San Antonio bar serving craft-cocktail adventures on River Walk
Dozens of San Antonio hotels and restaurants will cater private boat tours along the San Antonio River.
But now there’s a new option for serious drinkers, courtesy of Paramour, a bar on the Museum Reach area of the River Walk.
“We wanted to show what Paramour’s all about,” said general manager and beverage director Christopher Ware. “If I was getting on a boat, and I’d never been to Paramour … what would that look like?” First and foremost, Paramour is all about well-made cocktails. On land, the swanky 8,000-squarefoot rooftop space also boasts a list of 100 champagnes and a bourbon selection — Pappy Van Winkle, anyone? — that would make even the fiercest whiskey connoisseur weep. Also: It’s where the pretty people are hanging out in San Antonio. The bar’s customizable cruises can play up all of those things.
On a recent evening, our group of eight began the Paramour experience with “fun bags” in the rooftop-bar area upstairs — bartender Andy Hack and Ware whipped up margaritas and poured them into Ziploc bags, cinched with a zip tie with a straw poking out. As we sipped on a retro chartreuse couch, the pair readied the barge, placing Mexican blankets on the center bulkhead and building their bar at the end.
Once on board, ice-cold bottles of Topo Chico hit the spot before the first of two rounds of cocktails, both shaken in front of us with housemade syrups, fresh juices and garnishes at the ready. Ware and Hack also had cans of Modelo beer available. While we prowled the river, captain Ted Samuels (an employee of charter company Rio San Antonio Cruises) added a dose of Alamo City history.
Spontaneity made the twohour tour even more fun. When we reached the lock and dam system, Ware passed out shots of tequila. We also stopped at the Esquire Tavern, which provided a spread of snacks (fried pickles, deviled eggs, mini tacos).
For now, the cocktail barge tours are available by private booking only. But Ware said the bar is considering a once-amonth public cruise.