The Esquire Tavern

A native San Antonion who has frequented The Esquire and brought guests from around the world to enjoy and embrace this beautiful San Antonio bar was SLAPPED in the face when I went in today with guests!! The new owner had the sence to keep the architectural strength of the Esquire in tact. But the food and the drinks are a disgrace to a San Antonio legend. What happened to an ice cold Lone Star Long neck? Progress? I think not ! Another dime a dozon Stone Oak wannabe LA bar is what they have created!! Top if off with BORING staff that have no clue hpw lucky they are to be working ina San Antonio Legend, and you have the NEW Esquire Tavern. I will bad mouth it every chance i get until they find their heritage. Jeff Strong PS And price is not the issue here!! I'd pay premium prices in a bar such as the Esquire if its heritage was being maintainedand not demolished! more

My husband and I went two times for lunch. We found it on the River Walk where you have to walk up a tall metal staircase. The atmosphere is really western bar/saloon without being overdone. The drinks are pricey but good and everything is fresh and homemade. My husband loved the homemade ginger beer in his Moscow Mules. We had the deviled eggs both times- the best I have ever had. We also had shrimp sandwich, chicken salad (so good), french fries (homemade), a buffalo burger, and the jalapeno burger. The service left a lot to be desired both times (it was not busy) but I gave it five stars as I think the food, comfortable chairs, and atmosphere are worth the visit. more

I love this place! The decor is awesome it is a place you can go to relax and have great food by yourself or with friends! The potato tacos are excellent but are a little spicy so watch out... The Bloody Mary?s are very good also but everything is made from scratch so don?t get discouraged if it takes a little while? it?s worth the wait!! And the mimosas are delicious and refreshing! I'd recommend this place to everyone I meet! more

my husband and I discovered a great old bar on the Riverwalk while visiting San Antonio a couple of weeks ago. Come to find out, it has a long rich history. Our first visit, we sat at a table and enjoyed the bar food - deviled eggs, peanuts, and fried dill pickles (they make the pickles themselves)... delicious. Cocktails (Vieux Carre, and Aviation) came out in frosty cold glasses, perfect for a steamy spring afternoon. We went back later that night and stood at the long bar to talk at length with bartender Rob, who crafted some classic cocktails (Manhattan, Fitzgerald) using the all fresh fruit and mint, authentic ingredients, and vintage barware. The cost for two cocktails was only $13, which we thought was an excellent bargain. The next evening we visited for a third time, where Rob prepared more classic hand-shaken cocktails, each unique and delicious. We were surprised to find they had only reopened at the first of April, and doubly pleased to find them conveniently located right across the street from our hotel, the Drury Plaza (also an excellent bargain in a classic old building). This is not the place to find jug wine or long-neck beers... this is a place to end your work day or start your evening with a classic cocktail in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend. more

Over priced,always will run out of domestic beer,not a place where the little guy can sit with bankers and such.The prices I believe are meant to keep out the little guy and the riff raff besides that It was ok ,great staff nice chicks and an excellent job on the upgrades more

I was in San Antonio for a conference the last two days, and got the Esquire as a recommendation from the hotel concierge. The bar had just re-opened the previous Friday, and there weren't any recent-opening snags in service. The staff was very friendly, capable and competent. And knowledgeable. Oh man, every drink was like a history lesson. The barmen(and women) are passionate about their craft. Exceptionally smooth mixes, with some exotic takes on old standbys that are pulled off flawlessly. This isn't a place to sidle up to the bar and ask for a bottle of beer.. This is a place for old school mixed drinks. The kind of place you can ask the bartender ""what do you recommend?"" and be absolutely blown away by your drink, with some context and education along the way. There's a passion and appreciation of the craft that's alive and well here. I haven't found a place quite like it in my travels. The atmosphere feels like time stopped in 1933. The old bar, the wallpaper, booths, lights, everything. It feels like a legit, old-school speakeasy. Everything about it feels like a throwback to a bygone era. Just cool, and fun, and perfect. more

Well the place just re-opened, it looks great inside, very inviting and the drink menu looks interesting. Didnt care for the homemade ketchup or my puled pork sandwich, so lunch there again wont be happening. more

At one time it was a fun place to hang out out, that would have been in the late 80's to early 90'. Then time caught up to it and the people changed and found other places to go to and not a lot of people hanged out there. Now it has closed for a remolding but has yet to open. was suppose to open in the Summer of 2008, but still hasn't. maybe the economy hs also caught up with that idea of it ever reopening. Pros: cheap beer and drinks Cons: rowdy crowd more

Great bar for cheap drinks and entertainment. I had a blast, where in town can you get 2 dollar well drinks and 1.75 long neck miller lite. The 79 foot bar is a must see, just amazing, feel sorry for the bartenders on a busy night. The staff was not that friendly and some of them can not speak english. I know that me and my wife had a older man I could not understand a word he said, and he talked so loud that my wife wanted to leave. I observed him yelling at the bartenders, just hope you don't get him to wait on you. I think his name was George, not sure. No bar stools, was a draw back we wanted to sit at the bar. The place is a little run down, the bathrooms are real old and didn't appear to be ever cleaned. Rough crowd later at night. Mostly local hispanics frequent from my observations. We met the manager a guy named Earl what a nice man and very friendly. This could really be a hot spot if they could clean up the crowd and put a few dollars into the place. Just stop by and see the bar have a beer or a drink and move on unless you can speak fluent spanish. Pros: cheap drinks Cons: staff, bathrooms, local hispanics more

Only nefarious locals go here. Not recommended for northerners or passers-by. more