SF Meetup: South Texas Edition Updated - Page 5

Honestly, I would prefer somewhere downtown. The city of San Antonio is beautiful and I haven't been there in a while. As far as I remember, the nearby suburbs were incredibly ghetto, so the city is pretty much where I'd want to be.

Rock on. Unfortunately, I have quals on the 15th. By the 13th I expect to be insane and only able to spout random physics theorems.

How long has it been since you were here? Lots of nice locations to hang out in live in SA these days that are not ghetto at all. Having said that, I can understand the desire to want to go DT.

I would be up for doing something similar in Austin. I've been thinking about doing something like this for a while now. I think I'll be able to make it to the SA one. Keep me posted.

this


Whaddya mean no flip flops? You want me to wear shoes when it's been 100 for 6 weeks?


It IS San Antonio, after all.


As long as it's not the F%^N Riverwalk. Stone Oak's quite arguably better than downtown.


There's some place called Martini that might be cool. Been wanting to go there.

I think I can be there if it's in SA.

PM Whacked. He lives here too.

Yeah, I prefer the scene in Stone Oak, but it looks like most people are wanting to go DT. I'm with Steve B., that as long as it's not on the "F%^N Riverwalk," I'm fine with it. There are some good places that are not so touristy we can hit.

Let's start taking real suggestions for a location. Would be nice if it's not a large chain since people from out of town are coming. Something local.

And affordable for us non-big timers

screw stone oak. You guys should do the meetup at The Esquire downtown, it's on an less traveled area of Downtown riverwalk and it's the oldest bar in Texas. Opened the first day after Prohibition ended, ambience is straight out of the 30s with a Mad Men esque vibe, and they serve some mean whiskey. Felt walls, candlelit with real leather chairs and the longest continuous wooden bar in Texas. After that, head over to Havana Bar, which is one of the best riverwalk hotel bars that only the locals frequent - great vibe. I'll drop by if I can fellas. Maybe swing on down to Southtown to Liberty Bar if you want to keep it classy, or The Friendly Spot if you wanna drink some beer under the stars.

San Antonio is a great idea.

why do you think I own them? If I can't afford shoes I can't afford drinks. Tie dyes flip flops and my straw fedora...

I've never been to any of these places. Sound like a *great* idea.

Liberty Bar is nice.

I think the Esquire is perfect for beginning the meet up. Huge bar, lots of tables and booths for sitting down in the back, and it doesn't get overly crowded on a saturday night. A little caveat, I write for the San Antonio Current and live in Southtown so this may explain my familiarity with the area.


Here's a shot of the bar. What's not shown is the ample room and space with long tables in the back.

The Pearl Brewery area might also be a good spot to roam, but if you guys want to keep it within Downtown, it's hard to go wrong with the spots I listed. Plus you're a step away from your normal bars such as Pat O Brien's and things like that if that's more your scene.

Oh, and for the Havana Bar hotel, it's actually called Ocho Lounge now if you want to look it up.



http://www.havanasanantonio.com/ocho.shtml

Both locations are within walking distance and located on the riverwalk. Not your typical fare for sure, but it's very affordable, about on par pricewise with drinks at the more popular spots.

those pictures are actually from apartmenttherapy, full article here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/inspiration/colorful-summer-style-from-hotel-havanas-ocho-bar-148281

hope this helps!
Edited by chim - 7/18/11 at 6:35am

Great suggestions Chim! Esquire looks great as does Ocho Lounge. Surprised I have never heard of them or been there. Guess I have been spending too much time hanging out at the bars and lounges in the Stone Oak area since I live here and they are an easy drive.

You said they are on the Riverwalk. They don't get too touristy do they? Also, I think everyone is wanting to keep this on slightly more the casual side. Would they be appropriate for that too?

nope, both of them are pretty much locals only. They're on a quieter side of the riverwalk - it's hard to run into them on purpose. Esquire is big enough that there is rarely ever a wait, even when its packed. I think it's a great vibe, myself, and would fit the bill. As for casual side, these are probably the two bars in the downtown area that would fit perfect with that. It's no Coyote Ugly. The ambience kind of speaks for itself - definitely gems IMHO. You can peep the menus on their website as well.