{"id":54252,"date":"2025-07-10T13:53:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/54252\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T13:53:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T13:53:09","slug":"southtown-bodega-deli-and-bar-opens-in-san-antonios-lavaca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/54252\/","title":{"rendered":"Southtown Bodega deli and bar opens in San Antonio’s Lavaca"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southtown Bodega, a new San Antonio \u201cbardega\u201d combining a deli counter and a dive bar<\/a>, will launch Thursday, July 10 at 727 S. Alamo St. in the Lavaca neighborhood. The first guests can expect freshly made sandwiches, unfussy cocktails, and the carefree fun of childhood.<\/p>\n

The project comes from Hannah Brierley, Roel Garza Jr., and Derek Lyssy, the team behind spooky upstairs bar Southtown House of Spirits. Brierley had previously teased<\/a> that the trio were working on a new concept when the cocktail lounge debuted in November 2024.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Southtown\u00a0Southtown Bodega was founded by Hannah Brierley (l), Derek Lyssy, and Roel Garza Jr.Photo by Tejanas in Media.<\/p>\n

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The hybrid restaurant-bar is split into two distinct parts. When first entering, patrons are greeted with a deli counter filled with meats and cheeses and a curated selection of snacks. An arched doorway leads to a rec room-style lounge in the back.<\/p>\n

The decor is retro, from the \u201890s era hunter green paint covering the walls to the assembly of thrift store artwork. Custom wood panels backdrop the bar, where a sign lists a few cheeky rules. Among them is \u201cno Tito\u2019s and vodka.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although there are plenty of bar stools and long communal tables scattered throughout, the most coveted seats are sunshine yellow easy chairs arranged around a console TV (naturally outfitted with a cartridge video game system and a VCR). The team completed the homey illusion by bringing in toys and other bric-a-brac from home.<\/p>\n

\u201c[We\u2019re] big kids at heart,\u201d explains Brierley. \u201cWe love video games and nostalgia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Southtown\u00a0The video game console is the star attraction.Photo by Tejanas in Media.<\/p>\n

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Keeping the effortless theme, Brierley says Southtown Bodega focuses on \u201cgood, approachable sandwiches\u201d that would not feel out of place as an after-school snack. The No Reservations, a nod to Anthony Bourdain, is stuffed with mortadella, while the Lavaca is filled with roast beef. All use fresh ingredients like a house vinegar slaw.<\/p>\n

While the drinks are adult, they wink at a latchkey kid upbringing. The small cocktail list includes a PB&J shot and wells are sold for \u201cfive doll hairs.\u201d Brierley shares that the drinks were intentionally kept simple, but the owners reserved some pizazz for the barware.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our drinks are in old-school pizza parlor tumblers and our shots are in someone\u2019s lifelong collection of souvenir glasses,\u201d she says. \u201cInstead of buckets, we use vintage [Igloo] Playmate coolers for the beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the July 10 opening, Southtown Bodega will be open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are 11 am-10 pm for the bodega and 4 pm-2 am for the bar.<\/p>\n