Esquire Tavern, San Antonio
One of San Antonio鈥檚 most loved watering holes, the Esquire Tavern is the oldest riverfront bar on the famous River Walk. Established in 1933 鈥� the day after Prohibition ended, it has been operational ever since, with a short hiatus from 2006 to 2011.
At the time of opening, The Esquire was considered an opulent addition to downtown San Antonio, with its high ceilings covered in pressed copper, terracotta floor tiles and elaborate woodwork. Thanks to its central location, the place drew clientele from all walks of life, and eventually became an obligatory stop for visitors to the Alamo City who looked to enjoy an inexpensive drink. Also added to its popularity a whole new decorative concept, featuring taxidermy and patterned tile.
The storied bar has a bit of a reputation, with legends of gun fights, illegal gambling, and even a ghost roaming in the basement. Dark, cool, and redolent with history, it invoked a feeling of danger as you went through the doors, but more like reliving a movie scene in a seedy joint full of characters than fearing for your life. Old regulars perched at the bar smoking, a uniformed man frisking people at the door and the occasional over-served patron being escorted out just added to the charm.
Years on, the Tavern continues to be the standard-bearer of bar excellence in San Antonio. It boasts the longest wooden bar top in Texas - over 100 feet of beer-soaked wood, rubbed smooth by the elbows of a zillion tipplers. In 1988, the bar top was spotlighted by 鈥淩ipley鈥檚 Believe it or Not鈥� when, in a publicity stunt, it had 5,973 Lone Star bottles placed upon.
The bar offers a full menu of drinks (curated bubbles, ice cold beer, wine and swanky cocktails) and excellent pub grub (especially the lavish charcuterie plate). House specialties, like the Commerce Street Fix - blanco tequila, chartreuse, pineapple, lemon and angostura bitters shaken and served on crushed ice - have earned it a Beard nomination.
At the lower level, there is an intimate riverside lounge, called Downstairs at Esquire, which opens straight onto the River Walk and has a totally different concept, with a cool decor inspired by Victorian botanical and zoological collections.
At the time of opening, The Esquire was considered an opulent addition to downtown San Antonio, with its high ceilings covered in pressed copper, terracotta floor tiles and elaborate woodwork. Thanks to its central location, the place drew clientele from all walks of life, and eventually became an obligatory stop for visitors to the Alamo City who looked to enjoy an inexpensive drink. Also added to its popularity a whole new decorative concept, featuring taxidermy and patterned tile.
The storied bar has a bit of a reputation, with legends of gun fights, illegal gambling, and even a ghost roaming in the basement. Dark, cool, and redolent with history, it invoked a feeling of danger as you went through the doors, but more like reliving a movie scene in a seedy joint full of characters than fearing for your life. Old regulars perched at the bar smoking, a uniformed man frisking people at the door and the occasional over-served patron being escorted out just added to the charm.
Years on, the Tavern continues to be the standard-bearer of bar excellence in San Antonio. It boasts the longest wooden bar top in Texas - over 100 feet of beer-soaked wood, rubbed smooth by the elbows of a zillion tipplers. In 1988, the bar top was spotlighted by 鈥淩ipley鈥檚 Believe it or Not鈥� when, in a publicity stunt, it had 5,973 Lone Star bottles placed upon.
The bar offers a full menu of drinks (curated bubbles, ice cold beer, wine and swanky cocktails) and excellent pub grub (especially the lavish charcuterie plate). House specialties, like the Commerce Street Fix - blanco tequila, chartreuse, pineapple, lemon and angostura bitters shaken and served on crushed ice - have earned it a Beard nomination.
At the lower level, there is an intimate riverside lounge, called Downstairs at Esquire, which opens straight onto the River Walk and has a totally different concept, with a cool decor inspired by Victorian botanical and zoological collections.
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Esquire Tavern on Map
Sight Name: Esquire Tavern
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Antonio, Texas
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River Walk Tour
The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del R铆o or simply The River Walk) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of the city. A successful special-case pedestrian street, this walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting major tourist draws and attractions that add to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles