Daniel was amazing. He gave the most amazing recommendations and continued to help make my 21st the very best day.

I have to say as a local. This bar is a great spot. Aztec theater across the street. Domingo for some chicken enchiladas next door. Or you can grab a burger at the Esquire. All good. The best bartender in San Antonio is Daniel at the esquire. Solid cocktails and great service. They do not disappoint! read more

This bar came highly recommended by my father and it did not disappoint! I absolutely loved the selection of drinks and the cocktails were some of the tastiest I've ever had! Our waiter was very nice and she recommended me some great drinks to try! My friends and I had a fun time and I loved looking at the beautiful bar and wooden interior decor. Plus the music isn't overly loud so we could actually hear each other lol. I definitely want to come here again if I'm ever in need of tasty cocktails and perfect spot to chill downtown. Only gripe was that I wish my friends and I didn't get there so close to closing time so we could stay longer. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Mixed drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Awesome spot. Great drinks with excellent selection. Chill but lively. Burger was great. Service was also just attentive enough--excellent. My only issue was the "tater tots" (what they described as the "chef's interpretation"). They were tasty but absolutely not close to tater tots. More like big fried chunks of potato, not tots. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Such a fun place located at the river walk you head up and are transported Fun drinks and good food and such a great vibe experience Service was friendly and good Enjoyed our time after a boat ride and walk outside read more

The Esquire Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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We are here before going to a show. They have two entrances, one from the river walk where you have to go upstairs and another where you can walk in from the street. However, if you come in from the street, you need to walk to the other side of the restaurant to get a table.. We ordered a limonada with prickly pear, fried quail, lamb burger, and bison burger. The burgers were quite big and taste really good but the bison burger meat kind of fell apart too easily. The ricotta cheese on the lamb burger was quite strong. They came with a few spicy pickled veggies as a side. The limonada was as expected . I highly recommend a fried quails legs. We enjoy eating quails, but it's usually bittersweet relationship because of all the small bones however their appetizer for fried quail legs is super user-friendly. If you are scared of choking on small bones, these will not give you that kind of worry at all. We were impressed on how well-made and easily eaten they were. Our waiter was very friendly and he checked on us a few times. He was also the one that suggested the fried quail legs. We walked here . read more

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Walked down to The Esquire Tavern based upon the recommendation of a friend. I sat at the 100 foot long bar that was builtin 1933. They have quite the bar selection, and prices were very reasonable! I got the French Dip and fries, and it was very tasty. The Tavern has a very chill vibe. read more

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Drinks good price but nothing special. Super sweet on the bexar hug and French 75. Food was overcooked and mediocre. Au just super salty. Service slow and lacking. Riverwalk restaurants pretty much suck, and for sucker tourists maybe. Haven't had a good experience yet. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Asked for rare bison. Server just said oops when I showed him super overcooked. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Reminds me of a little more blue collar Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington DC. Which means it's great. Had a French dip to-go in the hotel room but while I waited was served 3 pilsners by Daniel. He really helped give suggestions on places to visit during our stay as well. Feels good here. read more

The longest bar I have ever seen, with interesting decor and cool vibes. Drinks are delicious and unique. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Have been here several times for drinks but never for food. The old school Tavern appeal is very fitting for the area. The atmosphere is very appealing and the service and food were great! Just needing a break from all of the Tex-Mex I went with the burger, it was excellent to say the least. Drinks are great, food is equally as good! read more

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ONE STAR - Absolutely Appalling Treatment by Management! I have never experienced such rude, unprofessional, and unacceptable treatment at a restaurant. This past Friday at approximately 3:00 p.m., seven of my friends and I stopped at Esquire Tavern in San Antonio hoping to enjoy a cocktail and a bite to eat. Instead, we had an extremely unpleasant experience. From the moment we arrived, the manager, Jarel, was confrontational, rude, and unwelcoming. He refused to allow us to push two tables together to accommodate our group of eight, explaining that the restaurant was short-staffed and that we would need to order everything at the bar. While we understand that staffing challenges happen, his manner was unnecessarily hostile. One person in our group had brought in a glass of water, and another had a nearly empty drink from a previous establishment. Rather than calmly explaining the restaurant's policy, Jarel demanded that both drinks be discarded. His approach was confrontational, and the situation quickly escalated. What happened next was especially upsetting. When several of us went to use the women's restroom, Jarel followed us into the restroom while repeatedly demanding that we leave the property immediately. We were shocked and humiliated. Eight women who intended to spend money on food and cocktails were treated as though we were causing a disturbance. We arrived intending to be paying customers and left feeling disrespected and embarrassed. Esquire Tavern's ownership should be concerned about how customers are treated by management. A manager should demonstrate professionalism, hospitality, and respect--not intimidation or hostility. San Antonio has many excellent restaurants and bars where customers can expect better treatment. I would not return to Esquire Tavern, and I would not recommend it based on this experience. read more

