Buyer Beware: Check the Drink Menu! Stopped by Sternewirth with a friend for a casual drink, and we ordered two old fashioneds. The bartender suggested a "special" old fashioned--sounded great, until the bill hit: $85 for what turned out to be a single shareable drink (the "Old Fashioned for Two" on the menu). Not two drinks, not even amazing--just a mediocre cocktail with a side of sticker shock. Apparently, it's their priciest option, and we had no idea until it was too late. Lesson learned: read the menu carefully, even if you have to hold up the line to do it. Don't let the fancy vibe fool you into skipping the fine print. San Antonio has taco trucks next door that'll treat you better than this overpriced gimmick. Won't be back. read more

I arrived early from Austin and decided to wait for Evon by visiting the Sternewirth Bar at the Emma Hotel. I have to say, this is definitely the way to spend a hot afternoon waiting for a friend. This space is gorgeous. They didn't have the drink I wanted, so the server recommended one of the current signature cocktails - the Dreamsicle (corazon barrel select reposado, clarified milk punch, vanilla liqueur, orange sherbet syrup, and green tea). It was fantastic! If I had more time I would get another, so I'll just have to settle for whatever new treat awaits on my return trip. read more

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This is one of my favorite bars ever. From the moment you step in, the ambiance captures you completely. Beautifully decorated, every detail in here is meticulously placed. I cannot skip Sternewirth if I'm in the area, I must pop in for at least a drink. The cocktails are excellent, and the vibe is immaculate. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Dirty martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I only came for drinks but it was a really good experience. All the ingredients were really fresh at the bar. There was a little late at the bar but it's not the end of the world. Everybody was really friendly when you get to the bar to try to figure out what you want. Even some of the people who are in line were very helpful and friendly so I really appreciate it that! You're already in the pearl so you may as well stop in for a quality drink. I definitely appreciate it! read more

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Was playing tour guide for some family members who came to visit and today was Foodie Tour Day in SA! We had just finished taking them to the Shops at La Cantera and The Medical Center Campus so The Pearl was our next stop. We showed them the area, the Food Hall and the Riverwalk area behind The Pearl. One of our stops was the Hotel Emma and of course we had to get a drink!! It's been awhile since I've been here and the interior decor has been updated and swanky. I love the throwback feel of the place that's kept the character of the building with modern touches. There's lots of open seating and small nooks with the leather seats and sturdy tables to lay your drink. Lots of servers ready to take your order. We ended up in the bar and ordered a couple of Carajillos, a Bloody Mary and a non-alcoholic cocktail. The bartender said that Carajillos were one of the most requested drinks. We had dinner plans so we didn't want to get sloshed nor burnt out since it was the mid-afternoon. Our bartender was personable and we chatted about the Bay Area and his fond memories. This place kinda reminded me of some bars in San Francisco esp. ones that are in a revitalized area where they keep the character of the area, ie Speakeasys, Gold Rush or industrial. We decided to sit for a bit to enjoy our drinks before our next excursion. Funny that it was a Friday and it wasn't too crowded both at the mall and at The Pearl?? The bartender said it usually picks up by the evening. Next time, I'd like to try one of their signature cocktails and I could sit and enjoy the vibe. read more

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GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! This tavern is located inside Hotel Emma at the Pearl. It is absolutely stunning. So much of the original architecture has been maintained, from late 1800s when this complex was the Pearl Beer Brewery. Sternewirth is super cozy with great ambience. Perfect place to have a drink & to snuggle/get your PDA on with your person. Beautiful boyfriend & I visited mid-October, when it's still technically summer in Texas (95 degrees, AKA hot as balls & not in a good way ), so I can only imagine how lovely this place is in the winter when it's chilly outside, to sit in front of the fire & enjoy a warm drink. Upstairs features several intimate seating nooks. Downstairs is the HUGE, original fireplace. Also downstairs are 3 giant beer vats, 2 of which have been turned into reserved seating with circular booths. Even if you're only thirsty for water or if you're not thirsty at all, the Sternewirth is well worth a visit just to feast upon the historic architectural eye candy. read more

