It's a dive, but my kinda dive! Claudia the manager is amazing and tbh this is a really chill place with mostly industry folks. Have been there several times, trust me, it is not as scary as it looks from the outside! read more

08 Feb 2025 Alas, the new year has brought an increase in prices. Mind you, I can't remember the last time they had an increase. Three Jack and Cokes and three Bud Lights was $24, including tax. It used to be $18. So best I can figure (didn't get an itemized receipt), is the Jack is now $5 and the beer is $2.50. Still the best bargain downtown. Go there b read more

Another cool, laid-back dive bar. Might be in my top 10 classic dives, and I've known 60 or so. Definitely a haven for regulars, but they're not rude to guests.Maybe the bar's essential ethos is "let it be." read more

We were looking for a dive with cheap drinks... and we found it at Cowabungas! $2 Domestics on a Sat night... not only Sat... but NYE! After I checked in, I started reading the reviews... Gay bar? ... I laughed as I didn't see that... I looked around at four hetro couples then a couple of local river rats... but it was early in the evening plus a holiday so who knows... read more

Cowabungas Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Cowabungas is the most dive bars in San Antonio but the crowd is the best .. parking sucks tho .. ( it's downtown so parkings always gonna suck) but I think this bar is definitely a mix crowd read more

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Very divey, but in a nice way. During my 3-day trip to San Antonio, I managed to visit this bar two separate times. Upon entering, the bar is very dark and uninviting, but that will change when you sit down and have a drink or two. Honestly, I stepped into the bar (I think five folks were there) and all of the conversations stopped. However, I am a chatty guy so I managed to talk to some folks at the bar. I will say that the clientele, for the most part, is pretty nice and inviting. I got some great tips on places to eat in San Antonio. The bartender on duty, Ryan, was really nice. The drinks are pretty cheap, especially for someone who was visiting from NYC. For example, a shot of Jameson and a Lone Star beer was about 2 bucks. If you are looking for a loud and glamorous bar with super fancy drinks, then Cowabungas may not be the place for you. Most of the bar's regulars are in the service industry, so the bar will be kind of dead until 10:00 or 11:00 pm. Even when people start to arrive, there will be about 5-10 people tops. I would imagine that the weekends may be a little more popular. read more

Went here for the first time the other night...very dark and very eery in feeling. Definitely a dive bar. Most of the seating is around the bar and most looked like they were probably regulars. Don't think I'd have to go back here. I like dive bars but this is a little too rundown for my liking. read more

Cowabungas Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

A good friend of mine had told me the mythical story of stumbling upon a gay bar in the heart of downtown. Needless to say I had to find out what she was talking about since I am a sort of connoisseur of gay bars. Through mild word of mouth and ample searching... There it was, Cowabungas! I must say the entrance is a bit intimidating since there are no windows into the place. My friend and I pulled up our pants and dived right in anyways. Now this place doesnt stand out among any other hole in the wall gay bar with its service or drinks. Most gay bars I frequent have cheap drinks and this was no exception. The thing which really made this place ok in my book was the people. The bartender made sure we were comfortable since we were the only young ones in our 20s but the older crowd was very welcoming. Seriously, a gay cheers. I kept singing the song while we were there. It's not too bad if you just need a drink and maybe a chat that's away from the stuffiness of downtown. read more

Cowabungas Bar - Main and only bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Happened upon this awesome little dive bar around the corner from the St. Anthony hotel. We were lucky that the pool table was open so we played pool, requisite dive bar tunes on the juke box and drank ice cold $3.50 Shiners until 2am! read more

I went there on Fiesta weekend and Ryan shows really was inviting and very well doing an amazing job keeping the bar going and still remain a professional thanks Ryan for your awesome service you really are a nice guy ! Y'all gotta go show him some love 10 stars if I could read more

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I love this place! Really good energy, the bartender is really chill and also gives you a show while making your drinks. Drinks are SO much cheaper than other places here, and taste way better than other bars here. 10/10 recommend this bar over any other bar in this city. read more

From the outside, this place seems like sketch-ville. Inside, the ambiance isn't much better, but don't be alarmed. You'll find some of the most inexpensive drinks and efficient bartenders in downtown. I rode in during a dive bar crawl during Fiesta. After I locked my bike up, I walked in and was greeted by the smell of tacos. The taco lady from the previous bar must have just made a stop. I love any bar that allows a friendly, non-aggressive taco or tamale sales person. I get hungry, y'all. This is your typical speed bar, with beer and basic highball style mixed drinks. Don't order a bee's knees, or anything with bitters. Don't ask for a blended cocktail unless you're a jerk, either. I ordered 2 well drinks, my usual G&T and a bourbon and coke and was told "$5.50, no wait, it's Saturday, so $4." For real? $4 for two liquor drinks in downtown that actually tasted good? And they didn't skimp on my limes for my gin and tonic? I'm sold. Cowabungas is a decent little dive when you want to not be seen and still have a drink. They also have a TouchTunes jukebox so you can play that embarrassing song you love from the relative comfort of your phone with the TouchTunes app. read more

I come from a super small town that had only one gay bar for many years. With that said - it was light years above Cowabungas. This place was DEAD on a Saturday night. Pool table was out of order. Music was not that great. Bartenders were helpful. Drinks were alright, except - my boyfriend found a bottle cap at the bottom of his drink once he was halfway through. They offered to replace it, but we just went ahead and NOPED the hell out of there. read more

Seattle sisters had a great time! Ryan is a fun bartender...full of laughs read more

Cowabungas Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This is a great little bar to dive into and have a few drinks. This is out of the main gay BLOCK here in this city. Liquor bottles have stoppers for a measure pour. This bar is far from elegant but has a certain ... Hookery feel. read more

I came in with a party of 7 people. We were bar hopping that particular Saturday night and stumbled upon Cowabungas. Really not sure what I was expecting, but this is a place for the minimalist. Very dark main room and the only music is from an TouchTunes system. The bartender was nice, but there's no draft beer. I think I'm more use to Sparky's for this type of setting. read more

Awesome place and the bartenders Andy and Wayne are awesome and good looking guys as well so come check them out! read more

Cowabungas Bar - Great friends...it's like a gay cheers - Gay Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I love this bar and I want to start by saying I am very disappointed on the description of this bar by yelp. I am straight second and a human being first! Gays and straights frequent all bars!! A bar is a inanimate object therefore cannot be straight or gay!!! With that being said Yelp should be very disappointed in itself. Gays may frequent a bar more than others but that does not make the bar gay!!! Shame on you yelp!!! BTW Alex (bartender) is a class act, will do everything possible to make everyone feel welcomed to Cowabungas, and does a great job doing it!!! read more

Ben is the best bartender in town. It is a dive bar and is seriously so perfect! We loved it here and can't wait to come back!

Corona and Stella 2.50 each what what!! Went during the day, supposed to be a gay bar but wasn't very flamboyant. More of a service industry bar. Julian the bartender was very nice read more