Sternewirth Bar

Ignore the dummies in this thread. Killer atmosphere, killer drinks, killer service. Done.

Let me start off by saying that the actual venue of Sternewirth and the Hotel Emma is fantastic. What a beautiful and inviting spot, with a nice class and elegance to it. The reason I’m giving it such a poor rating is the service here has to be the WORST I have ever received. I had read other Unilocal reviews on this place before I went saying the same thing about horrific service, but I figured I would give Sternewirth a shot nonetheless. Our bartender had a horrible attitude, and acted like she was doing everyone a favor by serving them. I watched as she gave attitude to atleast 4 other customers, and could not believe she would treat patrons as rudely as she did. She would roll her eyes when you would ask her for more drinks, and would act like she couldn’t hear you when other patrons were trying to get her attention. The drinks here are not cheap, so to get a bartender that was so rude is just bad business. I feel bad, b/​c the place is actually really nice, but with service like this I will never recommend it to others. As a final note, I noticed the other servers there had similar bad attitudes. Sad.

This place is absolutely gorgeous and delicious strong drinks to match. Keep in mind I came in on a Monday late afternoon after dining at the Southerleigh. I’m sure the experience is much different on the weekends and/​or at dinner time.
First off this bar is beautiful and less than a year old. It’s cozy, perfect for a date, evening with friends or a nice celebration. High ceilings, warm colors, plenty of room and perfect lighting. The layout and design is just perfect.
The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable. I had no patience to look at the drink menu so I decided to describe my perfect kind of drink. Sweet and preferably with vodka. The bartender seemed to read my mind and created a fantastic pink vodka drink with orange peel for garnish. Pink drink… how did he know? He then recommended some whiskey for the aficionados. We sipped our drinks and played a couple of games on the pool table.
A very pleasant experience and I would definitely recommend this location if visiting San Antonio. I’m from NYC so the drinks are the same as NYC but actually not watered down. Plus any location like this will come with a price tag so save it for a special date or occasion. Or to just socialize in a beautiful space. Definitely worth it.

I don’t really understand the bad reviews. I stop by the pearl almost on a daily basis before or after school to study, and since the opening of hotel Emma, Sternewirth has been my favorite spot!
Yes, they stop letting people in later on at night however this is ESSENTIAL to keep its calm and high end atmosphere. There is no way they can allow it to reach its full capacity and keep the same environment.
As for cocktails when it comes to pricing, I really do not find them ridiculous at all. It is expected that the cocktails will range from 10 to 12 due to the ambience of the bar. Regardless of the quality of the drink, just for the one of a kind environment, the prices are to be expected. Now I have had different experiences when it comes to how quick they are. However what I have noticed is that what takes long is actually ordering not making the cocktail. In fact I have actually had my drinks ready in around 3mins. The taste I agree is not the finest, however it is not bad at all. I get that it’s not an out of this world experience however they are average even above average!
I would definitely recommend this bar to my friends and I myself will continue to regularly visit!

3.25 stars. Although Sternewirth is located within a hotel, its opulent appearance and well-​curated drink menu would make it an appealing choice for a date. While some Unilocalers have noted issues with getting into the bar, the policy isn’t as patently ridiculous as it sounds. While Sternewirth could easily hold a few hundred people within its space, the acute focus on hand-​crafted cocktails makes wait times for drinks a bit loathsome. Throw in too many people, and it can be an even greater issue. Whether that particular operations management decision was a great idea in the first place is certainly debatable, but the point is this bar delivers decent cocktails at fair prices in one of the better spaces I have seen in the city. While I’d like to see a bit more artistry and creativity in the drinks to match the space, Sternewirth is still worth visiting. I’d come back.

***True rating: 2.5 stars***
In terms of atmosphere this place is one of a kind: expansive space with high ceiling, cast iron fermentation tanks that have been repurposed into lounge seating, a bottle labeler made into a chandelier… the creativity of design lingers in every corner of the establishment. Right when you walk in you are immersed in the history of this 122 year old building, originally built as a brew house. It’s been adorned with some modern touches like a pool table, but they do not steal thunder from the authenticity of the building. Every time I’ve been here there have been at least 5 – 10 people in a span of 3 hours that walk in with their fancy cameras to indulge in the truly picture worthy view. The bar has ample seating, my favorite area being the two cozy nooks towards left wall of the bar, actually a great study spot during the daytime (especially with some coffee from larder). Starting in the evening these coveted spots are usually reserved in advance. They also have a service button in the nooks for whenever you’re ready for your next drink, pretty cool concept.
That being said, no matter how gorgeous and unique a bar is, the main purpose is to make drinks. Now, I will admit I have been to Sternewirth several times to study during the day, but I have only ordered drinks here once. As mentioned in other reviews, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side, but that doesn’t really bother me as much if the drink is well made and the atmosphere is worth it. While the ambience would definitely call for higher priced drinks (I was expecting the 10 – 12 bucks for a cocktail), the quality of the drinks is entirely sub par. I ordered a Guns of Brixton (Earl Grey gin, cacao, lemon, Smith and Cross) which the server raved about. It cost $ 11 and literally tasted like rubbing alcohol. Now I don’t mind a strong drink at all, especially if it’s gin. But this definitely didn’t taste anything like gin and I pretty much forced myself to finish it (I don’t like sending back drinks for some reason). My friends ordered the Spiced Navy Grog (rum, lime, grapefruit, honey, nutmeg sprinkled on top) and the Sternewirth Seasonal Pimm’s (Pimm’s, cynar, sage, lemon, ginger beer) and they both didn’t enjoy their cocktails either.
I will probably keep coming back here to study but I might stick to ordering a wine or beer next time since they can’t really mess that up.

