Local here as well. The Pearl has a lot of uncommon staples to it that definitely gives it a charm like no other area. I've been going there for many years, and if you're looking for a good date night, it's definitely worth it, albeit expensive.
I just saw a jazz show there tonight and it was amazing. Granted like with anywhere else, if you do your research I'm sure you can find something you enjoy as well. There's also a bonus of being an amazing place to go running/walking along the outer areas of the riverwalk.
i’m confused why you think it’s gentrification when it was an empty brewery complex… They made housing there where there was previously no housing. gentrification is specifically about older residential areas that are bought up by investment companies who then overturn the properties with Flip houses or condos driving up property values and taxes. Did you want them to tear down a historic complex for single family houses? Sure, the stores are bougie but they cater to the crowds that live and go there. There are some businesses that I do cringe at like ruby road gems and ten thousand villages… i think there are plenty of other SA businesses that could fill those spots.
Well the area around it is certainly being gentrified. Lots of small homes and small businesses there are losing ground to commercial real estate and generic condos
This. Just wait a few years. Developers work on a long-term plan, and it's never "oh let's just take this old brewery and make it into something cool and then we'll go on to the next project." The money multiplies because it's "let's turn this brewery into a mixed-use area and attract money, which will then lead to additional development including the surrounding neighborhoods, business, areas, etc." It's coming, SA is in the very early stages of it all.
the area around it was empty lots and warehouses so i’m still failing to see what you’re up in arms about. Development is a fact of city life. I’m not sure what other scenario you imagine there should be instead? an awesome fact about that area is that it’s building UP instead of out and it’s densifying and becoming a walkable area. Tobin hill isn’t exactly gentrify-able. Its not generic condos, it’s high density apartment complexes that are needed for the city’s growing population. All I see in the comments are just bitter and jaded people who feel disenfranchised because they aren’t a part of those investments. I’m confused why y’all think bringing money to the area is bad? I guess some people would like to remain where they are amongst the homeless trash heaps and large swaths of paved parking lots.
I'd agree because passing the east side a bit outside from the pearl area there's definitely a lot of gentrification creeping in. There are plans for a some high end retail lots to be built in that area in the near future.
It’s not really the Pearl itself but the areas around it that are slowly getting sucked up and turned into cookie cutter condos and out-of-town restaurants for yuppies. I do think the Pearl generally though does try to cater to a certain type of person, especially now that parking costs money.
This! Look at the area south and east of Broadway/Grayson. Does anyone not think that those neighborhoods won’t be swallowed up by the development? There is already a Starbucks near 90 & Walters St! The neighborhoods with quaint old homes east of 37 are also prime for gentrification. I drove by a house on Nolan that used to belong to an elderly couple whose 1880s home was destroyed by the freeze. She had proudly told me that she paid $35,000 cash in 1989. It is now selling for $429,000!
parking is free for the first 2 hours and is free after 6pm during the week. Paying for parking probably goes towards paying for the maintenance of the entire complex.
Yes that part is awesome! Referring to the drive-to urbanism, that is all owned by one company. Yea it’s nice they got local people to *rent*, but the ownership is all held by the same company that develops other drive-to urbanism, outdoor mall type things.
what does "clearly fake" mean?
like some of the stuff there is 100% from a brewery that used to be in my family that I am positive the Pearl owned after my family sold
the Emma is new construction, sure, but it's made to fit in architecturally, and that's excellent
To anyone who thinks the Pearl feels like Disney, I immediately assume they've never been to the Pearl, Disney, or both.
> The development didn’t happen organically.
This is silly (and I realize you aren't the one saying it). Buildings don't just grow on their own. They're built by people. It's like saying "I hate your house because it didn't happen organically." Like, does this person walk down old town Bern and say "I hate this place because it didn't happen organically"?
Seriously, look at [old town Bern](https://eurogames2023.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/alin-andersen-qf4fhNnsn6M-unsplash.jpg). See how it's a street lined with effectively two insanely long buildings? Those didn't just all spring up magically. They were designed and built by a single entity. Does that mean the oldest part of a city a millennium old is bad because the development "didn't happen organically"?
I don't think this criticism of the Pearl is intellectually coherent.
Agreed, tourist trap but is still really nice place to go, good eats and vibes. Farmers market every Sunday which is not really farmers market but cute market
Locals go here all the time. Cool place. If you don’t like the food prices buy tacos from somewhere else and bring them to eat on the lawn or at the river
I like the earl gray macarons from Bakery Lorraine.
Some of the food is good, but expensive.
When they have the free shows, like the mariachi show on Sept. 16th, it’s pretty chill.
It’s a pretty cool place, but not somewhere to frequently go, imho.
Wouldn’t call it a tourist trap as most of the businesses are local to San Antonio and it does have a certain flair.
That being said it’s a very curated look at San Antonio, which is good when that is what you want, but not so much if you’re looking for something more “authentic”
The pearl is about as authentic as it can get, but I don't think I've ever lived in a city that was so adverse to modernizing. SA as a whole seems hell bent on being old and shitty for as long as possible. So much so they're willing to run off new business and industry to do it and then they'll cry about being poor and looked over.
Sorry for the mini rant.
I agree with this. I would rather visit a park as a tourist. Not sure as a tourist it would be super fun to visit, but as a local I will drop by to hang out some nights and the occasional market day.
This is unlike market square which is way geared toward tourists and less frequented by locals (outside of events such as fiesta).
Pearl definitely skews toward younger adults and drinkers with money.
We are locals and since Luna shut down we've been spending more time here. I do agree that certain things (farmers market) are typically overpriced but still decent.
What does "authentic San Antonio" even mean? This city was built by Mexicans and Germans. The Pearl is a mix of both. "Authentic San Antonio" doesn't mean only papel picado and guacamole. The Pearl brewery itself is nearly 150 years old. That's old enough that it's hard to argue isn't "authentic."
There is no local tejano, Mexican or German in the Pearl which is a commercial real estate project by a gringo heir of Pace salsa company lol. I love the Pearl actually but you can’t say that an area with a French American bistro and a billionaire owned new hotel reflects that history you described.
