7 San Antonio pubs going green for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's

Durty Nelly's Irish Pub/ Facebook

Plenty of River Walk bars will don shamrock drag for the holiday, but green beer alone does not St. Patrick’s Day make. With a rich Irish history and an ever-growing nightlife scene, San Antonio is now full of proper pubs. Sure, a few aren’t exactly authentic, but that Party City leprechaun hat isn’t either.

The Cottage Irish Pub
Away from the downtown throb on Broadway, this newcomer is ideal for a quieter St. Pat’s. Day drinkers can fortify with a full Irish breakfast with brown soda bread and rashers, then get a respectable buzz with a frozen Irish coffee or two. Start with hand-cut chips with a tangy curry sauce.

Durty Nelly’s
This long-standing pub is a faithful recreation of its namesake in Limerick, complete with stone walls and a hearth. Trade clover suspenders for classic Donegal tweed and sidle up to a barstool for a whiskey flight or a Black and Tan.

The Irish Pub
A Medical Center go-to, this no-frills watering hole offers simple sandwiches, cocktails, and plenty of shots, shots, shots. More dive bar than a classic pub, it gives just what a neighborhood bar should — a comfortable place for carousing with friends.

Kennedy’s Public House
One might be more likely to see Dubliner nosh on black pudding than Irish nachos, but let’s face it. This American ode to Gaelic(ish) ingredients is bar food done right. This strip-mall pub’s version is jam-packed with all the fixings, which is reason enough to celebrate.

Mad Dogs
This River Walk stop has about as much to do with the United Kingdom as Hooter’s has to do with owls, but it is on the route of the annual parade. Nonetheless, the bar stocks various whiskies and domestic and imported craft beer. And its cottage pie has all the necessary carbs to soak the booze up.

Maddy McMurphy’s
This downtown haunt has long been a fave with footie fans thanks to its near-blinding array of flat screens. Guests can also cheer on its well-stocked bar, which includes some unexpected Irish whiskies and less-common beer imports like Smithwick’s Red Ale. The food runs the sports bar gamut from nachos to pizza, but Irish classics like beef Guinness stew and pasties scream, “Erin go bragh.”

Waxy O’Connor’s
With its dark wood cabinetry and bric-a-brac on the walls, this St. patty’s day destination offers a more enveloping atmosphere than some of the bars on this list. The specialty cocktail list keeps the theme going with Irish versions of popular drinks.

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana/ Facebook

These 12 San Antonio pizzerias add up in the perfect Pi Day equation

SUPREME CHOICES

One wouldn’t know it from the yearly chain promos, but Pi Day on March 14 originally had little to do with pizza. Founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw, its observance involved strolls around the circular spaces of the San Francisco Exploratorium and recitations of the very, very long number. For non-mathletes, it wasn’t exactly thrilling stuff.

While some of us can barely calculate how much flour is needed for a dough, we can agree that math has improved our lives exponentially. Whiz kids, keep figuring it out. We’ll raise a slice in your honor at one of these essential San Antonio pizzerias.

Black Laboratory Brewing Kitchen
Pizza and craft beer are legendary co-stars, so it makes sense that this East Side brewery would put both on the marquee. Local outfit 2-1-Dough handles the kitchen, churning out innovations like the "Elote Loco" with corn, Valentina hot sauce, lemon pepper, mayo, and cilantro. Perfect for a meet-cute.

Capo's Pizzeria
Specializing in maximalist Buffalo-style pizza, this spot piles the toppings on. The Vegetali — loaded with baby spinach, mushrooms, artichokes, Roma tomatoes, and red bell pepper — is better than a salad any day.

Cosa Nostra Pizzeria
Though omnivores will find plenty to like at this Huebner Road joint, it gets extra props for not making its plant-based fare an afterthought. This menu has three entirely vegan pies and cheesy garlic bread.

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
Since 2007, Dough owners Doug and Lori Horn have been getting the Neapolitan equation right. 90 seconds at over 900 degrees equals thousands of happy locals. Try the prosciutto crudo with a tumble of bitter arugula dressed with a sprightly lemon-truffle vinaigrette.

