San Antonio is on the rise — to the tops of the rooftops, in fact! As our city skyline continues to grow and change, new rooftop bars are perching themselves atop some of the newest high-rises. These bars are serving up some of the iciest cocktails, creative bar bites and, of course, the best panoramic views of San Antonio. So, make sure to catch the next elevator because we’re taking it all the way to the top. We’ll meet you at the bar and save you a seat with a view.
Rising to the Occasion at the Fairmount Rooftop Oyster Bar
The rooftop bar trend is taking over the San Antonio social scene. After all, perched high above the city is the best place to see and be seen. But with every trend, there’s a trendsetter. And in the city’s rooftop cocktail sipping scene, that’s the Fairmount Rooftop Oyster Bar.
This rooftop bar is one of the first in the city. The historic Fairmount Hotel, dating back to 1906, is nestled across the street from Hemisfair Park in the heart of Downtown San Antonio. Standing proud at three stories tall, this OG rooftop haunt might not be as tall as the city newcomers, however, the views of the Tower of the Americas can’t be beat.
The bar bite menu features a selection of fresh-shucked East Coast oysters, which, of course, pair perfectly with an ice-cold martini — or a Bloody Mary if you’re starting early. Kick back and take in the view because it’s all sunshine and shakers from here.
Perched Among the Trees of the Canopy Hotel at Otro
One of the most iconic features of the San Antonio River Walk is the towering cypress trees that shade its winding banks. While they’re beautiful to take in from river level, what would it feel like to perch in their branches and watch the boats go by? Well, that’s what it’s like to grab a drink at Otro.
Nestled among the cypress treetops at the Canopy Hotel along the River Walk, Otro offers a one-of-a-kind treehouse experience that’ll make you feel like a kid again. This Mexican-inspired menu offers an extensive collection of tequila, mezcal and Tex-Mex takes on classic cocktails. Imbibe in a fiery La Mula or refreshing Texas Sangria as you share bites of tuna tostadas and classic chips and guac.
Partying on Top The Phipps at Paramour
There’s no party like a rooftop party, and nobody knows this better than Paramour. A favorite among San Antonians, Paramour sits four floors up on top of The Phipps building along the northern Museum Reach stretch of the river. The rooftop offers prime, panoramic skyline views. But the real reason people flock here is for the amazing party — which appears to be nonstop.
Paramour offers a selection of over 1,300 spirits (not to mention a Champagne vending machine) to fuel the night and carry the festivities into a rowdy brunch. Drag brunches are a weekend-long affair, bringing in some of the best performances in the city. Themed parties are hosted on the regular, and you can even book your own by reserving a VIP space or going all out to book your own private event.
At Paramour, you never know who you’re going to meet. And, you might just fall in love. However, one thing is for sure: you will have the time of your life.
Getting a Bird’s Eye View of Texan Lore at 1Watson
While city-slicker rooftop bars are popping up everywhere, this is still Texas. 1Watson holds true to Texas tradition and rises to the bar — 15 floors up to the top of the AC Riverwalk Hotel, to be exact.
This spot gets its name from an 1883 Texas poker game where a gunfighter named Thompson won a $200 marble tombstone from a stonecutter named Watson. This was the “1” and only time Thompson accepted winnings other than cold, hard cash. As luck would have it, he died in a shootout a week later. Take it as a lesson to place your bets on cocktail tables, not headstones.
Of course, this riverside rooftop offers prime views of the downtown skyline. They’re also serving up Texas-style bar bites, like chips and queso, cornbread, brisket tacos, and even a vegan chili. Here, the craft cocktails favor the cowboy choices of tequila and whiskey. But this full bar is pouring up something for everyone, no matter your spirit of choice.
Soaring to the 10th Floor of the Kimpton Santo at Tenfold
Let’s take things up a notch, or 10. Tenfold is San Antonio’s newest and trendiest rooftop bar. We’re taking the elevator 10 floors up to the top of the Kimpton Santo Hotel.
The Kimpton is situated between Downtown and Southtown, offering the best views of both. From this open-air rooftop, you can see iconic buildings of the San Antonio skyline, including the Tower Life Building, Hilton Palacio del Rio and, of course, the Tower of the Americas. While the views are amazing, the real perfect 10 score here is the menu.
The 10x Tour prix fixe menu delivers a culinary journey of 10 small bite courses from every corner of the globe. Options include bites like lobster crispy rice, wagyu gyoza, eggplant samosas and blue crab dolmas. Now, this sounds like a menu that deserves a toast. Luckily, Tenfold has you covered there, too.
The drink menu showcases tequila and mezcal and offers a range of cocktails for every palate, from frozen and sweet to stout and boozy. Every creation is a completely unique experience, making for 10x the fun.
Floating Atop the Thompson at The Moon’s Daughters
Saving the highest for last. The Moon’s Daughters is San Antonio’s tallest rooftop bar, sitting 20 stories up in the clouds above the Thompson Hotel. This may be the closest you can get to the moon and his cosmic offspring.
This high-class lounge offers terrace and indoor seating, all elevated by a backdrop of panoramic skyline views. Here, you can see just about every landmark San Antonio has to offer, from the Tower of the Americas to the “Big Red Enchilada” Library. Do yourself a favor and come for happy hour drinks and sunset, then carry the party into the starry night.
The kitchen here serves a bar bite menu inspired by the Mediterranean region, featuring dishes like lamb chops, za’atar chicken and a signature hummus. And the mixology menu doesn’t disappoint. The bar is stirring up a galaxy of concoctions, from a Skyline Sour to a non-alcoholic drink titled Pluto’s Revenge. Cheers to the cosmos!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that life is better at the top!
