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    Cafe Ole

    2.5 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Cafe Ole Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE OLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Ole

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    Tonya C.

    This was my first time in San Antonio, and I just knew being so close to the border meant I was in for some amazing Mexican food, wrong! The first red flag? My queso dip came out yellow! I should've taken that as a sign to run. From there, it was all downhill. The fish tacos were basically fried batter with little to no fish, and the fajita tacos had all the excitement of a plain tortilla. On the plus side, the mariachi band was killing it, serenading a nearby table and my server was an absolute gem. Lesson learned, when you eat in a tourist trap, you get tourist trap tacos!

    Sara C.

    The price adds up. Honestly worth it. We did a la carte tacos bc we didn't want sides and 3 margs and honestly the atmosphere on the inside doesn't match the vibe as outside. Feels like a college bar on the inside and the outside is a Mexican party. Service was okay at best but overall fine for it being a touristy area. The tacos needed a bit more spice and the onions had no flavor

    Grilled Salmon $25
    Lorraine M.

    Delicious food, friendly service, and amazing ambiance especially if you're sitting on the 'beach'. I'm surprised to see the ratings. We had a great experience and I heard nothing but good things about the food from my party. Prices were reasonable and they were able to seat a party of 5 with little wait. Highly recommend.

    Renee T.

    Cafe Ole we stopped in as it brought back memories of my husband's time working on the Riverwalk in the mid to late 80's. We didn't try a ton of food as had eaten earlier. What we did have however was pretty tasty. The service was good and location is great with views of the riverwalk. The next time we are in town, we will update our review.

    Kelly T.

    We had just finished a walking tour of San Antonio and were looking for something cold to drink and a relaxing place to sit down along the Riverwalk. This place fit the bill. They had plenty of varieties of frozen margaritas as well as some on the rocks. We went with the Old Standard frozen margarita. It was great. Complimentary chips and salsa also came out pretty quickly. The menu had plenty of appetizers, salads, tacos, and other entrees . I went with a taco salad and added fajita chicken to it. It was plentiful and tasty. The refried beans under the shell were also a nice touch. My husband had the shrimp tacos. They came along with rice and refried beans. He enjoyed his meal as well. Service was good from Oscar.

    Street Tacos
    Jeffrey G.

    After a cruise on the river walk my family deciided to stop for lun h here and it was a great decision. We were seated immediately and our server Alex S. Came over to take our orders and was very attentive throughout the meals. I had a margarita and it was really good with a good shot of tequila. Our chops and salsa was very good also and we didn't have to bother with an appetizer. I ordered the street tacos with carne asada and it was awesome and I really enjoyed it. My wife had the taco salad and thought it was very tasty and the right size. The very was very reasonable for three people with drinks. Definitely was worth the visit.

    Street corn
    Brad N.

    Complete transparency here: I've dined/drank at Cafe Ole on an annual trip to San Antonio (barring 2020) since 2019, mostly because it's festive and fun and the drinks are good, but the food in past years has been less than stellar. This time, it was different. I was a little disappointed that this place was chosen at first for our group, but we saw that the menu had been updated, and I saw what the servers were bringing around to the tables, and I became hopeful. Drinks were great as usual, and then we ordered food. Starting off, we ordered queso and guacamole for the table. The former was a delightfully flavored cheese that clung nicely to the crunchy and fresh chips, with just the right amount of spice. The guacamole was fresh and delicious, not too fussy in terms of additives, but I wish there had been more of it - it's a small portion. Moving on, we ordered the street roasted corn, which came as beautifully presented on the cob, with all of the touches including lime wedges. It was creamy and delicious, the corn was fresh and not overcooked, a really good starter. Next up, we ordered a new (apparently) menu item, which doesn't appear on the menu pics here on Yelp nor the online menu (why didn't I get a picture?). It was the birria quesadilla. Served in beefy quarters with browned cheese on the outside and a dish of consomme, it was a well executed example of the now-ubiquitous style, and oh so delicious. It was more than enough for my wife and I to share after all of those chips and the corn. Bottom line, at least for this one meal, Cafe Ole has turned it around and is serving good food, right on the Riverwalk.

    Chicken enchiladas
    Jessica M.

    The food isn't bad. Great service and we were seated quickly on a Saturday night. The chicken enchiladas had good flavor. The loaded carne asada fries needed more cheese or queso instead. Adding salsa helped out a pot. The chips are super thick, not a fan.

    Beef nachos and cheese
    Katie S.

    First time. Beef taco was perfect. The beef was seasoned very well. Service was really good. The atmosphere was fun. Great music from all generations. Prices not too bad either.

    Prickly pear margarita
    Torrey S.

    Bree, at the bar, is amazing. On a very hot day, she even kept a fan pointed at us. The frozen margaritas are absolutely wonderful. They have great chips & salsa as well. Although we did not stay for a meal, our service here is always top-notch. It sounded like they are eliminating the outside bar, but I hope not. It's hidden and well-shaded with a cute view of the river and passers by. We love this hidden bar area.

    Queso Dip & house guacamole
    Ian M.

