The definition of San Antonio includes a bit of flexibility here, enough leeway to include some of the many can’t miss Texas hill country dive bars that surround the city. San Antonio proper includes everything that makes drinking in Texas great, including a number of downtown dives, but the inclusion of these dusty outposts only adds to the experience.

Case in point, Devil’s Backbone Tavern and Hangin’ Tree Saloon may be two of the best dive bars in the state and that’s before throwing in the holder of Texas’ first liquor license distributed after Prohibition, Riley’s Tavern in New Braunfels. All amazing in their own way, the chapel-like atmosphere of Devil’s Backbone is hard to beat, a tiny dive bar on a ridge that has expanded over the years without sacrificing the purity of cold beer on a Texas hill.

Spechts Texas, a little closer to town, retains a bit of that rural vibe with an expansive back patio that augments a building that dates back to 1887. And then there are more modern dive bar options, including metal-tinged Faust Tavern behind intimidating metal gates and the Bang Bang Bar, the final resting place for your great aunt’s couch, guaranteed.

The options spiral from there, both closer into downtown San Antonio like Texas T and further away like Hoity Toit Beer Joint and Happy Cow Bar further still. Exploring the city, exploring Texas hill country, San Antonio as home base unlocks a host of diverse dive bar drinking options.