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    Merkaba

    3.4 (64 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Merkaba Photos

    Business Info

    MERKABA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    Happy hour specials
    Good for dancing

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    Recommended Reviews - Merkaba

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    Reviews With Photos

    Drink menu...
    Ken S.

    I ended up at this place by mere luck and the minute I walked in I knew I was in the right place for my liking. I was greeted by the manager Eric and he placed me on the vip list and gave me a vip band. Eric was friendly and very nice. As a vip I had access to happy hour all night long which was a big plus. Upon entering there was a live band doing an acoustic set and it just happened to be a local musician I've worked with before in the music scene. They played three acoustic sets for the rest of the night and they even did request. The music itself was spot on for the place. It went well with the atmosphere and I was at ease just listening to music in here. My waitress Ruby was real friendly and tended to my alcoholic needs all night long. As I mentioned before I had access to happy hour all night and it was a real treat. Low prices and good adult drinks, I definitely plan on making plans to come back on another time. On a side note happy hour happens everyday from open till 10 pm but if get vip band you have it all night.

    Fernanda F.

    Merkaba is my go-to place to go for drinks before and after Howl at the Moon! The cocktails are pretty stellar and they have a wide variety of liquors. If you are into "pretty drinks" and are always looking for that instagrammable moment, they have some large mushroom-looking drinks that are perfect to share with a group. Merkaba is not just cocktails, they also sell cigars, which you can purchase and smoke at their outdoor sitting. If you are coming here after work, they have a special happy hour which also include small bites by a restaurant in the Riverwalk area (can't remember the name). The staff is always super friendly and very helpful! They also take reservations for birthdays or special occasions. Make sure to check them out next time you are in downtown.

    Quick drink dj turnt up.
    B D.

    Vibe turned up early and bar was quick. Drinks could be lil stronger but had a good time on...on to the next..

    a group of people sitting at a bar
    Art D.

    Overall not bad. Drinks a bit on the expensive side which we did not discover until the next day. We visited on a Saturday night and it was not overly crowded. We had a great time meeting people and dancing. The service was excellent and everyone was very friendly. I do recommend and will visit again. Now for eye candy, well eah not bad but not great. I would hold on my final thoughts there until next time. I do recommend a visit.

    Happy hour drinks to the left. The big thing is not a happy hour drink
    Diana G.

    I finally tried this place out. I went on a Saturday for happy hour with some girlfriends. I did fall prey to their giant $46 drink. It was cool for pictures and all, but not worth the price when it comes to the contents. It's definitely more ice than drink. I still don't regret it. It was insta-worthy. Definitely try out their happy hour. With drinks at $5-$7, you'll enjoy a few without breaking the bank. The mule was pretty good and it came with a chamoy stick. A live band was playing the day I went. It played a good mix of music. Of course, I'm sure this place is full of tourists. Everyone was dressed pretty laid back. Tip- located next to howl at the moon

    Desert Flower margarita and rum/coke
    Lilly K.

    Was good stood drinks. Had a great view for people watching the riverwalk. Interesting and fun

    Robbin M.

    Had a great time at this place located on the River walk upstairs. Warm fire heaters outside, live music and a huge assortment of fun cocktails. The music and vibes in this place are very inviting. Came on a Sunday night and only place open till 2am.

    Kristy H.

    Merkaba is located in the Southbank area on the Riverwalk. It's definitely a fun place to check out if you're in the mood to party. It does get pretty crowded so get there early! Their drinks are delicious and fun - also you can go upstairs to Howl at the Moon afterwards for more fun! They do have karaoke on some nights as well. Also great customer service!

    Just some drinks
    Fernando M.

    Thursday night little cold and raining after spend some time and having some great drinks by the amazing bartenders at the sound of the hot music All became hot and nice . Great location for drinks at the river walk area

    Jen D.

    It's so nice to have a place with truly strong we'll tasting drinks on the river walk. It is expensive but it's expected with the ambiance and location. Bartender Shuga was so nice and helped us throughout the evening. Decor is a mix between Tiki and nightclub but in a classy way. Drinks are so creative! Try the rainbow room! The only complaint I have is that there aren't hooks on the back on the doors in the bathroom nor underneath the bar seating.

