A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Jan. 9th - Jan. 15th)
Hey y’all,
Cory here.
Hope you’re staying warm out there! The first real cold snap of the year has arrived, and if you’re anything like me, that means adjusting plans to embrace the chilly temps. Whether you’re layering up and heading out or seeking the coziest indoor spots, we’ve got a full lineup of recommendations and events to help you make the most of the week in San Antonio.
In this edition, we’re diving into some of my favorite ways to enjoy the city when it’s cold, including new spots to check out, can’t-miss events, and a few thought-provoking reads. Plus, we’re keeping an eye on the big-picture issues shaping San Antonio in 2025—so expect plenty of good conversations ahead.
Bundle up, grab a warm drink, and let’s get into it!
🥶 Featured Recommendations: What to Do During San Antonio Cold Snaps
San Antonio may not see many frigid days like we've seen this last week, so it can be tough to know where to go when the temperatures drop. San Antonio (like most of Texas) is built for warm weather! If you’re looking for fun ways to enjoy the city while staying warm, here’s a game plan:
🍻 Idle Brewing & Make Ready Market
A cozy large indoor spot to grab a craft brew or cocktail while staying entertained. My wife has to take a shot at beating the top score on Pop-A-Shot every time we go. If you’ve got kids, be warned—the Duck Claw game is pricier than you’d like, but it’s a guaranteed win, so my son always walks out with a handful of tiny rubber ducks (which he loves).
🖼️ Explore One of San Antonio’s Great Museums
Cold days are perfect for wandering through art and history. Whether it’s The McNay, San Antonio Museum of Art, Ruby City, The Briscoe Western Art Museum, or The Witte, there’s no shortage of inspiration. If you’ve got kids, The DoSeum is a great indoor alternative to burn off some energy while keeping their minds engaged.
⛳ Try Indoor Mini Golf at Holey Moley
I’ve been keeping an eye on this spot for our soon-to-be 3-year-old, who’s been obsessed with mini golf since we first took him to Cool Crest (which is now closed for winter). But based on their marketing—lots of mentions of bachelor and bachelorette parties—I’m not sure how they’d feel about a toddler on the course. 🤣 That said, Holey Moley looks like an over-the-top, themed mini golf experience with a full bar, food options, and 27 creatively designed holes, making for an interesting indoor activity with cooler temps.
🥖 Explore the Pullman Market
If you’re looking for a food-focused indoor adventure, Pullman Market at the Pearl is a great option. The newer food hall and specialty grocer features quick eateries, sit-down restaurants, and an incredible market experience—all under one roof. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, grabbing specialty ingredients, or just browsing, it’s a great way to enjoy a cold day while supporting local vendors.
☕ Warm Up at One of Our Great Coffee Shops
Cold weather means coffee shops tend to get extra packed, but in my experience, these spots have a good amount of seating or tend to be a little less busy when you need a warm drink and a place to settle in: Barrio Barista on the West Side for a cozy vibe and horchata lattes, Estate Coffee inner-eastside/downtown for a reliably great espresso, Bright Coffee (Beacon Hill) for a quieter tucked-away option, Shotgun House Roasters (inner westside) with plenty of space to spread out, and San Antonio Gold, one of my favorites in Lone Star.
📅 This Week’s Events:
🎤 Melissa Villaseñor at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
When: Here are the showtimes for this weekend:
• Thursday, January 9 – 7:30 PM
• Friday, January 10 – 7:30 PM & 9:45 PM
• Saturday, January 11 – 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Where: Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Get ready for a night of laughs with SNL alum and impressionist Melissa Villaseñor as she brings her signature comedic style to SATX. Known for her spot-on celebrity impressions and hilarious storytelling, Melissa’s set is one you won’t want to miss.
Tickets range from $25–$35, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Heads up—there’s a two-item food or beverage minimum per person at the venue.
✨ 2025 Legacy Awards Ball – A Celebration of Black Excellence
📅 When: Friday, January 10, 2025 (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
📍 Where: The Witte Museum
The Legacy Awards Ball, hosted by the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (SAAACAM), is a powerful evening dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black cultural heritage in San Antonio. This annual gala recognizes leaders in performing arts, journalism, education, and activism while raising funds to support SAAACAM’s mission.
Guests will enjoy food from top Black chefs in San Antonio, Black-owned beverage selections, a live auction, and dancing with the Finding Friday band. This is a chance to dress to the nines while contributing to a meaningful cause.
