Best Nightlife Hotspots in Downtown San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas is visited each year by thousands of tourists and convention attendees. There are quite a lot of nightlife activities in the downtown area, especially on the tourist friendly Riverwalk, but there are also a lot of nightlife spots a little off the beaten path that these visitors might not know about. Many of the suburbanites might not know about them either. Here are ten unique San Antonio nightlife hotspots that are accessible to the downtown area that are worth the time to seek out and enjoy.

Blue Star Brewery, 1414 S. Alamo St. 210-212-5506.

Located in the Blue Star Arts Complex, the Blue Star Brewery features its own brands of beer that are brewed on the premises. You can go visit the art galleries in the complex and see art ranging from local to national and even international artists. Then you can enjoy good food and beer in a lively atmosphere at the brewery. You may find yourself sitting next to some of the same artists whose work you just saw. Check it out on the first Friday of the month (when the exhibitions open) if you like being a part of a large crowd.

La Tuna, 100 Probandt 210-224-8862.

La Tuna is a San Antonio exclusive. La Tuna is an outdoor affair with picnic tables and thousands of beer bottle caps used to level out the terrain. Although they only serve beer and wine, La Tuna attracts a large, diverse group of people. If it’s a cold winter night, don’t worry, the folks at La Tuna will build a bonfire warm enough to have you stripping off your coat and chugging cold beer in no time.

The Landing, 123 LaSoya 210-223-7266.

Although The Landing is located on the main tourist thoroughfare of the San Antonio Riverwalk, it is worth mentioning. The world class Jim Cullum’s jazz band sets up shop there every night of the week. It is pricey and a bit upscale compared to some of the other nightlife hotspots, but if you like New Orleans and Dixieland style jazz there is no better place to listen to it. Probably not even New Orleans. If you’ve got money to burn, then burn it here.

Esquire, 155 E. Commerce 210-222-2521.

This bar is about as downtown as you can get. It features what is probably the longest bar in San Antonio. It may even be the longest bar in the state. The wooden bar runs down the entire length of the establishment. Although you are served cheap drinks by bartenders in tuxedo shirts, this place can get a little rough in the evenings. However, if you want your nightlife in the morning, this is the place to be. The bar opens at seven a.m. and is a perfect place to get an afternoon “refresher.” Or it can be used for the old hair of the dog trick if you’re not feeling so well after a hard night out.

The Mix, 2423 N. St. Mary’s 210-735-1313.

The Mix offers up a much younger and later crowd than the rest of the offerings. They have music that ranges from punk to rockabilly to soul. This nightlife spot has been voted best college bar by the local media. It draws a young crowd, and might seem empty at ten, but is crammed to capacity by midnight. The Mix serves up cold drinks and good vibes, and the daytime bartenders make some of the best Michaladas around.

Joey’s, 2417 N. St. Mary’s 210-733-9573.

If loud music and college atmosphere isn’t your thing, then you should try Joey’s located right next door to the Mix. Owned by the same guys that own the Blue Star Brewery, Joey’s offers an older, more businessman type crowd. Joey’s has a nice relaxing feel to it and is a great place to make conversation and unwind. It also has regulation sized pool tables, and is one of the few places in town that has steel dart boards.

Red Room, 1903 S. St. Mary’s 210-218-3442.

The Red Room is a hidden gem in San Antonio’s Southtown. This is a BYOB club with a check your shoes at the door policy. It is furnished with plush throw pillows and comfy couches. They showcase some of the nation’s great underground and indie bands and artisans. Call ahead and see who’s playing there. If it’s something you’re interested in, chances are you’ll be hanging out with them after the show.

Casbeer’s, 1719 Blanco Road 210-732-3511.

Casbeer’s is a restaurant / beer hall that has excellent Tex-Mex food and is full of hole in the wall fun. Some of the best alt-country and rockabilly bands play here, and the beer is cold. Dust off your boots and break out the hair grease, but try not to step on anyone’s toes on the intimately small dance floor.

Liberty Bar, 328 E. Josephine 210-227-1187.

Are you in the mood for some good “yuppie” cuisine and stiff drinks for a reasonable price? Check out Liberty Bar. Enjoy some good food and then mosey over to the bar for some great drinks. This is the perfect place for a date, or a great place to start an evening out into the San Antonio nightlife.

Bar America, 723 S. Alamo, 210-223-7462.

Bar America is a club that has been operated by the same family since the dawn of time. This place has cheap beer and three generations working behind the bar. The newest song on the jukebox is probably from the early seventies, and the quarter pool tables still only cost a quarter. With vinyl booths and Louis Armstrong playing on the juke, how could you ask for anything else? Well, maybe you could ask for another beer.