RATNG: 2.5 Stars
ATMOSPHERE: This bar only gets stars for the atmosphere. It’s located inside Hotel Emma and is absolutely gorgeous with high, vaulted ceilings, spacious room with plush couches and plenty of pillows. There’s a spiraling stairway that brings you back to the medieval ages and three cocoon egg-​like structures designed for more private parties to be able to sit and enjoy each other’s companies. Many people come in and out just to see the gorgeous design of Hotel Emma and a big part of it is this bar.
DRINKS: As far as cocktails go, when I first looked at the menu, I thought the price of each drink was kind of on the pricier side ($ 10 – 12) but I shrugged and chalked it up to the fact that this is a very nice bar and bars like that will charge those kind of prices. But, I gave this place a very low rating because the drinks did not taste good at all and did not taste like what the drink was supposed to taste like considering the ingredients under it. My friend ordered the GUNS OF BRIXTON which straight up tasted like rubbing alcohol and she is usually a gin lover. My other friend ordered the STERNEWIRTH’S SEASONAL PIMM’S which was the best drink out of all of our 3 drinks probably due to the ginger beer. I ordered the SPICED NAVY GROG which comes with rum, lime, grapefruit, honey, and nutmeg, and I honestly couldn’t taste any of the lime or grapefruit. There was plenty of nutmug at the top though, and the drink was just something that tasted good at first and then the after taste was gross.
I can forgive the price if the drinks are good, but if the drinks are not good, then the price needs to be dropped considerably.
SUGGESTION: I say come here, enjoy the atmosphere, and get a glass of wine. Also, this is a great place to study actually since it’s never too loud and there are several places to sit. I would just bring over coffee from Larder, plug headphones in, and get a lot of work done!

Agree with majority of reviews thus far. Have been here three times in the hope of seeing improvement. Let’s just say that experience has been 100% consistent. Consistently bad, that is, and we are unlikely to return.
Amazing ambiance with inexplicably and unforgivably lousy service each and every time, including hours when venue was near empty. Orders take forever, are often wrong and one must send a search party to get attended. Drinks are nothing special for the high price. Waitstaff seems to have a very high opinion of themselves based on not much of anything. In the evenings, presence of a «bouncer» at the bar entrance via the hotel lobby is absolutely pretentious, unnecessary and laughable. This ain’t South Beach.
Try Cured next door for consistently cheerful, attentive and knowledgeable staff. Even during peak hours.

Awesome place to chill out and just take in the beauty of the restoration. Drinks are stiff and creative. If you’re in a hurry, go somewhere else. Best to just sit, relax and enjoy the creation of the drinks. Service is professional and classy. We will be back!

SUPER cool place, not sure why people were talking negatively about the service, we waited maybe 5 minutes on a very busy Saturday night before our waitress came and got our drinks order.
The drinks were interesting but they take it to the extreme with the flavors they add, my drink had way too much nutmeg while my friends drink had too much ginger.
I would say DO NOT order the nuts as a snack if you’re with a date or going on a date after or just period don’t order them! Worst garlic flavor you’ll ever get!
It’s such a cool vibe place that’ll go for the atmosphere more than for the drinks and that’s why I didn’t give it 5

Apparently «at capacity «means half empty. This bat could do so much better if it’s goal was not exclusivity.

I would love to love this bar.
It’s got a super cool vibe, all manner of repurposed brewery equipment converted to artwork and furniture. Sort of steampunk meets 19^th century industrializing America.
But they’ve tried to manufacture a level of exclusivity which comes across as desperate. Turning small groups away on a Thursday night because there are already 45 people in this place makes no business or aesthetic sense.
P. S. The doorman was perfectly lovely, it’s just a shame he needs to take direction from someone so painfully out of touch.

I went with here with a group of friends after having dinner at the pearl. We expected a wait but when we got there we quickly got up to the front of the line. Once there was waited for 45 minutes. The hotel guest get to go in first which is understandable but the wait was ridiculous for a not crowded bar. When I asked the policy for being let in, the bouncer responded with «Do you know how much it cost to stay here?» Implying that I could not afford a room. The bouncer was probably the rudest person I have ever dealt with. He enjoyed making people wait and deciding when they would allow people in. Oh and their policy on when to let people in is «to feel the vibe of the bar.» They don’t count people and it isn’t a one out, one in policy. Once we were finally allowed in the service was horrible and our waitress clearly hated her life or at least her job. The bar is amazing but due to the way I was treated I will never be returning. Go anywhere else in the Pearl!

