Best Sports Bar
Best Sports Bar in San Antonio: McIntyre's Southtown
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Best Sports Bar in San Antonio: McIntyre's Southtown

Winner: McIntyre's Southtown 1035 S. Presa St. (210) 957-1385 mcintyresusa.com 2. Slackers Bar, North Star location 126 W. Rector Drive (210) 530-4168 slackersbars.com 3. Bar 321 321 N. Main Ave. (210) 257-8064 bar321sa.com Previous Winners 2024 Slackers Sports Bar 2023 Slackers Sports Bar 2022 Little Woodrow's 2021 Little Woodrow's 2020 Slackers Sports Bar 2019 Slackers 2018 Knockout 2017 Best Sports Bar 2016 Best Sports Bar 2014 Best Sports bar 2013 Best Sports Bar Nightlife Best Bar: River North Icehouse Winner: River North Icehouse 317 W. Jones Ave. (210) 277-0088 rivernorthicehouse.com River North’s laid-back party spot, which opened in 2024, feels like an adult playground – think boozy barrels of Broadway lemonade made with vodka, peach and lemon, retro arcade games, a dance floor and a karaoke-ready stage that’s seen everything from DJ sets to impromptu matchmaking. With classic and frozen drinks flowing, River North has become a go-to for parties, networking or just kicking back like it’s your favorite Texas icehouse – only louder. Adding to the appeal, there’s a food truck typically parked out back in the grassy lawn, not to mention restaurants within walking distance. 2. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen 103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com 3. Slackers Bar Multiple locations slackersbars.com Best Bar Food: Evil Olive Winner: Evil Olive 2950 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 5 (210) 495-0970 evilolivesa.com When it comes to hearty bar food and bites, Evil Olive takes the burger … oops, we mean “cake.” There’s the So-Tex burger with a hearty helping of barbecue sauce and bacon, and also a classic half-pound cheeseburger on a toasted sourdough bun with all the fixings. Meanwhile, the Trash Tacos filled with chicken strips, bacon, fries and queso are just as trashy — and tasty — as they sound. Add Steak Night Mondays and a formidable brunch, and it’s easy to see why readers are impressed. Evil Olive’s been a quiet staple since 2010 for a reason. 2. Cherrity Bar 302 Montana St. (210) 598-0496 cherritybar.com 3. Wetmore Beach House 12329 Wetmore Road (210) 475-3339 wetmorebeachhouse.com Best Bar Games: Slackers Bar Winner: Slackers Bar Multiple locations slackersbars.com 2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com 3. Little Woodrow’s Multiple locations littlewoodrows.com Best Bartender: Derek Anderson, Evil Olive Elixir Lounge   Winner: Derek Anderson, Evil Olive Elixir Lounge 2950 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 5 (210) 495-0970 evilolivesa.com 2. Fernanda Sabag, The Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com 3. Mary, Kung Fu Saloon 5531 N. Loop 1604 West (210) 756-1719 kungfusaloon.com Best Bloody Mary: Liberty Bar Winner: Liberty Bar 1111 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1187 liberty-bar.com 2. Down on Grayson 303 E. Grayson St. (210) 248-9244 downongrayson.com 3. The Esquire Tavern 155 E. Commerce St. (210) 222-2521 esquiretavern-sa.com Best Cocktail Bar: The Modernist Winner: The Modernist 516 E. Grayson St. facebook.com/themodernistsa Located in the East Grayson microdistrict, The Modernist is not only the Best Cocktail Bar according to our readers, it’s one of San Antonio’s best kept secrets. Without calling itself a speakeasy – an overused term that doesn’t really mean anything anymore – The Modernist effortlessly retains an if-you-know-you-know quality. Outside, it’s an unassuming bungalow. Inside, it’s a sexy cocktail lounge for only the most discerning palates. It’s the kind of place where lovers speak in hushed tones, turning conversation into elevated foreplay over an aromatic, artisanal drink. The bar doesn’t have a menu. Rather, its master mixologists ask you questions about the kind of drink you like, then build something intuitively to suit your tastes. 2. Bar 1919 1420 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1420 bar1919.com 3. Pink Shark 203 N. Presa St. (210) 834-3372 pinksharkbar.com Best Country Bar: The Lonesome Rose Winner: The Lonesome Rose 2114 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 455-0233 thelonesomerose.com Deep within our hearts lies a melody, and it seems a lot of readers are humming that same tune. It’s a fair guess the Lonesome Rose ended up as Best Country Bar precisely because it’s so much more. Some of the best country acts of the day have played its stage, but it has the rare quality of being a magnet for all types, from bubbas and punks to bikers and drunks. Honky tonk angels and freaks alike mingle under the glow of its neon beer signs. And though it has its regulars, its crowd largely depends on who’s playing that night. Often it’s a country band, but it could also be indie, conjunto, noise rock or something else entirely. Raise a glass to the oldest honky tonk on the St. Mary’s Strip. 