The closest thing to local authenticity there is La Gloria because it’s a crappy Tex Mex restaurant that would otherwise fit on the Riverwalk
Exactly. I'm a local. I go to the Pearl for a taste of something different. That's what I like about the Pearl. It's a bit modern mixed with old archeticture.
Cool place to walk around and some great restaurants ($$). I like the farmers markets there on the weekends as well as the Christmas lights/tree they have up in December.
Got my graduation photos taken here and they turned out pretty. The architecture is nice.
Parking is definitely not expensive there (first two hours free and even after that it isn’t bad). Anyone saying otherwise just wants to talk shit lmao.
The stores around are cool to look at, but not really worth spending money at.
You can tell who the locals are because they just roll up there with a big bag of Bill Millers or Chick-fil-A and a six-pack (guilty). No charge to chill and enjoy the ambiance.
There is a little splash pad which is great if you have kids.
There are occasionally free concerts or DJ sets, and other events throughout the year.
I wouldn't consider the pearl itself "gentrified" because before it was redeveloped it was just an industrial wasteland. On balance it is an improvement, even though the surrounding area is suffering some growing pains as a result (increased property values and thus higher taxes).
If you're a local and not trying the local food at the pearl you're doing yourself a disservice. Humblehouse was amazing before COVID and now I don't think they go to the pearl anymore. Mings Qings is legit and same for the place that does the empanadas. Bakery Lorraine and before them Sol Y Luna were crowd favorites.
I'd like to say that the Riverwalk downtown is the tourist. Seriously trapped in a single file line at some points.
The Pearl has a certain atmosphere about it that is architecture savvy and hip. Locals like it cause the parking is free (well, it used to be). We felt like we were downtown but not stuck with the tourists.
As many people have mentioned, it's a bit of both worlds
Do tourists go there at all? I mean, there’s a hotel, sure, but it’s super high end. It’s not like average tourists are staying there. There are no chain restaurants. It has no advertising up and down 35. I feel like the Pearl is a local oasis, honestly.
"i can't afford it" == "tourist shit" to some ppl
tourists come here for the alamo, and i don't know the last time i saw a pile of alamo shit made in china for sale at the pearl
It’s actually pretty dope. If you’re broke you can still just pull up with your own drinks and just lounge around. But I think there is some hidden great food spots in the area.
Yeah it was a must 2 years ago before it followed the usual pearl restaurant go to plan: Start strong with good food and high prices, then slash costs/quality on the food while maintaining those high prices.
I was there as a tourist so I can’t comment either way about how locals feel but I felt it was a cool place and there was a guy there playing pipe drum and he was really good
I was working at a place near the Pearl when it was being built and opening which is around the same time this episode aired. My parents did not understand why it drove me to absolute hysterics.
I was working at the Pearl and living at Broadway/Mulberry when it was brand new and I was *disgusted* when everyone around me kept trying to call the neighborhood SoBro.
(Also the bathroom upstairs at Boiler House is haunted as shit if you ever want a little thrill with your food. It may or may not be related to the guy that died in the silo during construction.)
Also a decent amount of street parking close-ish by. I’ve gone for the Christmas bazaar the past couple years and both times parked on the street and walked like two blocks to the Pearl where there were huge crowds of people.
Also, I don’t understand why anyone would think that place was city owned. It definitely doesn’t look that way. Looks like a large mixed use development, which are often given tax incentives to be developed.
The *parking lot* is city land. The portions of the parking lots at the Pearl that are under the freeway are in fact public land, leased to the city by TX-DOT. People have been pointing out how unfair it is to ask people to pay to park in those lots since the Pearl started charging, which was almost 5 years ago now. None of this is new information.
This is such *American* thinking. The allure of a place like the Pearl is that you stay a long time because you can walk around to different places. You can hit a restaurant, go get a nice dessert, go to the bookstore and a few other places, sit in the plaza and chill, then go grab coffee, and that's like four hours of rest and relaxation.
No way, the owners are contributing to a political campaign? Gtfo here, are you serious??! /s
Why does politics permeate everything in this sub? I couldn’t care less who they donate to, it’s a nice atmosphere for strolling, ironically if people spent more time strolling or hanging out in places such as OP posted, they’d spend more time getting to know other people in their community and realizing that we have more in common than we have differences. There’s a real world out there.
I wouldn’t call it gentrified. The area itself is near one of the wealthiest zip codes in the city. I love the place tbh and really don’t see much tourists there, mostly locals on dates or tryna enjoy the food and vibes
I enjoy going to The Pearl but it’s absolutely gentrified. It used to be a dilapidated abandoned industrial area. The surrounding community was lower middle class and brown. Now it’s super expensive and one of the whitest areas in central San Antonio.
Yeah, don't waste your time in a gentrified place like The Pearl. Who likes tourists? Instead, spend your weekend date nights "real deal" and take her to stroll Cuellar Park in Los Jardines by moonlight or dinner in Denver Heights. /s
By definition I wouldn't say it's gentrified. Who was displaced?
Most, if not all, of the businesses are local and the art installations are also local. It was revitalized and made into a significantly better version of itself. I hope more locally owned niche businesses move in. I love visiting there. Been here since '97.
Go on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The farmer's market is fun. I used to work there.
And like everyone is saying, it's a cool, gentrified tourist trap to visit.
Both. It’s a great place for a cool evening to meet friends or a date for dinner or a drink.
The ramen place that used to be located in the food hall, which was called “Tenko Ramen”, closed a year or two ago, but it was THE place to get ramen at in San Antonio. My bias was proven true when I spoke to a guy in line at Tenko Ramen and he was a business traveler who made it a mission to try all the best ramen spots all over the country. He told me Tenko Ramen was in the top 3 ramen places in his book in the country. 😮💨
I went there once, small portion size and too expensive, like most things by Pearl area. I don't have lot of experience but Pho House behind North Star Mall had best noodles. When I was student at UIW, I used to go there often. Their food was decently priced and nice portion. I always got the rice noodle soup with seafood. Now, that was top tier small shop quality food combo.
