After three years in San Antonio, Carriqui is leaving the nest. The South Texas-inspired restaurant, which renovated the original home of Liberty Bar into a much-celebrated Pearl hot spot, will serve its last meal on October 19, according to the district’s developer, Silver Ventures.
“After three memorable years since opening at Pearl, Carriqui will be closing permanently on October 19, 2025,” says Silver Ventures CMO Michael Joergensen, via a statement. “We value our associates immensely and are committed to helping them transition into new roles within Pearl’s ecosystem. We will communicate what’s next for the historic Boehler building in the near future.”
Carriqui, named after the South Texas native green jay, first opened in September 2022. The concept immediately drew fevered interest from the national press, who were particularly impressed by the near-derelict building’s transformation into a contemporary upscale restaurant.
The building had strong ties to the historic Pearl district. Before being moved, the building sat nearby at 328 E. Josephine St. Before it was used as Liberty Bar, it was the home to Boehler’s Liberty Saloon, a favorite among Pearl Brewery workers and the company’s first beer delivery spot once Prohibition ended in 1933.
A brunch spread at Carriqui.Carriqui/ Facebook
The restaurant’s first executive chef, Jaime Gonzalez, now helming Wok Wey, initially garnered raves for a menu that traversed South Texas foodways from the Rio Grande Valley to the Gulf to Alamo City. The initial lineup included sharable plates like barbacoa and cabrito, and huge botanas platters.
Over the course of its run, the fare shifted more towards classic Tex-Mex fare. The signature nachos — originally served with nopales, burnt ends, and crema — were adjusted to be topped with refried beans, Cheddar, and jalapeños. Popular standards like fajitas and puffy tacos were added to the mix.
Once Carriqui is shuttered, the space is likely to be snagged quickly by restaurateurs. Not only is the spot located on prime San Antonio real estate, but the eight-year transformation made the building a landmark on the Pearl grounds. Whatever concept comes next will need to be high volume. The 11,000-square-foot restaurant, as currently configured, seats a whopping 380 guests.