The Eastside Promise is an up-and-coming neighbourhood and entertainment hub a few blocks east of Downtown San Antonio. It's one of the oldest districts in the city and is home to a diverse, bilingual community. In 2019, it was one of the top 10 fastest-gentrifying neighbourhoods in the United States. If you're coming from the city centre, you can easily reach the area by bike or foot.

During the day, you can admire historic 100-year-old homes and watch some basketball action at the AT&T Center. And at night, there's live music, theatre performances and weekend dance parties to enjoy. So after you've seen the main sights of Downtown San Antonio, head over to Eastside Promise to experience a fun, local vibe.

Eastside Promise in San Antonio - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in San Antonio (Read all about San Antonio here)

What are the highlights of Eastside Promise? 

Along E. Houston Street, one of the main thoroughfares in Eastside Promise, are several sights worth visiting when in the neighbourhood. The Rock Box is a fun live music and nightlife venue. The venue regularly hosts local and touring national rock groups, plus comedy open-mic nights. You'll also find 2 bars and a patio.

Right at the end of the street, you can watch the San Antonio Spurs take on their basketball rivals at the AT&T Center indoor arena. The centre also hosts the massively popular San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in winter. If you prefer some local culture, make your way to the Carver Community Cultural Center. The centre highlights African and African-American heritage through concerts, exhibitions and outreach programs.

Where to eat and drink in Eastside Promise?

With no shortage of eateries, Eastside Promise has plenty of options to suit your cravings, no matter the time of day. Start the day with a strong coffee and freshly baked pastry from Estate Coffee Company. Sit at the coffee bar to watch the roasting action up close, or hang out at a table outside. For lunch, Dignowity Meats serves delicious smoked meat sandwiches. Plant-based eaters will find more to eat at Sweet Yams.

Tucker's Kozy Korner is a great place to start the evening. As a local institution, it's the go-to place for a drink before or after a Spurs game. The menu includes elevated comfort food, like burgers and fried chicken. The vibe during the week is jazz and old-school blues. When the weekend rolls in, there's live music, DJs and late-night happy hour specials. A 10-minute walk from Tucker's is the Alamo Beer Company, where you can enjoy craft beer, a fun outdoor patio and live music on the weekend.

Good to know about Eastside Promise

Eastside Promise's proximity to Downtown San Antonio means you can easily combine a day of sightseeing in the city centre, followed by late afternoon drinks at Tucker's and a Spurs game at the At&T Center. A few blocks south of the neighbourhood is the Alamodome. The huge stadium hosts sports events, famous musicians and spectacles such as Disney on Ice.

One of the top sights in the city centre is the 15-mile River Walk. The paved path hugs the San Antonio River and is lined with a fabulous selection of eateries and shops. Located near the downtown section of the River Walk are 2 famous tourist sights: the La Villita Historic Arts Village and the historic landmark fort, The Alamo. Both are worth visiting.

Eastside Promise in San Antonio

Jacqui de Klerk | Freelanceforfatter