    Well... we were hungry and walking the river walk in San Antonio and found ourselves in front of cafe ole. We were seated in a nice location overlooking the canal and it was a great elevated spot to people watch from. We ordered apps and food, but none of it was noteworthy other than the guacamole was the worst I think I've ever had. The waitress came by very infrequently (the place was NOT busy...!) so the original cocktails we had ordered were all we had. Talk about missed opportunity...! If she had just stopped back by the table a bit more often, we'd have ordered another few cocktails, thus a higher bill and higher tip...! But, alas... it was not to be. If hungry on the river walk, suck it up a little longer and find somewhere else...!

    Taco Plate

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    Jeremy was amazing! Food was so good! Fantastic server and very kind and funny. thank you!

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    3 months ago

    Jeremy took good care of us! Great meal!! He was friendly and attentive, we had great service!

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    7 months ago

    Xavier was our waiter and he checked on us frequently. Food, service, and drinks were all great!

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    Page 1 of 31

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    Ask the Community - Cafe Ole

    When is happy hour?

    Monday through Thursday 2pm-6pm

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    Bar 1919

    Bar 1919

    4.4(511 reviews)
    1.1 miSouthtown, Downtown
    $$
    12 years in business
    Locally owned & operated

    Live in Tulsa and have one of the best cocktail bars in the country out there (believe it or not),…read moreso I'm particular about cocktail spots nowadays. That said, this place is great. Had the Wild Duck which was the experience the bartender who came up with the drink said it would be. Can tell they were true mixologist that are serious about their craft. Was kind of busy and loud but it was Friday night so what else would you expect. Definitely coming back.

    Take me to the underground to a hidden place next to the river walk!…read more It's a speakeasy so you shouldn't notice it right away but if your looking for it go to the back parking lot of where the address takes you close to the river walk look at the building that's right next to the parking lot a bit away from the road then look below and you'll see some tables and a door go down the stairs to get inside! They had a bunch of different cocktails inside lots of unique options and some not so much but where it was all about was the specials one in particular the Dunkle Sandwich as it tasted like Peanut butter and jelly like it was soo good up there with one of the best shots I've ever had soo flavorful and just good like this was by far my favorite thing I drank this night! Our other drinks were yummy too don't get me wrong as each of them has key components that made them taste amazing while I did forget the names just know that each one of them was yummy! On this particular night they had a mentalist wondering around doing magic he was fun and added to our evening here so that was a nice touch! Our bartender was awesome and quick to get us our drinks and I must say everything was mixed very well! Overall awesome spot for date night we both enjoyed our time here and hopefully we get to make it here again at some point because you can't go wrong with a chill speakeasy!

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    Bar 1919
    Bar 1919
    Bar 1919

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    The Bang Bang Bar - The triple threat pizza

    The Bang Bang Bar

    4.4(231 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Recently we hosted our Morrissey After Party at Bang Bang Bar, following the former Smiths…read morefrontman's sold-out January 10th performance at the Boeing Center at Tech Port and honestly, we couldn't have written a better script. Morrissey hadn't graced San Antonio in over 10 years, with past cancellations and postponements haunting fans along the way. So when he finally returned, San Antonio Moz fans showed up and showed out. Despite multiple after-party options across the city, fans from Brazil, the UK, Canada, Japan, and all across the U.S. chose Bang Bang Bar as the place to be on a cold Saturday night. Hosted by local emcee Ricardo Moz and Apollo DJ, the night turned into one for the history books. Bang Bang Bar is easily one of Texas' best dive-lounge bars...the perfect blend of gritty and cozy. Great cocktail program, solid beer selection, and a vibe that just works. The décor leans heavy into a 1950s-60s lounge aesthetic, with intimate spaces like the Blue Room and Yellow Room, perfect for groups of 7-10. Low lighting, warm atmosphere, and zero pretension exactly what you want for a night like this. Bang Bang Bar consistently supports local and touring acts, spanning punk, alternative, and DJ-driven nights, and this Moz Smiths Disco was no exception. It was wall-to-wall classics all night long. Major credit to Phanie and the Bang Bang Bar management they rolled up their sleeves, brought in extra bar staff, and handled an overwhelming crowd like pros. Fans waited up to 45 minutes in the cold, with a line wrapping around the building, and the energy inside never dipped. As the host of Panic On The Streets, I'm incredibly thankful to Bang Bang Bar for helping us pull off one of the best after-parties we've done in years. Fittingly, 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of both Bang Bang Bar and Panic On The Streets of San Antonio and what a way to celebrate. Bang Bang Bar has long been one of my favorite bars in town, and after this night, that reputation is more than earned. Can't wait to do another Moz Smiths Disco here. -- Panic On The Streets of San Antonio

    I've been here a couple of times and have always had a great time. The server/waitress was very…read morefriendly and knowledgeable on what they offered. They were happy to answer my questions and I was never made to feel rushed. The bar itself has an awesome vibe. It's divey but offer fancy drinks. The bar has a stage (we've seen FEA perform there) and they have ample seating (tables, couches, stools, etc). I also enjoy how each couch area is its own living room setup (think of what you see when shopping for couches/coffee tables) and feel/vibe. I make it a point to come and visit this bar any time I'm in San Antonio. We love supporting Phanie and her bands in any way possible. Girl in a Coma and FEA 4ever!

