The cold and windy weather didn’t keep Cocktail Conference attendees from “The Stroll on Houston Street” Saturday night. Tables of food and pop-up cocktail bars extended from Lüke San Antonio to Bohanan’s Bar, leaving the crowds happy and warm.
The restaurant’s balcony was packed with attendees, who gathered around heaters and sipped drinks. Chef Mark Weaver, who previously worked at Chef Jason Dady’s Tre Trattoria, was serving up a small but flavorful samples of chicken thigh and pastrami.
“I left Tre on great terms, but I wanted to do something new. I realized there weren’t many restaurants in the North Alamo Heights area,” Weaver said. “For whatever reason, it’s mostly chains.”
Weaver has kept busy creating a small, loyal clientele in the 09 zip code, where he plans to unveil a new restaurant concept later this year.
The table was almost impossible to get to, which bodes well for the future restaurant.
Mixologist Matty Gee was behind the bar, serving up a variation of cocktails made with Ambhar Tequila cocktails for thirsty attendees.
“I started the night with 15 gallons of the old-fashioned (cocktail),” Gee said, pointing to a nearly empty glass container.
Further down Houston
Guests walked down the street and made their way to an area filled with unique cocktails that included ingredients like hibiscus, pink port and Tajín chile.
Couples danced to classic swing and jazz tunes played by Doc Watkins and his Orchestra.
Despite the cold, people were stopping by SA Pops for the horchata ice cream topped with black cherry sauce and candied almonds.
“This is my fourth ice cream tonight,” a man whispered to his friend, as they walked toward a nearby gourmet hot dog stand.
Beverages from Pulp Coffee & Licor 43 were well received by attendees at Sip Coffee and Sandwich Bar. The shop was filled with coffee, beers, food from The Bread Box. Guests danced and yelled over the DJ’s loud music set.
Attendees were determined to eat every bite possible at The Palm Restaurant’s table, which offered fresh, savory scallops served on a small bed of microgreens.
“You look familiar,” a staff member joked to one woman who stood in line multiple times for the plates.
The space outside Market on Houston Street was jammed packed with attendees looking for drinks, shots and snacks.
The stroll ended outside Bohanan’s Bar, where guests sipped a variety of drinks, including the 2016 signature cocktail, Beso de Agave. The Night Owls serenaded crowds as they walked between the courtyard and the inside bar for different imbibing and dining options.
Many attendees were confused about the event’s end time (10 p.m.) But everyone was more than happy to continue the night’s festivities at The Scottish Rite Theater, where a special SACC After Hours event was just getting started.
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