Fiume Pizzeria and Wine Bar
This River Walk newcomer is putting a Texas spin on Neapolitan pies. Even the dough is made from locally grown grains from Barton Spring Mill. The toppings keep the theme with pizzas like the "Chroizo Quesa Flameado," a bubbling delight with roasted corn, poblano sauce, and Oaxacan cheese.

Il Forno
Chef Michael Sohocki’s DIY ethics are famously exacting. He even built the oven at this Southtown spot. But Il Forno finds him at his most playful. Check out the "Things Found Underground" pie with garlic, two onions, and leeks uprooted with preserved lemon.

Pizza Classics
No one will say that this San Antonio staple is reinventing the wheel. However, the infinite variety in the toppings can create strikingly innovative combinations. No matter what, we hope movie nights will be powered by Pizza Classics for decades.

Poppy’s Pizza
This is New York-style pizza in all its greasy, gooey glory. Go with "Hal’s New York" — a tantalizing trio of sausage, peppers, and onions — and fuggedaboudit.

SoHill Café
This neighborhood bistro makes a covetable burger and one of the best steak frites in town, but the pizza is the brightest star in its galaxy. The fig and prosciutto pizza bewitches with an unexpected crumble of pistachio.

Tank’s Pizza
This East Side gem brings the party with first-rate pies. While waiting for your take-out order, have a drink at the bar. The friendly regulars are a part of the Tank’s charm.

Trilogy Pizza Bistro
Pizza styles can be points of contention, so why not go to a place that bridges the divide? Trilogy excels at New York-style and Chicago-style served with traditional and newfangled toppings. Unity has never been more delicious.

WonderSlice
Chef Ben Schwartz is wowing guests at Pearl’s Bottling Department food hall with no-frills pizzas like meatballs, pepperoni, and the "Green Monster" with shredded zucchini. Grab a whole pie and pair it with wine from Park Bar or grab a quick slice on the go.

Photo by Lauren Monitz

Roll into Beaumont, the Cajun Capital of Texas, for murals, Mardi Gras, and more

Hit the Road

Turns out, you don't have to go all the way to the Big Easy to satisfy your Cajun cravings.

On the border of Louisiana, just 90 minutes from Houston and right around four hours from San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Beaumont boasts a unique Cajun-meets-Lone Star State attitude all year round — not just during Mardi Gras, which of course it does up big.

Outside of confetti and King Cake, there are many more ways that Beaumont keeps the good times keep rolling.

As one of America's original boomtowns, the place is teaming with history. You can strike it rich at Spindletop, a recreated boomtown with a gusher reenactment and an outdoor museum that’s dedicated to the discovery of oil.

The town’s flourishing mural and art scene kicks into high gear on March 2-5 with the annual Mural Festival, featuring artists from across the United States and around the world painting the town red — and every other color imaginable — during live-painting events and more.

Another Instagrammable moment to capture while you’re there is the world's largest working fire hydrant, donated by Disney, at The Fire Museum of Texas, where you’ll also find antique engines, uniforms, and firefighting equipment.

Beaumont is also a nature-lover’s dream, with bayous, birding, and the Big Thicket, America’s first national preserve with nine unique ecosystems and more than 100,000 acres to hike, bike, and paddle.

Cattail Marsh is another way to get outdoorsy, with 900 acres of scenic wetlands and a long boardwalk where you can spot more than 280 species of birds during peak migration.

Disc golf and the botanical gardens are right in the vicinity too, or enjoy Saturday morning yoga with a view at one of the classes offered there. Namaste.

To learn more about all that Beaumont has to offer, head over to visitbeaumonttexas.com.

McFaddin-Ward House postcard in Beaumont

Photo by Lauren Monitz

Soak up the Big Easy vibes in the Cajun Capital of Texas.

Photo courtesy of James Avery

Surprise your valentine with thoughtful jewelry from James Avery

The Perfect Gift

Want to get it right this Valentine's Day? You can't go wrong with jewelry, especially James Avery Artisan Jewelry.

Proudly crafted in the Texas Hill Country since 1954, James Avery rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and charms become something more for those who wear them. Each piece is inspired by the most precious things in life: love, family, and friendship.

