It’s rare for a spot to win Best New Bar and Best Bar in the same year, but it makes sense here, given the instant classic Elsewhere Too has become. A sister location to the flagship Elsewhere on the River Walk, Elsewhere Too is a whimsical, immersive outdoor bar that sprawls across a 6-acre property in north San Antonio. Among its features: a 52-foot Ferris wheel, fire pits, a flower tunnel and a spacious greenhouse for private events. Drinks include a San Antonio River Water margarita and a Drink Me potion with fermented vodka and blue raspberry. The place also serves up boozy lemonades in a pouch, perfect for outdoor drinking.

Rock & Rye
17631 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 103
(210) 721-7753
rockandryebar.com

Rumors Mixology Bar
220 E. Olmos Drive
(210) 787-1117
instagram.com/rumorsbarolmospark

Best New Bar Runners Up:

Pour Cocktail Collective
5123 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 108
(210) 231-0088
instagram.com/pour.cocktail.collective

Bubbles and Bourbon
1417 Austin St.
(210) 265-1420
bubblesandbourbonsa.com

Bar Food Runners Up:

Elsewhere Too
4513 N. Loop 1604 West
(210) 201-5595
elsewheretexas.com

Vino Grotta
19338 Babcock Road, Suite 209
(210) 512-8466
vinogrotta.com

Sunday Funday Runners Up:

River North Ice House
317 W. Jones Ave.
(210) 277-0088
rivernorthicehouse.com

Vino Grotta
19338 Babcock Road, Suite 209
(210) 512-8466
vinogrotta.com

River North Ice House is doing something right if it can land simultaneous wins in three categories — and may we suggest that the thing it does right is appealing to a broad range of customers without putting on airs. This north-of-downtown party destination opened in 2024 and quickly became a go-to for meetings, happy hours, game nights and more thanks to its combo of great drinks, a karaoke-ready stage, fun bar diversions and a welcoming vibe. It doesn’t hurt that the spacious back lawn offers food truck options and there are plentiful dining spots nearby.

Elsewhere Too
4513 N. Loop 1604 West
(210) 201-5595
elsewheretexas.com

Little Woodrow’s
Multiple Locations
littlewoodrows.com

Ice House Runners Up:

The Friendly Spot
943 S. Alamo St.
(210) 224-2337
thefriendlyspot.com

La Tuna

100 Probandt St.
(210) 224-8862
latunasa.com

Karaoke Bar Runners Up:

Bubbles and Bourbon
1417 Austin St.
(210) 265-1420
bubblesandbourbonsa.com

Dad’s Karaoke
2615 Mossrock
(210) 267-5703
instagram.com/dadskaraokebar

The perfect bloody mary is a subjective thing. How spicy should it be? How salty? Go big on the lime or let the tomato take the front seat? And how much is too much when it comes to garnishes? Elevated sports bar DJ’s Bar & Grill clearly earned its votes in this category by understanding just how personal a thing bloody marys are. It offers an impressive — and popular — weekend mimosa and bloody mary bar that lets the imbiber fine tune their brunch cocktail just the way they see fit.

Social Spot
930 Broadway
(210) 263-9009
instagram.com/socialspotsatx

Chiflada’s Cocktail Bar
1804 W. Martin St.
instagram.com/chifladas_sa

Runners Up:

Bar 1919
1420 S. Alamo St.
(210) 227-1420
bar1919.com

Pour Cocktail Collective
5123 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 108
(210) 231-0088
instagram.com/pour.cocktail.collective

Runners Up:

Lonesome Rose
2114 N. St. Mary's St.
(210) 455-0233
thelonesomerose.com

John T. Floore’s Country Store
14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes
(210) 695-8827
liveatfloores.com

Runners Up:

Stout House
Multiple Locations
stouthousesa.com

The Hoppy Monk
1010 N. Loop 1604 East
(210) 545-3330
thehoppymonk.com

It’s been 25 years since the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium landed in San Antonio, bringing the city’s beer-curious a selection of 85 taps and a selection of 150 cans and bottles. As the appreciation for craft beer and deep-cut imports grew, so did the number of craft beer-centric bars. While there might be a great neighborhood taproom closer by, the Saucer is still a destination visit for its constantly rotating taps from independent brewers across Texas and the U.S. The boisterous gastropub also is one of the few surviving places that pays homage to great Belgian ales, German lagers and other European classics.

Timed perfectly for Madonna Summer, the Bonham Exchange has won both Best Dance Club and Best Gay Bar. And now, thanks to the diva’s recently released Confessions II, the club that was already the place to be is going to be straight-up transcendent. Sometimes, no matter who you are, you just need to dance with abandon without worrying about the creeps, and Bonham Exchange is that spot. That's why it’s stood the test of time since 1981, much like the Material Girl herself.

Thirsty Horse Dance Hall & Saloon
2335 NW Military Highway
(210) 348-1513
thirstyhorse.net

Be Kind & Rewind
115 Alamo Plaza
(210) 951-1980
bekindandrewindsa.com

Gay Bar Runners Up:

Pegasus
1402 N. Main Ave.
facebook.com/thepegsa

Chiflada’s Cocktail Bar
1804 W. Martin St.
instagram.com/chifladas_sa