Place is located on the second floor of the Hotel , only reason I found out about it was Yelp didn't see a sign for it outside the hotel. Hotel is very nice and upscale, had a DJ there but the place wasn't very busy. Seemed like it was mostly hotel patrons just chilling on a Saturday night grabbing a relaxed drink and cigar and maybe some bar snacks before going out, Their beer and drink selection is pretty decent, good selection of imported beers and IPA's, cigar selection was nice and ranged from about $10 to $50 a cigar. Very comfy lounge chairs and candle lit atmosphere, service was horrible though. Sat out on the balcony overlooking the street and enjoyed a cigar and some whiskey, asked the bartender for an ash tray and told me someone would bring one out, asked another one of the ladies working there and she never brought it either, so we just smoked and let the ashes build up on the cement floor of the balcony. Overall, nice for a quiet drink and cigar before going out to the club.
Review Source:Really nice bar. Lot of seating an very freindly bartenders. Drink prices are compariable to waht you would pay at a similar bar. Very romantic with lots of candle lighting and pleant of couches and lounge furniture to mingle. Decor is minimalistic but still gives you a classier feel. There seems to be no real dress code obviously, but the two night we stood that the Hotel Valencia, we noticed that ladies were dressed to impress. All in all, if we ever come back to San Antonio, we'd come back.
Review Source:Stayed in the Hotel Valencia for one night with my boyfriend during a short trip in December. The bar was quite the gem. The indoor seating was nice, bartenders were friendly, bar food menu looked yummy (but we had just gotten back from dinner), and drink selection was good.
We took our drinks outside, to sit on the terrace overlooking the Riverwalk -- what a great ambiance for chatting/relaxing over drinks!
Vbar is located within Hotel Valencia near the riverwalk. Â To me it felt upscale without being stuffy... I don't think there's a dress code, but it is the ambiance that maintains a mature crowd.
The company we were with have long been patrons of the Vbar, and as such the bartender fixed up a charcuterie plate just for us that is not offered on the menu but comprises a little of everything that they offer at the bar. Â It had fantastic (I am guessing Greek?) bright green olives, salami, thick sliced ham, bleu cheese, smoked gouda, strawberries, grapes, brie, pickled peppers (some variety other than the peperocini), spinach chorizo, and my new favorite cheese, Azores flores.
Besides the beautiful charcuterie platter, there was also a wonderful semi-spicy "chip mix" that was like a mix between a savory chex mix and ghardettos.
The drinks here will put you under the table if you are not careful. Â Perhaps its the quality of the alcohol they were using in the mixed drinks, but I usually do not like my drinks that strong and like the flavor/sweetness to overpower the alcohol... somehow he made these drinks taste divine. Â I am usually a two drinks and done kind of gal, which means I should have stopped at one vodka tonic, but I also asked the bar tender to fix me a sweet drink... to this day I have no idea what he served me, but it was based on vodka and had hints of red bull, pineapple, and cherry in it. Â Delicious.
This is a great bar for catching up with friends. Â I felt the music was just at the right level for us to keep a conversation going.
Drinks - 4/5
Service - 1/5
Price - 4/5
Atmosphere - 5/5
I love Vbar. The DJ and music are always on point. They are very receptive with your song requests and they close the night out with classics. It is a great mix of pop/hiphop. The crowd is better than most bars in San Antonio. Getting drinks is a pretty daunting task however. With only 2-3 bartenders, the bar is legitimately lined with people 5-deep. You can easily spend half an hour each time you want a drink if you aren't forceful with your ordering. I don't blame Vbar though because the size of the bar doesn't allow for more bartenders. They just don't have enough space to accomodate the crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. With that being said, it is still my go-to when I am downtown.
The ambience and personality of this bar is fantastic.
We went here on a friday night and again on a sunday afternoon and it was great both times. Â I love that you can go sit on the nice oversized couches and enjoy your drink away from the bar itself.