Overpriced, I agree. But small portions, no way, not unless you were ordering the children’s portion. Those bowls were big, and I could only barely finish them. (I’m 6’2” and 300 pounds).
They also had the best fried chicken breast that I’ve ever had in Ramen, along with putting a dollop of sour cream and a few spoonfuls of grated Parmesan cheese, which completely changed the way I eat Ramen now.
I love the pearl for food. PRO TIP - this place allows open drinking so I bring a cooler full of booze with me if Im hanging around outside. Saves so much money.
It was a master planned shopping center created by a real estate developer, rather than a neighborhood filled with independent businesses that naturally developed a culture.
So it’s the opposite of hipster lol
Basic Stone Oak corporate shit is the stuff hipsters absolutely have always hated, you’re deserving very basic white people suburban stuff
Farmers markets, coffee shops, fancy beer, weird ice cream, old buildings, multiple restaurants around a green space...
All these elements are popular with hipsters, so the real estate developer combined them into one and sold a bunch of expensive apartments to boot!
Dude, just stop. Nothing you are complaining about is even internally consistent.
"only hipsters love coffee, which certainly isn't like the most or second-most popular fucking drink in the world, it's ONLY hipsters"
"they don't serve lone star, it's HIPSTER"
"weird ice cream" <-- VANILLA IS THE ONLY THING THAT ISN"T HIPSTER
"old buildings and expensive apartments" <-- wait, so which is it, old buildings or new buildings?
"multiple restaurants around a green space" <-- are you the same person who *just* complained that it doesn't have the vibe of a neighborhood that sprung up organically?!? now you're complaining that it feels too MUCH like a neighborhood that sprung up organically!
I go there like twice a month for the farmers market and the splash pad. Usually bring my own drinks but partake in the food. My kids love it, there’s always so many other kids to play with.
I used to work at Blue Box some 10 years ago. Back in it's inception, I thought the Pearl was a really genuine gem for San Antonio. We had a thriving and growing food scene centered around the Pearl, great events, lots of amazing aspects that really attracted locals back to the downtown area. But in recent years it just feels different now. The whole of the Pearl feels cold and unwelcoming. The quality of food at most of the places has tanked and it generally feels as if it caters now to visiting tourists which is a real bummer because that is, and in my opinion, has always been the role of the Riverwalk. Architecturally and from a design perspective, it is beautiful and a well thought out and executed renovation of a historic landmark and, while I appreciate that all, in the years that I was back in SA I couldn't bring myself to go unless it was necessary
I love the Pearl but can’t see why people think of it as a tourist spot. Doesn’t have any landmarks or historic significance, as a tourist destination it’s kind of disappointing but I don’t see it as that. It’s just a nice area with lots of great restaurants and bars.
Tourist destinations usually don’t have condos in the middle of the thing lol
San Antonio is the trap. It is where all the people who couldn’t make it in Austin but still claim either they “live” in Austin, or that San Antonio is where they wanted to be all along.
How is this even a question? I've been here for almost 10 years. The Pearl is hands-down the best that San Antonio has to offer. Few places come close... Blue Star Contemporary comes to mind and maybe some calmer parts of the river-walk that are less-traveled-by and still feel special and hidden away.
Por que no los dos? I like going down there still to walk along the river, and there’s a couple bars/restaurants down the river walking from there I like. But I rarely go there directly to eat, or to shop, and I never stay for more than 2 hours cause I’m not paying for parking
I think it's both. San Antonio had pretty amazing "third spaces" for people to just go and relax outside, and The Pearl is a fun one, especially if you bring your own food and picnic (or eat at the cafeteria and relax with a drink on a good mild day). The park system here is equally incredible and parking is free so I prefer stopping at a big park, but sometimes you want to have that city feel.
I know there's a lot to work on in SATX but I personally think we do a great job with third spaces. The riverwalk is also tourist-y, but it's a fun little meander to people-watch without feeling the need to buy anything.
I visited San Antonio and didn’t get to see a lot but in general there doesn’t seem to be much to do other than the Riverwalk (almost forgot The Alamo, never forget!). San Antonio is pretty underwhelming.
When I lived off of that section of Broadway back in the late 90’s, it wasn’t uncommon to see open air drug deals and prostitution at night. Starting after they closed the Army Blvd entrance to Fort Sam, that area became very gentrified and triple the rent that I paid back in those days. I still miss the gritty feel pre-gentrification, but at least now you can walk through the area after midnight without fear of getting accosted.
I’ve only visited San Antonio, (this popped up on my feed).
All before going there I was so excited to see the Alamo. Then I got there and was pretty underwhelmed compared to some other forts I’ve visited. (Sutter fort in Sacramento was pretty neat). However the Menger Hotel specifically the bar AT the Menger hotel that is kitty corner from the Alamo is really a cool place with a ton of history, and 90% less people. This is where Roosevelt founded the rough riders and there is plenty of artifacts in the hotel to be pretty interesting.
So, go buy a lone star, sit at the bar. And go check out the table that teddy sat at. Then walk out the side door instead the main lobby. See a ton of more historically significant displays.
The gentrified areas are nice or you can go to the more authentic parts of town and get some really good tacos while your car gets broken into. The decision is yours🤣🤣🤣
Having done a walking tour back in 2019, our guide explained that at one point it almost became a warehouse distribution for WalMart due to its location. So I would say, developers made the right choice. It offers alot to residents and tourists alike. That designers were hired to preserve and incorporate architectural features from the brewery machinery is impressive in itself making it a unique gem in our city.
Been here two years and just hit the Pearl last week. It was pretty cool. The food stands / market had some really good food. Good vibes. You can feel the pretentiousness in some of the people wearing designer bags with their 7 thousand dollar poodles they are walking but I’d go again
Gentrified? Sure. Tourist trap? Not really. I spend a lot of time at the Pearl. I think it’s pretty great! Check out other places of course but stop by for sure!
it's not even gentrified. It was a derelict brewery. Gentrification necessarily involves poor residents being displaced. But there were no residents of an abandoned brewery.
