Nightlife San Antonio – 14 Unexpected Things to Do After Dark
The Alamo City is no shrinking violet when it comes to after-dark plans. Stretch out your days exploring the rolling hills of Texas hill country and feasting on Tex-Mex. But once evening falls, pull on your spiffiest cowboy boots and prepare for a night on the town.
Follow along to discover the best of San Antonio Nightlife.
Don’t waste your time endlessly scrolling for ‘San Antonio Riverwalk nightlife’ or ‘top local breweries.’ Our Lonestar experts have done the dirty work to bring you the creme de la creme of nightlife in San Antonio.
Let the sweet sounds of jazz serenade you at a sultry club, or earn your stripes as a Texan with your very first rodeo experience.
No matter if you are looking to show off your two steps in a country dance hall or get close to finned friends at SeaWorld, this enchanting city of Spanish Colonial architecture delivers.
Nightlife San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio
Want to make your splashtastic visit to SeaWorld San Antonio even more epic? Dive into a marine world of dolphins, penguins, and rollercoasters when you tackle this 250-acre park after dark. Open till 9 p.m. Visitors can delight in thrilling rides on the Steel Eel, or 360-degree flips on the Great White.
Don’t forget to make time for an Orca Encounter, or book a special in-water sea lion interaction. Scope out predators of the deep and brightly colored coral at Explorer’s Reef or grab a mixologist-crafted cocktail at the Lone Star Lakeside Bar.
Hopscotch
Color, texture, and light come together in perfect harmony at Hopscotch San Antonio. A mesmerizing mix of mediums, this 20,000-square-foot gallery features 15 immersive art exhibits from over 40 local and worldwide artists.
Visitors can stroll through interactive art installations, enjoy live music, a full bar, and rotating food trucks on the patio. Absorb vibrant murals, flowering walls, and more as you become part of the artist’s story.
Tejas Rodeo Company
Hey there night rider! Ready to join the rodeo? Saddle up for an evening of pure Texas entertainment when you spend Saturday with the Tejas Rodeo Company. Prime yourself for hours of live music, mechanical bull riding, BBQ, and more.
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Gates open at 5 p.m. and the rodeo kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Watch in amazement as you witness the precision of an award-winning drill team, or the country skills of barrel racing, roping, and calf scrambling. For those 21 and over, there’s even a full bar offering ice-cold margaritas and mixed drinks.
Cowboys Dance Hall
Have you been dreaming about a true honky tonk experience? Dig up those daisy dukes and cowboy boots because it’s time to hit that dance floor. Cowboys Dance Hall is San Antonio’s top spot for a splash of country.
Check out their event schedule and swing by for free dance lessons, live country jams, and mechanical bull rides. Savor drink specials, ladies’ nights, and more. Or, take a break from line dancing to challenge your friends to a game of billiards.
San Antonio Historical Ghost Tour
Like your nightlife with a side of spine-tingling chills? Dabble in the supernatural when you partake in a San Antonio Historical Ghost Tour. Uncover some of the most haunted locations of the Alamo City on this 2-hour walking RJA Ghost Tour.
Your tour guide will get you up to speed on local history and the different types of hauntings and manifestations. Listen up as they spill all the gory details on the legends, lore, and paranormal happenings that pepper this area.
Bar 1919
Sultry lighting, wood paneling, and a healthy respect for mixology come together to make Bar 1919 a can’t miss cocktail experience. A love letter to the craftsmanship of libations and American history, this San Antonio speakeasy seeks to do things differently. Hidden away down a dimly lit flight of stairs, this oasis of whiskey, absinthe, and cigars is a welcome Blue Star Complex reprieve.
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Distinguished drinkers of all backgrounds will feel like they’ve been transported to the days of Prohibition, as they cozy up at the bar and peruse a menu of signature cocktails. Sample the heavenly Blood and Sand featuring scotch, cherry herring, and sweet vermouth with in-house orange juice. Or, treat yourself to their famous Old fashioned made with your choice of rye or bourbon.
JazzTX
Jazz aficionados take note, you’ll not find a better spot for jazz, salsa, or swing than JazzTX. The premier destination for live music in San Antonio, JazzTX was opened by veteran pianist Doc Watkins in 2015. Located in the basement of the Bottling Department at the historic Pearl Brewery, JazzTX features seven shows a week.
Groove out to the tunes of Doc and his orchestra, or enjoy a sprinkle of south-of-the-border flair with evenings of Latin Jazz. Fuel up on Texan-inspired plates such as mini brisket tacos or a slice of buttery pecan pie. Then tempt yourself with a specialty cocktail such as Face the Tiger or Desert Rose.
Alamo Brewing Co.