We came here to start our afternoon while visitng the city. It was walking distance from hotel which was nice. Pretty spacious bar with mostly inside seating. But also small patio. We tried to sit outside as it was a pretty day but could not get a table. We were able to be seated inside. It wasn't crowded at all when we came. The decor was dark wood bar- old school style. With lot of taxidermy everywhere. Service- was easy enough. Drinks- they have a mostly classic cocktail menu. I didn't ask if they could whip up something off menu or not. I got the French 75 on happy hour for $7, for the price it was fine. I think for the most part everyone else was fine with there drinks as well. I don't think anything stood out though. We were in and out pretty quick- which we were satisfied with. read more

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We were interested in trying out this bar, since we learned on the tour that it was opened right after prohibition. We sat outside because the inside smelled really weird - almost like crayons? It was overwhelming. The happy hour drinks and chips/dip were a good price and nice to snack on before dinner. Service was very bad though. Good thing we asked for our check immediately, because it took us forever to get anything. The drinks came way after the chips/dip too. I probably wouldn't suggest going here, unless you are looking for a fairly cheap drink before dinner. read more

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Interesting pseudo neighborhood bar whose front is on the river walk. I only visited during the week and during late afternoon hours after coming back from a BMT Lackland graduation. But the employees were polite attentive and I would like to visit this during a more lively time. BTW, happy hour on the rock margaritas were nothing to scoff at. read more

Really cool bar! I loved all the unique, strange decor and the dark, moody vibe--it gave the place a really fun atmosphere. The staff were super friendly and helpful, especially when it came to drink recommendations. We didn't eat while we were there, so I can't speak to the food, but the drinks we had were tasty and well made. Definitely a cool spot to check out if you're looking for something a little different! read more

We really wanted to enjoy our visit to The Esquire, but unfortunately, the service made the experience far more disappointing than expected. Our waiter, Matt, seemed extremely inattentive throughout the evening. We waited approximately 40 minutes just to receive our drinks, followed by another hour before he came back to take our food order. By that point, the long wait had significantly affected the mood of the evening, and I found it difficult to fully enjoy the meal. Fully understand that wait times vary but we were there very early evening and the place was not packed at all. Also, we were 1 hour before happy hour ended, and planed to really enjoy the special but because Matt's inattention to us were only got one drink in before the end of happy hour. It would have been great to have him stop by the table at least once before happy hour ending to remind us that the happy hour is almost near close what we'd like to get in another drink order....or even just come back by our table to see how we were doing! All together I think we were there for three hours mainly waiting on Matt. Meanwhile he was spotted several times on his phone or hangout at the front. The food itself was good, and the drinks were enjoyable once they arrived. However, attentive and timely service plays a major role in the overall dining experience, and the delays overshadowed the quality of what we ordered. We left feeling frustrated and disappointed rather than impressed. I would consider returning to The Esquire to give the restaurant another chance, since the food showed promise. However, I would specifically request a different server next time. I hope the management takes this feedback seriously because with more attentive service, the restaurant could provide a much better experience. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Frozen margs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Just came in to the bar for some cocktails after dinner, and boy would I come back in just for the Pimm's cup! I asked the bartender for the least spirit forward drink (because I'm a wimp), and she said all of their drinks are pretty heavy handed, but the Pimm's cup was probably the lightest and most refreshing cocktail they had. It. Was. DELICIOUS. My bf and a friend also tried it and agreed it was the best drink we'd ordered! Ambiance at night was cool, chill, with dim lighting and easy vibes. I'd recommend if you're looking for a casual drink! Seating at the bar was nearly full on a Saturday night; we barely found two seats. read more