The signature/classic cocktails were the best. Â I loved the fruity fresco and the 'old fashioned' was damn good. Â Plus the bartender was great to talk to and had a great personality.
We'll come back to Vbar and Hotel Valencia for sure next time we are in San Antonio.
This bar offers a sexy atmosphere, several places to hang out (big comfy chairs, bar, or long couches), and well mixed drinks. Â It can get pricey very quickly, but with drinks like these and being surrounded by the beautiful decor of the Hotel Valencia, it is definitely worth the price.
Review Source:Vbar has got a cool laid back atmosphere as you would expect from an upscale hotel. Â The music is pretty good on the weekends and the crowd is fun. The drinks are pricey and it can be a total ass kick trying to get a drink when it's crowded simply due to the fact the bar cannot handle a large influx of people. Â So if it's crowded expect a long wait getting a drink.
Review Source:I've only been to Vbar a handful of times but i've enjoyed myself everytime. The drinks are good, a little pricey but exactly what I expect from an upscale lounge such as this. I loved the Dirty Martini that I had there. If i'm going to pay that much for a drink I want a bang for my buck if you know what I mean! There are lots of little places to sit down and chat with friends as well as a small dance floor with a dj on weekend nights if you want to shake it while you're there. I don't know if the dj is there all the time, I've only been there on Saturday nights. Definitely a nice place to get started on an evening out downtown.
Review Source:This is the kind of place that makes you feel like you are in Vegas, in San Antonio.
The inside is swanky and beautiful. It's red carpet, low lighting, candles, plush seating, and a great view.
There are several places to hang out, at the bar, in the side room looking out onto the riverwalk, the large room with couches, and then the patio outside.
The drinks were strong and delicious. I had the best white wine spritzer at this bar. The bartender made it beautifully and deliciously.
I could see this being the type of place to hang out at either all night or for the beginning or end of the evening. It's got many different vibes. The only thing about it that bothered me where the super stuffy judgmental people sitting at the bar. Maybe it's because I take pictures of EVERYTHINg for Yelp and they thought I was weird, but whatever!
This place claims to be an it place for cocktails but it's definitely falling short. I trekked out here after a visit at Lüke and went to the bar and asked for a dry whiskey cocktail. The bartender suggested a whiskey sour, I said that was still to sweet and he suggested that I just have whiskey on the rocks, sneered at me and turned his attention to the other bartender. The atmosphere may be pleasing but there are plenty of other better bars in the area.
Review Source:Hip and upscale, with a huge cocktail menu and great service. As with all things in Texas (this is going to get really old, so bear with me as you read my San Antonio reviews) Vbar is a huge space, with all kinds of nooks and crannies to settle in with a tasty beverage and a colleague or co-conspirator for an intimate conversation.
My favorite thing about Vbar was the big, squishy, armless comfy chairs throughout the bar. I totally want to know where to buy these, because I need chairs like this for my house. Well, I need furniture in general, but specifically these chairs. They rock. Big enough for two grownups, even! (Once again, this is Texas.)
Although Vbar is in a hotel, and apparently a corporate chain hotel no less, it doesn't feel like your standard hotel bar. It's definitely someplace I'd hang out if it were nearby, and it's definitely a place I'll visit again the next time I'm in San Antonio. It reminds me a bit of the W Hotel in terms of the vibe, but much larger and...well, I haven't spent enough time at Whiskey Blue to finish that sentence. So I'll just, um, end here. Awkwardly.
First of all, the delicious scent being piped through this place is enough to make me want to stay all night. It's got this clean, soapy-sweet aroma that is so delightful to my nose, I'd bottle it and wear it all day long!
Inside is clean, contemporary and slightly swank. I mean, you can get away with dressed up jeans but would not be out of place in a great LBD and some heels.
Grab specialty cocktails from the bar, peruse the wine list, or just have a beer - the selection here is pretty good! I love to lounge in the comfy chairs and watch the lights sparkle down the Riverwalk.