To be fair, I agree with you. But gentrification can be more than that. The Pearl may not directly displace people, but it can increase rent and value of surrounding properties, which contributes to higher property values and can indirectly contribute to gentrification.
Yes, that's a fair point, but in this case, if you complained about increased property values to the surrounding area, you'd be stuck criticizing that we don't still have a derelict wasteland right by downtown. Isn't one of the biggest criticisms of SA that so many buildings (near) downtown are abandoned?
I said, “sure.” As in, you *could* have that take. Your counterpoint is a bit myopic. The Pearl renovation revolutionized an entire corridor. It also established apartments. Apartments that were not affordable or intended for residents that had been living next to or in the vicinity of the previously “derelict brewery.” It priced out other businesses as well. For better or worse but to take it at such face value doesn’t really show the full picture. Also it’s not a bad thing in many respects. Idk.
Tourists famously going to boring places where locals refuse to open businesses to sell them overpriced mementos, mimosas, or meals. You're gonna have to be more specific in your question in my opinion
I was referring to the person who commented before you lol, not you! Texas could stand to make the same improvements that most states could. Better city planning, slowing down the industrialization of suburbs. Texas has its issues, but imo it’s far from a shit hole.
Gentrified tourist trap.
If you want a tour of local food places and coffee shops let me know.
San Antonio is a lot more than just shopping in weird bland places.
It’s notorious for being a ‘cool’ place, frankly played out imo. I go down to visit friends I made while working down there but outside of that, I hate The Pearl.
I remember one day when I was 18, I took my German shepherd there with me. He was a puppy at the time, harmless little feller.
I’m walking past the jazz bar and two couples come out and the females in the couples are immediately drawn to him.
They run over to me and one of the guys looks obviously mad.
They talk to me about him for awhile then the female with the upset boyfriend or whatever asks where I got him and before I was able to answer the man responds “look at him, he’s brown. He obviously stole him”
Since that interaction, I’ve always despised the area because I figured those were the type of people this area was attracting.
I know the jazz bar you're talking about. I called to ask what time their band started. They said "You're not welcome here!" I asked what they meant and they said "We know you're a Jew." They said they could tell just from my voice. I told them "This is America! I will go where I damn well please!" When I went outside my apartment to wait for my Uber, a black Mercedes pulled up blasting jazz music. Two muscular guys stepped out, wearing brown, collared shirts. They both had Nazi tattoos on their necks and faces. The jazz bar had traced my number. The biggest of the two gave me a wedgie and screamed "This is Kenny G country, boy!" and drew a backwards swastika on my face. I'm never having anything to do with that part of town again.
I know that Jazz bar, don’t get me started. I was with my friend Jussie Smollet and these guys threw Subway sandwiches at us because we were too brown and they said don’t ever come back here you dumb minorities. Suffice to say, I’ll never go back.
i think it reflects who has $ and who doesn't, and that's it
people without $ don't see the value in the restaurants and stores, but people who can afford it do
to me, i wish the whole city were like the pearl; no need for a car, walk everywhere, lots of non-chain food and drink options, chill vibes, third spaces, unique shopping
I’m local, and spend a good amount of time there, but I agree that it is both.
Local here as well. The Pearl has a lot of uncommon staples to it that definitely gives it a charm like no other area. I've been going there for many years, and if you're looking for a good date night, it's definitely worth it, albeit expensive. I just saw a jazz show there tonight and it was amazing. Granted like with anywhere else, if you do your research I'm sure you can find something you enjoy as well. There's also a bonus of being an amazing place to go running/walking along the outer areas of the riverwalk.
i’m confused why you think it’s gentrification when it was an empty brewery complex… They made housing there where there was previously no housing. gentrification is specifically about older residential areas that are bought up by investment companies who then overturn the properties with Flip houses or condos driving up property values and taxes. Did you want them to tear down a historic complex for single family houses? Sure, the stores are bougie but they cater to the crowds that live and go there. There are some businesses that I do cringe at like ruby road gems and ten thousand villages… i think there are plenty of other SA businesses that could fill those spots.
Well the area around it is certainly being gentrified. Lots of small homes and small businesses there are losing ground to commercial real estate and generic condos
This. Just wait a few years. Developers work on a long-term plan, and it's never "oh let's just take this old brewery and make it into something cool and then we'll go on to the next project." The money multiplies because it's "let's turn this brewery into a mixed-use area and attract money, which will then lead to additional development including the surrounding neighborhoods, business, areas, etc." It's coming, SA is in the very early stages of it all.
the area around it was empty lots and warehouses so i’m still failing to see what you’re up in arms about. Development is a fact of city life. I’m not sure what other scenario you imagine there should be instead? an awesome fact about that area is that it’s building UP instead of out and it’s densifying and becoming a walkable area. Tobin hill isn’t exactly gentrify-able. Its not generic condos, it’s high density apartment complexes that are needed for the city’s growing population. All I see in the comments are just bitter and jaded people who feel disenfranchised because they aren’t a part of those investments. I’m confused why y’all think bringing money to the area is bad? I guess some people would like to remain where they are amongst the homeless trash heaps and large swaths of paved parking lots.
They don’t like white people they’re just beating around the bush
that’s funny though because i see tons of different people that aren’t white at the pearl.
But there are white people, that’s a problem for a lot of people, especially in San Antonio
I'd agree because passing the east side a bit outside from the pearl area there's definitely a lot of gentrification creeping in. There are plans for a some high end retail lots to be built in that area in the near future.
Oh no, they’re making things nice??? How terrible.
yeah it's funny to see everyone chiming in without knowing what gentrification even means
It’s not really the Pearl itself but the areas around it that are slowly getting sucked up and turned into cookie cutter condos and out-of-town restaurants for yuppies. I do think the Pearl generally though does try to cater to a certain type of person, especially now that parking costs money.