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We walked in off of the street and at first I wasn't sure... It's dark, a bit of old bar smell, but we walked to the other end where the hostess was and we were seated out on the patio area and it was awesome. Perfect view, without the foot traffic. The chalupitas were really good, brisket burger was nice, and the Brussels sprouts were also good. Our server was lovely, though my poor memory isn't giving me her name. I would definitely come back here. read more

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We stopped in for a late lunch on a Friday. We walked in from street side and could tell it was an historic building. Built in 1933 there were a lot of iron, brick and a very long wood bar. The inside is very dark, to the point I saw everyone using their camera lights to read the menus. We prefer to sit outside so we headed out back. We were lucky to snag a table on the balcony, so we could watch the boats and people stroll by. Luke was our server and was very good. Luke constantly checked on us and made sure we weren't left waiting for service. We checked out the cocktail menu and were surprised to see Pimm's Cup! We placed an order and they were delicious! For lunch we split the lunch special of Esquire Cheeseburger which came with fries. We forgot to ask for medium temperature and were worried the burger would be overcooked. It arrived and was cooked just above medium and very flavorful. Fries were nice and crispy. We will definitely be back next visit to San Antonio. read more

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So some very cool history here as the bar top is one of the longest all wooden bar tops in the state of Texas. This bar was also opened way back when after prohibition was ended. We just hit the bar and started with an old-fashioned and the Esquire Manhattan. Old-fashioned is very good. My husband chose buffalo trace, I chose the Esquire Manhattan, which was served with their barrel pick of makers mark. It's OK a little heavy on the vermouth side, but outside of that I enjoyed it. We did have another round and my husband was able to order a sipper of the old Fitzgerald 11 year and I tried the blinker. The old Fitzgerald was delicious very easy sipping on the rocks. The blinker was good a little too citrusy with the grapefruit, but otherwise I enjoyed it. read more

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We were treated with absolute hostility from the moment we stepped through the door at The Esquire Tavern in San Antonio. We had a large party, which we know can be a handful, but the management's reaction was completely unprofessional. Instead of greeting us, the manager immediately snapped at us, aggressively complaining that they were short-staffed and treating our presence like a massive burden. The manager, Jarelle, then hostilely informed us that they wouldn't serve us at a table and that we would only be able to order at the bar. Then he told us to throw out our take along drinks from a nearby establishment ( one was water and the other was the remaining third of a cocktail) The defensive tone from the management made us feel so unwelcome that we chose to leave but wanted to use the restroom first. Jarelle then followed us into the Women's restroom demanding we leave immediately because one lady refused to throw out her drink. Being understaffed is stressful, but taking it out on potential paying customers with immediate aggression is unacceptable. We will never go back . read more

I can't speak about the food but the Old Fashions were on point! The service was impeccable with cool bartenders willing to share thoughts about what we might like. I like to call the place like an old fashioned "men's club) with low lighting, soft music and seating around the bar and tables. Amazing Old Fashion! It's a little $$$ but it's worth it. read more

We didn't eat here but had some wine at the bar. The ambiance is really unique which was fun to be surrounded by. Service was a little slow but the poor girl was basically bartending alone for the 100 foot bar so not her fault at all. Decent wine selection. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Wine - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

What a crazy old place...we had wanted to sit outside but it was full. We decided to grab a drink to say that we did visit and experience this place while in San Antonio. It definitely has an old smell to it...some might not like it and some might just say that is character of this old tavern. Either way, glad we stopped to grab a drink - it was good. read more

The longest wooden bar in Texas! *insert cowboy emoji* Man, this would be MY SPOT if I lived in San Antonio! I had a few hours to kill before my flight, so I plopped in a classic red tufted booth, plugged my laptop in, and enjoyed a few cocktails and one of the most amazing burgers I've ever had while catching up on emails and enjoying the taxidermy and general vibes of The Esquire Tavern. My waitress made sure I was well taken care of and didn't mind me hogging up her booth. Can't wait to return next year! Definitely a highlight of my trip. read more