With that in mind, here are three suggestions for the perfect Valentine's Day gift:

Put a ring on it
From colorful enameled designs like the Connected Hearts Ring to sweet sentiments found in styles like the Love You More Ring, there are so many ways to show your love.

A ring is a gift they’ll wear every day — make it even sweeter with an engraved message to let your valentine know they're always on your mind.

Whether your loved one prefers sterling silver or 14k gold, colorful or classic designs, each piece is handcrafted to tell a unique love story.

A dozen roses
Just like your love, these pretty petals never fade. Delicately crafted in sterling silver or 14K gold, these rose designs are forever blooming.

Give a twist on the traditional bouquet with the delicately crafted Small Rose Ring, inspired by the beauty and wonder of nature and the universal symbol of love and courtship.

Charmed, I'm sure
Charm the one you love with tiny mementos that stand alone beautifully or in a treasured collection.

James Avery charms offer a way to always carry reminders of the people and experiences we hold dear, and are designed for both bracelets and necklaces.

Add to your sweetheart's medley of memories or start a new jewelry journey with the all-important first charm.

Shop James Avery now to find a Valentine’s gift that expresses your feelings straight from the heart.

Photo courtesy of James Avery

Each ring is handcrafted to tell a unique story.

Photo courtesy of Mardi Gras! Galveston

Mardi Gras! Galveston returns with beads, bashes, masked balls, and more island fun

bead it

The start of a new year on the Texas Gulf Coast means the return of raucous revelry that dates back to more than a century. Mardi Gras! Galveston, known as the third-largest Mardi Gras bash in the U.S., returns to Galveston Island for its 112th annual celebration February 10-21.

Galveston's massive, always popular event is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees this year, many who'll pack the island during Carnival season for concerts, parades, balcony parties, elegant balls, and of course, beads.

As always, Mardi Gras! Galveston offers up diverse, family fun — and some adult debauchery — along some of the island's most familiar destinations. Fans can look forward to:

Party central
With nearly all parades traveling through downtown, Galveston’s historic downtown entertainment district will be a fan fixture. Visitors can post up on the street or at a balcony party for ideal views — and bead tossing. The event's main concert stages are also downtown, a must-hit spot for the headlining shows. For some beachy fun, hang out on Seawall Boulevard to take in the parade and the waves.

Masked merriment
While many choose to dress comfortably, stroll the area, and nab beads, others look forward to the upscale, masked merriment at the many black-tie, masked balls and soirees. The regal events feature lavish food and drink, live music and performances, dancing, and a bird's eye view of the parades below.

A true fiesta
In a showcase of the event's diversity, Fiesta Gras! blends a Louisiana get-down with a Gulf Coast, Texas-Mexican party on Sunday, February 12. The annual Hispanic heritage celebration features live entertainment performances from Grupo Secretto, Kazzabe, and more. Expect some dandy and entertaining mariachis, themed parades, vendors, and exclusive meet and greet balcony parties, per a press release.

Family fun
Who says kids can't get in on the fun? FamilyGras allows the whole family to take part in the activities on Sunday, February 19. Expect live family entertainment, the fan-favorite and adorable Krewe of Barkus & Meoux pet parade, the Mardi Gras Children’s Parade, and the Shriners Hospital Parade downtown.

Umbrellas, art, and more
One of the Gulf Coast's most picturesque celebrations returns with the Umbrella Brigade, where hundreds pack the streets showing off vivid, wildly decorated umbrellas. Fit types can run or walk in the Jolly Jester 5K Jaunt, while creatives can draw up some buzz in the official poster contest.

Bead it
Mardi Gras' tradition of bead tossing takes a sustainable turn with the Beads for Needs initiative. Here, thoughtful visitors can return their beads to a local collection bin, where students at Galveston Ball High will work to repurpose them — all while building life and entrepreneurial skills.

Those who want to get a jump on planning and lodging can score tickets and more information online.

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Property Showcase

San Antonio rent prices increased 7 percent from 2022, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio rent prices increased 7 percent from 2022, report finds. Despite rent increases showing small improvements month-over-month, overall prices in the San Antonio area are still on the high side from the previous year.

2. Popular San Antonio doggy daycare opens new location in Alamo Ranch. The award-winning Dogtopia has gained so much love from the local community thanks to its thoughtful design approach and programming.