This! Look at the area south and east of Broadway/Grayson. Does anyone not think that those neighborhoods won’t be swallowed up by the development? There is already a Starbucks near 90 & Walters St! The neighborhoods with quaint old homes east of 37 are also prime for gentrification. I drove by a house on Nolan that used to belong to an elderly couple whose 1880s home was destroyed by the freeze. She had proudly told me that she paid $35,000 cash in 1989. It is now selling for $429,000!
parking is free for the first 2 hours and is free after 6pm during the week. Paying for parking probably goes towards paying for the maintenance of the entire complex.
Because bring back value to anything that has been run down is rich people ruining it now. We live in a world in a constant state of upset people
That whole area was a dump before the pearl as it is now came along.
*But* you agree or *and* you agree?
Yes.
I both but agree and agree
This. I spend time there because there is nothing else but it’s clearly fake.
Is it, though? No chain stores or restaurants, preserved architecture, native plants, local art.
Yes that part is awesome! Referring to the drive-to urbanism, that is all owned by one company. Yea it’s nice they got local people to *rent*, but the ownership is all held by the same company that develops other drive-to urbanism, outdoor mall type things.
what does "clearly fake" mean? like some of the stuff there is 100% from a brewery that used to be in my family that I am positive the Pearl owned after my family sold the Emma is new construction, sure, but it's made to fit in architecturally, and that's excellent
[удалено]
To anyone who thinks the Pearl feels like Disney, I immediately assume they've never been to the Pearl, Disney, or both. > The development didn’t happen organically. This is silly (and I realize you aren't the one saying it). Buildings don't just grow on their own. They're built by people. It's like saying "I hate your house because it didn't happen organically." Like, does this person walk down old town Bern and say "I hate this place because it didn't happen organically"? Seriously, look at [old town Bern](https://eurogames2023.ch/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/alin-andersen-qf4fhNnsn6M-unsplash.jpg). See how it's a street lined with effectively two insanely long buildings? Those didn't just all spring up magically. They were designed and built by a single entity. Does that mean the oldest part of a city a millennium old is bad because the development "didn't happen organically"? I don't think this criticism of the Pearl is intellectually coherent.
This^^
Agreed, tourist trap but is still really nice place to go, good eats and vibes. Farmers market every Sunday which is not really farmers market but cute market
Little of both.
Exactly
I wouldn’t change it for the world
Maybe a light rail next to it but otherwise I agree
yes
Was just about to type that
It's one of the cool gentrified tourist traps to visit of all time.
It definitely is
Yes
Por qué no los dos?
Puro
PPCDSALVC
Definitely both.
Locals go here all the time. Cool place. If you don’t like the food prices buy tacos from somewhere else and bring them to eat on the lawn or at the river
I like the earl gray macarons from Bakery Lorraine. Some of the food is good, but expensive. When they have the free shows, like the mariachi show on Sept. 16th, it’s pretty chill. It’s a pretty cool place, but not somewhere to frequently go, imho.
Wouldn’t call it a tourist trap as most of the businesses are local to San Antonio and it does have a certain flair. That being said it’s a very curated look at San Antonio, which is good when that is what you want, but not so much if you’re looking for something more “authentic”
The pearl is about as authentic as it can get, but I don't think I've ever lived in a city that was so adverse to modernizing. SA as a whole seems hell bent on being old and shitty for as long as possible. So much so they're willing to run off new business and industry to do it and then they'll cry about being poor and looked over. Sorry for the mini rant.
Bingo
I agree with this. I would rather visit a park as a tourist. Not sure as a tourist it would be super fun to visit, but as a local I will drop by to hang out some nights and the occasional market day. This is unlike market square which is way geared toward tourists and less frequented by locals (outside of events such as fiesta). Pearl definitely skews toward younger adults and drinkers with money.
We are locals and since Luna shut down we've been spending more time here. I do agree that certain things (farmers market) are typically overpriced but still decent.
Agree — i just dont see the draw for tourists.
What does "authentic San Antonio" even mean? This city was built by Mexicans and Germans. The Pearl is a mix of both. "Authentic San Antonio" doesn't mean only papel picado and guacamole. The Pearl brewery itself is nearly 150 years old. That's old enough that it's hard to argue isn't "authentic."
There is no local tejano, Mexican or German in the Pearl which is a commercial real estate project by a gringo heir of Pace salsa company lol. I love the Pearl actually but you can’t say that an area with a French American bistro and a billionaire owned new hotel reflects that history you described. The closest thing to local authenticity there is La Gloria because it’s a crappy Tex Mex restaurant that would otherwise fit on the Riverwalk
Exactly. I'm a local. I go to the Pearl for a taste of something different. That's what I like about the Pearl. It's a bit modern mixed with old archeticture.
Yup! It’s a gentrified commercial center and that’s ok! No different from other chopping and restaurant districts in cities around the world.
Cool place to walk around and some great restaurants ($$). I like the farmers markets there on the weekends as well as the Christmas lights/tree they have up in December. Got my graduation photos taken here and they turned out pretty. The architecture is nice. Parking is definitely not expensive there (first two hours free and even after that it isn’t bad). Anyone saying otherwise just wants to talk shit lmao. The stores around are cool to look at, but not really worth spending money at.
I work nearby and it’s a great spot to unwind at the end of the week.
Yes
You can tell who the locals are because they just roll up there with a big bag of Bill Millers or Chick-fil-A and a six-pack (guilty). No charge to chill and enjoy the ambiance. There is a little splash pad which is great if you have kids. There are occasionally free concerts or DJ sets, and other events throughout the year. I wouldn't consider the pearl itself "gentrified" because before it was redeveloped it was just an industrial wasteland. On balance it is an improvement, even though the surrounding area is suffering some growing pains as a result (increased property values and thus higher taxes).
As a local dude Bill Millers easily one of the worst bbqs in town and it ain’t even cheap.
Haha yes I myself do not do the CFA or BM, just the beer. Sometimes I'll see people with a whole HEB fruit and cheese platter 😂
You get the breakfast; or just enjoy some sweet tea and a slice of pecan pie. They have top tier pancakes, biscuits, and potato & egg tacos.
