A toast to the oldest liquor license holders in San Antonio

Click through the slideshow to see which local spots have been serving thirsty San Antonians the longest. Click through the slideshow to see which local spots have been serving thirsty San Antonians the longest. Image 1 of / 80 Caption Close A toast to the oldest liquor license holders in San Antonio 1 / 80 Back to Gallery

A new bar or restaurant opens in San Antonio as regularly as piñatas swing through birthday parties, it seems. There's always buzz around the latest cocktail dens and date night restaurant. But favorite neighborhood bars close, too, while only a small group spans the generations.

Here's a look at some of the most steadfast watering holes in San Antonio, specifically the ones with the longest continuously held on premise liquor licenses from the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission. This is not a comprehensive picture of the city's oldest bars, per se, as state records do not account for bars that change owners, close for a spell, or for whatever reason, its license expires.

For example, if a bar was licensed by the TABC in 1940 and changed owners in 1960, state records would indicate the license has been active since 1960.

There are hundreds of liquor license throughout the city. Scroll the gallery for the 53 places in San Antonio that have held their permits steady for well over 30 years.

The oldest continuously-held license in Texas dates back to 1937, and it's held right on St. Mary's Street. It's not exactly a public pub. There are also private lodges, VFW posts, old neighborhood eateries, gritty ice houses as well as some surprising dive bars that may never die.

jmscott@mysa.com