Fun weekday spot for cocktails, but prepare to order from the bar, table service was very slow on a Tuesday night.
The seating and view over the river walk are great and they have both cozy spots for two and grouped seating for larger parties. The connecting hotel is also beautiful and well kept.
The Ruby Red Tini is beyond amazing - perfect combination of grapefruit and vodka. Be sure to check out the extensive cocktail menu while you are there - the helpful bartenders are more than happy to mix you up a custom concoction as well.
Mmmm. V Bar smells so friggin' good. Actually, it's the aromatic waterfall in the lobby of Hotel Valencia that smells like yummy, girly shampoo, but it's the perfect start to the night.
The Mayor of San Antone - also known as Yelp CM Krys T - was kind enough to bring our group here after an earlier dinner and drinks ... for some more drinks. Most of us were dressed down in jeans, but lucky for us it was a Tuesday, so there wasn't a crazy line or dress code.
The drink menu has a fun collection of cocktails and flirty martinis, as well as some small bar bites. The decor is modern (kinda reminds me of some of The W's more boutique hotels). Second to Havana Hotel, I like the lounge scene here.
After Pat Obriens we take a short little jog past the Alamo and the Majestic Theater to the posh setting of VBar at Hotel Valencia. You can imagine the shock of hotel patrons as sweaty rambunctious runners loudly hike up the stairs and over-run this normally quiet and romantic lounge.
Theres plenty of seating to accomodate the huge influx of customers. Although the drinks are strong, the prices are those typical of a Downtown San Antonio bar.
This is the point in the run when I hydrate vs absord alcohol - check out the patio and the pristine view of the river. Lovely spot for before/after dinner drinks.
Lobby bar at Hotel Valencia. Â Really cool curtains
The Mojitos are the bomb! Â Came in to cool down from outside on the Riverwalk on a Saturday afternoon. Â The balance of the sugar,mint and lime was spectacular. Â We decided to leave (after my 3rd one) to get ready for dinner.... Â I really thought mint leaves were more than enough!
Will probably stop in for an after dinner mojito or 2!
I went here this past Saturday around 7 p.m. (as we waited for our table at Acenar next door). Â The bar was practically empty which was nice.
The drink menu is 4 pages!! It was difficult to choose just 1 drink but my peach fizz martini was delicious! Â I will be back to try another concoction....
The bartenders were kinda clueless on what to suggest, but they made the drink perfectly. Â
I'm not sure I would go to this bar on another night when it is crowded. Â There's alot of standing room, but the bar is small and I'm not sure how the service would be.
Contemporary with clean lines and shades of red, the V bar offers a cool retreat from the streets below. Â I have been to V bar before a show at the Majestic, it's a perfect location for a pre drink. Â I have also had the pleasure of spending time in V bar with a large group of friends. Each visit always leaves a great impression on me.
Most recently, I took the VIA downtown and waited in V bar for my husband to join me for a drink before an event we were attending. The bartender was courteous and aware that I had limited time, so he was quick to pour my wine and brought my check right away upon asking. Â Also knowing that I was just on the bus for 45 minutes and took a brisk walk to Valencia, he brought me a water to cool down.
Most of the other patrons at the bar top 5:15pm on a Thursday seemed to be visiting San Antonio, staying at Valencia perhaps, but discussing a conference and flight times back home. Â Around the corner from the bar, in the lounge area was a group of well dressed men, a few drinks in for sure they seemed to be enjoying their rowdy conversation in the window rich room. Â
Overall, V bar would be an ideal place to meet a date for a cocktail or a place to do business, something about the atmosphere either screams lust or high end contracts, perhaps both.
A small hang off the lobby hotel bar. Quiet but likely more lively when there's a convention in town. Overall, too small of a space to really call it a club. If you're in the mood for a night-cap and conversation without the yelling, you can consider this place. Pricey drinks as expected and quite a subdued atmosphere. zzzzzzz.
