Things to Do in San Antonio — Live Music, Honky Tonks, Nightlife & Neighborhood Tours
7 videos · Video guides to San Antonio's best bars, music venues, historic sites, and neighborhoods
San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the United States by population, the largest majority-Hispanic city in the country, and one of the oldest colonial Spanish settlements in Texas. It's a city where Mexican-American culture, Texas Hill Country traditions, and a deep musical heritage all intersect. From the famous River Walk to the honky tonks of Helotes to the local bars along St. Mary's Strip, San Antonio offers a wide range of things to do for anyone interested in live music, dancing, history, and nightlife.
The videos on this page cover San Antonio from multiple angles. You'll find walking tours of the downtown historic district, the River Walk, the Pearl District, and Market Square. There are guides to the city's best bars and live music venues, including legendary spots like John T. Floore's Country Store and newer favorites like Lonesome Rose. You'll also get a look at the nightlife along St. Mary's Strip and the two-stepping scene at places like Cowboys and swing dancing at Hermann Sons Ballroom.
Whether you're planning a trip to San Antonio or just want to learn what the city's music scene looks like on the ground, the guides on this page walk you through specific neighborhoods, streets, venues, and events with real footage and firsthand accounts.
Videos
What These Videos Cover
A tour of Helotes, Texas (San Antonio neighborhoods)
In A tour of Helotes, Texas (San Antonio neighborhoods), the video explores the small suburb of Helotes on the outskirts of San Antonio, covering its walkable Old Town strip with antique shops, art galleries, coffee spots, and food at El Chaparral. The main attraction is John T. Floore's Country Store, which opened in 1942, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has hosted Elvis, Hank Williams, and Willie Nelson. The video also covers other live music spots in the area including Helotes Creek Winery, Bee Daddy's Barbecue, Wine 101, and Pete's Place, before heading to a gig at Salvador Do's in Boerne.
Downtown San Antonio: Historic Walking Tour of The Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral & Live Music
Downtown San Antonio: Historic Walking Tour of The Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral & Live Music walks through the Main Plaza area, starting at San Fernando Cathedral, which dates to 1730 and is the oldest continuously functioning religious community in Texas, and the Bexar County Courthouse, the largest and oldest continuously running historic courthouse in the state. The tour continues along Market Street past the Aztec Theater, then onto Houston Street where it highlights the Gunter Hotel — home to Bar 414, where blues musician Robert Johnson recorded his first session — and the Majestic Theater, a 1929 Mediterranean-style venue hosting live music, plays, and comedy. The video also notes Devil's River Whiskey Distillery on Houston Street, which advertises live music nightly on its patio.
A tour of the San Antonio River Walk (places to visit in Texas)
A tour of the San Antonio River Walk covers the main entertainment section of San Antonio's 15-mile River Walk, showing the walkways, bridges, restaurants, bars, hotels, and river cruise boats that draw an estimated 10 million visitors per year. The video discusses the River Walk's history, including the 1920s flood that killed about 50 people and the 1968 World's Fair that spurred development. For live music along the River Walk, the video highlights Little Rhein Prost Haus, described as Texas-styled with a hint of German flavor, and Crockett Tavern, which calls itself downtown's only country and western spot.
San Antonio Nightlife: A walking tour of St. Mary's Strip
San Antonio Nightlife: A walking tour of St. Mary's Strip explores the bar and entertainment district on St. Mary's Street in central San Antonio, just north of downtown. The video notes the strip has been compared to Sixth Street in Austin and is considered more of a locals' destination than the River Walk. Specific live music venues identified along the strip include Brass Monkey, Jandro's Garden Patio, The Mix, Paper Tiger, The Amp Room, Curry Boy Barbecue, and High Tones. The video also covers the recently completed street renovations that added wider sidewalks and bike lanes.
Pearl District, San Antonio: Walking Tour of Historic Pearl Brewery, Shops, Dining & Riverwalk
Pearl District, San Antonio covers the historic Pearl District, named after the Pearl Brewery which dates back to 1883. The restored buildings now house shops, restaurants, food halls, apartments, and fountains. The video highlights the Pearl Stable, a former horse stable being converted into Stable Hall, a roughly thousand-seat live music venue. Other notable spots include the Culinary Institute of America campus and Hotel Emma. The video also visits Curry Boys Barbecue on St. Mary's Strip and Lonesome Rose, where The Texases were playing Garth Brooks and 90s country, before heading to a gig at Backyard on Broadway.
