Downtown SA doesn't have everything sewn up when it comes to nightlife. Sometimes you don't want to mess with the center city parking situation. Not to mention, it can be way more convenient to meet friends at a place closer to home.
We pulled together 35 spots with cool vibes and even cooler drinks — but won't leave you stressed out about traveling into the thick of the concrete jungle.
San Antonio's 35 best bars that aren't located downtown
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 3:33 pm
Tags:
- San Antonio,
- Texas,
- bars,
- not downtown,
- San Antonio bars,
- outside the loop,
- George's Keep,
- 502 Bar,
- Big Hops,
- Cover 3,
- Sandbox,
- Slackers,
- Luna,
- General Public,
- Bar du Mon Ami,
- Oak Hills Tavern,
- Who's Who Cocktails,
- Main Street Bar,
- Copa Wine Bar,
- The Rustic,
- Flying Saucer Draught Emporium,
- Shenanygans,
- The Green Lantern,
- Kennedy's Public House,
- Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling,
- The Thursty Turtle,
- Picks Bar,
- The Hoppy Monk,
- Gold Feather,
- RD Speakeasy,
- Lucy Cooper's Texas Ice House,
- Evil Olive,
- Rocky's Tavern,
- Stetson Bar,
- Wurzbach Ice House,
- Hanzo,
- Rusty Nail,
- Hops & Hounds,
- Chicken N Pickle
Scroll down to view images
The Stetson Bar
7350 Tezel Rd., (210) 541-4529, thestetsonbar.com
This Northwest SA joint offers up a classic come-as-you-are scene with a huge dance floor to twirl around on while weekend country music fills the air.
Photo via Instagram / silvereaglebeverages
7350 Tezel Rd., (210) 541-4529, thestetsonbar.com
This Northwest SA joint offers up a classic come-as-you-are scene with a huge dance floor to twirl around on while weekend country music fills the air.
Photo via Instagram / silvereaglebeverages
Rusty Nail
15122 Potranco Rd., (210) 254-9201, therustynailsa.com
Situated at the end of a small strip mall on SA’s far west side, the Rusty Nail offers up a slightly-elevated neighborhood bar vibe. Grab a cold drink and their chicken on a stick. Trust us.
Photo via Instagram / therustynail210
15122 Potranco Rd., (210) 254-9201, therustynailsa.com
Situated at the end of a small strip mall on SA’s far west side, the Rusty Nail offers up a slightly-elevated neighborhood bar vibe. Grab a cold drink and their chicken on a stick. Trust us.
Photo via Instagram / therustynail210
502 Bar
502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com
Over on Embassy Oaks, you can trust 502 Bar for your drinking needs. Though technically a spot for live music (especially local bands), this watering hole also lets you get boozy (with plenty of craft beers) and have a blast with karaoke or on a select movie nights.
Photo via Instagram / cycliciousb
502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com
Over on Embassy Oaks, you can trust 502 Bar for your drinking needs. Though technically a spot for live music (especially local bands), this watering hole also lets you get boozy (with plenty of craft beers) and have a blast with karaoke or on a select movie nights.
Photo via Instagram / cycliciousb
Chicken N Pickle
5215 UTSA Boulevard, (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com
When you’re feeling like an afternoon in the sun is just the ticket, take a drive over to the Northwest side for a game of pickleball and a cold adult beverage at this huge complex.
Photo courtesy of Chicken N Pickle
5215 UTSA Boulevard, (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com
When you’re feeling like an afternoon in the sun is just the ticket, take a drive over to the Northwest side for a game of pickleball and a cold adult beverage at this huge complex.
Photo courtesy of Chicken N Pickle
Big Hops
Multiple locations, bighops.com
With three locations outside Loop 410, Big Hops lets you get your fill of booze without dealing with the craziness of downtown. It’s all about craft beer here, and it’s all but guaranteed that there’s a brew for everyone here.
Photo via Instagram / grendel210
Multiple locations, bighops.com
With three locations outside Loop 410, Big Hops lets you get your fill of booze without dealing with the craziness of downtown. It’s all about craft beer here, and it’s all but guaranteed that there’s a brew for everyone here.
Photo via Instagram / grendel210
Gold Feather
834 NW Loop 410 Suite 106, (210) 342-2473, goldfeatherbb.com
Located near SA’s North Star Mall, Gold Feather offers fried chicken and beer without the hassle of fighting downtown traffic.
Photo via Instagram / goldfeatherbb
834 NW Loop 410 Suite 106, (210) 342-2473, goldfeatherbb.com
Located near SA’s North Star Mall, Gold Feather offers fried chicken and beer without the hassle of fighting downtown traffic.
