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. <\/p>\n
Southtown Bodega, located beneath its “sister bar” Southtown House of Spirits, is the brainchild of owners Hannah Brierley, Derek Lyssy, and Roel Garza.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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\u2019s more of a “sister” establishment than an extension. Each has its vibe and purpose.<\/p>\n
Inside the bodega, shelves are stocked with practical grocery staples like dairy, produce, pantry goods, and well-loved brands. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not trying to do $7 jars of select jams,\u201d Brierley laughed. \u201cI\u2019ve got great Smuckers.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
She\u2019s also inviting feedback from the community on what products they\u2019d like to see on the shelves.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have one named after the neighborhood called the Lavaca, it’s a roast beef sandwich. Our most popular so far is the Hot Italian.\u201d The Hot Italian includes Black Forest ham, pepperoni, salami, and a house-made cabbage and red onion slaw with red wine vinegar.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Drink offerings include playful and nostalgic touches, like the \u201cDad 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
You can follow Southtown Bodega on Instagram at @southtown.bodega<\/a>.<\/p>\n