TBA is a great little dive bar! Really friendly and welcoming service. Just went in for a couple beers with a friend after grabbing a bite at Singh's and it was worth the stop. Warning: I got towed. Parking on St. Mary's can always be risky. I was in the lot, but still got towed, so triple check you are in a good spot otherwise your night will also end in ubering to a towing lot to pay $300 to get your car back :( read more

This bar discriminates against those that are not US citizens. My friends and I were rudely denied service because my friend's ID said "limited term" because she is a non-US citizen here on DACA and the bartender said her mom works for the DMV so the ID was clearly "fake." I ask that the bartender please educate herself next time instead of causing a scene in front of a very dead bar to begin with. That is the last time we give a dead bar a chance. If it's dead on a peak Saturday night, it is probably for a reason. read more

They TOW SO drink lame drinks at your own risk $250 Service was whatever and ambiance wack read more

First date. Two different races having a good time. That awkwardness of one of the first dates. "What would you like to eat? What would you like to drink?" Each look at each other with the words, "Whatever you would like." He looks into her eyes, she looks into his. They converse about everything. EVERYTHING. They compare notes some of the difficulties of their respective occupations. Yeah. Not my story. Anyway . . . Back to reality. Little bar. Dim. Good cocktails if you get right bartender. Lucky for me, the dude manning the bar remembers me from Boiler House (where he used to work at-he doesn't remember occassion or the year/occasion-it's all good since i dont remember him either). Their recently added food offerings are good. Their Caprese Grilled cheese stands out, especially when you combine it with the pickled cauliflower. Yes. Damn good. The Westsider - we do not know what was in there but it was good. So yes, their late night eats fill that void in your stomach but wish their drinks were slightly more consistent. P.s. This place could use a cigarette smoker or two to make it great for some free second hand cancer and more ambiance. read more

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I felt terrible and dirty about myself after a happy hour visit to TBA. Only two people at the bar and one of the two guys was cursing loud and obnoxiously as he was talking to the bartender, completely oblivious that I was there as a guest and completely oblivious that he was completely annoying. When I walked in the bartender was not very friendly and provided so so service. I mostly criticize the bartender because he kept to his corner and was engaged in conversation with the obnoxious guy cursing loudly, he could of discouraged the guy's foul language by simply asking him to bring it down a notch-there's other people at the bar. - did not feel comfortable. I understand the bartenders here cater to the "regulars"- its true, they do. I've been to TBA several times but I'm not nor care to be a "regular" only to possibly get better service -good service should be extended to everyone. You can feel the discrimination if you are not a regular. The vibe was bad this last time at happy hour, plus it smells bad and not the cleanest of places. read more

TBA is one of those spots that steers away from the hustle and bustle of St. Mary's. Keep in mind TBA has been around before the recent resurgence of hipsters and bar traffic this (once) low-key street is now getting. Their cocktails here are great and I love the intimacy of this bar. They always have clever names and the cocktail selection is great here. It's a great spot to grab a few drinks and catch up with friends. As a fan of Rye and Mezcal you'll see some stellar cocktails and some of them are even featured in their happy hour menu. For those of y'all who are adamant about patio seating don't worry they got you covered. Literally since it's underneath a porch. I'm always game for their bar food and trust me this isn't your average bar food whatsoever. They know their stuff and you'll be chomping down like the character in Mario. Whether you're hangry or have the drunchies you'll be in pure bliss. Make sure not to blink while driving here or you'll miss it. read more

Such a disappointing evening! Evidently this is no longer the cool place for a nightcap!! Paige the bartender informed me that I was too intoxicated to have a second 7pz Miller Highlife pony beer!! Yep heard that fight!! More to follow. read more

Meh. It's ok. Nothing wrong. Nothing stellar either. I guess I'm in the minority on Yelp. That's ok. I don't venture over to the St Mary's strip too often, so take this review with a grain of salt. Went here for a date. The place is nice. They have parking in the back and lots of room to sit, although my friend says it gets crowded. It was fairly tame on a Wednesday night. So the place has a menu of "signature" cocktails. They all seem good but a lot of them seem to be mezcal based & I just don't like mezcal. I had a South Flores which was light & refreshing. It was also pink. But I'm secure in my manhood enough to enjoy a pink cocktail--tho I didn't order a second. I switched to scotch after my initial drink. They have my current fav Glenlivet 12. That's a plus. My friend had a Rye N Gosling which gets bonus points for the wordplay. She seemed to enjoy the two she had. So yeah everything was cool. I like the music. It was a mix of 90s alt rock which was perfect. The crowd was definitely on the younger side--like early to mid 20s young. I'm not sure if that's usual but I did feel my age a bit. But everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Prices were fine for the area. I didn't notice what beers they had on tap but a quick survey of the crowd & PBR cans seemed to be the go to. It's a nice place to take a tinder date for a drink or to catch up with friends. I'll likely not be back but I suspect they won't mind as I don't think I'm their target demo. read more

