aldaco’s news: Wine Enthusiast Feature

13 Essential Bars in San Antonio, According to Industry Pros

Since childhood, history lessons have instructed us to “Remember the Alamo,” the first time many people first heard of San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas by population. In recent decades, the city’s famed River Walk, major theme parks and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park have made it an immensely popular destination for travelers around the globe.

What may be lesser known is that San Antonio is one of only two UNESCO-designated Creative Cities of Gastronomy in the U.S., which led Visit San Antonio to trademark the city as the Culinary Capital of Texas.

Thanks to the Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio is producing top chefs who stick around after graduation. That invention, paired with centuries of Mexican and European influences informing the cuisine, has led to a thriving food scene. And by proxy, an elevated cocktail culture has emerged, complementing the city’s friendly dives and ice houses.

To get the insider’s take on the best of San Antonio’s drinks scene, we turned to a handful of industry professionals for their recommendations on where to go and what to order. Read on for their top picks. 

Best Wine Bars

Long-time Stone Oak residents Jeff and Angie Bridges got their start in the food and beverage world as owners of a wine and spirits store in the neighborhood. That transitioned into Copa Wine Bar, an intimate and casual place to enjoy easy-to-drink wines, as well as rare brands and special vintages that will appeal to true connoisseurs. 

Blanca Aldaco, president of Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine, loves to pop over for some Mediterranean bites and a good glass of wine from the rotating list. “But I love their homemade sangria,” she adds. Available in red, white and rosé, the sangrias can be purchased in large quantities to-go, too.