502

The perfect marriage, really, of …
(A)outfreakinstanding bands (how flippin cool is it to show up at a tiny little San Antonio strip center bar and see a band, one that you were just listening to on your favorite Sirius station, playing live right in front of you… WAYcool. Ubercool, actually.) (Thao and the Get Down Stay Down: I’m looking at you, folks)
…AND…
(B) GREAT freakin beer. Even on the rare occasion that I do come across awesome music in a smallish venue within the greater-​San Antonio-​area, I pretty much have to resign myself to the idea of a Lone Star (or worse)-centric venue, with a preflight elsewhere. That is SO totally not the case at 502…
I’d actually come for the beer alone, even without live music… things like Epic’s Big Bad Baptist (one of my favorite beers of all time). Founder’s Breakfast Stout (another one of them). Ballast Point Sculpin, and Victory at Sea. And last time I was there, there was a local tap, Southerleigh’s Get Off My Lawn (YAAAYYY, local! Represent!). THAT kind of good beer.
Totally worth mentioning as well that all draught pours — ALL of them. Including things like the 12% ABV Big Bad Baptist — are $ 3.
Rock the eff ON, 502!

I love this place. Staff is friendly (particularly Mike), drinks are great, I’m here every Sunday.
Also, Mike makes THE BEST Bloody Mary I’ve ever had. Hands down.

Really chill environment. Love the live music! BUT, Every. Single. Drink. I got was watered down and very weak. Pretty much just juice. At least I got my Vitamin C!

Best bar in town for live music. The sound system/​stage setup is top notch. Add an amazing selection of draft beers and any kind of canned beer or liquor to the mix and $ 5 beer& shot combos and I’m in heaven! I definitely recommend this place. The atmosphere is also great and the ladies restrooms are always clean and gorgeous!

Best Bloody Mary in San Antonio. Mike makes them on Sunday. $ 3 special. Football. For what more can I ask. oh wait. Great beer?! Flights are on special too and with almost 40 beers on tap, choices galore. All craft. And did I mention Mike? Greatest bartender I’ve met. Genuine and personable.

Most places either rock as a bar but suck as a venue or vice versa. 502 bar is the exception to that rule. I love this place as a venue BECAUSE it’s so small, the performances seem a lot closer to the bands/​artists performing in your living room than a massive amphitheater or sports arena. I say heck yes to that all day every day.
Regarding the bar itself, it always seems clean both in the seating area and on the bar top itself and even behind the counters where they’re mixing drinks. The draft selection is pretty good considering this is not the largest bar out there and even has some quality IPA’s that are not commonly seen in SA.
One of my favorite things about this place is that they have an ongoing Beer & Shot special for $ 5. They offer about 5 different combinations, all of which are good, and most recently, I even saw that they’ll let you have a shot of their choosing on special based on the number that you roll on their dice. Talk about a cool way to get your patrons interacting with the staff and drinking shots. Smart move.
I’ve seen a handful of really good local bands play here including Nina Diaz of Girl in a Coma and boy was it something to see. The acoustics here are above average for the bar scene and the sound system seems to be less muddy than most other places I’ve been to. All of this put together makes for a very cool, very unassuming environment with great drink specials, a respectable selection of beers and cocktails and nice bartenders who aren’t too cool for school. You had me at hello 502 bar and I’ll see you again next paycheck!

My favorite thing to do at 502 is watch Walking Dead or Fear The Walking Dead on their big projection screens on Sunday nights. This usually draws a large crowd. We have also heard lots of really great bands here. The staff is very friendly and the bartender is great about remembering your drinks even if you are only an occasional visitor. The ladies restroom is large and clean. Most of the high top tables are a little wobbly, but not so much that they spill our drinks. They also have $ 5 for a beer and a shot. You can’t beat that.

Love it! Good beer! Great specials! Amazing sound system. They have this $ 5 special that comes w a beer can and a shot.
Decent bands come through here.
Love that there is pool, darts, and tables to sit as well as the open space to stand. I always have a great time here and would always recommend 502.

