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Essential San Antonio restaurants and bars with outdoor patios

By San Antonio Current Staff and Jay Moreno on Fri, Mar 19, 2021 at 3:18 pm

With COVID surging again in San Antonio, it makes sense to play it safe and avoid crowded indoor spaces.

That's why we wrangled together a collection of bars and eateries with ample, gorgeous outdoor spaces perfect for enjoying some of the best food and hospitality our city has to offer. These spots are perfect for ordering up a frosty beverage and savory snack while soaking up the sun and remaining socially distant.

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The Moon’s Daughters
Masks Required
115 Lexington Ave, (210) 942-6031, themoonsdaughters.com
The newest hotel rooftop bar may not be fully open yet (the grand opening is set for March 26), but you’ll want to be proactive about making plans to visit this swanky spot. A Mediterranean-inspired menu and impressive bar offerings only add to the appeal of the 20-story rooftop space.
Photo courtesy of The Moon’s Daughters

Buckets Burgers and Beer
Masks Not Required for Staff or Customers
2014 S WW White Rd, (210) 251-2232, Facebook.com/Bucketsbeergarden
This family-friendly joint offers ample outdoor seating as well as space for the kiddos to let loose. An outdoor bar, live music and huge burgers — among other scrumptious food items — make this a spot you don’t want to miss when the weather is nice.
Photo via Facebook / Buckets Burgers and Beer Garden

Little Em’s Oyster Bar
Masks Required
1001 S Alamo St, (210) 257-0100, littleemsoysterbar.com
This bright and airy Southtown joint offers more than seafood, boasting crisp white walls and floors with pops of light pink and periwinkle blue that are just damn Instagram-worthy. Post up on the patio for oysters, ceviche, lobster rolls and a glass — or bottle — of sparkling wine.
Photo via Instagram / emtrevy

Hello Paradise
Masks Required
520 E Grayson St, (210) 338-5114, helloparadisesa.com
Located in the former Shuck Shack space, weekend plans could definitely get better by snagging a cozy picnic table at Hello Paradise. Enjoy your frosty cocktails and noodle, soup and curry dishes from the onsite Thai kitchen.
Photo via Instagram / helloparadisesa

Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House
Masks Required
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 the addition of a cold libation in your hand. Fresh air aficionados can get all of that and more at Lucy’s.
Photo via Instagram / lucycoopersicehouse

Brooster’s Backyard
Masks Required
815 Pleasanton Rd, (210) 253-9104, Facebook.com/BroostersBackyard
This kid- and pet-friendly Southside venue offers live music, play areas for both furry and human kiddos, DJs, chancla throwing contests and Lotería nights. Grab a drink from the full bar or mocktail menu, as well as snacks from a variety of food trucks — or a couple of snow cones for the kiddos.
Photo via Instagram / broostersbackyard

Cullum’s Attagirl
Masks Required
726 E Mistletoe Ave, (210) 437-4263, cullumsattagirl.com
This SA mainstay now serves up hot chicken and ice cold beverages on an extended patio, thanks to the city’s Eat on the Street program. Don’t sleep on the lunch specials — trust us on this one.
Photo via Instagram / cullumsattagirl

The Rustic
Masks Not Required for Staff or Customers
17619 La Cantera Parkway Unit 04, (210) 245-7500, therustic.com/san-antonio
Sitting right outside of the loop, The Rustic offers live music, a huge outdoor seating area and a diverse food menu. The venue isn’t currently requiring staff or guests to wear face coverings, but folks who would prefer a server with a mask can request to be seated in a section in a masked server’s section.
Photo via Instagram / therusticsa

The Cove
Masks Required
606 W Cypress St, San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 227-2683, thecove.us
The Cove has long been an outdoor haven for San Antonians, but a recent revamp to the patio area creates a more spacious layout to accommodate those looking to enjoy the weather. Be sure to check out the Texas bar, which offers nearly 50 Texas craft brews.
Photo via Instagram / thecovesa

