Bar 1919
| Address: | 1420 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78204, USA |
| Phone: | +1 210-227-1420 |
| Site: | bar1919.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM 4PM–2AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
CH
chingy98
This place is hard to find. It is on the bottom level with blacked out windows, on the lower level, with no signs. Its dark, broody, and perfect. Its one of the more impressive whiskey and bourbon selections Ive seen, and probably the best in SA (minus the lack of Pappy - go to Paramour for Pappy, if you have the $$$$). The people behind the bar can also put together a mean drink for you - of alcohol youve never even heard of. Leave the Long Island Ice Teas and Jack & Cokes for your college memories, and just ask for a cool recommendation. Pisco sour. What is pisco? Ask, order, drink, enjoy, and then re-order. And Uber yourself there, so you can really enjoy the night. *I was corrected that they do have Pappy, and most varieties. Although, honestly, most people cant tell the difference between Weller 12 (same mash as Pappy 15) and a Pappy. I have Pappy 10 and 20 at home, but for the price of a pour, you can load up on a Blantons, Breckenridge, and Weller 12 for the same price. And youre half in the bag! But its the brand and aura of the label, so I get it.
GI
Gilbert Landras
A relatively hidden gem in what I discovered to be "Southtown". Parking off of South Alamo I walked down this patchwork of small businesses from boutiques to bistros. I walk straight down thinking that it will be some random door with a lone sign on top. Asked a few people where 1919 was and they seemed to not know what I was talking about. Southtown has a very bohemian feel to it. Finally, I find someone who knows what is up and better yet he is the door guy for 1919 and it was right down the stairs (underneath this blues bar). Amazing speakeasy feel...no signage! Like you had to know a guy to know where it was. Converted basement space, low ceilings, nice outside patio/alley way all add to this post modern prohibition style bar. Seemed a little empty around 10:30 when we showed up however by midnight it was standing room only and the patio table we had was eyeballed all night. Otherwise, Bar 1919 is another watering hole capitalizing on the prohibition era style cocktails and ambiance.
HA
Harold Guzman
I must start by saying that I visit this bar frequently with friends and even when doing UBER suggest the bar to customers. I was here this past Saturday with friends, and the bartender was NOT friendly at all (long beard bartender). It was actually embarrassing since I had bragged about this place before. We made a joke to the bartender and said we were making him uncomfortable...(there was a shot mixer left at the bar and we said, Can we have this!!! joking since he had left it in the middle of the bar) mind you, that is a place for drinking and socialize....this guy had no character, neither his comment was welcoming to us. We spent a lot of money and the place didnt stood up to my bragging..For sure my friends will not be returning and I will probably...think about it!!
RO
Rob Cerasuolo
Just go--it is your patriotic duty. To anyone who thinks this place is pricey, when you see the back wall--three shelves approx 150 total feet long and stocked two to three bottles deep--you will realize that youre paying for the opportunity to enjoy some of the greatest liquor ever made, curated by a guy that knows his stuff. Bring $50 to $100 per person, and be sure to sip, not chug, or theyll turn you into an anecdote. My mom loved her Moscow Mule with homemade ginger beer; I loved Dons suggestions for whiskey; and our friend loved her absinthe and tequila selections. That didnt even scratch the surface! Well be back, again and again.
NA
Nathan Thurman
This place is super swanky! It is also home to the largest whiskey selection in Texas! Its not cheap, but I believe everyone should drink here at least once. It is a speakeasy so its a little hard to find, but the persistent traveler will be rewarded with seductive atmosphere, exquisite libations, and Irish car bombs that taste like cinnamon chocolate milk. Pro tip: its not very well displayed inside the bar, but this place also serves $4 Jameson all day erryday! It IS possible to drink here and not break the bank; just get you a Jamie rocks!
NA
Nadia Islam
This is a wonderful bar with delicious cocktails and first class service. The place gets incredibly crowded on weekends, but the staff handle it quite well. My favorite experiences there have always been at the off-peak days and hours - when you can get some one on one time with the bartenders and they can mix personalized drinks for you. I also wouldnt call the bartenders here hipsters - classic pre-prohibition era atmosphere and button downs with vests is a classic style and can hardly be called hipster.
KA
Katie Hamilton
Best cocktail bar we have ever been to! We have been coming to 1919 since they opened and every visit, they keep raising the bar. The owner, Don, is very knowledgeable of fine spirits and he hires the best of the best staff to deliver the experience. Its a true speakeasy in a cool part of San Antonio! This is not a bar for those looking to party hard and go wild - this is a craft cocktail speakeasy bar for those looking for excellent conversation and a good time!
DA
Daniel Perez
Great environment walking into here. Dimmed lights and cocktails go great with one another. Best to be enjoyed with a partner or small group (3-4), most of their seating is bar space, so bigger groups could have trouble sticking around. Good cocktails and a pretty extended list of spirits and house cocktails. Bartenders are pretty knowledgeable. Occasionally theyll have live music towards the back, and they have a small patio for those who want to sit outside.
JA
Jaqueline Stoutin
A group of friends and I went into 1919 for a drink - we ended up staying for four rounds. Every drink we had was pristine and the vast whisky selection could keep an enthusiast busy for days. A bonus for any other gin drinkers out there - they have a pretty good selection of gin cocktails here. An interesting gin cocktail is not the easiest thing to find in San Antonio and 1919 offers a few great options.
DE
Dean Delgado
Awesome prohibition type bar with professionally prepared drinks with fresh ingredients oh and house infused tequila which is Effin delicious, all bartenders are very courteous, attentive and are perfectionists when it comes to presentation and hospitality. Overall if youre reading this review I highly recommend this bar trust me I promise youll definitely go back and well worth a night of drinking.!
SK
Skye Ratliff
I bought one beer that was 6.75 and it charged my bank account $20. It was still pending at the time so i decided to wait until it went through to see if it changed and it did, but to 8.50... so I guess they gave themselves a tip? The atmosphere is cool for single people, but not if you go in a group because there arent really many places for small groups to sit.
MA
Martin Geisler
You need to know what youre looking for to spot this bar: its in a basement and has no obvious sign to tell you that its a bar. The only thing is some red lanterns outside. Inside youll find a typical speak-easy style bar. The bartenders are great and the cocktails are delicious. They make the classics, but also have many other things on the menu.
