My sister, friend, and I were right next door at The Lion and The Rose before Yelping a nearby place with a better atmosphere. Backstage Lounge popped up on my app and we decided to walk over after closing out our tab at TL&R. As we walked in, we noticed a dude sitting in a brown low lounge-y chair at the entrance. We ignored him, thinking he was a patron, and continued to walk in towards the bar. He stopped us and picked up his right hand making a square with his thumb and finger. I looked at him and looked away but quickly realized the dude on the lounge chair was no longer sitting but now he was STANDING AND furthermore, he was asking us to see our ID. Damn, sure fooled me - I thought you were a damn patron! Shit, bro! Stand up for your job, door dude! After being ID'ed we walked over the bar & looked for the first beer on draft. Guess what? NO BEERS ON DRAFT! "Damnit", was my thought. We all settled for a Shiner ($3) and decided we were going to sit in the nice couches close to the entrance so we could relax and catch up with one another. As we rounded the edges of the couches to sit, the door guy (who is SITTING down again in the damn brown lounge chair) notices us and tells us with his arms straight out "Ummm thats the VIP area. You can't sit there.". He got all little kids on the bus from Forrest Gump on us! We looked at him in a confused manner while my friend asked "Well, we can be VIP's and occupy the seats until someone does want to come and be VIPs". I asked what we needed to do to be able to sit in there. He didnt answer me but rather sat right back down in his brown chair. We scoffed and went outside to the patio to continue to have a decent conversation. We stayed for about 2 hours, mostly outside because of how deathly loud that music was bumping through the TouchTunes (whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do bars have these!?!) inside, and enjoyed our evening chatting it up out in the fresh air. As we left, the bar tab was decent (under $30 for about 12 beers) but I couldn't help but notice the 'door guy' sitting back down in that same brown chair looking at people and gawking at lady patrons. Totally unprofessional. read more

Sorta struggling to find a good thing to say about a strip mall bar flanked by a BBQ and Breakfast eatery... but I'll try. Backstage Lounge has a few things going for it... It's spacious. It has great well drink prices if you happen to have a lot of time to kill before checking out a movie at the Alamo Draft House. It also happens to have a MyTouch Tunes jukebox - so you can program music to listen to without ever having to leave your bar stool. It sorta suffers from the rock n' roll "theme" that hangs heavily in the air. On my first (and likely last) visit to Backstage Lounge, my friend Elizabeth ordered a White Russian and was asked by the bartender - "what's in that?". Luckily the bartender knew what was in a Gin & Tonic... read more

I travel to San Antonio about twice a month and I never pass up the opportunity to stop by The Backstage Lounge. There are so many things I love about this place. Let me list the ways: 1. Totally love the sunken bar!! It's not something you see often and is aesthetically pleasing. 2. $2 alcohol (usually a type of vodka, a tequila/whiskey, and a type of beer-usually Budweiser family) 3. The TVs are placed perfectly to sit at the table top bar and watch any sporting event comfortably. 4. The patio is spacious and comfortable 5. The music! It has an internet juke box so you can pick out any kind of music you're in the mood for. One minute Hypnotize by Notorious BIG, the next George Strait, some Sublime, you get the idea ;) 6. Everyone is throwing a cool trip in their respective groups and mingling with others. Awesome time, every time! read more

This seems like a bar that'd be great to go to if you're staying at the hotel next door. Otherwise, I can't see much point in going here. The lounge smelled heavily of cleanser when we walked in. Pinesol isn't the most welcoming smell, but at least it didn't smell awful. It's funny, it kinda throws me off when they're in a sunken bar. You sit down, at a low bar, and they're below you. I was amused that they have bands' posters in a framed decoupage by the bar, that showcase bands that their clientele listen to. I was amused that among the clientele that they're attracting is people who enjoy Nickelback. They instantly lost a few stars for that. The bartender seemed rather clueless about the beers that they had, and they acted surprised when we asked about beers that aren't on the specials list. The beers on the specials list were shockingly cheap, so if you just wanna drink cheaply, this is a good place to go. However, the bar glassware was filthy. But you don't come here to drink fancy beers out of glasses. You come here for cheap ass cans of beer. Want clean glassware? Try ordering from a bottle instead. It seems like a laid back place to go and get some cheap drinks, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here. read more

Backstage Lounge is included in the basic adventures of Friday nights in my world. This isn't a bad thing. Backstage is just a place that I happen to hit first on my evenings out from parenthood. Generally if you arrive any time after 7:30 you will expect to wait on your drinks. The drink specials are great before 9 pm. The crowds vary on what sort of events are happening around town. A lot of the "A Loft" tenants come here with their business groups. So you'll see a variety of people in the business class, the ghetto class and the international class. While their bathrooms are nice and neat before the peak, they often get rowdy with the toilet paper floors (not the bars fault). The outside patio is a nice little touch when the chairs are out, otherwise you can expect to stand when the wooden benches are taken. I like the sunken bar, which reminds me of the Southside. The TVs are perfectly placed as well. Now I'm thirsty! read more

