smoked mushroom take on Nikkei ceviche to a lentil kitchari tempered by a coconut cilantro chutney, the worldly selections at this Southtown café feel like a proper celebration, especially when paired with a thoughtful wine flight.

For the meat and potatoes man: Range
Chef Jason Dady works with ranchers from the heartland to Central Texas to deliver some of the city’s best cuts of beef. The rest of the menu will leave Dad equally as spoiled. Skipping tweezered garnishes and fussy techniques, Dady tells a story of classic American cooking — from a creamy wedge with avocado mousse to traditional sides like potato confit and grilled asparagus.

For the barbecue stan: Reese Bros BBQ
A favorite of Texas Monthly, Bon Appetit and CultureMap readers, Reese Bros. could have gotten too big for its britches. Instead, the staff serves smoked meats with a welcoming smile. It’s easy to see why they are happy. They have easy access to arguably San Antonio’s best brisket, sausage, ribs, and sides. And they get to wear the joint’s cool Dad merch all day.

For the fine dining fanatic: Up Scale

Caviar deviled eggs with a fleck of gold leaf, lobster tagliolini, a very tony Beef Wellington…this year, Dad is getting fancy. Few San Antonio restaurants lay out the red carpet like this Southtown spot. Consider this the go-to if he insists on footing the bill.

Fine dining chef unpacks nostalgic pop-up concept at Grayson Street bar, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From pop-up concepts to Hill Country getaways and cool local pools, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Fine dining chef unpacks nostalgic pop-up concept at popular Grayson Street bar. The Memorial Day popup was hopefully just the start of a new series the chef hopes to hold monthly.

2. Breathtaking Hill Country hideaway is lone Texas star on Vrbo's top 10 vacation homes in the U.S. The Hill Country Riverfront Hideaway was the only Texas home chosen on Vrbo's list.

3. 7 San Antonio icons star in new Texas Monthly book documenting most influential Texans of last 50 years. To commemorate the publication's 50th anniversary, they've collected stories and photographs of 50 iconic Texans.

4. These 6 San Antonio museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long. The Blue Star Museums program begins yearly on Armed Forces Day in May and ends on Labor Day.

5. Summertime is here in San Antonio — beat the heat at these cool local pools. Mourn the loss of cool weather and beat the heat (in style) at these local pools.

'Little West Side gem" sparkles with summer grand opening

DREAMS COME TRUE

Some bar owners talk about community, but the all-woman trio behind new Prospect Hill spot Chiflada’s mean it. The team says the concept, celebrating its grand opening on June 2, wouldn’t have happened without it.

Family and friends turned out to support the bar months before it was ready for the build-out. They turned out again to help transform a vacant bungalow at 1804 West Martin St. into a comfortable and stylish lounge. When the ice machine went on the fritz during the June 27 soft opening, the bar’s supporters flexed their muscles to ensure the drinks remained cold.

Even the West Side neighborhood gave it a seal of approval. Natasha Riffle, who co-owns Chifladla’s with her mother, policewoman Veronica Riffle, and El Buho owner Melanie Martinez, says the team walked door to door to change the zoning, ensuring residential buy-in.

The result is a bar that is by and for the neighborhood. At the soft opening party, Marigolds swayed in the breeze under a pergola as congratulatory bouquets filled the bar’s shelves. Guests busily chattered as popular deejay Sunnyboy played oldies and conjunto hits.

“It feels like you’re at your abuelita’s backyard and hanging with your family,” Natasha Riffle says of the bar’s vibe.

The drinks honor that spirit, too, toeing the line between the neighborhood’s blue-collar roots and the team’s cocktail-making skills. Featured sippers include a punchy Mexican Martini, a melon Paloma, the Chif Peach, and the mezcal-based Smoke on the Water.
“It’s a place to get a nice cocktail, but also a place to get a beer and shot combo,” Natasha Riffle tells CultureMap about the high-low mix.

Ultimately, Chiflada’s feels like home — the type of place folks let loose after a long day at work, where multiple generations can get in on the party and where bartenders become close friends.

“We all lived [on the West Side] off and on,” says Riffle of the team, “and we’ve all worked with each other over the years. We are more of a family than we are co-workers — 100 percent.”

Chiflada's San Antonio

Photo by Joe Rodriquez

Natasha Riffle beams in front of her newly opened bar.