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Absolutely beautiful bar with a fantastic selection of spirits. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. A definite must go to. read more

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We love this place, sitting both inside and outside! Best French fries ever - you MUST order the fries. Trust me, you won't regret it. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Our favorite go to place on date night for Carajillos. Nestled in heart of the Pearl. Hotel Emma has hit a home run with one of the most elegant and laid back places in San Antonio. I love coming here for a few drinks & some laughs with my friends and family from out of town. From the unique scent that the Hotel Emma offers (if you're interested they also sell the candles in their gift shop/coffee bar) to their signature drink, Three Emma, this place is so inviting. I promise you, you will love it here! Feel free to take a look around in the lobby if you'd like to... just watch out for the ghost. read more

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The ambiance, the wine, the music, the service....this place was so classy. I had the Caesar salad for dinner. It was delectable. The wine I had was so top notch. The gentleman playing the guitar (Anthony Garcia) was phenomenal. He played a mixture of music in English and Spanish (he played Carlos Vives). Be prepared to drop some cash if you are going here. It is not cheap, but completely worth it. read more

Went on a Sunday night and it was pretty dead. I did not step inside but there were plenty of seating outside. We had the Salami & Brie Cheese Plate and the drink is called Lucile's Day Out. The cheese and meat plate was perfect for sharing if you're not looking for a meal. All the cheese and meats were good and the jam included was very complimentary. The drink was very delicious. It has bourbon, banana liqueur, amontillado sherry, orange, lemon. I'm not a big drinker but it was so good, I could've easily had 2 or 3. The waitress said that the drinks get rotated every quarter or so, so you should stop on by soon as I think it's only available another month. We also had a cute regular lurking nearby. Will be returning for the food, drinks and cat. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Hotel Emma regular - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Stern was once a quiet spot for in-the-know people who wanted a well made drink and good conversation in a great bar. Now, it's packed in on weekends and the room is quite loud. The hotel needs to institute a time policy on seating, as most people now just come here for one drink and then take up space. If you cannot afford a $25 cocktail, this is not the place for you. Don't take up space for 75 minutes on one round. Service also used to be better. For the accolades that Emma has, this bar should have the same service standard as a Four Seasons or Ritz. The bar and servers always seem to run extremely slow, as in 20+ mins for a classic martini. On top of that, the friendly-factor with the servers is lacking, especially at a place where it's easy to spend $200+ on a few rounds of drinks. Overall, Emma's success has made them a bit lazier instead of sharper. I hope they can fix this. On a side note, the room already needs to have their soft furniture refurbished. It's looking tattered and worn. read more

A gorgeous speakeasy. It'd be really fun to come with a group of friends. You can just pick a spot to sit down, and a server will come serve you. read more

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The building is historic and super cool. The cocktails/food are a little pricy for me, but the drinks are craft and really good. Probably not a place to go in your sweatpants and flip flops. The clientele were all dressed nicely and somewhat pretentious, but nothing over the top. Definitely recommend checking it out for the cool building or if you're looking for a spot for some nicer cocktails. read more

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Cocktails for 8. - Ambiance (5/5) Dramatic, dark, sophisticated. We sat on the mezzanine and felt like we were in our own little private corner. Very relaxing atmosphere. - Service (5/5) Fast and friendly. - Spicy Peanuts, comp. (5/5) Wow, we ate like 3 dishes of these things. Spicy but with some intention on flavor. Don't really know what they added, but these things were amazing. - Three Emmas, $12 (5/5) A hint of sweet, a hint of sour, very smooth overall. Should have ordered two of these, instead of... - La Babia Margarita, $12 (2/5) Tasted like a margarita you get at the local Mexican joint. Not impressed. - Value (5/5) Considering the amazing free (and endless) peanuts, plus the very reasonably priced cocktails in an old world, sultry kind of environment... great! - Final Word Would love to come back, sit there, snack on peanuts, sip some Three Emmas, and ponder life. I never asked them about the story of the Three Emmas- I'll have to do that next time. read more