The drink prices are right: cheap beer and well specials. The actual bar area is pretty small and all of the seats were full on my visit. Our group decided to go outside where there was a nice sized patio with tables. The crowd seemed a bit on the hoochie side with a lot of girls in booty shorts and high heels. If you are a guy looking for some action I would say this is a great place to find that. If you just want to chill and have a beer head next door to Lion and Rose where there is plenty of seating and you don't have to listen to gangsta rap. read more

The bartenders, and I know this is going to sound ridiculous but it's the truth, made every effort to serve us and make sure we always had what we wanted. And the specials were $2. I felt weird, as the price of drinks and quality of service are usually inversely proportional, but not here. As far as the crowd goes, it was alright. Make sure to dress up and show up early if you want to sit down anywhere. The location was horrible. It's in a strip mall and there's more vacant properties around the place than businesses. Most of the shops around are closed at night so don't expect to do a whole lot of barhopping, although there's a movie theater and a comedy club close by. My recommendation: If you're with a bunch of friends and just want to go hang out at a poshy place, this is what you're looking for. But if you're looking for a funky, cool place to party, you can do better than here. read more

This place could really be something great, despite the fact that it's a hair too buried downtown. Being a musician myself in the scene for maybe 15 years, the second I walked into a show here, it was very obvious that their main problem is that they need to sound treat the building to absorb the sound. It's all brick walls and the place is BIG which is great but the live sound gets washed out at the expense of the band. To be fair, I have not been there in maybe 2 years so they may have improved on this. The place has great potential however if the sound absorption issue is resolved. read more

Nice relaxed hangout spot. Great place to meet up, pre-game and go to next location. You can spot many locals and few out of towners from nearby A-Loft Hotel. read more

The best happy hour specials I've ever had. I stayed at the hotel next to it so I walked over there several times throughout my stay. The bartenders are super friendly. read more

This place is a shithole. I stay at the hotel next door a lot for work. If I had a dollar for every time I walked into this place hoping naively for the best, and then walked out 30 seconds later disgusted by the sights and smells, I'd have enough money to buy the place and have it paved over and turned into additional hotel parking spaces. read more

I went here on Sunday so my review maybe somewhat skewed. Service wise it was excellent. The bartenders are very attentive and social. Drink selection was pretty bad. They only had Bud Light on draft, and only 2 other domestics in bottle. They also only had 1 brand of tequila( a brand I have never in my life I heard before at that). If you like to drink in silence this is the place to be, because it was mute in there. There's no music playing, the tv was on the lowest possible volume setting, and overall it felt as if you had to whisper in there. read more

Cool place. Great vibe. All the staff are awesome...Mikki, Alex, Curtis, Wendy, etc... They always take great care of me! Prices can't be beat. read more

Taylor is a great bartender. I've become a regular customer because of her. Very attentive and a great personality! It's near some good restaurants so you have different options with food. And the busier she gets the more you see the jiggle. read more

I go often great place to have a good and not pricey drink but can get really busy. Would be nice if they had more room. Outside is always nice and quiet for talking with your friends. Bartenders are always nice and always busy so you may have to wait in line for a drink but you can always bet it will be great service when they do get to you. the only bad thing to say is that something should be done about the door guy..he is such a jerk. He should get over it, sitting at the door shining a flash light in your eyes does not make you a cop.. read more

I stayed in the hotel across the street for a week, first night was pretty rough. The second time I went in Wendy made me the best Old Fashion I have ever had. She's doing a great job turning this into a great cocktail bar. I'll definitely be back every time I am in town. read more

This is such a cool place to hang out with your friends. The bar is long which means more space to order your drinks. The bartenders are friendly and efficient. The music (jukebox) is current, funky, and adds to the laid back atmosphere. Backstage has some pretty cheap specials both during the week and weekends. They also offer a VIP area for $40. Make sure you get there a bit early because finding parking can get difficult very fast. I plan on making this place a usual stop after a long day at work. read more

Straight ballin happy hour specials and it's got a great vibe in the place!!! There is a nice mix of people ranging from young professionals to a slightly older crowd. I've been a handful of times not during happy hour and liked what I saw. Parking can be very difficult if it gets later in the night and it can get a little crowded... But overall I would recommend this place for some happy hour because the best hour is happy hour!!! read more

$2 wells yea buddy- walked in and felt immediately comfortable. Lots of personalities blended well in this up-scale feeling yet pocketbook friendly lounge. Plenty of big screens for all your sports watching needs. Experienced bartenders easily whipped up every drink choice we threw at them. read more

