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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

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.

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Who's Who Cocktails
1711 Babcock Road, (210) 973-5055, facebook.com/whoswhococktails
Who wants to go to Who’s Who? Sure, cocktails are front and center at this northwest side bar, but there’s also karaoke for you to partake in. So swing by when you’re in the area and enjoy drinks & a show.
Photo via Instagram / realcameralero

Main Street Bar
13477 Wetmore Road, (210) 490-3038, barsanantoniotx.com
Located not too far from the airport, Main Street Bar has all the workings of a solid watering hole: plenty of booze, pool, darts, a patio, and live music on the weekends.
Photo via Instagram / mainstbar

Copa Wine Bar
19141 Stone Oak Pkwy Suite 704, (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com
If wine is your drink of choice, it only makes sense that you spend some evenings over at Copa. Carrying both European and domestic wines, you can order by the glass or by the bottle if you’re a big spender. Just remember to even out your booziness with tapas or pizza in this intimate bar.
Photo via Instagram / chuck_corbitt

Hanzo
7701 Broadway St, (210) 826-1488, hanzobar.com
Folks who love elevated Asian-inspired pubs will definitely want to visit Hanzo, which is housed in a small Alamo Heights-area shopping center. Stop short of downtown for the all day happy hour onSunday.
Photo via Instagram / hanzobarsa

The Rustic
17619 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 204, (210) 245-7500, therustic.com
Nestled in the bustling Rim shopping area, The Rustic is a very obvious choice for when you want the lively bar scene. On top of the advantage of not being downtown, this northwest watering hole offers a large patio as well as a massive indoor bar for all the beer, cocktails and more you could hope to drink. Plus, the bar brings in live music acts on the regular, and surprisingly it’s not all country.
Photo via Instagram / therusticsa

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
11255 Huebner Rd #212, (210) 696-5080, beerknurd.com
Sure, it’s a chain, but it’s the only location in San Antonio and it definitely proves itself with so many beers it’ll feel like you’ll never have to order the same kind twice. This tavern-like watering hole also serves American pub fare, so beer lovers can have the best of both worlds here. Add the fun events like trivia night and you’ll be well entertained too.
Photo via Instagram / flyingsaucersa

Shenanygans
Multiple locations, facebook.com/shenanygans2
With one location on Babcock near Prue Road, and another at Highway 151 and Potranco Road, Shenanygans is your typical sports bar. The drinks are cheap, the tunes are poppin’, and there’s bar games and big TVs to keep you entertained while you get boozy. Why not give this neighborhood dive bar a try?
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent

The Green Lantern
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy #101, (210) 497-3722, greenlantern.bar
The movie might have been terrible, but this Green Lantern is another story. This underground bar offers speakeasy-style digs while serving up classic and craft cocktails. No matter what liquor you prefer, Green Lantern will surely make it the way you like.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrent

Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling
4834 Whirlwind Dr., (210) 339-2282, drinkrangercreek.com
On top of having some of the best beer in the area, Ranger Creek also offers an impressive array of bourbons, if you're in the mood for something a little stronger. Play it safe with a San Antonio Lager, or go for something less traditional like Love Struck Hefe and Red Headed Stranger.
Photo via Instagram / rangercreek

RD Speakeasy
8400 N New Braunfels Ave, (210) 824-0116, facebook.com/rdspeakeasy
Tucked behind The Barn Door restaurant north of downtown, RD offers opulent details and expertly crafted cocktails in an unassuming spot.
Photo via Instagram / atanotherangle

Wurzbach Ice House
10141 Wurzbach Road, (210) 877-2100, wurzbachicehouse.com
13 beers on tap and more than 200 in bottles and cans await at this north central staple. Just make sure you order some jalapeno bottle caps, too.
Photo via Instagram / wurzbach_ice_house

Evil Olive
2950 Thousand Oaks, Suite 5, (210) 495-0970, facebook.com/EvilOliveSA
This neighborhood joint offers a huge menu of hearty bar food as well as a heavily-stocked bar. Snag a seat at the bar to watch karaoke or the game at this northeast SA spot.
Photo via Instagram / evilolive_sa

The Thursty Turtle
1626 NE Interstate 410 Loop, (210) 820-3600, facebook.com/TheThurstyTurtle
Don’t let the framed giant-ass turtle shell fool you, this place is dope AF. The drinks are known for being strong and the vibe is consistently chill, so just sidle up to that well-loved bar top for a drink or two.
Photo via Instagram / jonwiener

Kennedy’s Public House
19179 Blanco Road, (210) 764-1333, kennedysirishbar.com
Whether you want to hang out at the bar or lounge around on the couches, this Irish bar might just be your new favorite hang out if you’ve never been. Found in the Stone Oak neighborhood, Kennedy’s has daily specials and always has 16 beers on tap, including some Texas craft brews. Plus the food here is pretty solid, so you’re bound to have a good time, lad.
Photo via Yelp / Jennifer O.