2. Cowboys Dance Hall 3030 NE Loop 410 (210) 646-9378 cowboysdancehall.com 3. The SA Country Saloon 1134 W. Hildebrand Ave. (210) 525-0915 instagram.com/sacountrysaloon Best Craft Beer Selection: Flying Saucer – San Antonio Winner: Flying Saucer – San Antonio  11255 Huebner Road #212 (210) 696-5080 beerknurd.com/san-antonio-flying-saucer Despite being a Texas-based chain, the atmosphere and service of Flying Saucer's Northwest San Antonio location make it feel like a long-established neighborhood hangout. This spot offers more than 100 craft beers along with a menu of bar bites, including fish and chips, buffalo wings and classic burgers. Regulars who drink 200 different beers from the frequently rotating selection also can join the UFO Club and have a custom plate bearing their name hung on the wall. The location also offers trivia on Tuesday, but get there early since it usually fills up. 2. Hoppy Monk 1010 N. Loop 1604 East (210) 545-3330 thehoppymonk.com 3. Burleson Yard Beer Garden  430 Austin St. (210) 354-3001 burlesonyardbeergarden.com Best Dance Club: The Bonham Exchange Winner: The Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com She’s an icon, she’s a legend and she IS the moment. The Bonham Exchange is a San Antonio nightlife institution, and not just because it's been thrilling crowds for 40 years. The 25,000- square-foot club “where everyone is welcome” has three separate levels with 10 bar stations and multiple DJs playing house, EDM, top 40, hip-hop, Latin and more. The party is always popping, earning it the dual distinction of being named Best Dance Club and Best Gay Bar. But the accolades don’t end here. The Bonham also cleaned up for Best Drag Show and placed second for Best Bartender. 2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com 3. Brass Monkey 2702 N. St Mary's St. (210) 480-4722 brassmonkeytx.com Best Dive Bar: The Mix Winner: The Mix  2423 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 735-1313 themixsa.com Just about anyone can walk into this longtime favorite on the St. Mary’s Strip and feel accepted. You’ll find strip regulars and musicians shooting the shit on the patio, pool and darts enthusiasts doing their thing and plenty of 20-somethings stopping by on their bar crawls. Live music, including from touring acts, is also part of the draw, as are sweet drink specials, including $3 wells and $4 shots. 2. Finnegan’s Sports & Spirits  16260 San Pedro Ave. (210) 495-4717 finneganssatx.com 3. Charlie Brown’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill  11888 Starcrest Drive, Suite 101 (210) 496-7092 charlie-browns.com Best Drink Specials and Cheap Drinks: The Mix Winner: The Mix  2423 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 735-1313 themixsa.com Just about anyone can walk into this longtime favorite on the St. Mary’s Strip and feel accepted. You’ll find strip regulars and musicians shooting the shit on the patio, pool and darts enthusiasts doing their thing and plenty of 20-somethings stopping by on their bar crawls. Live music, including from touring acts, is also part of the draw, as are sweet drink specials, including $3 wells and $4 shots.
  1. Finnegan's Sports & Spirits 16260 San Pedro Ave. (210) 495-4717 finneganssatx.com3. Social Spot 930 Broadway (210) 263-9009 facebook.com/socialspotsatx
  Best Happy Hour: Slackers Bar, North Star location Winner: Slackers Bar, North Star location 126 W. Rector Drive (210) 530-4168 slackersbars.com 2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com Tie: 3. Hanzo 7701 Broadway, Suite 124 (210) 826-1488 hanzobar.com
  1. BB’s Tex Orleans 5423 W. Loop 1604 North (726) 600-2022 bbstexorleans.com