Review Source:This was my favorite place to visit in college. The place is swanky but you get a full range of people and dress. It was free to get in, although drinks were quite expensive. The dance floor was smallish but still accommodated everyone, as it was never super crowded. The DJ played great music and I always had an awesome time.
Review Source:I write this as I am going to get ready and head down to V-Bar inside the Hotel Valencia! I think that if I could own stock in this bar I would be RICH----Serioulsy, this month alone...credit card statment hasn't come yet! Eeek! Well- this is my usual, when all else fails for sure I will DANCE or relax on the plush sofas and have a great time people watching! The drinks are hotel prices but worth it- a little piece of LA's Standard or San Francisco's Clift in San Antonio with the Chic Luxurios Decor- the bartenders could speed it up a bit, but, being there just gives me the know how to feel comfortable and confident! The regular DJ is awesome and this place on Friday is more inclined to have more locals while LOOK OUT Saturdays is WEDDING After party CENTRAL! Still fun too see guys and dolls in tuxes and bad bridesmaid dresses having the best time ever. Order the banana shots, grey goose dirty martini, and sneak olives and cherries from the bar...Valet pricy but worth it...If you can't drive DON'T- just ge a room at the Hotel Valencia- spa like and Fabulous!
Review Source:Me, pulling up to the valet at the  Hotel Valencia after sitting in a shit storm of Friday night traffic on E. Houston: "Hi?"
Valet: "Where you going?"
Me: "to the hotel bar".
Reply: "What? which one? The V bar, the something else bar?"
Me: "Yes! the V bar, that's what it's called. "
Him: "Are you sure you know where you're going?"
Me: "ummm (asshole), yes, it's the V Bar, I remember that's the name my friend told me. "
(silence -- is this some kind of lie detector test?)
Me: "Yes, the V bar."
Him: "Alright well parking is $14 unless you get it stamped at the bar."
Did that really have to be so difficult? Anyway...Once inside, I forgot about the Valet-hole and went upstairs to the V bar, which was empty except for one group and it was fuh-fuh-freezing.
Full bar, good selection of bottled beers and some on tap.
The bar food was actually pretty darn good (served until 10 p.m.). We had the Cuban sandwich (ham and some other meat), calamari, which was cooked well and served with a yummy sauce, and tuna carpaccio (which was basically seared ahi).
Our server rocked! She didn't mind when we changed tables three times and was very attentive even after the place filled up and we had moved as far away as possible from the DJ .
Good time overall. I would go back.
BTW, my car mates "hungover" and "tired" didn't help at all while looking for the Valencia hotel. Blink and you'll miss it.
first night in San Antonio, my bf took me here to get a drink. He has been stationed in SA for about a little over a month now and i guess this is one of the ONLY bars/lounges in the area that is semi cool to go to.
it's in the Hotel Valencia upstairs. it's quite dark in here so be careful where u walk! the bar was completely EMPTY when we walked in, besides the few stragglers that were sitting around on the couches. The DJ there was playing top 10's most of the night...my drink (extra dirty grey goose martini) was HEAVILY watered down. even i drank the whole damn thing and i never finish martinis!!
anyways, the whole night was pretty OK, just because i was with my bf and i haven't seen him in FOREVER!! but if i was there with a group of ppl i would have left ASAP.
overall i would come back, but only if i wanted to be alone and ponder lifes possibilities while slooooooooowly drinking my watered down martini away. u get the point, this place is way depressing....
Ok, I am going back to my arbitrary number format to assign a final score for this place.
Bartenders: They were no where near attentive enough for the crowd they had. Â They were slower than sin just to get a couple chilled Patron shots and a few beers. Â They could probably see a lot more turnover, and a bigger tip from each person if they just stepped it up a bit and acted like they cared. -4 points for them being rubbish.
Drinks: They were pricey, but it is the Hotel Valencia... so being predictable gets them +2 points.
DJ: The highlight of the night, he was mashing it. Â Great music, awesome mixing... yet no one in the bar was dancing... But I am not going to dock him for the lame-ass crowd. +22 for him.
