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    Merkaba

    3.4 (63 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Services - Merkaba

    Venue rental

    Merkaba Photos

    Business Info

    MERKABA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Merkaba

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    Reviews With Photos

    Drink menu...
    Ken S.

    I ended up at this place by mere luck and the minute I walked in I knew I was in the right place for my liking. I was greeted by the manager Eric and he placed me on the vip list and gave me a vip band. Eric was friendly and very nice. As a vip I had access to happy hour all night long which was a big plus. Upon entering there was a live band doing an acoustic set and it just happened to be a local musician I've worked with before in the music scene. They played three acoustic sets for the rest of the night and they even did request. The music itself was spot on for the place. It went well with the atmosphere and I was at ease just listening to music in here. My waitress Ruby was real friendly and tended to my alcoholic needs all night long. As I mentioned before I had access to happy hour all night and it was a real treat. Low prices and good adult drinks, I definitely plan on making plans to come back on another time. On a side note happy hour happens everyday from open till 10 pm but if get vip band you have it all night.

    Fernanda F.

    Merkaba is my go-to place to go for drinks before and after Howl at the Moon! The cocktails are pretty stellar and they have a wide variety of liquors. If you are into "pretty drinks" and are always looking for that instagrammable moment, they have some large mushroom-looking drinks that are perfect to share with a group. Merkaba is not just cocktails, they also sell cigars, which you can purchase and smoke at their outdoor sitting. If you are coming here after work, they have a special happy hour which also include small bites by a restaurant in the Riverwalk area (can't remember the name). The staff is always super friendly and very helpful! They also take reservations for birthdays or special occasions. Make sure to check them out next time you are in downtown.

    Quick drink dj turnt up.
    B D.

    Vibe turned up early and bar was quick. Drinks could be lil stronger but had a good time on...on to the next..

    a group of people sitting at a bar
    Art D.

    Overall not bad. Drinks a bit on the expensive side which we did not discover until the next day. We visited on a Saturday night and it was not overly crowded. We had a great time meeting people and dancing. The service was excellent and everyone was very friendly. I do recommend and will visit again. Now for eye candy, well eah not bad but not great. I would hold on my final thoughts there until next time. I do recommend a visit.

    Happy hour drinks to the left. The big thing is not a happy hour drink
    Diana G.

    I finally tried this place out. I went on a Saturday for happy hour with some girlfriends. I did fall prey to their giant $46 drink. It was cool for pictures and all, but not worth the price when it comes to the contents. It's definitely more ice than drink. I still don't regret it. It was insta-worthy. Definitely try out their happy hour. With drinks at $5-$7, you'll enjoy a few without breaking the bank. The mule was pretty good and it came with a chamoy stick. A live band was playing the day I went. It played a good mix of music. Of course, I'm sure this place is full of tourists. Everyone was dressed pretty laid back. Tip- located next to howl at the moon

    Desert Flower margarita and rum/coke
    Lilly K.

    Was good stood drinks. Had a great view for people watching the riverwalk. Interesting and fun

    Robbin M.

    Had a great time at this place located on the River walk upstairs. Warm fire heaters outside, live music and a huge assortment of fun cocktails. The music and vibes in this place are very inviting. Came on a Sunday night and only place open till 2am.

    Kristy H.

    Merkaba is located in the Southbank area on the Riverwalk. It's definitely a fun place to check out if you're in the mood to party. It does get pretty crowded so get there early! Their drinks are delicious and fun - also you can go upstairs to Howl at the Moon afterwards for more fun! They do have karaoke on some nights as well. Also great customer service!

    Just some drinks
    Fernando M.

    Thursday night little cold and raining after spend some time and having some great drinks by the amazing bartenders at the sound of the hot music All became hot and nice . Great location for drinks at the river walk area

    Jen D.

    It's so nice to have a place with truly strong we'll tasting drinks on the river walk. It is expensive but it's expected with the ambiance and location. Bartender Shuga was so nice and helped us throughout the evening. Decor is a mix between Tiki and nightclub but in a classy way. Drinks are so creative! Try the rainbow room! The only complaint I have is that there aren't hooks on the back on the doors in the bathroom nor underneath the bar seating.

    Been wanting to try Merkaba since it opened, I was having a ladies night and we wanted to dance after having dinner in that area. It gets pretty packed on the weekends, since it's in the heart of downtown area right by Hard Rock Cafe. There wasn't a line to get in, we sat at the bar area and ordered a drink. I wanted to try one of their speciality drinks we got the Sherpa Mule which is a Texas Size drink can be shared with 4 plus people really. Super strong and tasty but be prepared to be there a minute to finish haha it's huge. Atmosphere was on point we enjoyed the music and people were fun. It's a good place to dance and have a cocktail with friends.

    $6 Jello syringes! Yum

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    2 years ago

    Small club but they play good music!!! it gets crowded but super fun! Diverse group of people!

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    3 years ago

    Music, drinks and atmosphere were all great! Awesome place to hang out, people dressed up and not so much but a really good mix of people.

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    They got the wrong guy and wouldn't let me back in after my party bought multiple bottles. Won't be back. Steer clear of this place.

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    7 years ago

    Great place to come with your soulmate great service awesome drinks live music amazing come check it out 4 star because nothing is perfect

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    6 years ago

    Ruby was awesome! Took care of us, great service. Eddie at the door was stern but fair

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Merkaba

    What goes on Wednesday night?

    Every Wednesday night we showcase lyn-z's riverwalk revue from 9-11pm! We also have happy hour specials from 7-10pm.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Merkaba

    I wanted to try one of their speciality drinks we got the Sherpa Mule which is a Texas Size drink can be shared with 4 plus people really.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    4.4(511 reviews)
    1.1 miSouthtown, Downtown
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    12 years in business
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    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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    Moon's Daughter - Thompson San Antonio - The late Night Braise

    Moon's Daughter - Thompson San Antonio

    4.0(460 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown
    $$

    We were attending the SA Book Fair and came here for rooftop cocktails. The hotel was cool and had…read morea minimalist slash decadent slash 50 shades of grey vibe. We were not hotel guests, just there strictly for rooftop cocktails. We were treated very nice and we were not rushed. The cocktails are just normal run of the mill, you are there for the views Definitely great for dates when you want to create a sexy mood and get horny.

    This restaurant/bar has an amazing skyline view of San Antonio. Definitely don't miss out on…read moreexploring the different nooks and crannies. They also have a small lounge area well decorated and with a beautiful half moon. There is a bit of nudity in the bar side, just a heads up if you bring some children to the restaurant portion. The pita and hummus were apparently really good. The halloumi was a nice texture, though the grilled portions were a bit too grilled and made it taste more burnt that overpowered the original flavor of the halloumi. The lamb chop was tender and quite nice. Simple flavors for the main entrees but all were good and the tzatziki was a good mix of tart and tangy. I think normal price for these items is a bit too much. Though they did seem to have a happy hour that would've been better to hit up. The following morning we had breakfast here and it was equally just okay. I had the apple and speck, which was alright. A little plain and the apples were a bit too sweet in my opinion. The pancakes were good but basic and the egg breakfast was alright. The view is definitely cool also in the morning.

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    The Bang Bang Bar - The triple threat pizza

    The Bang Bang Bar

    4.4(231 reviews)
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    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!

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    The Esquire Tavern - Chili Salt Fries

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    4.1(3.6k reviews)
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    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.)

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