Esquire Tavern

4.4

645 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 19, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 21 times today

Charming
Good for groups
Great for creative cocktails

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The Esquire Tavern is the oldest bar on the San Antonio Riverwalk, opened the year, month and day that Prohibition was repealed.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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
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
Phone number
(210) 222-2521
Website
http://www.esquiretavern-sa.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Nash Zink
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.

Location
155 East Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205
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.
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

What 645 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Esquire Tavern is a beloved San Antonio gem, celebrated for its "amazing craft cocktails" and vintage charm. The vibrant atmosphere and historic setting make it a must-visit, especially before a night at the Aztec Theater. While some reviews note menu limitations, many praise the "phenomenal burgers" and attentive service.

645 Reviews

P
Patti
Tucson
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and excellent, dimly lit setting for date night!
Esquire TavernResponded 3 days ago
Thank you for the glowing review, Patti! We're so thankful for your support and hope to see you again soon.
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r
russell
Chicago
24 reviews
3.0
24 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Three of us went to Esquire for a relaxing evening, and while the atmosphere is lovely, the poor service was stressful. It took 25 minutes to be acknowledged by our server, and when we placed our order, the waiter came back to inform us that two of the three entrees we ordered were not available. Very disappointing.
Esquire TavernResponded on December 11, 2024
Hi Russell, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. While we am disappointed we delivered a lackluster experience, we are grateful for the feedback. We know we can do much better. Please know that we are looking forward to welcoming you back and exceeding your expectations.
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A
Ana
Kansas City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sat outside. Overlooked the river, fast and friendly service. Food was excellent!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 11, 2024
Thanks for the stellar review, Ana! We're so glad to hear that we were able to provide you with a 5 star experience. We appreciate you dining with us and look forward to seeing you again soon!
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m
melinda
Corpus Christi
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is okay…but the drinks and service were great!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 11, 2024
Hi Melinda, Thanks for the review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our drinks and service during your visit. It's always a pleasure to know that our efforts to provide great food and service are appreciated. We thank you for your feedback and hope to see you again soon!
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L
Lindsey
San Antonio
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Went for a date night and a show at the Aztec. Great food and drink options. It is very dark and loud inside. There is a lot of foot traffic from the design of the restaurant, but I don’t mind. Great service!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 9, 2024
Thank you for your kind words, Lindsey! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your post-show visit. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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G
Gretchen
Austin
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We stopped in for a meal and drink before a concert. The food was great, but it took a while to get our waiter’s attention. We finally connected and everything was smooth sailing after that. We also visited the downstairs cocktail bar and had the best old-fashioned we’ve ever had. Highly recommend.
Esquire TavernResponded on December 5, 2024
Thanks for your review, Gretchen! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your meal and the cocktails at our bar. We always aim to provide top-notch service, so it's good to know that you felt connected and had a smooth sailing experience. We're also glad that you enjoyed the old-fashioned, which is a popular choice! We look forward to serving you again soon.
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M
Maria
San Antonio
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Burgers were phenomenal as always, server was exceptional however when other staff were asked for help for something as simple as a salt and pepper shaker, they decided to get our server instead of just bringing them. But beyond that still BeST Burgers in SA!!!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 3, 2024
Maria, Thank you so much for your kind words and for your burger loyalty! We really appreciate you continuing to visit us. We'll see you again soon!
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C
Cathy
VIP
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great time sitting outside enjoying the view of the riverwalk, enjoying great burgers and wine!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 3, 2024
Thanks for the feedback, Cathy! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food and your visit! It's always a pleasure to serve our valued customers like you. We appreciate your ratings and your comments on our service and value. We're always striving to provide an exceptional experience. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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N
Neal
VIP
Baltimore
74 reviews
5.0
74 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place used to be a speakeasy. So much history, so cool. Food was ok and the menu was limited. Drink choices plentiful. With so many choices, am glad I went but would not rush back.
Esquire TavernResponded on December 3, 2024
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience! We're glad you enjoyed our drinks and the history of the Esquire Tavern, and we thank you for being a returning guest! We strive to provide a diverse range of options for all guests, and your feedback helps us improve. We hope to see you again soon!
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C
Cindy
Austin
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
They get a 4 star because the fish of the day was tile and it was over cooked and I had to send it back. It was rubber, some of the worst fish I have had in a long time. They then brought me their chicken & it was amazing with homemade tortillas. The drinks are always great and the staff knows what they are doing when it comes to recommendations of drinks and how to make them! It's a great atmosphere & all the other food was wonderful!!
Esquire TavernResponded on December 3, 2024
Thanks for visiting us, Cindy! We're sorry to hear that the fish was overcooked and that it didn't meet your expectations, but we are so glad that we were able to make up for it with our chicken and homemade tortillas! We strive to provide the best food and drinks to our customers, and your comments will help us improve. We're glad to know that the atmosphere and our staff helped to make your visit enjoyable. We hope to see you again soon!
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FAQs

Esquire Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (210) 222-2521.

Esquire Tavern is rated 4.4 stars by 645 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 19, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

155 East Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205

Additional information

Cross street
St. Mary's
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:30 am–2:00 am
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Dining Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
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.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Nash Zink
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

Website
http://www.esquiretavern-sa.com/
Phone number
(210) 222-2521
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.

Esquire Tavern

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 645 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Esquire Tavern offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Esquire Tavern restaurant rated?

Is Esquire Tavern currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information