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We saw The Esquire from across the river and knew it had the vibe we were looking for. From the moment we entered the ambiance was immaculate! Beautiful decor, lighting, and the staff were welcoming and accommodating. We had the pleasure of being served by Daniel and Amy at the bar. They were not only top tier bar tenders, but also a wealth of knowledge for things to do in the area! We highly recommend checking out The Esquire and especially asking for Daniel and Amy at the bar for an exquisite time! read more

We started a Thursday afternoon bar crawl at this historical San Antonio restaurant/bar. We sat at the long bar. This is a dimly lit space with old character. Amy and John helped us with well crafted cocktails, and their whiskey expertise as we migrated to drinking whiskey neat. We needed a salty snack so we ordered the very healthy fried pickle appetizer. The batter was light tempura type batter. The pickle chips were cut thin, so the fried pickle chips were light and crunchy. It was a perfect snack. We really enjoyed our time at the Esquire Tavern. I highly recommend checking it out when visiting San Antonio. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Two blue corn whiskeys that we tried. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This place has all the ambience of an old timey bar and grill. It's dark wood all over and feels good. The burger we had was dope, as was the blt! The chilli salt fries were pretty yummy. The beer selection was ok. I'd come here again if I visit San Antonio! In health and happiness! Cheers! read more

Very cool vibe in this place, I felt like a cowboy walking in after a hard day. The drink I got was way too strong for me, but it was really good. My server was sweet & quick to pour my drink. Loved it all around! read more

The Esquire Tavern - Esquire tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

While out on the town for the evening we came here for one last drink and late night snack before turning in... The staff was great! The bar is pretty big. They have a nice menu of drinks and even eats too. My martini was made perfectly! The side of fries I got were so very tasty, piping hot, fresh, and came with an amazing cumin aioli. Overall - Nice visit, I'd most definitely return! read more

This place was open in 1933 and has the same old school vibe you would expect from a classic restaurant. The food was delicious and our server was extremely attentive. She refilled my ice tea like non stop. Everything the server recommend was very good. I had the burger with the sauce on the side and the lemon ice box pie was a great cheesecake. My friend said the dirty martini was great. read more

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I'm in town visiting for a wedding and was recommended to come here. Daniel was absolutely incredible. He walked us through the entire menu to find what we'd like the best. Since we're from out of town he gave us a ton of recommendations of places to see while we're here. He made us feel very welcomed while visiting San Antonio and I feel like he was our mini trip advisor read more

