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Rooftop on the Square

2.2 (36 reviews)
InexpensiveLounges, Sports Bars
Closed 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Rooftop on the Square Photos

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The Rooftop on the Square
Rodney D.

After opening a series of successful bars in Austin, TX, the owners of the Rooftop Bar decided to expand their game and take their talents south to San Marcos where the student population ravenously awaits the opening of any new establishment where they can purge their sins in the hot summer heat with cold libations of a less than holy sort. A lot of hype has surrounded this establishment and that could clearly be seen on opening night where the line stretched well beyond the sidewalk, even making it into the road at times. As long as the line appeared, it moved fairly quickly, and I was inside the bar before I knew it. Comprised of two story building, you immediately enter into an outdoor patio area, well stocked with plenty of seating and even a massive flat screen, enough to entice the desires of any sports fan into an alcohol-infused Sunday Funday for the ages. Upon entering the downstair portion of the building, you find several tables and a long bar staffed by several pretty ladies who do nothing but improve upon the curb appeal of the bar. Large air conditioning ducts sat high upon the ceiling, poised to dispense cool blasts of arctic air from deep the building. As excited as I was to see these monstrous, metal ducts, I felt an absence of cool air from the moment I entered the establishment. Granted, it is the beginning of summer as well as opening night of a new place, I still expected more in this department. After collecting a few drinks and hob-nobbing with some people downstairs, we made our way back outside and up the stairs to 2nd level. The room was packed. Great design gave this place a very upscale feel and the crowd was certainly reacting to it. An elevated platform gave the DJ plenty of vision over the crowd as he worked his trade and gave opening night a well played soundtrack for the evening. Tons of beautiful people packed the dance floor and the outside "rooftop" as well. Packed as this joint was, getting a hit was still relatively easy. No more than a few minutes wait got you any drink you could desire from the bar, and usually a little more conversation than you would be used to at your average establishment. At $3 dollars per beer, I didn't cringe every time I bought a round for the boys, and liquor pricing wasn't too shabby either. Plenty of familiar faces came in and out the doors of Rooftop that night, a fact that always accounts for something. The sensation of meeting up with old friends and throwing back some drinks, in a good atmosphere, always has a good feeling. The Rooftop on the Square is certainly a place that's great for that, large enough to pack in the people, small enough for everyone to know your name. San Marcos may have a real winner on its hands people!

Menu. I like how everything has "fresh" in front of it.
Chiqui B.

It was exactly as I imagined it.... Douchey. And we were the only people there on a Saturday afternoon. The first thing I noticed as we walked in were the fancy-looking pool tables, but with further observation I also noticed some stains on them ( throw up?). Gross. We were greeted by a BT that looked like a chronic roid user. Poor guy. I kinda feel sorry for him to be working at a place that treats him like a little bitch. $11 for a Firemans and a double Captain & coke. Ok prices. Michael dropped the food menu in front of us. I like how everything had 'fresh' in front of the description. Then I flipped it around. It was disgusting! People, wipe your menus at least once a week, shit! He didn't even push the menu. I wonder why? So I had to use their facilities. No soap. One of the managers/owners had been sitting next to us the whole time staring at his phone or eating or telling us how cool their bar is and how they want Nephews and Green Parrot to be pushed out. Nigga, Nephews (although a bar I dislike) and Green Parrot are a mainstay in SM for a reason. So that guy sent the BT to change the soap. Then we decided to close out. I reminded the BT I still would like to wash my hands. Seemed like forever until the owner/manager guy said the bartender was having issues replacing the soap. When I went back the floor was wet and there was a Hill Country Fair hand sanitizer sitting on the sink. This place needs a John Taffer intervention...badly. :/ WTF Moment: This whole experience was a WTF Moment.

Main bar
Chad H.

This is one of the busiest bars off the Square the outside patio upstairs is always packed. Its a five star of you want a true party experience go to Rooftop. Its pretty bad ass to be honest. If youre a student steer parentals away it is too wild for their review

Great location, good food

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6 years ago

Elijah was amazing! I was scared to come to rooftop because I haven't gone out in a long time but he played bangers.

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

Beautiful bar yet the staff allow non-serviceable dogs and blare inappropriate music.

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Review Highlights - Rooftop on the Square

Oh the best bartender there is Claudia!

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The Porch

The Porch

3.3
(31 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

This used to be a fun an unique spot in San Marcos to hang out and grab a drink. But it has issues…read more Let me first start out with the good. The staff is FANTASTIC and very friendly. The bartenders are lead by the awesome Rene(i hope i'm spelling that right) and Miguel. I haven't learned the names of the others yet but I have never had an issue with any of them and they are always so polite. You can drink at the bar and even order food from the Taproom. Now for the bad or what needs to improve. The Porch used to have a nice outside 'porch' area with nice chairs and even porch swings. That I always felt was the selling point of this place as when sitting outside i would constantly hear passers by comment on the swings and even come in to sit on them. These have been replaced by very cheap metal chairs most of which are broken now and for some reason an elevated table with barstools which isn't in the porch motif. The interior used to have nice comfortable couches and chairs but pool tables have replaced those. Its fine I mean business change with new owners but it lost a little of what it was. I would be fine with all of that, except the outdoor chairs, if it wasn't so hot inside. The AC barely works if at all and half of the fans do not work so there is no air circulation and in Texas during the summer you want a nice cool place to relax. They need to fix the fans, cool off the interior and put some fans on the exterior. In the spring time, fall and winter its a great place to hang out, but until they fix the summer issues, I can't say. It is better than when they tried to be a disco club during the pandemic lol.

