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Sconce - Esquire Tavern, San Antonio, TX

Esquire Tavern

4.3 (702)
$30 and under
American
155 East Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205

Make a reservation

A photo of Esquire Tavern restaurant

Esquire Tavern

4.3
$30 and under
American
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
Located in the heart of downtown, The Esquire Tavern is the oldest bar on the San Antonio Riverwalk, opened the year, month and day that Prohibition was repealed. Tending bar in the early days was a highly prized and much sought after craft. Bar keeps then created many of their own syrups, mixes and concoctions and used the freshest of juices with the intention of serving the best products. We at the Esquire have taken a serious approach to the old world of bartending and spun it with a modern twist. Combining classic techniques and new world flavors and culinary concepts, our goal is to lead and set San Antonio's emerging cocktail culture on the map.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Comfort Food, Dining Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Luis Colon
  • Private party facilities
    We can offer the entire bar, dining room and river balcony, accommodating up to 175 guests. Our Downstairs space can also be reserved, with its 15-seat bar and two semi-private lounges which hold 30 guests each. Call well in advance of your event date — availability of the whole place is limited.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    St. Mary's
  • Parking details
    ** We are OPEN during Commerce Street construction! **<br /><br />The Esquire Tavern is encircled by four parking garages and various street lots, the closest being one half block east, the Market Street Garage across from the Westin Hotel with entrances on East Commerce and Market streets. One block further East on East Commerce and Presa is the City Garage. To the West, The Rand Parking Garage on Soledad and Houston and to the North, the College Street Garage at College and St.Mary’s St.
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located in downtown on the San Antonio River, The Esquire Tavern is within walking distance from most major hotels. In addition, The Esquire is serviced by the Yellow Line Downtown Trolley conveniently located at the corner of Commerce and St. Mary’s fifty feet from our front door. Valet parking is offered at the Hilton Canopy Hotel next door.
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Offers

  • Happy Hour!

    1 - 12 people

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - Sat - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    Stop into the oldest bar on the River Walk for Happy Hour $5 Hour Ale on Draft, $9 Select Glasses of Wine, $7 & $8 Cocktails $5 Deviled Eggs, $4 Chalupita, $8 Puro Tavern Fries Available Monday-Friday 2pm-5pm

  • Weekday Lunch Specials

    1 - 12 people

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - Sat - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    Take your lunch break with us! Monday - Friday until 2PM. Daily Lunch Specials for $16 Mon - House Salad w/ Chicken Tues - 1/2 French Dip Sandwich Wed - 1/2 Chicken Club Sandwich Thurs - 1/2 Cornish Hen Fri - Tavern Cheeseburger & Fries All specials served with Iced Tea.

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Esquire Tavern.

4.3

4.3
(702)
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Antonio

    Neighborhood gem

  • San Antonio

    Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Esquire Tavern offers a "cool vibe" with its historic charm as the oldest bar on the Riverwalk. Guests enjoy a lively atmosphere, "amazing drinks," and "delicious food," especially on the patio. While some menu items need improvement, the bar area and service often leave a "great" impression.
702 Reviews
  1. Larry

    Dallas12 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The chicken & dumpling soup should be taken off the menu. Lacked taste and no chicken. Maybe a larger candle or something with a little better lighting in the booths. Love the bar area and drinks were good. We went back a 2nd time for drinks

    Is this helpful?

  2. Brooke

    E. Tennessee2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The atmosphere is really cool, very dark inside, historic as the oldest bar on River. If you can get an outside seat, do it. Food was great, menu is small.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Wendi Gold

    Baltimore14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice atmosphere and great location. Recommend for friends and couples.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sarah

    Denver3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 11, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So fun to eat on the patio overlooking the river walk. Food and drinks were fabulous. Our server was a sweetheart. Definitely would recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Daniel

    Unspecified2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 11, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    You could tell the recipe was good, but the pork chops were cooler than they should have been.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Valarie

    Toledo3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 9, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Loved sitting outside on the Riverwalk. The inside is a cool vibe and I would love to go back for a drink at the bar. The food was lacking flavor. All four of us said the food was super bland. Honestly expected better because the food has been fantastic in San Antonio. Go for the bar not the food

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  7. Monica

    San Antonio1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere, and great service. Perfect meeting location before a show at The Aztec.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Todd

    Houston2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on October 2, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Food has gone downhill over the years. Sad. Waiter wasn’t interested in actual service.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Mark

    Detroit8 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on September 28, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Good food . Terrible service. Wish the waiter cared as much about his job as he did his phone.

    Is this helpful?

  10. EJ

    San Antonio3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 26, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service and food was amazing! Our waitress was very attentive and friendly!

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Comfort Food, Dining Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Luis Colon
  • Private party facilities
    We can offer the entire bar, dining room and river balcony, accommodating up to 175 guests. Our Downstairs space can also be reserved, with its 15-seat bar and two semi-private lounges which hold 30 guests each. Call well in advance of your event date — availability of the whole place is limited.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    St. Mary's
  • Parking details
    ** We are OPEN during Commerce Street construction! **<br /><br />The Esquire Tavern is encircled by four parking garages and various street lots, the closest being one half block east, the Market Street Garage across from the Westin Hotel with entrances on East Commerce and Market streets. One block further East on East Commerce and Presa is the City Garage. To the West, The Rand Parking Garage on Soledad and Houston and to the North, the College Street Garage at College and St.Mary’s St.
  • Public transit
    Conveniently located in downtown on the San Antonio River, The Esquire Tavern is within walking distance from most major hotels. In addition, The Esquire is serviced by the Yellow Line Downtown Trolley conveniently located at the corner of Commerce and St. Mary’s fifty feet from our front door. Valet parking is offered at the Hilton Canopy Hotel next door.
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

FAQs

Yes, Esquire Tavern offers outdoor seating, including a balcony/second‑floor patio that overlooks the San Antonio Riverwalk and is frequently enjoyed by guests.

Yes, Esquire Tavern is frequently recommended for date night, praised for its dim, warm lighting, cozy booths and balcony overlooking the RiverWalk, plus a quieter speakeasy downstairs for intimate conversation.

Esquire Tavern feels like a cool, vintage Riverwalk pub, dimly lit, warm, and centered on an impressive long wooden bar, with a cozy speakeasy downstairs and candlelit tables that create an intimate, historic vibe.

Casual dress, comfortable, informal attire is appropriate; nothing formal is required.

Esquire Tavern is a perfect pre-show stop, early evening before performances at nearby venues (Aztec/Majestic) makes for a relaxed dinner; if you want a livelier late night, Friday–Saturday downstairs the speakeasy is open, while upstairs tends to be calmer.

Guests often find the portions generous, one recent review explicitly calls the food 'large portions' and very tasty.

Yes, families do visit Esquire Tavern; multiple guests describe dining with children and note kids enjoying items like a chocolate mousse cake and Mexican Coca‑Cola, so you can expect a family-friendly atmosphere on visits.

Esquire Tavern sees its biggest crowds around Friday nights and busy Saturday afternoons/late-night service, while weekday middays and Wednesday evenings have been noted as quieter, more relaxed times to visit.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Antonio
  4. San Antonio
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

A photo of Esquire Tavern restaurant

Esquire Tavern

4.3
$30 and under
American
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 7 times today
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