    Been wanting to try Merkaba since it opened, I was having a ladies night and we wanted to dance after having dinner in that area. It gets pretty packed on the weekends, since it's in the heart of downtown area right by Hard Rock Cafe. There wasn't a line to get in, we sat at the bar area and ordered a drink. I wanted to try one of their speciality drinks we got the Sherpa Mule which is a Texas Size drink can be shared with 4 plus people really. Super strong and tasty but be prepared to be there a minute to finish haha it's huge. Atmosphere was on point we enjoyed the music and people were fun. It's a good place to dance and have a cocktail with friends.

    $6 Jello syringes! Yum

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    Great vibe! Courteous Staff! AMAZING cocktails! I attended the grand opening and had a blast. Glad to see a new spot on the river.

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    Great band!!! Awesome bartenders!! Had an extravagant time. Will definitely come back!!

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    6 years ago

    Awesome music. They play a few throwbacks and not just the five most popular songs which is great. Always something to dance to.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Merkaba

    What goes on Wednesday night?

    Every Wednesday night we showcase lyn-z's riverwalk revue from 9-11pm! We also have happy hour specials from 7-10pm.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Merkaba

    I wanted to try one of their speciality drinks we got the Sherpa Mule which is a Texas Size drink can be shared with 4 plus people really.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Great place for drinks. They really live up to their name -- "where doubles are standard." The only…read morething to keep in mind is that you have to order at the designated lines at the bar, which helps keep things moving once you get the hang of it. Their Steak Friday specials are excellent, and I'm pretty sure the steaks are cooked sous vide, which makes them consistently tender. The oysters are also a standout at $1.50 during happy hour. It can get a little loud when the place fills up, but overall it's a very comfortable spot to enjoy drinks. They validate two hours of parking at the Rand Garage behind the bar, but be aware that the validation is exactly two hours. Even one minute over triggers the three‑hour minimum charge, which is standard for that garage. Always look forward to stopping in whenever I can.

    What a pleasant surprise! I walked past and jjst thought to stop in for a drink to go. Once I got…read moreto the bar I kept seeing these awesome looking drinks come out so I sat. It was happy hour so ended up getting 6 oysters, which were tasty. Then I ordered steak frites and a side salad. The steak and fries were sooo good! Seasoned perfectly and a good portion. And the side salad was amazing. I loved that it wasn't the typical boring salad mix. It was arugula with a great vinaigrette. The cocktails were a real star too! The clover club was beautifully presented and so delicious! I will definitely be back!

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    Daniel is AMAZING! thanks for the help and making me laugh!!! Love the atmosphere/vibe.read more

    Update to first review below, rating updated from a 3 to a 5 star (drinks & bartender would get 10+…read morestars if we could rate that high): Saturday night: Went back for after dinner drinks at the Downstairs (a "speakeasy" throwback, look up the history of the place to see why). Drinks were AMAZING! Bartender Rob made the best Negroni I've ever had. I asked him to use whatever gin he thought best--result was an artistic smooooooth full-bodied drink. Told him when I was done I'd lick the glass if it wasn't considered so uncouth for a 'mature' lady like myself to do so Hubby's Buffalo Trace bourbon old fashioned was also outstanding. Rob was the bartender last night who did such a great job, and his work was even better tonight. We highly recommend The EsquireTavern for excellent cocktails. We love the long wood bar and high copper ceiling upstairs, but love the intimate speakeasy atmosphere downstairs even more. We'll definitely be back every time we're in San Antonio! First review, Friday night: Drinks were great (Manhattan and Bourbon Old Fashioned). REAL drinks, no complaints at all about those. And the bartenders were very friendly and helpful. Those aspects of the Esquire get 5+ stars from us. But the appetizers were not good, close to inedible. It was about 8:30pm or so, so maybe they were getting ready to close out the kitchen but the chalupitas with chicken tasted like rubber, and no flavor at all. The seafood platter had something in it that was breading with shell inside, but no meat of any kind. We couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. The shrimp was good and the fish was good but those other things... We'll always love the drinks, the long wooden bar, and the ambiance at the Esquire Tavern, but we'll eat somewhere else and come here for before or after dinner drinks. (See update above to this review for when we returned the next night for after dinner drinks.)

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 SERVED ON CRUSHED ICE

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