This establishment is inside of The Hotel Emma. Super spacious establishment with some upper level seating. Plenty of couches and chairs to sit couples and groups. Dim lighting and live musician to set the mood. Felt adventurous so asked the bartender Brent to surprise me and he made one of the popular cocktails A Silent Hill and I really liked this drink. I also ordered the matcha Mia. Ordered at the bar and took my drink to a seat and had a relaxing time listening to the artist. Would recommend this place especially for its ambiance and drinks! read more

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Ben the bartender was awesome!! And, oh my gosh the espresso martini was amazing. Best I have had. My friend and I went about a week ago for happy hour and was extremely pleased with the service and the drinks. The beautiful atmosphere and decor in Hotel Emma was also stunning! read more

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What a wonderful little gem at the Hotel Emma. Several friends and I stopped by after dinner in the Pearl complex for after-dinner drinks. Sternewirth Bar is an inviting lounge with comfortable seating and some great drinks. Spicy(!) peanuts are served and there is a menu for other munchables. This place seems to be known for their whiskey cocktails and has a signature drink called the Three Emmas. I know there is a story to that, but I did not hear what it was. Ask your server and they'll be happy to fill you in. I had an Irish Coffee that was oh so yummy and just the thing for a breezy afternoon in December. If you're staying at Hotel Emma, make sure you stop in. If you're dining in the Pearl Complex, make sure you make this your final stop of the evening. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Inside looking at the entrance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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No. 1 bar on my list. I met with a special someone here on a Friday night for a drink. We had such a great time. The service was amazing and as always we were extremely fond of the ambiance. I was a little disappointed that they updated their menu - I was looking forward to indulging in their bourbon selection for signature cocktails. Nonetheless, GREAT TIME. read more

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This is the meat + cheese plate as it arrived untouched. Odd presentation. Service was amazing, just disappointed with this item itself. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Meat and cheese plate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Incredibly disappointed in the service. Did not feel welcome, after a long wait one of us went to the bar to order and it was still hard to get anyone's attention during a non-busy hour. Finally flagged down a server and ordered 2 glasses of Cava. When the bill came, he charged us for a different sparkling (and more expensive) wine. What a shame since we enjoyed the unique and interesting atmosphere. read more

A trip to the Emma is always delightful even if its just for a drink. The bar is an amazing steampunk wonderland with comfortable sofas and upholstered chairs. Service is excellent. Don't forget to order the complimentary spicy peanuts - just cravable. We bought a bag in the Larder store to take home. read more

Stopped at The Pearl District, for dinner but was early. We decided to check out Hotel Emma. Inside Hotel Emma was an entrance for this place. I think it's mostly drinks and appetizers. We saw another entrance from the other side if walking around the courtyard area. Love the dim lights and cozy feel if you can find a place to sit. After about 5 minutes of walking looking for somewhere to sit, some ladies got up from one of the couches and told us they were leaving. We got our drinks and relaxed. Glad that we found this place to enjoy and actually went into the restaurant we were going to to see if we could change our reservations 30 minutes later so we could still enjoy our drinks. If you want a place for a date night, for drinks, I would recommend this place. read more

Sternewirth Bar - My gin martini with 3 olives - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Great spacious bar with a vibrant atmosphere. The bar has ample seating and places to stand. I did not try the food menu, but the drink menu was expansive. Great for fine dining or a group outing. The seating is very comfortable, and I recommend without reservations, especially for a night out on the town. DISCLAIMER: My average review score 3.41 when I made this review--(take with a grain of salt) (I rely on Yelp to go to places with good reviews, may account for the higher average) read more

Amazing selection of whisky, great service, and the best old fashions! Beautiful setting too. Highly recommend this place. Malcom was a great bartender and host!! read more

Great service although their setup not super clear on where to go etc but overall cool concept read more

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My wife and I stopped here for a quick drink before dinner. Today we sat outside because it was beautiful!! We had a white wine and a bourbon. If you are ever in the Pearl Area of San Antonio, you should stop at the Sternewirth Bar inside the Hotel Emma. The hotel lobby and bar are both beautiful. Very ornate and a feast for the eyes. The only suggestion I have is for them to expand their drink selections. The wine selection was limited. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Excellent service and ambiance. This has been on my list of bars to try for awhile and I was not disappointed. You have fancy cocktails, bar bites, and comfortable seating. What more could you ask for? The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. It's a great space to take a visiting friend or have a date night drink. Ask for the spicy peanuts! read more

