Moon’s Daughters

Three rooftop bars in San Antonio offer a view of the city from above street level. Each has its own unique character and charm.

Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, 115 Lexington, 210/942-6032, themoonsdaughters.com. Sun., 11am-9pm; Mon.-Thu., 4pm-12mid; Fri.-Sat., 2pm-2am.

Soaring 20 stories above the Riverwalk on the northern edge of downtown, the Moon’s Daughters is an adults-only indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant. There is an outdoor patio and a narrow ledge with tables facing southwest from the luxury hotel that is the 12th-tallest building in the Alamo City. View: 5; menu: 5; ambience: 5; $$$.

Fairmount Hotel, 401 S. Alamo St., 210/224-8800, fairmountsa.com/dining/fairmount-hotel-rooftop-bar. Sat.-Sun., 11am-close; weekdays, 3pm-close.

The Fairmount made history in 1985 when the three-story, then-79-year-old brick hotel was moved six blocks to its present location next to the La Villita Historic Arts Village. The boutique hotel boasts three world-class eateries, including the Rooftop Oyster Bar. At first the al fresco dining area didn’t seem to offer much of a view except for the Tower of the Americas (San Antonio’s ultimate bar-with-a-view). But a cozy platform with couches behind the bar has a more panoramic view of downtown. The menu specializes in American seafood and a narrow range of other delectable items. View: 3; menu: 4; ambience: 5; $$.

Bar America, 723 S. Alamo St., 210/223-1285, fb.com/baramericasatx. Wed.-Thu., 5pm-12mid; Fri.-Sat., 5pm-2am; Sun., noon-7pm; Mon.-Tue., closed.

This San Antonio drinking institution since 1942 is wedged between downtown and the King William District. Bar America doesn’t really have a “rooftop bar.” What this very cool neighborhood saloon has is an elevated covered patio smaller than a one-car garage with a view of the Tower of the Americas. The pool table, big-screen TVs, and kitchen are downstairs. View: 1; menu: 2; ambience: 2; $.

1,620th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere: Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/daily/travel.

This article appears in September 30 • 2022.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.