Downtown San Antonio — Live Music, River Walk & Historic Venues Guide
3 videos · Explore the honky tonks, dance halls, and live music spots across downtown San Antonio through on-the-ground video tours.
Downtown San Antonio is one of the oldest colonial Spanish settlements in Texas, and that deep history is visible on every block — from the 1730 San Fernando Cathedral on Main Plaza to the ornate Majestic Theater on Houston Street. The area is home to a dense concentration of live music venues, historic landmarks, and walkable entertainment districts including the famous San Antonio River Walk, Market Square, and the Houston Street corridor. Whether you're looking for country and western at a riverfront bar or a Tejano performance at a historic market festival, downtown San Antonio has it covered.
The videos above walk through the major areas and streets that make up the downtown core. You'll get on-the-ground tours of the River Walk's main entertainment district, the historic buildings along Houston Street, the King William Historic District south of the main River Walk, and Market Square — the largest Mexican market in the United States. Along the way, you'll see where to find live music, from theater performances at the Majestic Theater and the Aztec Theater to patio sets at spots like Devil's River Whiskey Distillery, Little Rhein Prost Haus, and Crockett Tavern.
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the U.S. by population, the largest majority-Hispanic city in the country, and it draws an estimated 10 million visitors a year to the River Walk alone. These guides give you a real sense of what it's like to walk the streets, what venues to look for, and what makes each section of downtown distinct — from the European-square feel of Main Plaza to the peaceful Victorian homes of King William.
Videos
What These Videos Cover
Downtown San Antonio: Historic Walking Tour of The Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral & Live Music
In Downtown San Antonio: Historic Walking Tour of The Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral & Live Music, the tour starts at Main Plaza and San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest continuously functioning religious community in Texas dating back to 1730, then passes the Bear County Courthouse. The walk continues along Market Street across the River Walk to the Aztec Theater on St. Mary Street, then up to Houston Street where notable stops include the Gunter Hotel (home to Bar 414, where blues musician Robert Johnson recorded his first session), the Majestic Theater (a 1929 Mediterranean-style venue hosting live music, plays, and comedy), and Devil's River Whiskey Distillery, which advertises live music nightly on its patio. The video also covers the Hipólito F. García U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, built during the Great Depression.
A tour of the San Antonio River Walk (places to visit in Texas)
A tour of the San Antonio River Walk (places to visit in Texas) covers the main entertainment section of the 15-mile-long San Antonio River Walk, showing the dense stretch of bars, restaurants, hotels, and tour boats along the water. The video notes the River Walk's history, including the devastating 1920s flood that killed about 50 people and the 1968 World's Fair that spurred development of restaurants and hotels. For live music along the River Walk, the video highlights Little Rhein Prost Haus, described as Texas-styled with a hint of German flavor on its patio, and Crockett Tavern, which calls itself downtown's only country and western spot.
Market Square, San Antonio TX: A Tour of the Largest Mexican Market in the USA
Market Square, San Antonio TX: A Tour of the Largest Mexican Market in the USA explores the area south of the main River Walk including the King William Historic District and its Victorian homes, then heads to historic Market Square — the largest Mexican market in the United States and a gathering place since the 1820s. The video covers Mi Tierra Cafe and Panaderia and La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar as the major food destinations in the square. Market Square hosts many festivals featuring Mariachi and Tejano music. The video also includes a stop at Backyard on Broadway, where the Tequila Diva Band was performing on the patio and live music was projected from inside to the outdoor area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find live music on the San Antonio River Walk?
Two spots highlighted along the River Walk's main entertainment section are Little Rhein Prost Haus, which has a Texas-styled patio with German flavor right on the River Walk, and Crockett Tavern, which bills itself as downtown San Antonio's only country and western venue. Both are in the high-traffic stretch of the River Walk where most of the bars, restaurants, and hotels are concentrated.
What is Market Square in San Antonio and does it have live music?
Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the United States, located in downtown San Antonio. It has been a gathering place for the exchange of goods since the 1820s. The square is the site of many festivals that regularly feature Mariachi and Tejano music. Two well-known food spots inside Market Square are Mi Tierra Cafe and Panaderia and La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
What is the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio known for?
The Gunter Hotel on Houston Street dates back to 1909 and was at one time the largest property in San Antonio. Inside, Bar 414 is notable as the location where blues musician Robert Johnson recorded his first session. The hotel is part of the historic Houston Street corridor that serves as the city's business and tourist district.
What historic music venues are on Houston Street in downtown San Antonio?
Houston Street is home to the Majestic Theater, a 1929 venue with Mediterranean-style architecture that hosts live music, plays, and comedy. The Gunter Hotel and its Bar 414 are also on Houston Street, known for Robert Johnson's first recording session. Additionally, Devil's River Whiskey Distillery operates in a historic building on Houston Street and advertises live music nightly on its patio.
How long is the San Antonio River Walk and what is the main section like?
The San Antonio River Walk stretches 15 miles in total, but there is a main section with a high density of bars, restaurants, hotels, and tour boats running river cruises. This central stretch functions as an entertainment district and includes a mall. The area draws an estimated 10 million visitors per year. Key development of the River Walk came after a devastating 1920s flood and then the 1968 World's Fair, which spurred construction of restaurants and hotels.
What is the King William Historic District in San Antonio?
The King William Historic District is located south of the main River Walk section, adjacent to the South Town neighborhood. It features Victorian homes and interesting historic architecture along a peaceful, paved path next to the river. It's a quieter area compared to the main River Walk entertainment district and is walkable from Market Square and the downtown core.
What is Backyard on Broadway in San Antonio?
Backyard on Broadway is a San Antonio venue that features live music and serves food including pizza. When visited, the Tequila Diva Band was performing, and the venue projected live music from inside out to the backyard patio area. It's a spot that combines an outdoor hangout with amplified live sets.