It was 100 degrees and needed a place to hangout and have a nice cold drink. This place is a bar…read moreand has that western appeal mixed with a sports pub. You can sit facing the street, inside with both a street view and TVs, or in the back where there are more TVs but a bit darker. The bar is smack in the middle with a cool circular projection screen above it. I ordered a Deep Eddy Grapefruit with Sprite and watched the FIFA World Cup. The bartender was cool. It is definitely a cool bar with great drinks.

Photos
Blah... Where's the Texas beers?
Blah... Where's the Texas beers?
Bar
Bar
The Porch

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Tarbox & Brown

Tarbox & Brown

4.1
(41 reviews)
4.4 mi

Tarbox & Brown at Kissing Tree is one of the true standouts in San Marcos. Although Kissing Tree…read moreis a 55+ community, the restaurant itself is open to all -- and thank goodness, because the food and service are simply too good to keep behind any gate. The kitchen consistently turns out high‑quality dishes made with fresh ingredients, and you can taste the care in every bite. The chef has clearly built a knowledgeable, confident staff who deliver a smooth, top‑tier dining experience from start to finish. I've eaten here many times, and nothing anywhere has matched their "Par 3" plate -- chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad served on crisp lettuce. Simple, fresh, and absolutely unmatched. The staff is always pleasant, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. They're not afraid to tell you what they personally enjoy, which makes the whole experience feel warm and authentic. San Marcos is incredibly fortunate to have Tarbox & Brown. In the two years I've been a regular, they've only continued to raise the bar -- and that says everything.

Came here for lunch on the weekend & it was the perfect place to sit out on the covered patio! You…read moreorder at the counter & then the food is dropped off to you, which is nice. Everything came out timely & the portion sizes were good. I got the French dip grilled cheese which was ok however I wish there was more cheese in it. Besides that everything was great, would recommend!

Photos
Indoor Seating
Indoor Seating
Tasty Eats
Tasty Eats
Indoor seating & Bar

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Indoor seating & Bar
Railyard Bar & Grill

Railyard Bar & Grill

3.3
(251 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

They were out of a lot of basic Menu items. The server was hardly helpful or very friendly. I asked…read moreabout specials for the day and they wouldn't honor what they had online.A lot of the appetizers were the same price as burgers or a dollar or two off. To me it was high. Maybe that's just the prices closer to campus? We did enjoy playing pool. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Texas state game that was on.

This was our first time here, and my review is mixed. So I'll start with the positive…read more We went to see our friend play, so we were excited to come here. The parking is very limited some spots in the parking lot, more on the street around the area. The place is small, but the sound was great. Small stage, but big enough for a 5 piece band. I really enjoyed the out door patio area. Plenty of space to move around. A gas fire pit. Some spots to play games. I got to sit outside and smoke a cigar. The bathrooms were clean, but no paper towels inside. Now, to the bar. Had to wait for 15 minutes to get a drink. I asked what they had on tap, and out of 8 taps, only one had a keg. So I asked for an IPA, and they told me they only had uncle dunkle, was the only IPA. I rollED my eyes, cause that wasn't an IPA. They didn't have any mint, so I couldn't get a mojito for Maria. They could make a margarita for her. While I was waiting for my drinks, there was a lady waiting for her food, she said that she has been waiting 30 minutes. While the band was playing, I got me two more beers, cause the bartenders were pretty busy. After a while I noticed the lady come back to bar looking for her food. By this time it had been well over an hour. She was told that they gave her order to someone else. Waiting for service here was the worst. Then not having stuff to make drinks.

Photos
My cigar.
My cigar.
Great appetizers!
Great appetizers!
No dp :(

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No dp :(
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard

Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard

3.9
(771 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

I hesitate with this review, because then you'll know. You'll know what I know; one of our…read morefavorites in San Marcos. You'll experience the inviting ambience we've enjoyed the minute you step along the courtyard then encounter welcoming and accommodating hostesses. You'll discover the same unique, rich, warm interior we discovered; an elegance to be appreciated, which bows to unpretentious Texas hospitality. You'll again be greeted by a helpful, charming, engaging waitperson. Our latest waitperson was Sami, a delightful young lady who tended to us as if we were her only table. You'll discover a menu with great selections with Chef Monty's personal flair and reasonably priced. If he can free himself, you'll most likely meet Monty, both owner and chef. It's hard to imagine a nicer guy unless it's Kyle, the manager! Palmer's atmosphere is suitable for casual conversation over a meal, for Sunday brunch, an anniversary, or a romantic date night. One of our favorite activities is evenings in the courtyard with wine and appetizers. Also, it's difficult to resist their desserts, by the way! Reservations are accepted on a limited basis, but "call ahead" is always available. There, I've said it. Against my better judgement, you now what I you know. The rest is up to you.

I came here for my graduation dinner, and overall the atmosphere was calm and relaxing, though I do…read moreagree with my family that the lighting was much too dark. The food portions were surprisingly small for the price -- honestly small enough for a toddler. However, i prefer the Graduate plate and I will say the mashed potatoes were incredible and probably the best I've had anywhere but the pot chop tasted like turkey and had no flavor. Unfortunately, the service was the biggest disappointment. Our waiter never really welcomed us or made us feel appreciated as guests, especially for such an important occasion with a party of 13. As the graduate and guest of honor, I felt completely ignored the entire night, which especially upset my mother. He mainly interacted with only one family member the entire evening and came across as cold and uninterested. I understand he may have had a broken wrist or was having a difficult day, but it still felt disrespectful and lacking basic hospitality. I might consider returning someday to try the regular menu instead of the preset graduation menu, but I definitely would not want the same waiter again.

Photos
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard
Bacon wrapped meatloaf, rice & mashed potatoes Redfish, chef's rice & a kale sweet potato mix
Bacon wrapped meatloaf, rice & mashed potatoes Redfish, chef's rice & a kale sweet potato mix
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard

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Rooftop on the Square - lounges - Updated July 2026

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