I like how the drinks are fancilicious (fancy + delicious) for less than $15. I like how there were just people hanging out here.... different kinds of people; not cool kids versus everyone else. This spot is gonna be the spark that sets the strip on fire (again).... which I hope turns out to be more blessing than curse. read more

TBA - Snacking like a boss! Pulled pork, gooey cheese, and expertly toasted crunch! Pickle was pleasantly sweet. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Do not go here if you are celebrating anything on a weekday. I went for my birthday ( on a Wednesday) and had THE WORST time of my life. The regulars will judge you AF. They also do drugs in the bath room. They have construction fence all around the bar! So don't fall or you will be judged by all the mean girls who go there regularly! So sad i had heard good things about this bar, but I will NEVER go again. DO NOT FEEL SAFE HERE. read more

Such a fun find. Friendly and great cocktails. The owner was kind enough to make me a brandy old fashioned in the Wisconsin style. It was delicious and the house cocktail menu was sublime, not to mention all the classic cocktails. I can't get over the great service and the friendly, warm, inviting atmosphere. It's cute and has an outdoor patio. Get in here. read more

What a fantastic spot! Amazing drinks, super friendly bartenders and staff, the whole place was very nice and had a great energy. We had a superb time and I plan to be there any time I go to San Antonio. read more

Have to say that this place is a cool little spot to hangout after work or as the start to your night out. Cocktails are great & the people even better! Much love TBA happy we met ! read more

If you know what you are getting yourself into when you go to this bar, you'll love it. It's a very low key dive bar. Nothing fancy here at all. I met a couple of locals in San Antonio and this is their favorite place. It's small and they give out free chips. The drink were decent. It's certainly not a place you go to impress anyone. But it's a hometown bar where literally everyone knows your name. read more

Wow! A laid back, chill bar that actually knows how to serve a quality cocktail on the N St Mary's Strip! This place is a welcome addition to the scene! I love the artwork they've got there- everything from Tatum, who is a SA legend in the art scene, to a weird cicada piece of art with bug parts. Hmmm... Interesting! However, it all went together perfectly to create a laid back vibe with the place, while still classy. TBA has really turned this place around. New coat of paint, the floors are fixed, a new sound system put in, a new bar! You'd hardly know it was a complete dive before the transformation! I LOVED the cocktails here! I'm so stoked that they offer a long list of beers, from local craft beers, like Alamo and Fireman's #4, all the way to Lone Star and Pabst. I ordered the melon and ginger cocktail, which was lovingly crafted. It had honey and ginger which were a perfect pairing together. It hit the spot! :D The barstaff was on the ball, got my drink quickly and were super nice. Great service! One thing I have to give props on is the restrooms. Back before this was TBA, the bathrooms were always pretty scary. No more! It's clean, clean, clean! The doors lock, and it's really decked out! They offer an outdoor seating area, with some furniture to sit on so if you wanna go have a smoke, that seems to be an option there. I know that many of you are going miss Salute, but I think that this place is a great addition to the Strip. While Salute had some real history behind it, TBA has the potential for a great future ahead. read more

I have had some delicious cocktails here. You know what the most delicious thing is? The price! Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure the cocktails were all $7 last time I went. And for the kind of concoctions they're slangin' that's a pretty sweet deal. The guy behind the bar came from Esquire (or I think that's what I read recently), but the drinks are definitely his own. The cardamom infused bourbon would tempt even the non-bourbon lovers to drink it neat, and the spicy drink shaken with all kinds of peppers will really get you going. I like that despite this place doing "craft cocktails" (can we all agree that term is played out now? And does anyone even use the dreaded "M" word in a serious statement anymore?), they aren't trying too hard with the whole "scene". What they've got going on really jives with the rest of the 'hood. I think the guys behind TBA are definitely doing their part in revitalizing an area that was once a destination for a night out on the town. I can't wait to eat, drink, and spend a night on St. Mary's! Bravo, TBA! read more

