The Esquire Tavern

155 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
$$$ Bar
(4877 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

If you find yourself wandering the colorful streets of San Antonio, make sure to immerse yourself in the ambiance of The Esquire Tavern, a celebrated local bar steeped in history and charm. Located at 155 E Commerce St, this establishment is famed for being the oldest bar in San Antonio and boasts the longest bar in all of Texas, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists alike.

Upon entering, guests are greeted by the warm, inviting atmosphere, where vintage decor meets rustic charm—think unique taxidermy adorned with hats and costumes that make for quirky conversation starters. The dim lighting adds a hint of intimacy for those looking to unwind before or after a show at the nearby Majestic Theater.

The drink menu is extensive, featuring specially crafted cocktails perfect for any palate. Dive into refreshing options like the Walkin’ After Midnight or the seasonal Winter Martini. In addition to its impressive drink selection, The Esquire Tavern offers a concise yet delicious food menu that pairs beautifully with its cocktails. Start your culinary journey with the Caramelized French Onion Dip served with freshly fried potato chips—each bite is a delightful blend of creamy and savory, perfect for sharing. Perhaps the Deviled Eggs topped with spicy peanut salsa macha will tempt your palate, or try the Fried Pickles served with a side of creamy buttermilk ranch for an addictive crunchy treat.

As for the main courses, the Texas Quail Legs fried to perfection and dressed with honey-chili dressing provide a unique twist that embodies Texas flavors. For lighter fare, the Esquire Salad featuring Little Gem lettuce, avocado, and crispy tortilla strips is a vibrant choice, equally delicious and refreshing. And let’s not forget the Housemade Focaccia, a perfect complement to any dish.

The reviews speak volumes about the quality and charm of The Esquire Tavern. Customers rave about the breathtaking experience of savoring a cocktail while enjoying the unique vibes of this historic bar. One guest enthusiastically described it as “definitely a must stop” when traveling through the Riverwalk, a sentiment echoed by many who have soaked in the eclectic atmosphere. Another noted the fantastic service, complemented by delicious light bites that share a stage with classic cocktails, offering a respite from the bustling city outside.

Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back evening sipping drinks with friends or stopping for a meal before an event, The Esquire Tavern promises a memorable experience. So, grab a seat at the bar or on the cute little balcony overlooking the River Walk, and immerse yourself in the historic charm that this San Antonio gem has to offer.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Has live performances
Popular for
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Dining options
Has seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

Friday

11:30 AM - 02:00 AM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 02:00 AM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 12:00 AM

4877 Reviews
Garland

20 Sep 2025

I went to have a drink before a show at the Majestic Theater to check out the place. Nice long bar and sweet little balcony overlooking the River Walk. Looks like there was unique taxidermy everywhere with hats and costumes, but it was sooo dark you could barely see anything in there. The margarita wasn't shaken and tasted like lime and tequila, no triple sec.

emma catherine

07 Sep 2025

Everything was great. Got here around midnight so food options were limited to a couple of things as per their late night menu (11p-1a) of which we got two - the deviled eggs and the cheeseburger. Both were delicious. The drinks we had (Walkin’ After Midnight, a moscow mule, and the Esquire’s Winter Martini) were also great. Can’t wait to come back during the daytime!

BossHoss

17 Aug 2025

Definitely a must stop if you are traveling through the Riverwalk or just passing through San Antonio. The historic restaurant has some great menu options as well as a unique bar top that is a must-see. The servers and wait staff are nice, and the drink menu has a lot of great options on it. Great place to have stopped at, will be back again.

Dario Ávalos

21 Jul 2025

There weren't seats available by the river, however the service was great and food was goood. I had the limonada with guava which was really good and ordered burgers. The place is calm and they have cool music. Highly recommend the Key lime pie as dessert.

Christopher Arserio

19 Jul 2025

The Esquire was a must for our several day visit to the Riverwalk. Absolutely worth the visit! We are always up for visiting unique bars on our travels. It was the perfect evening for some light eats and speciality drinks. The bar is incredible with it length and history. We enjoyed the Homemade Chips and Caramelized Onion Dip, Tomato Soup with Baked Cheese Toast and The Esquire Salad. Washed it all down with Moscow Mules, Bidi Bidi Conundrum and an Old Fashion. The atmosphere is nice, quaint, dimly lit, and cozy. Our server was fantastic and we enjoyed great conversation. Being that the The Esquire is one of the oldest establishment on the Riverwalk, full of history along with excellent cocktails and food, you just gotta stop in to experience it. Thanks for making our visit so enjoyable!!

Mike

16 Jul 2025

I forget exactly how my friend and I came across this place, but we made the right decision to eat here. It was hot outside that day, but it was much cooler indoors. The service was quick, the food was great, and our table had a lantern, which reminded me of the one my grandmother used to have. Very fine establishment!

Charlie Matthews

14 Jun 2025

It’s a bar that offers food. Limited menu. Everything is al a carte. Work mate got the Bison burger and it looked fantastic, but the Reuben was basic. Very salty and tough meat. This place is overall not for me, but it has a cool vibe and others liked it.

Samantha Broughton

05 Jun 2025

Leaving The Magestic and you see the mass of people flooding out to get to their cars and you think to yourself….. self, do I want to spend an hour in the Travis parking garage getting out (ps much easier than the one near the theater!) or do I want to sit at the oldest bar in San Antonio and the longest bar in Texas with a cold cocktail, amazing food, and some of the best service I have had in a while? No brain answer there. When we arrived we were instantly greeted and we decided to sit at the bar. After settling in, Breck came greet us. Probably the friendliest bartender ever. He made an amazing old fashioned for the hubs and I had a French 75. When I say the attention to detail was there… man it was. I almost didn’t want to drink my beverage it was so pretty. Food came out quickly and pipping hot. Husband had the burger and I had the mussels with fries. All the mussels were open which means the kitchen pays attention to detail. Yall I wanted to drink the sauce from the bowl, but I decided to drop my fries into the sauce and let them swim a moment before eating them. I had a bite of my husbands burger. When you bite into the burger, it melts in your mouth. They do not overwork their meat and they know how to cook a medium rare burger (those that don’t like the redness in a burger, move on. It’s worth the risk). Such an amazing texture and perfectly seasoned. Since it was 5pm and approaching my bedtime (don’t judge me) I had a coffee and we split a key lime pie. They do the coffee right with the French press and the key lime has a meringue topping that was perfectly toasted. Yeah definitely made the right choice and had a better experience then waiting for an hour to get out of the garage. I hope yall try this place and ask about the history. Good food, amazing drinks, and a history lesson on the side. You won’t regret it!

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