Wet your whistle with some of San Antonio’s finest craft beer offerings when you stake out a spot on the Alamo Brewing Co. patio. Open until 10 p.m. this revered brewery is always bustling with patrons playing corn hole or swaying in time to live music offerings. Plan your visit to coincide with a night of bingo or karaoke, or simply sip your way through their robust menu of golden ales, lagers, and IPAs.
Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling
Fancy a splash of whiskey with your suds? Impress the craft beer snob in your life when you plan a weekend interlude at Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling. This award-winning brewstillery is known for their unparalleled handcrafted beer and whiskey.
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Open till 9 p.m. on the weekends, visitors can dive into the brewing process with a tour, or tie one on when they order a mess of stouts, ales, and lagers to share. Be sure to check out their Texan Bourbon Barrel series, which contains favorites such as Imperial Brown, a dazzling brown ale featuring notes of sweet caramel and toffee balanced with roasted malts and a rich creaminess.
Bonham Exchange
Calling all club rats! Load up on glitter and Red Bull, because it’s time to party to the wee hours of the A.M. at Bonham Exchange. Known as downtown’s top hot spot, this 25,000-square-foot nightclub nirvana seeks to provide a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Show off your voguing on the multiple dance floors, or visit their over 10 bar stations for a libation of your choice. Get down and dirty to beats of DJs blasting House, EDM, Latin, and Hip Hop. Or, stop by for a drag show or Trash Disco night.
Riverwalk Nightlife San Antonio
Tobin Center for Performing Arts
Craving a more cultured nightlife experience? Trade in your beer and shot combo for some all-star talent at the Tobin Center for Performing Arts. Located along the banks of the Riverwalk, this historic venue still maintains its original facade.
Known as San Antonio’s premier center for music, theater, dance, and comedy, patrons can revel in performances by heavy hitters such as Alice Cooper, Scott McCreery, and Wynonna Judd. Broadway lovers can even get their fill of show tunes when they seek out revivals of Little Shop of Horrors or smash hits such as Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill.
The Esquire Tavern
A warm vintage-inspired decor, plus from-scratch fare and swanky libations have made the Esquire Tavern a Riverwalk favorite for over 80 years. Originally opened to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933, today the Esquire remains a lauded historic hangout.
Thirsty bargoers can snag a stool and sip on their cocktail at the longest wooden bar top in Texas. Sample a mezcal forward Just Keep Swimming or keep it light with a house cocktail of rum, coconut, sherry, and lime. Soak up some of that alcohol with their crave-worthy brisket fries, or fall back on the classic pub fare of Bangers and Mash.
Blue Star Brewing Company
On a hot Texas summer night, nothing sounds better than an ice-cold beer. Dive into the eclectic suds collection of Blue Star Brewing Company for nights of cover-free jazz, backyard ambiance, and stadium-style nachos. Boasting a diverse array of microbrew selections, hops fans will be bowled over by their draft and seasonal series options.
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Raise a glass with a delectable Green Tractor, an American Style India Pale Ale, or take down a pint of Blue Star’s answer to a Pilsner, the Bulverde Hills.
Howl at the Moon San Antonio
End your San Antonio big night out with a bang, when you unleash your inner animal at Howl at the Moon. This Alamo City outpost of an ever-packed watering hole delivers a pure party experience fueled by drink specials, bucket cocktails, and live music.
Make a table reservation and enjoy skip-the-line access for four guests, plus a $40 gift card, or break out the black eyeliner and sad boy anthems when you participate in their Emo Night.
San Antonio Hotels
Before we dive headfirst into downtown San Antonio nightlife, it’s imperative that you secure your lodgings. Ensure you have the perfect pied-à-terre for your big night out when you reserve any of our premier San Antonio Hotels.
Relax poolside by the Riverwalk, or enjoy a spacious suite just minutes from SeaWorld. Wherever you book, rest easy knowing you are guaranteed our lowest rates online.
A bustling city with a charming small-town feel, San Antonio manages to tick all the boxes. Visitors from every walk of life will be enthralled by the colorful Riverwalk and the grand archways of Mission San Jose.
However, after hours of sightseeing and exploring Natural Bridge Caverns, it’s time to blow off some steam.
Keep the good times flowing with immersive art exhibits, spooky ghost tours, and Broadway-worthy performances.
Scurry off to a secret speakeasy to enjoy a bespoke Bourbon cocktail, or show off your vocal prowess at a brewery-sponsored karaoke night.
Whether you are looking to gyrate on the dance floor or make a whiskey-soaked pilgrimage to a brewstillery, this Cowboy State city is a hotbed of evening excitement.
Tell us, What’s Your Favorite Thing About San Antonio Nightlife?
Did we miss any of the best San Antonio nightlife Riverwalk spots?
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