🎟️ Get tickets here.
🍽️ (Re) Discover Something New: Beacon Hill Market & Deli
Tucked into the Beacon Hill neighborhood, this local deli is the dream project of Matt and Maray, a husband-and-wife team who brought their East Coast deli cravings to San Antonio. Since opening in 2022, Beacon Hill Market & Deli has become a go-to spot for hearty, no-frills sandwiches made with top-notch ingredients.
📍 What to Order: If it’s your first visit, try the Italian Hoagie, stacked with cured meats, or go for the Cheesesteak, a nod to Matt’s Philadelphia roots. Looking for something lighter? The Turkey Pesto on fresh-baked bread is a solid pick.
With a cozy neighborhood feel and an ever-changing menu, this spot is worth a visit—whether you’re grabbing lunch or just supporting a small business that’s built right into the community.
📍 Find them at: 1717 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX
🕒 Hours: Thurs-Sat (11 AM - 4 PM), Sun (11 AM - 2 PM)
📖 One Read: Does San Antonio Need Gucci and Rolex?
A new luxury retail district is in the works next to the Pearl, with developers aiming to bring brands like Gucci, Rolex, and Lucchese to the Broadway corridor. Broadway East San Antonio (BESA), a 3.4-acre project led by Fulcrum Development and GrayStreet Partners, plans to open its first phase in late 2027, focusing heavily on high-end shopping. But here’s the question—does this kind of retail reflect San Antonio’s identity? While some might welcome the investment and national attention, it’s hard to see what a store like Gucci adds to the cultural and economic fabric of our city. What makes San Antonio special isn’t luxury brands. Read the full story in San Antonio Report and let me know what you think.
READ MORE HERE🔥 Did You Know? When Water Disappears, Fire Follows
San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer has started 2025 at near-record low levels—over 40 feet below normal—a stark reminder of our ongoing drought and the increasing strain on our water supply. Meanwhile, in California, devastating wildfires continue to burn, a tragedy that serves as another warning about what happens when landscapes dry out.
It’s easy to think of wildfires and water shortages as separate crises, but they’re deeply connected. Our land’s ability to hold water—not just the amount of rain we receive—determines how resilient we are to both drought and fire. When forests and grasslands are lost, when urban sprawl paves over natural water sinks, and when we rush rainwater away through drainage systems instead of letting it soak into the ground, we disrupt the water cycle.
This dries out landscapes, raises temperatures, and creates the perfect conditions for extreme fires.
In Central Texas, the way we manage water today will shape our future resilience. Could we restore natural water cycles by capturing more rainwater, restoring wetlands, and increasing tree cover? These are the kinds of questions we’ll be exploring more deeply in the coming months. Stay tuned.
🐦⬛ Texas Nature Journal: Tufted Titmouse
This little visitor has quickly become a household favorite! The Tufted Titmouse, a small, perky bird with a gray body, black forehead, and rusty sides, is a common sight in Texas woodlands, suburban parks, and backyards. It’s a year-round resident in San Antonio and is well-known for its cheerful “peter-peter-peter” call, which can be heard even in winter.
We recently set up a Bird Buddy feeder in our backyard (a fantastic Christmas gift!), and this curious Titmouse has been stopping by for sunflower seeds. These birds are closely related to chickadees and share their habit of caching food—storing seeds in hidden spots for later. They’re also acrobatic foragers, often hanging upside down on branches while searching for insects.
If you’re looking to attract Tufted Titmice to your yard, fill your feeder with sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts. You might even catch them plucking hair from animals (or humans!) to line their nests in the spring.
🔥 Rapid Fire Recs:
🌅 Sunset—The Festival at The Espee–San Antonio’s newest music festival is coming March 7-8, 2025, and single-day passes go on sale this Friday, January 10. The lineup features Spoon, Band of Horses, Santigold, and more. My wife and I are big fans of Austin-based Spoon, so we’ll likely be there on Friday. Get tickets here tomorrow.
✨ DreamWeek San Antonio 2025 – DreamWeek returns January 10–26, bringing nearly two weeks of events focused on civic engagement, diversity, and thought-provoking conversations. From panel discussions and film screenings to art exhibits and community forums, there are countless ways to get involved. The opening breakfast kicks off Friday, January 10. Check the full schedule at dreamweek.org.
If you check out any of these spots or events, reply to this email and let me know what you think—I’d love to hear about your experience.
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Until next time,
-Cory