Photo via Instagram / goldfeatherbb
Cover 3
1806 N 1604 W, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com
Sure, there’s plenty of food options over at Cover 3, but this northern S.A. spot is also hella reliable for drinking. With a focus on providing a solid spot to watch sports, Cover 3 has a full bar as well as a wine cellar with more than 70 different kinds of this classy booze. Plus, the beer is hella cold so you can’t ask for much else.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie
1806 N 1604 W, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com
Sure, there’s plenty of food options over at Cover 3, but this northern S.A. spot is also hella reliable for drinking. With a focus on providing a solid spot to watch sports, Cover 3 has a full bar as well as a wine cellar with more than 70 different kinds of this classy booze. Plus, the beer is hella cold so you can’t ask for much else.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie
Picks Bar SA
4553 North Loop 1604 W #1101, (210) 253-9220, picksbar.com
This live music venue offers a sweet Reverse Happy Hour from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., as well as live music every damn day of the week.
Photo via Instagram / picks_barsa
4553 North Loop 1604 W #1101, (210) 253-9220, picksbar.com
This live music venue offers a sweet Reverse Happy Hour from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., as well as live music every damn day of the week.
Photo via Instagram / picks_barsa
The Sandbox
7280 UTSA Blvd, Suite 110, (210) 277-0970, thesandboxsa.com
UTSA students and area residents alike were super excited to hear about the opening of the massive bar appropriately named The Sandbox. There you’ll find a full indoor bar (and restaurant) as well as a rooftop bar. While the views may not be as nice as downtown, this rooftop spot has everything you’re looking for.
Photo via Instagram / thesandboxsa
7280 UTSA Blvd, Suite 110, (210) 277-0970, thesandboxsa.com
UTSA students and area residents alike were super excited to hear about the opening of the massive bar appropriately named The Sandbox. There you’ll find a full indoor bar (and restaurant) as well as a rooftop bar. While the views may not be as nice as downtown, this rooftop spot has everything you’re looking for.
Photo via Instagram / thesandboxsa
Rocky’s Tavern
11403 O’Connor Rd. Ste. 106, (210) 637-7625
This Northeast SA drinkery just added some pretty spiffy updates to their outdoor patio, which is a prime spot to get to know some of the regulars over a frosty draft brew.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent
11403 O’Connor Rd. Ste. 106, (210) 637-7625
This Northeast SA drinkery just added some pretty spiffy updates to their outdoor patio, which is a prime spot to get to know some of the regulars over a frosty draft brew.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent
The General Public
17619 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 102, (210) 920-1101, thegenpublic.com
With another location in Houston, this modern gastropub brings together all the cocktails, wine and beer you could ever want. No matter what your poison is, this spot gives you plenty of options for getting boozy.
Photo via Instagram / design_dudes
17619 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 102, (210) 920-1101, thegenpublic.com
With another location in Houston, this modern gastropub brings together all the cocktails, wine and beer you could ever want. No matter what your poison is, this spot gives you plenty of options for getting boozy.
Photo via Instagram / design_dudes
The Hoppy Monk
1010 N Loop 1604 E, thehoppymonk.com
The Hoppy Monk offers ample space for outdoor dining, so folks have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a brew or two. The Monk also gets bonus points for a huge parking lot.
Photo via Instagram / thehoppymonk
1010 N Loop 1604 E, thehoppymonk.com
The Hoppy Monk offers ample space for outdoor dining, so folks have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a brew or two. The Monk also gets bonus points for a huge parking lot.
Photo via Instagram / thehoppymonk
George’s Keep
17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite #1200, (210) 310-3733, georgeskeep.com
Who said all the sophisticated bars are in downtown? Not us! It goes without saying that George’s Keep matches that sophistication with craft cocktails, but this La Cantera bar also offers plenty of draft and bottled beers.
Photo via Instagram / georgeskeep
17803 La Cantera Terrace Suite #1200, (210) 310-3733, georgeskeep.com
Who said all the sophisticated bars are in downtown? Not us! It goes without saying that George’s Keep matches that sophistication with craft cocktails, but this La Cantera bar also offers plenty of draft and bottled beers.
Photo via Instagram / georgeskeep
Slackers
126 W Rector // 12234 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 845-2603, slackersbars.com
With three locations in San Antonio, Slackers lets you hit up the locations near North Star Mall and on Nacogdoches when you don’t feel like dealing with the St. Mary’s Strip. At Slackers, sports bar booziness meets arcade fun, meaning you and your crew will be entertained (and getting plastered) for hours.