I just finished their cheeseburger and fries lunch special. The burger was huge! I also liked that they honored my request for salt less fries. Fries are crispy, not greasy and soggy. Restaurant is dark it reminds me of throwback men's clubs. I didn't have room for dessert. I'm sure it's good. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Burger and fries lunch special - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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The Esquire Tavern, a veritable San Antonio landmark, first opened its doors to eager customers in 1933, a date forever etched in celebratory memory as it coincided with the joyous repeal of Prohibition. For the ensuing decades, this establishment has steadfastly served as a cherished and deeply ingrained local haunt, a place where generations have gathered for camaraderie and refreshment. The sheer volume of overwhelmingly positive reviews gracing its Yelp page, impressively numbering over three thousand individual accounts, speaks volumes about its remarkable and enduring appeal within the community and beyond. My own personal encounter with this long-standing establishment unfolded in the month of February, as my partner and I sought a late-night repast, hoping to find satisfying sustenance and a few relaxing libations to cap off the evening. While the tavern's rich history and storied past are undeniably palpable in its overall ambiance, contributing to a sense of timelessness, a somewhat noticeable layer of dust clinging to the numerous and varied tchotchkes that lined the walls did detract, if only subtly, from the otherwise captivating atmosphere. Regrettably, the food items that we selected and ordered that particular evening ultimately proved to be rather underwhelming and failed to live up to our expectations. The Esquire Tavern Chicken, a menu item described as a roasted half chicken thoughtfully accompanied by flour tortillas, a vibrant veracruzana-inspired sauce, and a piquant green chili salsa, regrettably fell considerably short of the culinary expectations that such a description naturally conjures. The chicken itself lacked the inherent depth of savory flavor and satisfying succulence that one anticipates and hopes for in a dish of this nature. Furthermore, the accompanying flour tortillas appeared to be commercially produced and lacked the freshness and character that could have elevated the overall textural and flavor profile of the dish. Consequently, this particular menu item is not one that I would enthusiastically recommend to others, nor would I personally consider ordering it again in the future. The deviled eggs, however, offered a singular and welcome departure from the otherwise ordinary fare, presenting an unexpected yet delightful twist with the inclusion of a peanut salsa as a topping. This unconventional combination actually proved to be a surprisingly agreeable and flavorful appetizer, showcasing a creative touch that was absent in our other selections. Our other primary selection for the evening, the Esquire cheeseburger, unfortunately proved to be an equally disappointing culinary experience. The beef patty, the very foundation of any good cheeseburger, was delivered to our table dry, tough, and regrettably inedible. Upon politely bringing this issue to the attention of our server, the burger was promptly returned to the kitchen, presumably for rectification. However, to our dismay, the burger reappeared still bearing noticeable and significant char marks, indicating a less than successful attempt at correcting the initial overcooking. While I readily acknowledge the Esquire Tavern's primary identity and established reputation as a tavern, a place primarily focused on beverages and social interaction rather than a paragon of fine dining, a fundamental expectation of properly and competently prepared food, regardless of the establishment's primary focus, remains a reasonable and justifiable standard. The issues we encountered with both the Esquire Tavern Chicken and the Esquire cheeseburger during our visit strongly suggest a discernible lack of attention to fundamental and basic culinary execution within the kitchen on that particular evening. Yelp fam, if you've been here and haven't written a review, please do so we can compare nortes! Look forward to reading about your experience. SYOY read more

The Esquire Tavern - Deviled Eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Great cocktails, quick service and holiday ambiance. This was my first time at this bar but I will definitely be back! read more

The Esquire Tavern - Koalalala & YIPPIE KI YAYMOTHERF****R - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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We went here for a late lunch/early dinner after a day of being busy in San Antonio. The restaurant is not far from our hotel and although I tend to avoid restaurants on the Riverwalk, this one had good reviews so we decided to give it try. The ambience is dark and mysterious. The restaurant is very long and narrow. We entered from the street and walked the length of the restaurant to the check in place, which is close to the river. We ate inside because the weather was hot and humid, and because the restaurant is so dark I needed the flashlight on my phone to see anything. We arrived just before the end of happy hour and started with chips and homemade dip. Chips were house made too. Both were really good. The wife had a couple of things from the appetizer menu: deviled eggs, which were phenomenal and had a spicy kick at the end. And she had chalupitas with ground beef which also were really good. The kid had fried pickles and thought they were too crunchy, whatever that means. I had the Reuben and the corned beef was very lean and high quality. The sandwich was a bit dry though and needed more sauce. My Mexican martinis were flavorful and very enjoyable. The kid tried a Coca-Cola from Mexico and says that is all she wants from now on. The kid had a chocolate mousse cake for dessert and loved it. I tried a bite and it was moist and very flavorful. Jocilyn provided friendly service throughout our meal. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. read more

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The ambiance of Esquire tavern is nice, has a lot of antique touches which really shows how long the restaurant / bar has been around! We showed up during a weekday without a reservation & we were sat right away. Our server was very nice & answered all of our questions. The drink we had were delicious! I had the Bexar drink, would absolutely get again. The aperol spritz was also very good. However the food was ok, nothing crazy about it. Our Mac & cheese had a bit too much of nutmeg or something on it. Besides that everything was great. Would go back for the bar! read more

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The history behind this place is very cool. And it's the longest wooden bar in Texas! That being said the food was good but expensive. We split a bison burger and fries...it was $25...there is no kids menu so my son held out and got McDonald's...not for the price just because he didn't like anything on the menu. Not sure why I'd go back versus other places in the area but it was good. read more

The Esquire Tavern - Half of the Bison Burger and Chili-Salt Fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Anton and joan were the best bartenders in the city. So knowledgeable and really made us feel at home downstairs at the esquire tavern. If you want a quant, personal experience, come see them. They were incredible. read more