3. Bask in local artistry with the inaugural San Marcos Studio Tour in April. The inaugural, self-guided San Marcos Studio Tour will feature more than 50 artists all across San Marcos and the surrounding area.

4. Own a piece of Utopia with this Hill Country riverfront retreat listed for $2.5M. This secluded, tree-filled, riverfront estate boasts nine guest cabins and "the Fortress," a historic lodge that can sleep 12 guests.

5. Blockbuster Western art exhibition and sale stampedes into San Antonio. The Briscoe Western Art Museum's annual Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale returns to San Antonio March 24 through 25.

These 6 San Antonio brunch spots are worth a return visit (or two)

brunch hunches

Anyone who says magic doesn't exist clearly hasn't snagged a coveted reservation at the Box Street Social for brunch. It's one of the local spots that nails that sacred ritual, brunch with the besties: a magical experience where Monday doesn't exist and stress is forbidden.

Here are some of our top local brunch spots that'll leave both your appetite and your soul satiated (even when Monday actually hits.)

Box St. All Day
Not only does Box St. All Day look like the dreams that Instagram reels are made of, it's got a high quality menu to match, courtesy of chef and co-owner Edward Garcia III. The all-day brunch restaurant (at 623 Hemisfair Blvd, Ste 108) offers hearty options like strawberry cheesecake French toast, steak-eggs and frites (the fries alone are dangerously delicious), the Box St. Brekky sandwich made with house-made bread, and more. Pair your meal with one of its cute coffees, cocktails, or zero-proof cocktails, and save room for plenty of pictures with your brunch buddies before you leave — the details in the decor have a sophisticated feminine flair, thanks to Box Street's innovative creative director Caroline Garcia-Bowman. Reserve on Toast.

Full Belly
Tucked away in its own cozy corner of the world in the Stone Oak/1604 area is Full Belly Cafe + Bar. Where else can you order a plate of pecan pie French toast while gazing at an incredible hand-painted mural of classic animated characters like Jessica Rabbit, Marvin Martian, Stewie Griffin and more brunching together? Executive chef James Moore also serves up plenty of savory brunch options if you don't have a sweet tooth, like the pork belly benny or a baked eggs and toast plate with roasted garlic and thyme cream. Reserve at fullbellysa.com.

Ocho
Did you know that Chef Kirk of Ocho, Hotel Havana's in-house restaurant, is the only local chef to win an episode of Food Network's Chopped? Brunch at Ocho is also a photo-worthy experience, where brunch items like pan de platano (banana bread), plantain cakes con carnitas (plantain pancakes), and more are served up to guests with a side of San Antonio sunlight, given that Ocho is located in a beautiful (and air-conditioned!) glass conservatory. Reserve on Resy.

The Hayden
The Smoke Shack might be the best spot to get your brisket fix on Broadway, but The Hayden is the spot to be for brunch. You can't miss The Hayden's classic retro sign right in the center of The Boardwalk on Broadway. The interior lives up to the welcoming feel of a Jewish deli, complete with menu options from executive chef Bill Corbett like fried chicken and latke waffles, or a bagel and lox. And don't worry — if you're craving the comfort of pancakes, The Hayden's got you covered with The Hayden pancake stack, among other options. Reserve at buzztable.com.

Vegan Avenue on Main
Chef Griselda Muñoz's entirely vegan menu will make believers even out of the most dedicated meat eaters. The cinnamon roll "bettermilk" pancakes have to be tasted to be believed. (Yes, even the sweet cream in the pancake is dairy free!) If you're missing a classic breakfast sandwich but trying to stay meat-free, try Vegan Avenue's "Honee-Butter Chick'n sandwich" with vegan eggs and crispy, fried plant-based chicken. If you're not near Vegan Avenue but craving its vegan breakfast tacos, you can also get your fix at Vegan Avenue's sister restaurant on TPC Parkway, Plantology. Reserve at squareup.com.