I still can’t get over the nuance and décor of Sternewirth. You literally feel like you’re escaping into another world. From the deep stained wood mixed alongside remnants of the Pearl’s history– you can just feel the aura they wanted to present to their guests. I’ve always been a fan of Steampunk and this is just up my alley or cup of Whiskey.
There are two distinct entrances you can embark on when wanting to enjoy the (strong) libations of this place. I personally love walking through the lobby of the soon to be famous hotel, Hotel Emma; however, you can take the back door entrance from the «alley» and walk in immediately.
The first thing you may notice will be the huge Ship’s Wheel which is treated as a chandelier.
Before you enter please keep in mind this is ONE OF THE NEWEST/​HOTTEST cocktail bars so expect a wait. Not that you should expect a quick turnaround drink because they do make everything fresh and muddle their drinks. If you’re craving fireball or a Vodka Red Bull this will not be your calling.
Look behind the bar and you’ll be in awe of their assortment of offerings especially with their Whiskey/​Scotch/​Bourbon selection. Remember this is a cocktail bar so don’t expect some cheap well based liquor to be their House. Not that one should ever want that stuff anyways in such a setting.
If you fancy a meal and want to Iggy Azalea the night, they have a few bar bites to hold you down. No need to get hangry here and trust me they know how to suppress and appetite (in a good way of course!)
I haven’t noticed a strict attire here each time I do attend, but everyone does dress to the nines here. Nothing like social norms to make you adapt to your surroundings!
Let me put it this way– This addition to the Pearl Brewery area is a great one and I can’t wait for everyone in town to experience it :)

I don’t really get it. Have been there during the day and it’s been a nice place to hang but terrible service. Then, on a quiet Thursday night there was a sign up announcing they were «at capacity» — not even full. Off-​putting to say the least. Probably trying to limit the riff-​raff, etc., but such exclusivity? Just a bit much in SA. But gorgeous décor!

Ok the service sucks because the bartenders think they are too good for San Antonio however, the ambiance in this place is awesome. It looks like Gotham City had a baby with an old train station. Don’t go for the service but definitely go to have fun and ignore them. They work for you anyways.

Pretty awful — definitely a case of style over substance. Waited at the bar for about 25 minutes while the bartenders dedicatedly tried to ignore my presence. Eventually, a cocktail waitress noticed my plight and had to flag down a bartender to help. The «bartender» (who was dressed just like the other employees behind the bar but apparently was not empowered to make drinks) insisted that last call had already passed. It was 11:50, and the actual bartender was just setting down a drink for another customer.
At this point, I decided to go a real bar where the bartenders actually know what they’re doing.

This place is gorgeous!
Stopped in for last call on a Wednesday night. The bar was busy, but not packed. We ordered a «Hazy Shade of Winter» which had apple brandy, mezcal, maple, cinnamon, lime, and cider, and a «Maple Leaf» which had bourbon, maple, and lemon. Both cocktails were very well balanced and delicious, and reasonably priced. The 2 cocktails were $ 19.99, for craft cocktails, in a hotel bar, this is very reasonable.
We took our drinks and wandered around the huge space that the bar occupies. The vaulted ceilings are at least 25 feet high, there are sofas and easy chairs throughout the space instead of your usual tables and chairs. They even had some seating inside the old silos for a more intimate setting. It was like you were going from one living room to another as we walked around.
They have a small selection of snack, unfortunately, since they were doing last call, we did not get to sample. I will be going back to try some of them though, the venison meatballs and smoked dates sound really good.

This is as good as it gets in San Antonio. First, it’s a first rate location– attached to Hotel Emma, which is a hot hotel that spared no expense in the décor and amenities. Second, the service and staff are well trained and attentive, including the bouncer/​doorperson. Drinks and small food plates are good-​presentation is good as well. Vibe is good even though there were people lined up half the night trying to come in to the bar. If the crowd stays cool — this place is it.

This is my new bar — here’s why:
Ambience: High end relaxation — this is for the finishing school, well dressed crowd. I say this because we were the youngest ones there (in our mid-​twenties) and were the only girls not donning pearls and gemstones galore. The candle-​place could really improve were it a fireplace, as the room was chilly. The large seating spaces (8-​person couches, clusters of leather chairs, private booths) make it a very social layout.
Drinks: the Maple Leaf was a standard, delicious cocktail (bourbon, maple, lemon). It was very strong, but didn’t present that way on the lips. My friend did not enjoy here Three Emmas (gin and absinthe) because despite its sweet smell, it was a very stiff drink. The wine selection was good, but unfortunately, two of the wines we ordered weren’t actually in stock :(
Service: I was very disappointed at how quickly service went downhill. I’m not sure if the two-​person bar was overwhelmed or if the waitresses were green. Maybe it was both. However, while my water came within a minute, my first drink took 10. My second took 20. We couldn’t even find our waitress at times. Even with the tag team system they had (a primary waitress with two on assist), patrons around us were waiting too long. In the prime of happy hour, perhaps forty or fifty patrons filled the large bar.