Sternewirth Bar - a bowl of nuts and a drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

If you come to San Antonio, see The Alamo, go to Riverwalk, absolutely see Saga at the San Fernando church, but DO NOT missed Sternewerth at the Pearl. The grounds are amazing, but the jewel is this amazing bar! Jack the manager is so attentive, has put together a great Team! David is so good, a wealth of knowledge on Star Wars AND Bourbon and Whiskey!!! What fun learning about them all. He had a young lady assisting him who is amazingly service minded as well and sadly amiss on her name. Grace was the sweetest and super helpful while we enjoyed our time there while listening to Mr. Robles playing great music. Ask for these people. I know the whole team was great and you will enjoy the ambiance and service which made our day!! read more

My wife and I popped in on a Saturday night before dinner for a drink. The bar sits within hotel Emma and has an old school speak-easy vibe with a classier take. Mood lighting sets the tone along with a variety of places to sit - from couches, to booths, barstools or cabana-like nooks. My wife and I grabbed one of the couches and were met by a server who brought us waters and a menu. He was friendly and timely. The libations menu was stout and has something for everyone. I'm easy so grabbed a cold beer and my wife a strawberry margarita. They hit the spot. Def a place worth coming back to! read more

This is only a review of the location, surroundings and decor of this bar within the Emma Hotel. We had reservations at Supper and were there a bit early so we decided to explore. I really wanted to go back after dinner for a night cap but I was outvoted. :( The area is expansive yet comfortably dark and cozy. I would love to spend the evening with friends in one of the booth/tanks. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Amazing ambiance, great drinks and bar nibbles, live music, good service - my favorite place in San Antonio

Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Definitely the classiest bar I've been to in San Antonio. And of course, it is part of the nicest hotel in the area- Hotel Emma. This bar has been closed off for awhile and only open to hotel guests during the pandemic, but it has recently opened to everyone. I came here with a friend on Friday at 5pm and we got the last two seats in the entire bar. I was shocked that it was this crowded so early! The space is large and has high ceilings, but the ambiance is still very cozy and classy. The lighting is dim and the colors are darker. Definitely didn't feel like I was in San Antonio. Guests are spaced out well to follow social distancing guidelines. We ordered two cocktails: Kingfishers Catch Fire and People of the Sun. Drinks are pricey but worth every penny. Both cocktails were on par with those found in a NYC speakeasy. We didn't try any appetizers, but I would definitely be interested during my next visit. read more

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Great atmosphere and service. They are very attentive, and the drinks are great. We had a dragon fall cocktail, and it was a perfect mix between fruity and spicy. Very helpful staff with all questions and great presentation. read more

Sternewirth Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This is such a cool spot in hotel emma. It's absolutely one of my favorite spots, especially for a quick break when you're roaming around the Pearl. It can be hard to get a table but sometimes you'll get lucky. We only ordered drinks when here but will absolutely be back because the space is so cool. read more

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Gorgeous interior, lovely drinks, amazing waitstaff. Nice for a comfy sit and drink and chat. Dress nicely

Good food and servers, over charging customers is still an issue. I was told the error would be corrected, but after several attempts and reminders no action has been taken by the managers. The correct amount I signed for was changed and doubled by the bar. Be careful read more

Can I just say that my mind is absolutely blown!!!?! The drinks were just amazing. We got a bunch of drinks. I specifically asked for recommendations and the server got me a rum based sweet cocktail. It was so yum and just the perfect sweetness for me! Not too bitter, not too sweet. We also got appetisers. The cauliflower with caramel popcorn - who would have thought of such a combination? It was phenomenal! Loved every bit. I hope to go again soon - maybe the coming weekend again! read more

Sternewirth Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

This is an amazing bar with excellent service and an awesome drink menu... their smoke um if you got um is amazing!!

This place is amazing but pleeeeeease bring back your life changing Sticky Toffee Pudding! It's a tragedy it's not on the menu anymore!!!