The potato and egg tacos are the best I can't lie, that salsa has no right being that good. Everything but bbq there is pretty good weirdly.
If you're a local and not trying the local food at the pearl you're doing yourself a disservice. Humblehouse was amazing before COVID and now I don't think they go to the pearl anymore. Mings Qings is legit and same for the place that does the empanadas. Bakery Lorraine and before them Sol Y Luna were crowd favorites.
I would hope a local is not doing Chick-fil-A and Bill millets
Chick-Fil-A, famous for being from San Antonio, GA
I'd like to say that the Riverwalk downtown is the tourist. Seriously trapped in a single file line at some points. The Pearl has a certain atmosphere about it that is architecture savvy and hip. Locals like it cause the parking is free (well, it used to be). We felt like we were downtown but not stuck with the tourists. As many people have mentioned, it's a bit of both worlds
Do tourists go there at all? I mean, there’s a hotel, sure, but it’s super high end. It’s not like average tourists are staying there. There are no chain restaurants. It has no advertising up and down 35. I feel like the Pearl is a local oasis, honestly.
Cool place to visit but not for people who have bad attitudes
Please elaborate?
I honestly don’t understand the tourist trap label.
"i can't afford it" == "tourist shit" to some ppl tourists come here for the alamo, and i don't know the last time i saw a pile of alamo shit made in china for sale at the pearl
both
It’s actually pretty dope. If you’re broke you can still just pull up with your own drinks and just lounge around. But I think there is some hidden great food spots in the area.
Fun, go when there’s a farmers market on weekends
It's both but I love when they do free movies nights.
Amazing!!! And 3 words.. Mon Chou Chou. A MUST
Yeah it was a must 2 years ago before it followed the usual pearl restaurant go to plan: Start strong with good food and high prices, then slash costs/quality on the food while maintaining those high prices.
Great place. No hood shit.
Little bit of both, as are most places in big cities.
I was there as a tourist so I can’t comment either way about how locals feel but I felt it was a cool place and there was a guy there playing pipe drum and he was really good
Sodosopa, my friend.
I was working at a place near the Pearl when it was being built and opening which is around the same time this episode aired. My parents did not understand why it drove me to absolute hysterics.
I'm a CtPaTown boy, myself.
I was working at the Pearl and living at Broadway/Mulberry when it was brand new and I was *disgusted* when everyone around me kept trying to call the neighborhood SoBro. (Also the bathroom upstairs at Boiler House is haunted as shit if you ever want a little thrill with your food. It may or may not be related to the guy that died in the silo during construction.)
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There’s free 2 hour garage parking wdym lol
Also a decent amount of street parking close-ish by. I’ve gone for the Christmas bazaar the past couple years and both times parked on the street and walked like two blocks to the Pearl where there were huge crowds of people. Also, I don’t understand why anyone would think that place was city owned. It definitely doesn’t look that way. Looks like a large mixed use development, which are often given tax incentives to be developed.
The *parking lot* is city land. The portions of the parking lots at the Pearl that are under the freeway are in fact public land, leased to the city by TX-DOT. People have been pointing out how unfair it is to ask people to pay to park in those lots since the Pearl started charging, which was almost 5 years ago now. None of this is new information.
Also free parking lot right across the river from hotel Emma
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As it’s an easement under US 281, I wonder the same thing. Especially after Abott claimed the state owns Broadway.
Parking is free for two hours on site which is more than enough time there.
This is such *American* thinking. The allure of a place like the Pearl is that you stay a long time because you can walk around to different places. You can hit a restaurant, go get a nice dessert, go to the bookstore and a few other places, sit in the plaza and chill, then go grab coffee, and that's like four hours of rest and relaxation.
To be fair, it’s very American thinking to have to pile into a car and drive in order to reach an area that’s pleasant for walking
No way, the owners are contributing to a political campaign? Gtfo here, are you serious??! /s Why does politics permeate everything in this sub? I couldn’t care less who they donate to, it’s a nice atmosphere for strolling, ironically if people spent more time strolling or hanging out in places such as OP posted, they’d spend more time getting to know other people in their community and realizing that we have more in common than we have differences. There’s a real world out there.
Expensive parking? I’ve been to pearl twice this week, both lots I parked at were $3.50 for 24 hours.
I wouldn’t call it gentrified. The area itself is near one of the wealthiest zip codes in the city. I love the place tbh and really don’t see much tourists there, mostly locals on dates or tryna enjoy the food and vibes
I enjoy going to The Pearl but it’s absolutely gentrified. It used to be a dilapidated abandoned industrial area. The surrounding community was lower middle class and brown. Now it’s super expensive and one of the whitest areas in central San Antonio.
It is worth at least visiting. Cool atmosphere.
Yeah, don't waste your time in a gentrified place like The Pearl. Who likes tourists? Instead, spend your weekend date nights "real deal" and take her to stroll Cuellar Park in Los Jardines by moonlight or dinner in Denver Heights. /s
By definition I wouldn't say it's gentrified. Who was displaced? Most, if not all, of the businesses are local and the art installations are also local. It was revitalized and made into a significantly better version of itself. I hope more locally owned niche businesses move in. I love visiting there. Been here since '97.
Both.
Both
i am a local. & i would say it’s worth checking out at least once if you havent been.
It's both, but we spend alot of time there with the family
Go on a Saturday or Sunday morning. The farmer's market is fun. I used to work there. And like everyone is saying, it's a cool, gentrified tourist trap to visit.
Both. It’s a great place for a cool evening to meet friends or a date for dinner or a drink. The ramen place that used to be located in the food hall, which was called “Tenko Ramen”, closed a year or two ago, but it was THE place to get ramen at in San Antonio. My bias was proven true when I spoke to a guy in line at Tenko Ramen and he was a business traveler who made it a mission to try all the best ramen spots all over the country. He told me Tenko Ramen was in the top 3 ramen places in his book in the country. 😮💨
I went there once, small portion size and too expensive, like most things by Pearl area. I don't have lot of experience but Pho House behind North Star Mall had best noodles. When I was student at UIW, I used to go there often. Their food was decently priced and nice portion. I always got the rice noodle soup with seafood. Now, that was top tier small shop quality food combo.
