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The Growling

4.8 (53 reviews)
ModerateBeer Bar
Closed • 4:30 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

The Growling Photos

THE GROWLING ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Divey
Hipster
Casual

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Recommended Reviews - The Growling

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Reviews With Photos

Brent L.

This is a really cool place to stop by and get a pint of a regional beer or refill your growler with your favorite brew to take home (growlers only, no crowlers here). Friendly, and more importantly, knowledgeable tap masters that can match your beer tastes to the selections on tap. You can order a pitcher of beer at this place! I don't see this in many growler stations. All in all, it's a very fun place. The staff and the customers are very chill and down to earth. It's in a strip center at the corner of LBJ and East Sessom Dr. The address is listed on LBJ and while you can enter there, it's a lot easier if you enter from East Sesson Drive. And there's a LOT more parking on this side.

Middleton Pecan Amber!
Donovan S.

This is a great little dive bar in San Marcos with lots of local beers on tap. The bartender was very nice and knowledgeable and it was not very crowded at all. I love the music they play there as well. It is very low-key so if you feel like just sitting down and having a couple beers in talking with the regulars it is perfect perfect

Old school street fighter 2
Kyle S.

The decor of this place is very unique. You pretty much just have to see it for yourself. The walls are loaded with artwork for sale from local artists. Very interesting pieces. But enough about that. This place is loaded with craft beer from Texas. Texas is apparently pretty big in that regard (and nearly every other regard). For a place as small and intimate as it is, there's a lot of seating packed in it and even some outdoor seating. There's games, lots of games. Card games, board games, darts, pool, and sometimes even a live DJ. If you dig the craft brew scene this place is surely right up your alley. If you find yourself in San Marcos come check em out!

Taylor M.

Went to this local brew house last night and I was absolutely blown away. They have all Texas craft beers, 28 on tap, fresh, and they even have a few selections in cans and some wine! I was shocked when I saw they had The Infinite Monkey Theorem Rose' ....impressive. The vibe is awesome. Super laid back, chill, artsy, and hipster. Loves it. The owners are lovely people. So nice, great service, and very informative on every single beer. They make it their priority to get the perfect beer for you. They have some savory oyster crackers for you to enjoy while you booze it up. Cards Against Humanity is also available to play for free! The decor was my favorite. I was super into the refurbished wooden pallets, the art work, the baby succulents, and the colors! Will definitely be returning many more evenings.

Just a girl & her growlers.
Laura K.

Part of what makes The Growling so delightful, is the atmosphere. I'm new to the craft beer scene -- and this was a perfect welcome. The staff is friendly and can also help me decide what to order if I'm unsure. I've had fun trying to new beers and discovering what have become my go-to selections. (Bonus : All the beer they serve is from Texas!) Between the mix of good people and good beer - this has become my favorite bar.

They let dogs in!
Michelle O.

I love this bar! There are dogs! I repeat, this is a dog bar! I wish we had dog bars in San Antonio. I had no idea San Marcos was so cool. This is the first bar I visited in SMTX and I was very impressed. Very cool vibe, lots of dogs to pet and neat art on the walls. I like that they have board games and such. I would definitely go back!

Dustin W.

This place has the best tap selection in San Marcos, hands down. No place in town even comes close to getting the quality beers that this bar does. The owner is always a great help for beer selection and a super cool dude. Try a craft beer or get your growler filled. I highly recommend The Growling!

Beer flight takeoff!
Toni V.

Nothing like a craft brew to quench your thirst any day of the week! What a great spot - the staff is very welcoming and friendly and are very knowledgeable about the different brews on tap to help you find the right one to fit those taste buds. The beer flight the bartenders picked/poured for me were great and I look forward to coming back and tasting the other brews on tap. Looks like I found a great alternative to overcrowded beergardens in Austin so cheers to more trips I'll be making to San Marcos!

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8 years ago

So glad to discover this place! Excellent selection and awesome atmosphere, bar guy, and fellow customers.

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9 years ago

Seriously awesome local beers. The bartender is extremely knowledgeable. A true hidden gem for craft brews of Texas.

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11 years ago

Solid beer selection and friendly service! It is highly likely I may end up here to grade papers between classes.

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11 years ago

Friendly, awesome environment with a great selection of Texas beers. I enjoyed the twisted X jalapeño Pilsner!

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Great selection of Texas beer! Ruben knows his beer let me tell you. He will find the perfect beer for you.

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Ask the Community - The Growling

Is there any sort of outside seating to bring a dog? Even if it's a single table out front?

Yeah there's like one table outside with an ashtray next to it. Not sure what business it belongs to, but the table is there.

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Review Highlights - The Growling

“They have all Texas craft beers, 28 on tap, fresh, and they even have a few selections in cans and some wine!”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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The Porch

The Porch

3.2(32 reviews)
0.6 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.

Came on happy hour on a Tuesday... not very happy, $1.00 off drafts. Almost $20 for two pints. Not…read morecoming back. Craft beer Pints usually are for $6. It's better to visit Thirsty Planet Brewery here in town. Pints are $6. The brewery has Thursday and Friday happy hour for $4 pints. That would make me happy for sure.

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

Blah... Where's the Texas beers?

The Porch - Bar

Bar

The Porch

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The Growling - beerbar - Updated October 2026

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