The Esquire Tavern, San Antonio TX

We were seated right away and the aesthetic is really cool. Very dimly lit and swanky. We ate upstairs so we didn't try any food on this menu. Four stars because the cocktails were just okay for the price and the service was pretty slow considering there weren't many customers there. Definitely worth trying at least once.

This place is great! Atmosphere is different than the Esquire upstairs. It definitely makes you feel like you are in a Speakeasy in the 1920s. They make a great Martini!

The "Downstairs" bar is a great cozy bar that caters to those that like a well crafted cocktail, excellent whiskey collection, and creative friendly staff. Kristen was very knowledgeable, friendly, and VERY good at making drinks. Her technique, alcohol selection, and presentation is A+. Downstairs also has a nice selection of food to go with the high end drinks they serve. The only complaint is phone service is very spotty when you are *downstairs*, so make sure your friends know where you are at before you sit down. Thanks Kristen and the team at Downstairs!

Hank, the bartender was rude and condescending.
The hostess needs an attitude check as well.

In my last trip I've visited taverns and pubs in 9 states (from NJ to IL to TX to FL and back) in the eastern half of US in about 14 days and haven't had a better burger then Esquire's greek-style Lamb Burger.

Horrible. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Server we had was nice, but the food was mediocre AT BEST. We ordered fried Pickles, which were actually pretty good, but the Burger and Pulled pork sandwich were very dry, and the buns tasted like something off the shelf of a Wal-Mart. When i asked for BBQ sauce, they said they didn't have any.what place doesn't have BBQ sauce when BBQ based items are on the menu? Not to mention the fries were undercooked and really not very good. Left with a stomach ache, would never go back.

I've dogged this place many times. But last time was fantastic. Service was awesome, food was awesome. Went downstairs to enjoy that room. So good, I wanna go back.

Great cocktails, food and dessert selections. Very spacious 100 foot long wooden bar, and the staff is always very friendly. Would recommend any tourist or local to check this spot out. Did I mention they serve food 11pm-1am on the weekends?

Great drinks, they have a selection of unique libations to chose from. We has the texecutioner and I can't recall the one with pineapple leaves there but they were amazing! They have a haply hour from 3pm to 7pm during the week which has some discounts on their drink menu. Go check it out. Great place

Great to stop into the oldest bar on the River Walk. I didn't have any food but my friends liked their burgers. The cocktails were great!

Went here for the first time last night, which was a Monday night. It was pretty packed for a Monday night. The service was still really prompt, and the wait for food was not that bad. Everyone was really friendly and checked up on us multiple times. Our waitor gave us recommendations on the food and drinks as well as recommendations on what not to have, which was really nice! We ended up getting the deviled eggs and jalapeno rellenitos off of the happy hour menu and the Big Red Empanada to split off of the regular menu. The appetizers were amazing and the empanada was really good but was the smallest empanada I have ever seen. It was listed under their "plates" section of their menu but definitely should have been under the appetizers section. It came with an Empanada that was about the size of a man's wallet, not one of the cowboy type wallets, just a typical wallet (only common thing I can think of to compare it to.) was sitting in a green chimichurri sauce, topped with sala verde (really really good but pretty hot!) and a small dollop of sour cream. No sides or anything else and it was 14 dollars! If it hadn't tasted so good I would have sent it back, which is something I have only done maybe three or four times in my life. Other than the empanada being half the size that it should have been, the evening was great. It has an awesome atmosphere, great staff, tasty food, and was reasonably priced (aside from the empanada!). My fiance and I will definitely be back for happy hour drinks and some more of those deviled eggs!

Favorite downtown SA spot. The food was excellent, the drinks were creative, and the ambience felt a little fancy without being stodgy. Will definitely return.

Always sexy and entertaining. Sadly the limited late night menu offered little for vegans but we gobbled the salad and fries and headed down to the scorpion museum on the river. Jon Christ, the chef was warm and welcoming and we really enjoyed creeping all around. Thank you!

The food here is incredible! I didn't think nachos could taste that good in my life. The Apple pie with that ice cream is to die for.

The extent of my review is my experience in the Downstairs Bar. This place has an AMAZING selection of whiskies! Their pour prices are very reasonable, and their bar tenders are knowledgeable and helpful in guiding you to just the right next drink. I could have stayed for hours and sampled til my money was as gone as my equilibrium!

This joint is amazing.knowledgeable bartenders and very swanky vibe.here's a secret.go downstairs for the good alchohol!

Historic, very good food and extensive drink menu. Limited drink menu if mlyou sit in bar downstairs?

Great drinks and friendly bartenders and staff. It is was opened right after Prohibition ended, and was here before San Antonio built the River Walk. Original decor from the era makes this a charming place.

Jack and Coke is $7, and Black Seal Rum and Coke was $6. Drinks were made perfectly, and they didn't skimp when it came to the alcohol.

Will definitely come back to this place plus it is located right across from the Drury Plaza Hotel.
Very convenient and the place features a late menu for food when you get hungry.

Lamb burger and an ole fashioned right on the river walk. Local dark quiet with tourist just passing through, great gem downtown for a great bite and cocktail.

Don't worry if it's busy, it is worth the wait. The service here is outstanding. It has an awesome atmosphere.