502 is my absolute favorite bar EVER! Unfortunately I moved, but every time I make it in to town I make it a priority to visit 502! I have seen some awesome bands here! Drinks are good and bartenders are great! No other place like this bar!!!

Haven’t been here for live bands, but that’s ok because I hate that (yes– I did leave Austin after all). However, I do love that they have my vodka– Ketel One! & dart machines, so that’s pretty much a good night for me right there. The bartenders are also always friendly. I do like that they have TV’s & a large projection screen that play big sports games– although I’d be interested to see if they feature anything else but Spurs games… GO WARRIORS!!! :)

502 is a fantastic music venue and bar with great sound and a classy atmosphere! The drinks are delicious and classy and the staff is very friendly and awesome! Love this place!

Seriously awesome staff. Jim, Kelly, Alana, Lacy and Mike are the best. Brenden the door guy helps keep the place in check and the sound system is on point. Great live shows. Great drink combos. Great place to be.

Came for the first time and love it. Definitely come back because of nice atmosphere, music.

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite bar in San Antonio.
I love live music, and I was a bit saddened when I realized that the amount of bands coming to Austin weren’t exactly making their way down to SATX. So when we found 502, I got super excited. They consistently have great little bands stopping in, and drink prices aren’t bad either. It’s not jam packed with annoying people, instead it’s a chill crowd who also enjoys live music. The venue is just the right size to really enjoy the band/​music, the cover prices aren’t terrible, and staff is friendly.
My only complaint is that I’m an old person with an early morning job, so waiting until 11 for a band to start playing (when the website says 8) means I don’t get to enjoy much music unless it’s on a weekend. But I guess that’s what I get for getting older.
Anyway, thank you 502 for bringing good music to SATX. (Oh, AND for your deliciously spicy jalapeño tequila.)

The $ 5 beer/​shot combos are legit! I was impressed with (and surprised by) the amount of people here on a Sunday night (Open Mic Night). Thanks, 502!

I’ve seen this band before and I’m shocked at how they let such a low quality of sound engineers do this to their show. I can barely hear the singers and instruments. The drums are the loudest like a garage band. Then again, some garage bands can do better.

tried going in last night at midnight– the man checking the ID’s couldn’t have been less interested in his job, merely staring at his cell phone the entire time. He never looked at me and just spoke with his head down. A few times I had to ask him to repeat himself and he seemed irritated for some reason. He was just a very rude man, who was also rude to my girlfriend who accompanied me (it was her birthday)
Then I simply walked down 20 feet to Dixies, and I’m sure they appreciated my business.

My ID was expired by a tiny bit. Went in about an hour before close. I def. look my age but red head McGruff wouldn’t let me in. Awesome. Never mind the fact I’ve been a lazy ass and haven’t made my license a priority, or the fact I’ve even been let off the hook by an actual law enforcer, they are serious hardcore license checkers here. The buck stops here ya’ll.

I like this place. The atmosphere is relaxed, the bar staff is always friendly and helpful, and they host many great artists.
I have seen many excellent bands here. The door charge is always reasonable (less than $ 10). They list their shows on Bands In Town (Android, iPhone, etc app) so it’s easy to find what’s happening.
They are located next door to a Fast Eddie’s if you would like to play pool and Oasis is on the other side if your feeling lame and/​or adolescent. 502 always has creative drink specials. Give it a try. It could be your next favorite bar.

First things first: IF YOU ARE A TOURING BAND, this is the only place you need to play in San Antonio.
In love with this venue. Hands down, without a doubt, 100% best sound system and sound engineers in all of San Antonio (and most of Austin, for that matter). Deric, Alex and their team have done a fantastic job bringing touring indie acts to our city, something that many local music hubs have failed at for a long time. Small Black, Gardens & Villa, Hank & Cupcakes, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Wild Child, etc. have all turned average weeknights into aurally pleasing experiences. Great beer and shot specials (Pabst + Jameson shot = $ 5) and a well-​maintained restroom mean five stars, even though it’s north of the 410 bubble. Call an Über, take a Lyft, make the trek. Your ears will thank you.