The oldest drinking establishment on the Walk river, this downtown classic attracts a diverse crowd, from hipsters to politicians, and boasts the longest bar top in Texas: over 100ft. Mi Tierra Mariachi bar open to 2am dailyĬool, dark and swank, the Esquire was opened in 1933 to celebrate the end of prohibition.
Founded in 1941 as a three-table cafe, and now seating over 500, it is a San Antonio emblem of Latino heritage and pride. A favourite with tourists, who can find Mexican and south-west crafts at nearby shops in the converted old mercado, Mi Tierra is frequented by locals, too. Open 24 hours a day in Market Square, with a Mexican bakery, strolling musicians, and some of the best Tex-Mex in San Antonio, Mi Tierra is also home to the carved-oak Mariachi Bar with an accomplished selection of margaritas and over 150 varieties of tequila. Open Mon-Fri 3pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 11am-midnight Like all icehouses, it’s family and dog friendly. The Friendly Spot serves over 180 mostly craft brands, with 25 Texas brews on tap, and a kitchen featuring Mexican and pub food. When technology made them irrelevant, the beer and the name were kept, and the icehouses evolved to become local bars. Before refrigeration, icehouses were ice-cooled neighbourhood cold-storage centres. An open-air bar in the Texas icehouse tradition, the Friendly Spot is a neighbourhood anchor of the Southtown arts and King William historic districts.