  Best Hotel Bar: Sternewirth, Hotel Emma Winner: Sternewirth, Hotel Emma 136 E. Grayson St. (844) 845-7384 thehotelemma.com With soaring 25-foot ceilings and impeccable design, Hotel Emma’s Sternewirth provides a breathtaking setting to tip back a classic cocktail done right. The bar, situated in the former Pearl Brewery’s brewhouse, is named after the obscure tradition known as the Sternewirth Privilege, the pre-Prohibition perk of unlimited free beer extended on the job to brewery employees. Continuing the cheeky homage to its roots, old fermentation tanks have been converted into intimate booths at the sumptuously decorated tavern. The bar itself is also a work of art, with mixologists in aprons conveying the seriousness of their craft in front of its colorful, backlit bottles. 2. The Moon's Daughters, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk by Hyatt 115 Lexington Ave. (210) 942-6032 themoonsdaughters.com 3. Ocho Lounge, Hotel Havana (Closed June 29) 1015 Navarro St. (210) 222-2008 bunkhousehotels.com   Best Icehouse: The Friendly Spot Winner: The Friendly Spot 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com 2. Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House 16080 San Pedro Ave. (210) 462-1894 lucycoopers.com 3. La Tuna Icehouse 100 Probandt St. (210) 224-8862 latunasa.com   Best Local Brewery: Breakaway Brewing Co. Winner: Breakaway Brewing Co. 1518 E Grayson St. (210) 255-1149 breakawaybrewing.us 2. Longtab Brewing Co. 4700 Timco W. Suite 105 (210) 947-4766 longtabbrewing.com 3. Künstler Brewing 302 E. Lachapelle St. (210) 688-4519 kuenstlerbrewing.com   Best Margaritas: La Fogata Mexican Cuisine Winner: La Fogata Mexican Cuisine Multiple locations lafogata.com 2. Sanchos Cantina & Cocina 628 Jackson St. (210) 320-1840 sanchosmx.com 3. La Fonda on Main 2415 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-0621 lafondaonmain.com
  Best Micheladas: El Bucanero Winner: El Bucanero, Blanco Road 16505 Blanco Road (210) 408-9297 el-bucanero.com 2. Sanchos Cantina & Cocina 628 Jackson St. (210) 320-1840 sanchosmx.com 3. La Laguna Mariscos & Sushi 23535 I-10 West, Suite 3001 (726) 444-0750 mariscoslalagunagroup.com   Best Music Venue: Aztec Theatre Winner: Aztec Theatre 104 S. St. Mary's St. (210) 812-4355 theaztectheatre.com Originally opened in 1926 as a silent movie theater, the Aztec now operates as one of the city's premier music venues as its building approaches the century mark. Over the course of its decades entertaining San Antonio, it’s had many ups, downs and reinventions. It was reimagined as a live music venue in 2013, and the developers wisely left its garish Aztec statuary intact. Live Nation took over in 2015, and since then it’s hosted some of the biggest names that have come through San Antonio, including Parliament Funkadelic, Melvins, Molchat Doma, Leon Russell, Marilyn Manson, Psychedelic Furs, Garbage, En Vogue and more. 2. Boeing Center at Tech Port 3331 General Hudnell Drive (210) 600-3699 boeingcentertechport.com Tie: 3. The Rock Box 1223 E. Houston St. (210) 677-9453 therockboxsa.com 3. Paper Tiger 2410 N. St. Mary’s St. papertigersatx.com
Best New Bar: River North Icehouse Winner: River North Icehouse 317 W. Jones Ave. (210) 277-0088 rivernorthicehouse.com River North’s laid-back party spot, which opened in 2024, feels like an adult playground – think boozy barrels of Broadway lemonade made with vodka, peach and lemon, retro arcade games, a dance floor and a karaoke-ready stage that’s seen everything from DJ sets to impromptu matchmaking. With classic and frozen drinks flowing, River North has become a go-to for parties, networking or just kicking back like it’s your favorite Texas icehouse – only louder. Adding to the appeal, there’s a food truck typically parked out back in the grassy lawn, not to mention restaurants within walking distance.
  1. Southtown House of Spirits 727 S. Alamo St., Suite 200 (512) 387-0107 instagram.com/southtownspirits3. Wetmore Beach House 12329 Wetmore Road (210) 475-3339 wetmorebeachhouse.com
  Best Rooftop Bar: The Moon's Daughters Winner: The Moon's Daughters, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk by Hyatt 115 Lexington Ave. (210) 942-6032 themoonsdaughters.com The Moon’s Daughters made its debut in 2021, offering classy cocktails, Mediterranean cuisine and unparalleled views from the 20th floor of downtown’s Thompson San Antonio hotel. The spacious ind00r-outdoor lounge includes both dining tables and comfy lounge spots, offering 360-degree views of the city that live up to its mythologically inspired name. While the skyline is the star here, the cocktail program is no slouch — the Fade to Cab’s blend of bourbon, date honey, lemon and cabernet is a complex winner — and the Mediterranean bites are flavorful yet approachable. 2. 1Watson, AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk 111 Soledad St. (210) 222-8300 1watsonrooftop.com 3. Paramour at the Phipps 102 9th St. Floor 4 (210) 417-6559 paramourbar.com   Best Sunday Funday: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen 103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com 2. The Friendly Spot 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com 3. The Lucky Duck 810 N. Alamo St. (210) 504-9425 satx.luckyducktx.com San Antonio Current editor@sacurrent.com marketing@sacurrent.com (210) 640-7103