SAN ANTONIO – A new neighborhood hangout has arrived in the heart of the Lavaca district, blending retro charm with deli delights and a sense of community.

Southtown Bodega, located beneath its “sister bar” Southtown House of Spirits, is the brainchild of owners Hannah Brierley and Roel Garza.

“We just kind of wanted to take a step back and make everything a little bit more approachable,” said Brierley. “As opposed to craft cocktails and getting dressed up to go out, we wanted this to be a place you can come, grab a drink, hang out with your friends, grab a sandwich, play a game, just like when we were kids.”

Southtown Bodega is part corner store, part sandwich shop, and part 70s-style bar tucked away in the back. While it shares ownership with Southtown House of Spirits upstairs, Brierley says it’s more of a “sister” establishment than an extension. Each has its vibe and purpose.

Inside the bodega, shelves are stocked with practical grocery staples like dairy, produce, pantry goods, and well-loved brands.

“I’m not trying to do $7 jars of select jams,” Brierley laughed. “I’ve got great Smuckers.”

She’s also inviting feedback from the community on what products they’d like to see on the shelves.

One of the biggest draws is the deli menu. The shop currently offers five signature sandwiches, all made fresh with house-sliced meats, cheeses, veggies, and sauces.

“We have one named after the neighborhood called the Lavaca, it’s a roast beef sandwich. Our most popular so far is the Hot Italian.” The Hot Italian includes Black Forest ham, pepperoni, salami, and a house-made cabbage and red onion slaw with red wine vinegar.

In the bar, the nostalgia kicks in. Guests can sip drinks from classic pizza-parlor cups while playing video games on an old-school console TV featuring Nintendo 64 or a vintage Street Fighter arcade machine.

Drink offerings include playful and nostalgic touches, like the “Dad Cooler,” which features five beers of your choice from a vintage Igloo cooler. Or the “Southtown Handshake,” a shot-and-pony combo. One standout favorite is the PB&J shot, which we can confirm tastes like an Uncrustable.

Hours for both Southtown Bodega and Southtown House of Spirits are Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Sunday hours from 2 to 10 p.m. The bodega and deli open earlier, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

You can follow Southtown Bodega on Instagram at @southtown.bodega.