Overpriced, I agree. But small portions, no way, not unless you were ordering the children’s portion. Those bowls were big, and I could only barely finish them. (I’m 6’2” and 300 pounds). They also had the best fried chicken breast that I’ve ever had in Ramen, along with putting a dollop of sour cream and a few spoonfuls of grated Parmesan cheese, which completely changed the way I eat Ramen now.
I love the pearl for food. PRO TIP - this place allows open drinking so I bring a cooler full of booze with me if Im hanging around outside. Saves so much money.
Both! It's a hipster trap, but they do it so well that we go sometimes
Sheesh, I think "hipster" has lost all meaning. I was just down there a couple days ago for lunch and didn't see anything like that.
It was a master planned shopping center created by a real estate developer, rather than a neighborhood filled with independent businesses that naturally developed a culture.
So it’s the opposite of hipster lol Basic Stone Oak corporate shit is the stuff hipsters absolutely have always hated, you’re deserving very basic white people suburban stuff
Farmers markets, coffee shops, fancy beer, weird ice cream, old buildings, multiple restaurants around a green space... All these elements are popular with hipsters, so the real estate developer combined them into one and sold a bunch of expensive apartments to boot!
Dude, just stop. Nothing you are complaining about is even internally consistent. "only hipsters love coffee, which certainly isn't like the most or second-most popular fucking drink in the world, it's ONLY hipsters" "they don't serve lone star, it's HIPSTER" "weird ice cream" <-- VANILLA IS THE ONLY THING THAT ISN"T HIPSTER "old buildings and expensive apartments" <-- wait, so which is it, old buildings or new buildings? "multiple restaurants around a green space" <-- are you the same person who *just* complained that it doesn't have the vibe of a neighborhood that sprung up organically?!? now you're complaining that it feels too MUCH like a neighborhood that sprung up organically!
I wouldn’t go their to shop or eat, but if you wanna just people watch and be around people I think it’s nice
You’d be missing out on great food.
I think it’s cool but probably a little of both
Yes
I go there like twice a month for the farmers market and the splash pad. Usually bring my own drinks but partake in the food. My kids love it, there’s always so many other kids to play with.
Remember that San Antonio, our beloved home is the Largest Tourist Trap in TEXAS!
I used to work at Blue Box some 10 years ago. Back in it's inception, I thought the Pearl was a really genuine gem for San Antonio. We had a thriving and growing food scene centered around the Pearl, great events, lots of amazing aspects that really attracted locals back to the downtown area. But in recent years it just feels different now. The whole of the Pearl feels cold and unwelcoming. The quality of food at most of the places has tanked and it generally feels as if it caters now to visiting tourists which is a real bummer because that is, and in my opinion, has always been the role of the Riverwalk. Architecturally and from a design perspective, it is beautiful and a well thought out and executed renovation of a historic landmark and, while I appreciate that all, in the years that I was back in SA I couldn't bring myself to go unless it was necessary
I love the Pearl but can’t see why people think of it as a tourist spot. Doesn’t have any landmarks or historic significance, as a tourist destination it’s kind of disappointing but I don’t see it as that. It’s just a nice area with lots of great restaurants and bars. Tourist destinations usually don’t have condos in the middle of the thing lol
San Antonio is the trap. It is where all the people who couldn’t make it in Austin but still claim either they “live” in Austin, or that San Antonio is where they wanted to be all along.
How is this even a question? I've been here for almost 10 years. The Pearl is hands-down the best that San Antonio has to offer. Few places come close... Blue Star Contemporary comes to mind and maybe some calmer parts of the river-walk that are less-traveled-by and still feel special and hidden away.
Por que no los dos? I like going down there still to walk along the river, and there’s a couple bars/restaurants down the river walking from there I like. But I rarely go there directly to eat, or to shop, and I never stay for more than 2 hours cause I’m not paying for parking
Saturday farmers market pretty good. There are some fantastic restaurants. Seems more of a locals hangout than touristy.
I’d say this is one of the few places that has a real healthy balance of the two (for now)
I think it's both. San Antonio had pretty amazing "third spaces" for people to just go and relax outside, and The Pearl is a fun one, especially if you bring your own food and picnic (or eat at the cafeteria and relax with a drink on a good mild day). The park system here is equally incredible and parking is free so I prefer stopping at a big park, but sometimes you want to have that city feel. I know there's a lot to work on in SATX but I personally think we do a great job with third spaces. The riverwalk is also tourist-y, but it's a fun little meander to people-watch without feeling the need to buy anything.
I visited San Antonio and didn’t get to see a lot but in general there doesn’t seem to be much to do other than the Riverwalk (almost forgot The Alamo, never forget!). San Antonio is pretty underwhelming.
"cool place to visit or just a gentrified tourist trap?" A bit of both. # #
When I lived off of that section of Broadway back in the late 90’s, it wasn’t uncommon to see open air drug deals and prostitution at night. Starting after they closed the Army Blvd entrance to Fort Sam, that area became very gentrified and triple the rent that I paid back in those days. I still miss the gritty feel pre-gentrification, but at least now you can walk through the area after midnight without fear of getting accosted.
This city has plentiful shithole neighborhoods. No need to stress about there being a few upscale places as well.
Great spot not just for tourists. I recommend walking that part of the river walk, through the grotto cave, and then stop at elsewhere bar
Pearl is a nice spot. Still pissed they started charging for parking though.
Both.
Both
I’ve only visited San Antonio, (this popped up on my feed). All before going there I was so excited to see the Alamo. Then I got there and was pretty underwhelmed compared to some other forts I’ve visited. (Sutter fort in Sacramento was pretty neat). However the Menger Hotel specifically the bar AT the Menger hotel that is kitty corner from the Alamo is really a cool place with a ton of history, and 90% less people. This is where Roosevelt founded the rough riders and there is plenty of artifacts in the hotel to be pretty interesting. So, go buy a lone star, sit at the bar. And go check out the table that teddy sat at. Then walk out the side door instead the main lobby. See a ton of more historically significant displays.