    Photos
    The Bang Bang Bar - More Moz Fam dancing!

    More Moz Fam dancing!

    The Bang Bang Bar - Frozen irish coffees!

    Frozen irish coffees!

    The Bang Bang Bar - Black cherry

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    Black cherry

    The Esquire Tavern - Chili Salt Fries

    The Esquire Tavern

    4.1(3.6k reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown
    $$

    This place you definitely come for the history of being the longest wooden bar and oldest along…read morewith the atmosphere of being on the riverwalk. The food was not the best especially for the price. The drinks on other hand were amazing. My server Marah toke great care of me. Attentive, funny, and well knowledgeable. She helped me pick an outstanding bourbon due to having so many I couldn't decide. She's impeccable at her job didn't have to write anything down had multiple tables and was very efficient. Would come back for the drinks and her service. The food on other hand definitely could use some help.

    Update to first review below, rating updated from a 3 to a 5 star (drinks & bartender would get 10+…read morestars if we could rate that high): Saturday night: Went back for after dinner drinks at the Downstairs (a "speakeasy" throwback, look up the history of the place to see why). Drinks were AMAZING! Bartender Rob made the best Negroni I've ever had. I asked him to use whatever gin he thought best--result was an artistic smooooooth full-bodied drink. Told him when I was done I'd lick the glass if it wasn't considered so uncouth for a 'mature' lady like myself to do so Hubby's Buffalo Trace bourbon old fashioned was also outstanding. Rob was the bartender last night who did such a great job, and his work was even better tonight. We highly recommend The EsquireTavern for excellent cocktails. We love the long wood bar and high copper ceiling upstairs, but love the intimate speakeasy atmosphere downstairs even more. We'll definitely be back every time we're in San Antonio! First review, Friday night: Drinks were great (Manhattan and Bourbon Old Fashioned). REAL drinks, no complaints at all about those. And the bartenders were very friendly and helpful. Those aspects of the Esquire get 5+ stars from us. But the appetizers were not good, close to inedible. It was about 8:30pm or so, so maybe they were getting ready to close out the kitchen but the chalupitas with chicken tasted like rubber, and no flavor at all. The seafood platter had something in it that was breading with shell inside, but no meat of any kind. We couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. The shrimp was good and the fish was good but those other things... We'll always love the drinks, the long wooden bar, and the ambiance at the Esquire Tavern, but we'll eat somewhere else and come here for before or after dinner drinks. (See update above to this review for when we returned the next night for after dinner drinks.)

    Photos
    The Esquire Tavern - Gorgeous full bar

    Gorgeous full bar

    The Esquire Tavern - Chicken Fried Steak

    Chicken Fried Steak

    The Esquire Tavern - Rum for the Hills
 
 dominican republic rum, piña amaro, gentian amaro,
 pamplemousse, pineapple, lime, demerara
 SERVED ON CRUSHED ICE

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    Rum for the Hills dominican republic rum, piña amaro, gentian amaro, pamplemousse, pineapple, lime, demerara SERVED ON CRUSHED ICE

    Be Kind & Rewind - 1of the bars

    Be Kind & Rewind

    3.6(136 reviews)
    0.0 miDowntown
    $$

    If you ever get the chance to be served by someone who truly loves what they do, it shows--and…read morethat's exactly what you get with Ninah! The energy of 'Be Kind and Rewind' is amazing and out go-to! From the moment you walk-in the energy is a totally Vibe! Ninah's, kindness, and attention to detail made the entire experience feel special. You didn't just "do your job"--you went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect! Thank you for making us feel welcomed and turning a simple outing into something memorable. We'll absolutely be back--and we'll be asking for you every time!

    This is a wee bit old, but figure better late than never. I see my friend wrote hers a little late,…read moretoo. Ha! Anyhow, we had a large group of friends during Halloween weekend and after our dinner on the River, a friend said, "Hey, lets all go to Be Kind & Rewind!" We said, "Um, okay!" We were already in costume so that was great. The place is pretty big and you pretty much dance everywhere. There are several bars. It's easy to get overlooked by the bartendar so you have to be prepared to stand your ground and not get bumped to the side (with the customers and not the staff). The drinks were good (not the greatest) but I loved the syringe shots. Those were fun. It was fun trying to walk around the whole place when it was packed. Very difficult but entertaining. Ladies, don't wait last minute to use the restroom. There was always a line! Overall, a lot of fun! .. ...

    Photos
    Be Kind & Rewind - One of the nostalgic displays

    One of the nostalgic displays

    Be Kind & Rewind - The bar

    The bar

    Be Kind & Rewind - Super cool old speakers and boom boxes display.

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    Super cool old speakers and boom boxes display.

    Cafe Ole - mexican - Updated May 2026

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