Barbaro
One of the best hair-of-the-dog cocktails in town is Barbaro's delicious Garibaldi, a simple concoction of Campari and orange juice, but you can't go wrong with the "Keep It Coming" Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas: For $15, you can alternate between the two until you've had your fill. Soak up Saturday night with eggs Barbaro (two poached eggs on homemade focaccia, Benton's country ham, hollandaise, and spinach) or dive into a skillet pancake (whipped lemon ricotta and seasonal berries, plus extra fine bacon, ricotta salata, and maple syrup).

The 8 best bars in San Antonio have the right mix

MEET THE TASTEMAKERS

Though it's easy to quaff a decent cocktail almost anywhere in Texas, San Antonio's watering holes offer a little something special. Maybe it's the friendliness of the patrons trading rounds with complete strangers. Maybe it's the prescience of the bartenders who know hundreds of regulars' orders. That generosity of spirit is found at almost every spot in town.

But the best of the best mix in something extra — inventive flavor profiles, enveloping atmosphere, and an "it" factor that is hard to define. But we know it when we drink it — we've seen it in all the nominees CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Bar of the Year perhaps too many times.

So, we salute the unassuming dive bars, the swanky lounges, and happy hour haunts. Alamo City wouldn't be half as fun without them. Join us in raising a glass to our finalists below, then pop a cork as we name the winner at the Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe Museum on May 18. Buy tickets now before they sell out.

Amor Eterno
It's there in the name. This Southtown lounge delivers everlasting romance courtesy of velvet curtains, fuchsia lighting, and orchids languishing on the edge of coupes. The atmosphere gets a little steamier after a couple Bella Noche shots. Suddenly, disco thumps through the speakers, inamoratos file in, and the back booth becomes the most inviting spot in Alamo City.

Bar Loretta
At many upscale restaurants, the cocktail menu is an afterthought. List a serviceable Old Fashioned, add a martini, and call it a day. Not so at this endearing Southtown spot. Though guests can certainly swan with a Gatsby-era Mint Julep, the originals really bring the fireworks. A Lucinda Williams homage, Junebug vs. Hurricane, balances strawberries with Peychaud's bitters. Mariachi Static burns the house down with a dash (or three) of hot sauce.

George's Keep
The three-martini lunch may be a thing of the past, but still, the Éilan Hotel's resident bar knows how to get down to business. Leather banquettes and hunter-green wainscoting set the scene for some hard bargaining of what patrons will order next. Heady tipples like George's signature mix of VSOP Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon keep the deals flowing, even if they are just on Ameritrade.

Hotel Havana - Havana Bar and Ocho
This artfully designed downtown property knows a thing or two about chiaroscuro. The darkness comes from the dimly lit basement at Havana Bar, where peccadillos slink into the shadows. Blazing light illuminates Ocho upstairs, refracted through the turquoise accented panes of a glass conservatory. All revelers have to do is follow their mood.

La Ruina
In a tequila-obsessed town, this East Side hideaway has made a name by focusing on rum. Former Modernist owners Gerry Shirley and Olaf Harmel stir up a vacation's worth of concoctions, from tiki classics like Mai Tais to Brazilian bombshells like Caipirinhas. Steal the tropically wallpapered booth if you can get it. Rum was meant for languor.

Pastiche
Don't be surprised if you see the occasional cat slumbering at this louche East Side bar. Felines know a thing or two about posh surrounds. Guests will purr just as loudly over co-owner Benjamin Krick's sly barcraft. The back bar is an apothecary stocked with hard-to-find European spirits, cordials, and fortified wines — all used in some of the most unexpected cocktails in the city.

The Moon's Daughters
Perched atop the glittering Thompson Hotel, this rooftop lounge is usually recommended for the breathtaking downtown view. The interior offers just as much scenery. San Antonio's see-and-be-seen set sprawl on the luxe furniture, sipping CBD-infused cocktails and nibbling Mediterranean bites. The hospitality program isn't all just for show, of course, but it never hurts to gild the lily.

Three Star Bar
As much fun as it is to clink Baccarat, most days, we'd rather crush cans. For a weekday drink, it's hard to beat the wood-paneled slump of a neighborhood bar. This Grayson Street dive lets guests loosen their belts over craft beers and shots. The new ownership — Los Angeles-based Pouring With Heart — tinkered a bit with the drink menu but kept the meat and potatoes.

Photo by TX Troublemaker

It's all about love at Amor Eterno

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