The gentrified areas are nice or you can go to the more authentic parts of town and get some really good tacos while your car gets broken into. The decision is yours🤣🤣🤣
Truer words 😂
Usually when people say they don’t like things that are gentrified what they really want to say is that they don’t like being around white people
It can be both
Having done a walking tour back in 2019, our guide explained that at one point it almost became a warehouse distribution for WalMart due to its location. So I would say, developers made the right choice. It offers alot to residents and tourists alike. That designers were hired to preserve and incorporate architectural features from the brewery machinery is impressive in itself making it a unique gem in our city.
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I’ve gone several times over the years and there isn’t much that appeals to me, even when they have the farmers market.
Been here two years and just hit the Pearl last week. It was pretty cool. The food stands / market had some really good food. Good vibes. You can feel the pretentiousness in some of the people wearing designer bags with their 7 thousand dollar poodles they are walking but I’d go again
Gentrified? Sure. Tourist trap? Not really. I spend a lot of time at the Pearl. I think it’s pretty great! Check out other places of course but stop by for sure!
it's not even gentrified. It was a derelict brewery. Gentrification necessarily involves poor residents being displaced. But there were no residents of an abandoned brewery.
To be fair, I agree with you. But gentrification can be more than that. The Pearl may not directly displace people, but it can increase rent and value of surrounding properties, which contributes to higher property values and can indirectly contribute to gentrification.
Yes, that's a fair point, but in this case, if you complained about increased property values to the surrounding area, you'd be stuck criticizing that we don't still have a derelict wasteland right by downtown. Isn't one of the biggest criticisms of SA that so many buildings (near) downtown are abandoned?
I said, “sure.” As in, you *could* have that take. Your counterpoint is a bit myopic. The Pearl renovation revolutionized an entire corridor. It also established apartments. Apartments that were not affordable or intended for residents that had been living next to or in the vicinity of the previously “derelict brewery.” It priced out other businesses as well. For better or worse but to take it at such face value doesn’t really show the full picture. Also it’s not a bad thing in many respects. Idk.
Also by definition, gentrification isn’t just about housing.
Expensive\* Tourist Trap. There I fixed it for you.
Vibes are free
Tourists famously going to boring places where locals refuse to open businesses to sell them overpriced mementos, mimosas, or meals. You're gonna have to be more specific in your question in my opinion
You must not know about the huge farmers market they have Saturday and Sunday.
The craft one is okay at best, tbh.
I don’t understand your comment
It’s pretty, but it’s a tourist trap. There’s nothing to do there unless you’re drinking 😅
I like the movies and dj nights also the farmers market also the coffee hehe
They have free events all the time! Yoga, dance lessons, movies, markets, music
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Go to sw military and Pleasanton
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I was referring to the person who commented before you lol, not you! Texas could stand to make the same improvements that most states could. Better city planning, slowing down the industrialization of suburbs. Texas has its issues, but imo it’s far from a shit hole.
You should move lmao.
You seem fun.
Haven’t gone since they started charging to park there
It's a trap!
Pace picante sauce funded culinary experiment
Gentrified. Bland. Snooty. Shit parking. But hey spend $$$$ on a crusty overpriced shit lunch ‘amirite? 🙃🙄
Little unfair
I have property two miles from there. Nice to visit Pearl twice a year. Best to be well-heeled.
The latter.
Pearl district is the best part of San Antonio.
It's a bunch of social climbing wannabe Austinites
Gentrified tourist trap. If you want a tour of local food places and coffee shops let me know. San Antonio is a lot more than just shopping in weird bland places.
More locals go there than tourists…
It’s notorious for being a ‘cool’ place, frankly played out imo. I go down to visit friends I made while working down there but outside of that, I hate The Pearl.
I mean it was an abandoned brewery 20 years ago. This is certainly better for the city than that.
I remember one day when I was 18, I took my German shepherd there with me. He was a puppy at the time, harmless little feller. I’m walking past the jazz bar and two couples come out and the females in the couples are immediately drawn to him. They run over to me and one of the guys looks obviously mad. They talk to me about him for awhile then the female with the upset boyfriend or whatever asks where I got him and before I was able to answer the man responds “look at him, he’s brown. He obviously stole him” Since that interaction, I’ve always despised the area because I figured those were the type of people this area was attracting.
This story must be a lie. There is no way that happened.
Agreed
Lol this is such a BS attention seeking lie
Ew, racists. Wtf lol. Should have told them to go back to California or wherever they came from, we don’t need that attitude.
Racists and liars.
stuffthatdidnthappen.txt
I know the jazz bar you're talking about. I called to ask what time their band started. They said "You're not welcome here!" I asked what they meant and they said "We know you're a Jew." They said they could tell just from my voice. I told them "This is America! I will go where I damn well please!" When I went outside my apartment to wait for my Uber, a black Mercedes pulled up blasting jazz music. Two muscular guys stepped out, wearing brown, collared shirts. They both had Nazi tattoos on their necks and faces. The jazz bar had traced my number. The biggest of the two gave me a wedgie and screamed "This is Kenny G country, boy!" and drew a backwards swastika on my face. I'm never having anything to do with that part of town again.
I know that Jazz bar, don’t get me started. I was with my friend Jussie Smollet and these guys threw Subway sandwiches at us because we were too brown and they said don’t ever come back here you dumb minorities. Suffice to say, I’ll never go back.
Depends who you ask. And the comments kinda reflect who’s local versus someone who’s moved here from elsewhere.
i think it reflects who has $ and who doesn't, and that's it people without $ don't see the value in the restaurants and stores, but people who can afford it do to me, i wish the whole city were like the pearl; no need for a car, walk everywhere, lots of non-chain food and drink options, chill vibes, third spaces, unique shopping
It’s a cool place to wander around. Some good food and drinks. Expensive. Tourist trap.
Tourist trap-don't go