Photo courtesy of Slackers
126 W Rector // 12234 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 845-2603, slackersbars.com
With three locations in San Antonio, Slackers lets you hit up the locations near North Star Mall and on Nacogdoches when you don’t feel like dealing with the St. Mary’s Strip. At Slackers, sports bar booziness meets arcade fun, meaning you and your crew will be entertained (and getting plastered) for hours.
Photo courtesy of Slackers
Luna
6740 San Pedro Ave, lunalive.com
If you’re looking for a solid choice for date night but don’t want to go to the fancy hotel bars in the heart of downtown, Luna should definitely be one of your first choices. This dimly-lit bar is plenty cozy and inviting for cocktails and live music. You’ll be able to catch eclectic acts across a variety of genres, so there’s no need to put up with the downtown crowd for a night out on the town.
Photo via Instagram / mrschadenfreude
6740 San Pedro Ave, lunalive.com
If you’re looking for a solid choice for date night but don’t want to go to the fancy hotel bars in the heart of downtown, Luna should definitely be one of your first choices. This dimly-lit bar is plenty cozy and inviting for cocktails and live music. You’ll be able to catch eclectic acts across a variety of genres, so there’s no need to put up with the downtown crowd for a night out on the town.
Photo via Instagram / mrschadenfreude
Bar du Mon Ami
4901 Broadway St, (210) 740-9229, instagram.com/bardumonami
If you want to be semi-close to the action, you can head down Broadway to the Pearl and the bars down Grayson or head to the nearby St. Mary’s Strip. But if you want to be a bit more out of the bustling nightlife scene, Bar du Mon Ami will come through with cocktails made with care.
Photo via Instagram / bardumonami
4901 Broadway St, (210) 740-9229, instagram.com/bardumonami
If you want to be semi-close to the action, you can head down Broadway to the Pearl and the bars down Grayson or head to the nearby St. Mary’s Strip. But if you want to be a bit more out of the bustling nightlife scene, Bar du Mon Ami will come through with cocktails made with care.
Photo via Instagram / bardumonami
The Bang Bang Bar
119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, thebangbangbartx.com
From super friendly folks to a welcoming vibe that will leave everyone in your group satisfied, it’s pretty hard not to love Bang Bang Bar. With solid cocktails, live music, arcade games and all types of fun, this San Pedro spot is a go-to if you want to find a central watering hole without heading downtown.
Photo via Instagram / thebangbangbar
119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, thebangbangbartx.com
From super friendly folks to a welcoming vibe that will leave everyone in your group satisfied, it’s pretty hard not to love Bang Bang Bar. With solid cocktails, live music, arcade games and all types of fun, this San Pedro spot is a go-to if you want to find a central watering hole without heading downtown.
Photo via Instagram / thebangbangbar
Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House
16080 San Pedro Ave, (210) 462-1894, lucycoopers.com
There’s nothing better than lounging in an adirondack chair while the Texas sun beams down and a breeze passes though — except for maybe not having to travel through downtown to get there.
Photo via Instagram / lucycoopersicehouse
16080 San Pedro Ave, (210) 462-1894, lucycoopers.com
There’s nothing better than lounging in an adirondack chair while the Texas sun beams down and a breeze passes though — except for maybe not having to travel through downtown to get there.
Photo via Instagram / lucycoopersicehouse
Stout House
Multiple Locations, (210) 239-5799 stouthousesa.com
It’s got the word “Stout” in the name, so of course it’s a good spot for beer lovers to snag a brew or two. Each location offers 20 different craft beers on tap as well as a full bar. Stop in for happy hour or to enjoy darts, pool and beer pong.
Photo via Instagram / stouthouse.stoneoak
Multiple Locations, (210) 239-5799 stouthousesa.com
It’s got the word “Stout” in the name, so of course it’s a good spot for beer lovers to snag a brew or two. Each location offers 20 different craft beers on tap as well as a full bar. Stop in for happy hour or to enjoy darts, pool and beer pong.
Photo via Instagram / stouthouse.stoneoak
Oak Hills Tavern
7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com/OakHillsTavern
With more than 20 years under its belt, Oak Hills Tavern can still be considered a bit of a hidden gem. But for those that know this Fredericksburg Road spot, the tavern is a solid watering hole that comes through with cheap drinks and good bar grub. As if you need any more convincing, the bar also hosts cool events, so you’re bound to visit sooner or later.
Photo via Facebook, OAK HILLS TAVERN
7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com/OakHillsTavern
With more than 20 years under its belt, Oak Hills Tavern can still be considered a bit of a hidden gem. But for those that know this Fredericksburg Road spot, the tavern is a solid watering hole that comes through with cheap drinks and good bar grub. As if you need any more convincing, the bar also hosts cool events, so you’re bound to visit sooner or later.
Photo via Facebook, OAK HILLS TAVERN
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