Nice decor, music and menu. Selection of about 6 to 8 cocktails listed as well as beers but, of course, they can make you anything - had a Pimm's Cup & it was about $7, tasty and presented beautifully. There a several couches inside, art on the walls, the music is at a comfortable volume and they have a patio! Didn't check the patio out on my visit but many patrons were out there having a great time, apparently. read more

Stop reading this review and get to TBA now. No, seriously, go. Especially if it's happy hour. The $5 house cocktails are worth the trip on their own. This place has probably the most interesting cocktail menu I've seen since I can remember, and I've been to A LOT of cocktail places. They do their own infusions, pickle their own vegetables, and will even fire up a grilled cheese for you if you're hungry. I'm kicking myself for not remembering exactly what I drank but we tried 4 of the house cocktails. All were well balanced and tasty. I especially loved the one that was infused with garlic. Nobody does that...but they should. Since I'm assuming that the cocktail menu changes frequently (the bartender was working on a new recipe while we were there), I'll be anxious to come back and try out what they've come up with next. I think I almost shed a tear when the check came and the total was $20. And with tons of beers under $5 during happy hour, this could be the best place ever. Even without the happy hour pricing, it's still very reasonable for the quality that you're getting. So, yeah, you should go. read more

Gonna need a couple more trips to this spot before forming my final opinion, but after my first visit, I'd say someone's trying to class up the joint, and they've done a pretty decent job of it. Occupying the space formerly known as Salute, compare TBA to Southtown 101 in terms of ambience and cocktail offerings. Some of the bartenders here may prefer to be called "mixologists," while others just seem to want to know, "What'll it be?" I had a Stone Ruination this time. No taps here, but a serviceable assortment of craft bottles, and a moderate-to-well-appointed liquor selection. The North St. Mary's strip has a long history. And though it has undoubtedly seen better days as a center of nightlife, its unique energy will undoubtedly shape the personality of any upstart within its reaches. It'll be interesting to see whether this fun little bar will grow to fill the shoes of the institution that used to dwell here. read more

There is some serious drink making going on at TBA! Normally, I"m not an order a cocktail of a menu kinda gal as I've got my favorite signature drinks. However, I could barely decide which cocktail I was going to pick at TBA, they all looked amazing. The one I finally chose was built upon a base of sweet potato bourbon I think, and delish, I remember that for sure. Its a smallish/intimate place inside, so a great place for couples, dates, or small chit-chat, but this is not the place to go to party down on St. Mary's. I think my male friends felt a little out of place because they were the only dudes in TBA without a mustache, but everyone was still nice. Its kinda hard to find actually (intentionally?) and we had to do a few drive-byes and a walk around the block to finally get in! read more

Great place to unwind for a happy hour. TBA, you sly dog, how've you been open for the last 6 months and I'm just finding my way through your doors?! I'm really excited for this bar. The ambiance is right, the size is right, the location is right, the PRICE is right, and the drinks...let's talk about the drinks... I tried the Ichabod's Lament because it's winter in Texas, everyone's wrapped up in cozy sweaters, and who doesn't love a pumpkin cocktail? It did not disappoint, perfectly sweet and boozy, and completely satisfied my hankering for something pumpkin. Next up, the South Flores. This was hibiscus flavored with a mint leaf garnish. Very refreshing and not very boozy for those of you that prefer cocktails on the sweeter side. The owner (I think) was really friendly, offered a few times to make drinks off menu, and was hospitable enough but completely got that me and my bff were there to chat. The other patrons were in sets of 2-3 and cozied up to the bar. It was just the right amount of people to relax after work with a good drink. Too many people and you want to retreat back to the confines of your living room, too little people and you feel like a raging alcoholic. Next time I will save myself for a pisco sour and a pulled pork sandwich. Definitely check this place out on your way home from work or while galavanting along the St. Mary's Strip. read more

"Get that weak drink drink outta my face!" She said after ordering a drink across the street. " OK she said something to that effect and then I brought her to TBA for a real drink. "Ahhhh yes" she said with the first sip of her much better drink. I was just thankful she found something she liked. She was thankful that they kept the doubles coming. She's got problems. I explained to her that this is where you come when you want a good cocktail. She then proceeds to ask the bartender to make her another drink right after his first drag from his cigarette. He followed her request with a gracious sense of confusion. Now that she knows what's up, she'll come back with or without me. That bartender better be ready. read more