Beethoven Maennerchor
Masks Not Required for Customers
422 Pereida St., (210) 222-1521, beethovenmaennerchor.com
Located in Southtown near Blue Star, the Beethoven Maennerchor halle is home to one of the oldest German singing societies in Texas. The property usually hosts some of the biggest outdoor Oktoberfest, Fiesta and First Friday bashes in town, complete with authentic German food and music, plus ah-mazing German bier.
Photo via Facebook / the.Beethoven

Bentley's Beer Garden
Masks Not Required for Customers
802 N Alamo St., (210) 980-9401, facebook.com/bentleysbeergarden
This open-air joint provides a socially-distant respite near Downtown, featuring large bars surrounded by televisions, swing seating and music stages.
Photo via Facebook / bentleysbeergarden

Brazed
Masks Required
909 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78215, (210) 632-1209, brazedsa.com
Brazed is a beer- and whiskey-focused outdoor bar situated inside Augie’s Alamo City BBQ, on Broadway. The joint offers up a "hybrid" menu of barbecue and pub-style fare, debuting bites such as sliders, nachos, chips and queso on a huge, newly expanded patio space.
Photo via Instagram / brazedsa

Burleson Yard Beer Garden
Masks Required
430 Austin St., (210) 354-3001, facebook.com/BurlesonYard
When Burleson Yard first opened, it made a splash on the scene with its huge array of activities such as a large play area for the kiddos, table tennis, hammocks, giant flat-screens and live music. As the name suggests, hopheads will be pleased with the large beer selection, and the frozen drinks tend to be a big hit as well.
Photo via Instagram / burlesonyardbeergarden

The Cherrity Bar
Masks Required
302 Montana St., (210) 598-0496, cherritybar.com
Seated comfortably at the corner of Cherry and Montana streets on the East Side, The Cherrity Bar covers nearly an entire city block, combining cocktails, charitable giving and a ramen shop. While their small arcade collection is currently closed off, guests can sit in the huge covered patio area, where a spectacular view of the Tower of the Americas adds to the vibe.
Photo via Instagram / cherritybar

Chicken N Pickle
Masks Not Required for Customers
5215 UTSA Boulevard, (210) 874-2120, chickennpickle.com/san-antonio
The massive four-acre Chicken N Pickle complex features pet-friendly spaces, a fast casual dining restaurant, five outdoor Pickleball courts, two bocce ball and four shuffleboard courts — plus a full bar to fuel the fun.
Photo via Instagram / satxrated

Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
Masks Required
103 E Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, (210) 446-9303, elsewheregarden.com
The dog- and family-friendly spot features swing seats overlooking the San Antonio River, lush landscaping, a selection of brews and wine, and savory snacks create a perfect urban getaway. Masks required when ordering, but at guest discretion when moving around the property.
Photo via Instagram / elsewheresatx

The Friendly Spot Ice House
Masks Required
943 S Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com
Southtown’s largest outdoor food and drink venue, The Friendly Spot, has reopened its yard seating, bringing back outdoor sports viewing and weekend DJ sets. Guests are asked to engage in social distancing and frequent hand washing/sanitizing, as well as donning masks when not indulging in their “friendly eats & drinks.”
Photo via Instagram / lizzie.blank

The Hoppy Monk
Masks Not Required for Customers
1010 N Loop 1604 E, thehoppymonk.com
The Hoppy Monk offers ample outdoor dining, and the food menu and huge selection of beers only add to the reasons to head to this north SA spot. Stop by on Sunday to indulge in their brunch offerings, but be warned: you will wait for a table, so don’t arrive hangry.
Photo via Instagram / thehoppymonk

Jaime's Place
Masks Required
1514 W. Commerce St., jaimesplace.pub
This 3,500 square feet space opened in October of 2020, offering indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy live music, food and drinks on the city’s west side. Jaime’s Place boasts tons of room to enjoy the night air and dance with your +1 after one — or four — of their signature wine-based margaritas.
Photo via Instagram / jaimesplace

La Gloria
Masks Required
Various Locations, facebook.com/lagloriapearl
The patios at each La Gloria location include lush greenery and plenty of space to socially distance yourself effectively. They are also offering paperless ordering and booze to-go.
Photo via Instagram / pattinelsonluxury