Market Square, San Antonio TX: A Tour of the Largest Mexican Market in the USA
Market Square, San Antonio TX tours the largest Mexican market in the United States, a historic gathering place for the exchange of goods since the 1820s that regularly features Mariachi and Tejano music at festivals. The video visits the King William Historic District and its Victorian homes along a peaceful stretch of the River Walk south of the main section. Food spots mentioned include Mi Tierra Cafe and Panaderia and La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar, both located in Market Square. The video wraps up with a performance at Backyard on Broadway.
The best of San Antonio bars and nightlife (musical things to do in Texas)
The best of San Antonio bars and nightlife features seven major live music venues in San Antonio. It starts at John T. Floore's Country Store, covering its 75-year history and wall of photos from performers like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Merle Haggard, with a performance by William Beckman. The video then visits Alamo Post 2 at the American Legion for an Alamo City Swing Revival event with Little Henry and the Leviers, Sancho's with Professor Underfunk, Dakota East Side Ice House with Go-Kart Mozart, the large dance floor at Cowboys, and Hermann Sons Ballroom for a Swing 525 event hosted by Swing Junction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is John T. Floore's Country Store and who has played there?
John T. Floore's Country Store is a legendary live music venue in Helotes, just outside San Antonio, that opened in 1942 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Willie Nelson played there frequently when he lived in Bandera and had a friendship with John T. Floore — Nelson even mentioned him in the song "Shotgun Willie." Other famous performers who have played there include Elvis, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Merle Haggard. The venue continues to book both up-and-coming Texas artists and well-established names like Aaron Watson and William Beckman.
What bars and live music venues are on St. Mary's Strip in San Antonio?
St. Mary's Strip is a walkable entertainment district in central San Antonio, just north of downtown. Live music venues along the strip include Brass Monkey, Jandro's Garden Patio, The Mix, Paper Tiger, The Amp Room, Curry Boy Barbecue, and High Tones. Lonesome Rose is also in the area and features original country music. The strip recently underwent renovations that added wider sidewalks and bike lanes, and it's considered more of a locals' destination compared to the River Walk.
Where can you find live music on the San Antonio River Walk?
Two spots specifically identified for live music on the River Walk are Little Rhein Prost Haus, which has a Texas-styled patio with German flavor right on the water, and Crockett Tavern, which bills itself as downtown's only country and western venue. The Aztec Theater is also near the River Walk on St. Mary Street and hosts live music and entertainment. The River Walk's main entertainment section is dense with bars and restaurants, many of which feature music.
What is the Pearl District in San Antonio and is there live music there?
The Pearl District is a redeveloped area in San Antonio named after the Pearl Brewery, which dates to 1883. The old brewery buildings have been restored into shops, restaurants, food halls, and apartments. The Pearl Stable, a former horse stable, is being converted into Stable Hall, a live music venue with roughly a thousand seats. The area also includes the Culinary Institute of America campus, Hotel Emma, a farmers market, and access to a quieter section of the River Walk.
Where is the Gunter Hotel and what is its music history?
The Gunter Hotel is located on Houston Street in downtown San Antonio and dates back to 1909. It was once the largest property in San Antonio. Inside the hotel is Bar 414, which is notable as the location where blues musician Robert Johnson recorded his first session. Houston Street itself is a historic brick-lined boulevard that also includes the Majestic Theater, built in 1929, which hosts live music, plays, and comedy shows.
What is Market Square in San Antonio and what kind of music can you hear there?
Market Square in San Antonio is the largest Mexican market in the United States and has been a gathering place for the exchange of goods since the 1820s. Festivals held at Market Square often feature Mariachi and Tejano music. The square is home to Mi Tierra Cafe and Panaderia and La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar. It's located near downtown and reflects San Antonio's strong Mexican-American cultural heritage.
Where can you go two-stepping or swing dancing in San Antonio?
For two-stepping, Cowboys has a large dance floor and a lively crowd that's generally welcoming to newcomers — expect regulars to help correct your technique. For swing dancing, Hermann Sons Ballroom near the River Walk hosts events like the Swing 525 nights organized by Swing Junction, and Alamo Post 2 at the American Legion hosts the Alamo City Swing Revival. Both swing events have featured the band Little Henry and the Leviers.