TBA is the latest bar to launch during the great San Antonio mixology boom (2011-2013). In my book, I'd rank it behind 1919, Esquire and Brooklynite. Still a decent 'cocktail bar' but I wouldn't build an entire night around the bar just yet. I worry that North St Mary's basically has turned every bar into the same thing. It might be our '$2 Lone Star tallboy district.' I am not sure if there are snacks there, but I read it is supposed to be a snack bar. I think we could all use snacks. I hope snacks come soon. Snacks. read more

2.75 stars. I wasn't nearly as impressed with this place as pretty much everyone else that has written about TBA so I'd take my review with at least one healthy grain of salt especially given that I've only been here one time. That said, the cocktails weren't very interesting and weren't balanced very well to boot. The crowd oscillated between completely barren to moderately lively during my two hour visit. Bartenders were kind of standoffish without traversing fully into the category of rude. The most interesting part of this bar was the artwork and the horrible movie I intermittently turned my attention to when my friend would leave for the bathroom. What would potentially bring me back here is its close proximity to Tacos El Regio and some other above average bars and restaurants. But standing alone, it wasn't my favorite experience. read more

My knock on TBA is where the outside sign? A female friend and I came here on Saturday night and we couldn't find the place because there is no neon light outside, the whole area was dark and we didn't realize that bar is TBA until we walked in and saw the sign on the refrigerator. I hope this is a one-time thing since we did have thunderstorm earlier in the day. Anyways, it is about 9:30pm, the place isn't crowded probably due to the rain earlier, which is great for us. We sat in on the corner couch and enjoyed our private conversation. Oh yeah, the drinks, I drank rum and coke and my friend ordered two different drinks, I wish they have a website so I can look up the menu since I don't remember what they were, the first one is too spicy for her and I asked the bartender to make something sweet and I think he made a Florence sour (?), and my friend loved it and that was her drink for the rest of the night. The bathroom is clean, the art work is, well, I'm a straight guy, what do I know about artwork? But my friend says they are good, so I'm going with that. Now the important part for all the guys, the bill (I'm assuming you are picking up the bill, right? A girl should only pick up the bill if she got a big promotion IMO), we ordered about 5 mix drinks and two shots, the bill is about $49. Not bad for the pocket book, I spend more and got less at other places before. I enjoyed the night and will make my way back. read more

This little gem is really good for craft cocktails. It is right off of the St. Mary's strip and is an awesome little place if you love craft cocktails. Plus, it is off of St. Mary's street so parking is pretty easy to find. It can get pretty busy depending on day and time but it is definitely worth it. Last weekend I walked up to the bartender and asked him to just make me something and I told him the type of liquor I like and he made an awesome drink. We were sitting outside and one guy was getting a little rowdy, but he calmed down. read more

This is probably the best bar I've been to on N St. Mary's. The atmosphere isn't annoying, rude, or hipsterish. It's really cute inside with cool decor and everyone seemed really friendly. The bartenders were cool and the drinks are great. No complaints. Best of all the bathroom is clean and they put effort into decorating it. There is nothing worse than having to pee in a disgusting bar bathroom. Next time I'm in the area I'll have to stop by again. read more

TBA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Small but good selection of beer (from craft to Tecate), better selection of scotch than most places around midtown, great atmosphere for a small place, and great cocktails. Haven't had their food, but it looks yummy. I LOVED their scotch cocktail (so long, Johnson?), normally scotch with anything but a drop of water is blasphemy for me, but I figured 'what the hell' so I went for it and man, delicious. The Laphroaig was proudly still boasting it's flavor, and someone they figured out how to enhance it rather than mask it or water it down. Love fest over. In other words, well done TBA. read more

So I went to TBA and ordered a mint julep. Before you start about how annoying they are to make, I KNOW THEY ARE. That's why I go to mixology bars to order them and besides it's summer for chrissakes. Why would I go to a bar and pay 8 dollars for something with 2 ingredients? At any rate, they didn't have crushed ice to make them (I will bring my blender for them next time) so I ended up ordering 2 pretty deece drinks from their relatively limited menu. I like that there is a way to 'choose your own adventure' on St. Mary's now (rather than just Lone Star tallboys), but I think it still has a ways to go before it competes with other mixology bars. On the plus side, the QT bartender was wearing blue animal print pants. So there's that. read more