Crowd: lame-ass. -23
Sure, that sounds like a 2.5 review.
Arbitrary rounding... let's go with a 2. Â If I am in San Antonio again, I don't think I will be heading back here.
What a great night we had! We went to dinner with friends and then went downtown. Our friends suggested the V-Bar at Hotel Valencia. It was so cool. The decor was just plain awesome. It was kind of quiet when we got there but soon it was packed. The DJ was playing some great songs. There was a bachelorette party going on and they provided for some great entertainment as well. The bartender was awesome and those crown and cokes were sooooo good. I can't wait to go back.
Review Source:After a couple of drinks at the pad before heading out, we stopped by The Hotel Valencia. VBar  was a lounge that was small and cozy, yet big enough to have a bachelorette party. It was a very beautiful looking place that a modern dance club would look like, yet small enough to be called a lounge/bar.
There was a full bar, however I didn't have any drinks considering I was already going crazy. Prices were moderate.
There was a DJ, and I think I made the bride uncomfortable, because I wouldn't leave her alone (I get too excited sometimes). Music was really nice. They tossed it back to the 90's jams too!
Overall I had an awesome time. Right after that we headed down to the Riverwalk to continue the momentum. This place started me up really good!
We came here for a drink after dinner on a Saturday night around 10pm. The hotel itself is modern, and the bar had a lounge feel to it. The first thing we noticed is that it was dead. I mean like the dead where you want to leave because it's wierd. Anyway, we decided to get a drink and walk around. It's pretty spacious, and they have a huge outdoor patio with fire pits all around. Even though it was chilly (although nowhere near as cold as NY is in March) we decided to sit outside and enjoy the view of the river. The place is a nice quiet spot for a drink, and it seemed to be a younger crowd. Confused where all the people were though, maybe we got there too early?
Review Source:I really like this place. It is cozy and modern all at the same time. Went here ffirst for my 22nd B-day and this started my birthday off right. There aren't too many people that frequent here, which is sometimes a good thing. I would definately go again for some cocktails. You can valet here for I think $5, instead of paying the usually outragous downtown parking fees.
Review Source:So I rang in the new year last here last night and had a fantastic time. The music was great and ranged from Tribal House to Funky Breaks and Hip Hop. The DJ was all over the place, but it was great. It has a wonderful upscale atmosphere with low lighting and private tables. Our server was attentive and kept the drinks coming. But watch the prices because we easily racked up a $100 tab with only a handful of drinks each. Over all it was a great place to kick off 2009.
Review Source:I just love this bar, so much. Whenever I am downtown no matter what day or time, I stop by for a martini. There's a huge list of them, the bartenders are friendly, and the lounge is super comfy. Drinks aren't cheap but it's less expensive than I expected. The other night a manager was walking around with samples of new Bailey's varieties, yum.
On Friday and Saturday nights there's a really fun DJ that plays everything from current hit remixes to 80's dance flashbacks. If you're not in the mood for music and dancing you can also take your drink out to the restaurant patio or the couches in the upstairs foyer. So relaxing!
This is a great place if you want something a little more upscale, but not stiff. The seating is excellent, the atmosphere chic, and not too many people know of it, so even on a Saturday night, it wasn't horribly crowded. Â They have an awesome balcony that overlooks the city...it almost has a NYC kind of feel in the middle of SA. As a bonus, I was served (way to many) the best lemon drops I have ever tasted...yuuummmmmy :)
Review Source:vbar in the Hotel Valencia is a very nice space. Â The decor feels like a big city bar but... looks are not everything you need. Â The music on a busy Saturday night was good and soon went retrograde to 80s music. Â Yes, I love 80s music -- I grew up with this music but I expect more.. downtempo, chill in this environment works. Â The wine list was terribly disappointing... Kendall-Jackson by the glass is not exciting and I think a bar should offer it's customers something that is quality and out of the ordinary.
Review Source: