By Edmond Ortiz
Just as one restaurateur confirms the permanent closure of her Southtown restaurant, a craft beer bar on the edge of downtown San Antonio is preparing to follow suit.
What’s happening
Kunstler Tap Haus, created by the owners of Kunstler Brewing Co., will permanently close on Oct. 19, the owners confirmed online on Oct. 14.
Posting on Kunstler’s social media channels, the owners, Vera and Brent Deckard, said the city’s lengthy $59 million overhaul of South Alamo Street has made it increasingly difficult for patrons to easily access the Hemisfair-based bar at 510 S. Alamo St.
The project – which extends from Market Street to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, right in front of Kunstler Tap Haus and several other businesses – began in fall 2022 and is now behind schedule, local officials have said. The project is now due to wrap up in spring 2026.
Kunstler Tap Haus opened in Hemisfair in June 2023, serving a smaller selection of Kunstler beers alongside craft cocktails, frozen drinks, wings, bratwurst and giant pretzels.
“Turns out it’s hard to compete with a never-ending construction zone, especially when you show up for work and realize the sidewalk’s disappeared,” the social media post stated.
The Deckards said even when bar staff had opportunities to attract good amounts of food traffic during major events at Hemisfair or in the immediate area, the bar was often fenced off.
“We hung in there as long as we could, poured our hearts out (and a lot of Kölsch), but it’s time to close this chapter,” the post stated.
According to the owners, Kunstler Tap Haus will close things out and celebrate the San Antonio Beer Festival, which takes place Oct. 18 at Hemisfair, by hosting pre- and post-festival parties on the same day.
The owners said they will shift their attention toward enhancing offerings and operations at Kunstler Brewing.
“We’ve always tried to listen and grow with our community, and that’s where our energy belongs. We’re not looking for a second location — we’re looking to make the one we have the best it can be,” the post stated.
Also of note
Tim McDiarmid, owner/chef of The Good Kind at 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., confirmed recently to the San Antonio Express-News that her eatery, which had been temporarily closed since July, will not be reopening its doors.
McDiarmid had led The Good Kind for six years, during which the restaurant offered comfort food and botanical-styled craft cocktails south of downtown. Chad Carey’s The Monterey had previously occupied the same site.
While McDiarmid said the Ivy Hall event venue, based at the same address as The Good Kind, remains operational, there is no word on who will fill the restaurant footprint.