I really liked it; laid-back and unpretentious. Halfway through my first drink (the Sachi something...) I felt a buzz, so don't worry that the fancy cocktail won't have a kick...they all do. Very flavorful. My second drink was the First Prize...nom. My boyfriend had one with gin and hibiscus that he loved so much I didn't even get a sip, then he ordered the Orlae! which I did have a sip or two of. A LOT LOT LOT of kick. Very spicy and interesting drink. The only reason I didn't give it five starts was because around 10 the crowd got a little rowdy and loud and obnoxious understand it was Friday night on the strip though. I'm just a grump. For sure a place to check out. read more

We stopped in here for drinks and had some excellent cocktails. Mine, the Chef Jeff's Dilemma, was tequila's answer to the Old Fashioned. I enjoyed it greatly. Bartender was very friendly and gave us some background on the bar and other places to try in the area. I liked that TBA was small, dark, and seemed like a local hangout rather than a tourist trap. I'd go again. read more

TBA is a gem. It's a bright, shiny, diamond, thrown into the garbage line known as N. St Mary's. Oh my gosh! Coffee and Cigarettes is like the best cocktail that I've had in a while and trust me my blood is probably made of 90% cocktails. All drinks are hand crafted, well made, and you can taste the love and care they put into these confidence boosters. Don't let the prices scare you, they put enough booze to get you buzzing through the night and into your Uber or Lyft. Hit up this place during happy hour, which is from 4pm till 8pm. Try all the drinks you can handle, and have yourself a nice pre-game. deuces. read more

To be honest, I was expecting to hate this place when some friends invited me to have a drink with them there last week. I am not really a fan of the St. Mary's strip, though I sometimes venture there for a cheap night out when I'm not in the mood to get dressed up and go to my normal hotspots. I was pleasantly surprised when I made it inside and discovered the bar's clean and sophisticated atmosphere...a stark contrast to the interiors of most bars nearby. The place is by no means luxurious, but it has a nice atmosphere conducive to conversation and relaxation. The lighting is a perfect level and the music is hip, but not too loud. I was also very pleased with the prices, which I found very affordable. I generally drink dirty martinis, which despite their simplicity are often totally messed up by bar tenders. My dirty martini at TBA was on point; just enough gin and made with homemade pickle brine. It only cost $7.50, which thrilled me even more! This place is no Brooklynite, but it's no Brass Monkey either. It's a great middle-of-the-road bar! read more

In my top three favorite bars on the strip! I like to pick up the tacos up the street and bring them over here to have a seat and drink great cocktails! read more

Local bar, top-shelf spirits and careful craftsmanship. TBA is a star on every St Mary's pub crawl. Featuring an adventurous cocktail menu and bartenders like Danielle, I'd challenge anyone to find a request unfilled. On weekends it is packed in with locals...weekdays you can get a seat at the bar and pick the bartender's brain. Either way the quality is always top notch. Personally I like to start up at Cullum's Attagirl for great beers and chicken before hitting up TBA on a pub crawl; it never disappoints. read more

Bless this place because it's like no other. The cocktails are handcrafted so well and the names of them are a hoot to read on the menu. I love that there's enough seating inside for everyone and you can be comfortable. All the drinks are amazing but the coffee and cigarettes is my favorite for sure. read more

TBA - Refreshing - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

TBA is a cozy little spot down in the St.Mary's strip. The drinks are flavorful and strong, and are all $8.00. Very casual and chill spot with awesome bartenders. One of my go-to places for drinks! read more

Quality craft cocktails (without breaking the bank...), great atmosphere, neighborhood bar feel. If you're looking for decent cocktails on the N St Mary's strip, check this place out. read more

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Very friendly staff! Low key on a Friday afternoon. Sneak over. Park and walk. Very comfy seating!

Good location, close to downtown and the pearl brewery. The bar has a relaxed feel and somewhat dim lighting, which was nice. They have a wall of alcohol they are steeping along with lots of other interesting looking items, which further adds to the atmosphere. The cocktail list had a good selection and clever names. I tried the "Farewell to Hef" which had a dark rum, coffee taste-it was delicious and the old fashioned, which was great as well. We tried the beer cheese - it had a unique flavour and I really liked it! Clean bathrooms as well, which I appreciated. Definitely a great (relaxed ) place to go to try unique cocktails. Pet friendly too. read more

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