San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
An outdoors bar with downtown view
After relocating from St. Paul Square to a space a few blocks away on East Crockett Street just east of U.S. 281 in July, Smoke BBQ is now Smoke BBQ + Skybar. Owner Adrian Martinez opened a new spacious outdoor bar Nov. 25 and said business was booming.
Contrary to what the name implies, the outdoor bar is on the ground level behind Smoke BBQ. But its background includes the downtown skyline, with unobstructed views of the Tower of the Americas, and the San Antonio Riverwalk Marriott and the Grand Hyatt— views that are accentuated once the sun sets.
At more than 12,000 square feet, the space has VIP areas, picnic tables, artificial turf grass, 14 TVs, a music stage and a full bar area. Martinez said a dog park area in the adjoining parking lot is in the works.
Skybar patrons have full access to the barbecue menu, which is served until 11 p.m. daily or until sold out.
Smoke BBQ + Skybar, 501 E. Crockett St., 210-253-9919, Facebook: @SmokeSanAntonio.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. SundaysWednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. will be open for lunch and happy hour daily, with breakfast hours on the weekend.
Chef Benjamin Crumley will be serving six types of freshly shucked oysters from the East and West coasts, as well as shrimp, two ceviche options, crab, lobster rolls, a house burger and more.
Little Em’s also has beer, wine and Champagne available with the food menu.
Little Em’s Oyster Bar, 1001 S. Alamo St., 210-257-0100, Facebook: @LittleEmsOysterBar. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. downtown San Antonio inside the Burns Building on Houston Street, a spokesperson from the company said it will open in January.
The working distillery also will be the headquarters for Devils River and will feature a rooftop venue with live music, Prohibition-era cocktails, and a kitchen that will serve appetizers and other items on its rotating menu inside the tasting room.
Cameron was a co-founder of Rebecca Creek Distillery and started Devils River in 2017. The name is derived from the Devils River in Southwest Texas, where the water used to distill the whiskey is sourced. The whiskey is distributed in 29 states.
The facility also will feature a gift shop selling bottles of whiskey and other merchandise. Tours of the distillery will be offered.
Devils River will be the third downtown San Antonio distillery, joining Artisan on Alamo at 315 Eighth St. and Maverick Whiskey at 115 Broadway inside the former Lockwood Bank
Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2104, brasseriemonchouchou. com, Facebook: @brasseriemonchouchou. Hours: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Compiled from staff reports