Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    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

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Rooftop on the Square

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    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

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tessa H.
    107
    57
    8

    9 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve E.
    7
    180
    22

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kiran K.
    216
    17
    21

    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.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chiqui B.
    454
    478
    2344

    13 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Chad H.
    1079
    272
    312

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Bo D.
    55
    2
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steven M.
    100
    42
    35

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob D.
    255
    3
    0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee S.
    342
    1
    0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack W.
    156
    1
    0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M G.
    0
    99
    0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Rooftop on the Square

    Review Highlights - Rooftop on the Square

    Oh the best bartender there is Claudia!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Freddy C's Lounge - 78666 in the house

    Freddy C's Lounge

    3.7(17 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Met up with an old friend. Just happens San Marcos is our half way point to meet. Neither of us…read morehave been to Freddy C's. The bar is like split in two. Not sure if the other half is the same bar or a different bar. But I walked straight in and sat at the bar. While I was waiting for him I ordered a drink. I said anything sweet and vodka based. He said do you like strawberry, I said, I love strawberry. Then he said he would fix me something nice. And he was right. Strawberry lemonade. The drink has a mellow strawberry flavor, so it's actually not too sweet. Had like 4 drinks. The bar was pretty quiet for a Saturday night. It's in the heart of down town San Marcos I would imagine. Looked like the town hall was across the street. There was a group of people that came in, maybe a dad and his son, and son's friends. Maybe a birthday celebration. they actually were doing shots and they ordered one too many and offered it to me. Thank you kind Sir! Sweet of you. No idea what the shot was when I joined their toast. Down the shot went and I was like, no way did I just do that. Like is this really a thing? Pickle juice? Seriously? Haha. Well, just popped my cherry, pickle back shot. Had a great night catching up. Laughs, drinks, memories, and well, it was just nice to step away for a short time. Parking situation. It's all street parking. Didn't have a difficult time finding a spot. And pretty much everything is walkable.

    Left my purse at the bar, when I asked if I left it a lady told me she'd would go look and never…read morecame back to give me an update. I noticed all the bartenders were at the end of the bar laughing and joking so I left. As I'm walking out they walk out with my purse. Everything was there but my wallet with $100 cash, a vintage heart locket necklace, my debit and credit cards and my student ID was definitely stolen. When I tried to act upset about it they harassed me, laughed at me and shined a bright flashlight in my face. Not sure if it was the bartenders or another customer but they just handled the situation horribly, will not be coming back.

    Photos
    Freddy C's Lounge
    Freddy C's Lounge
    Freddy C's Lounge - Taken from Facebook page

    See all

    Taken from Facebook page

    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
    The Porch - Blah... Where's the Texas beers?

    Blah... Where's the Texas beers?

    The Porch - Bar

    Bar

    The Porch

    See all

    Rooftop on the Square - lounges - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...