Sky Bar type - huge murals with music theme paintings with leather couches and small tables along one side of this bar and a full bar all along the other. The drink specials change every month but involve a beer and a liquor - this month its Crown, flavored vodka and the Budweiser family all for $2 until 8-9pm daily. Staff are hard working and have a lot of ground to cover when it gets busy - almost 3 deep on the weekends. Nice patio you share with Earl of Sandwhich next door. They give you dirty looks as your smoke drifts over to them. You can smoke inside too for now; loud jukebox and some times can be Rap, others, its country or Lady GaGa. 4 flatscreens for sports. read more

I went here on a Friday, it's a reletively small bar but it has a mixed group of people and i had a lot of fun there. Definitely a relaxed type of bar with decent drink prices. Just make sure you bring cash for the Juke Box! read more

Great Spot. I think you will enjoy it, indoor (long bar), nice outdoor section--great place to chill....

Cool sunken bar and a DJ that looks like he's from duck dynasty lol

I liked the bar...not necessarily my crowd but the ambiance was good and I had a good time so I would rate it a-ok.

Not a bad place but you can NEVER get a drink. The bar is crowded and you have to push your way to the bar. And good luck getting a bartenders attention, since the bar is recessed. read more

like this place not too smokey we were able to find a seat looooooong bar. drink specials are awsome will go back again. great place to check out. read more

I'm sitting in it right, 8-11-10, for the first time. Very weird bar area, low seats that are very uncomfortable and bartenders are down below so you can only see their heads. The bar is really long so they only come by every so often; only two of them. It's a Wednesday at 8 and it's a sausage fest, yes all guys. I'm just here for a beer or two but it's almost an "alternative" atmosphere. Other than that, it is very "ethnic", not a problem, just more so than any other bar on the area. As for prices, all beers with bud in name are 1.50 until 7:30. I don't drink bud but the ghetto crowd likes it. Miller Lites were 2.50 until 7:30 and then 3.00. So, prices compared to nearest bar, Lion and Rose, are much better. But, nothing on tap and no food (fine with me). Overall, would I come again just to drink and mess with phone apps while ignoring the crowd, yes. Would I bring a date, no way. Would I bring a wife, only if she's really into dive bars. Would I come if I felt weird being the only single or caucasion in the bar, not a chance!!! It's safe, I think, so give it a try and judge for yourself but don't count on more than I've said. For now it's very smoky, but SA is changing that very soon. read more

I liked it- chill good music, drinks were a good price. While sitting down drinking, My friend tells me the last time they were there, the bartenders lost their debit card. And were nervous about coming back, but figured it was an honest mistake, and they'd give the place another chance. All is well until we close the tab. Mine/my husbands tab looks fine. But our friends (the debit card couple) are overcharged-16 drinks in total. I was with my friends the whole night and know that between the 2 of them they had about 8 drinks plus 2 for another friend, the bday girl. The bartender and my friends argue and in stead of posing an argument, the bartender reads the receipt over and over again and keeps saying "you're drunk, I'm not" They may have a had a few, but with a 16 drink tab-they'd be fallling over. Finally my calm friend decides to pay for it after the yelling match. Then after he pays, the bartender tells my friends to never come back. OK,so the bartenders, 1. misplace their debit card then 2. overcharge their tab....something's not right there.which is a shame because otherwise its a cool bar. read more

Been going for years, very relaxed during early hours great prices great bartendesr. however I will NEVER be going back! last friday, as the fat white door guy rudely asked for my birthdate said i had the wrong date (who doesnt know their own birthdate come on loser!) ( when it clearly was me on the picture), after an obvious mistake he said i could not enter!. he also said he was calling miami bar to not let me and my friend in! i was so disappointed at the remark/rudeness i went back and asked the other guy to review both my texas id and my texas lc. i've never been treated so badly (being a girl) & how could anyone go into a bar with proper Id when i clearly had multiple verifications, as the other door guy said "he couldnt do anything about it" i asked to talk to the manager they refused! however miami bar on the other hand was very nice has great staff and the bartender let the manager(same owners as backstage) know of the disrespectful fat door guy. Never going back, such a disappointment in loosing another customer as its known to not be the first time the same door guy treats customers disrespectfully! overall great bar just dont expect a friendly door guy! read more

Location in North side excellent Sports Bar. The Best. again the owners and management staff, along have provided the best. Prices are awesome affordable and specials. The greatest. read more

i like this place it seems relaxing its dark perfect lighting dim nice music in the jukebox surround sound the best reason to come here is the cheap drinks 2$ drinks all night its unheard of this is what keeps me coming back hehe its a nice area too read more