Otto’s Ice House Is the Hangout Spot You Didn’t Know You Needed

By Sara Branstetter | April 24, 2025

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There’s an awful lot to love about the new watering hole, Otto’s Ice House, which recently opened adjacent to the Pearl Brewery. Tons of space, river views, laid back vibe, great food, quality drinks…need we say more? In fact, Otto’s Ice House is just about everything you could want in a neighborhood bar or weekend hangout with good friends and good drinks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Branstetter has called San Antonio, TX home for the last 20 years. She’s a wife of a veteran, mom of four, and a cuddler of the world's best dog. The army brought her family to San Antonio years ago, and the city, its culture, and its food have kept her here.

Otto's Ice House

A Little History

Otto’s is located directly across the river from the Pullman Market and delivers on both front-row river views and views of the south side of the historic Hotel Emma.

Named for the president and co-founder of the San Antonio Brewing Association, Otto Koehler, Otto was brutally murdered in 1914 by an alleged mistress in one of San Antonio’s most famous murder cases. It only seems appropriate that he would get a namesake eatery in the Pearl but also not quite in the Pearl where the specter of his wife Emma still looms quite large.

Location

Grisly murder aside, Otto’s Ice House has managed to create an incredibly welcoming and relaxed vibe for its patrons with its huge space and eclectic decor. Otto’s has ample indoor and outdoor seating as well as some yard games, an outdoor bar, and a stage for live music. Add the backdrop of the beautiful San Antonio river, and you can see why it is the perfect place for cold drinks with friends.

Food

Thankfully Otto’s doesn’t just stop with great drinks (of which they have many - both cocktails and an assortment of beers), but their food menu impresses with elevated pub grub that was absolutely delicious. While there, we sampled the German soft pretzel with house beer cheese and pretzel mustard, the chicken tinga tacos, and the carne asada plate. It’s not an oversell to say that everything was absolutely perfect.

The chicken tinga tacos were simple and straightforward, but were nothing short of perfect. The carne asada was tender and flavorful and the slab of meat could have stood alone, but was made that much better when paired with the homemade corn tortillas and salsa cruda. And it’s seriously not an oversell to say that Otto’s pretzel was the best pretzel I’ve ever had. I don’t imagine it’s particularly easy to be a standout in the world of pretzels, but somehow, Otto’s did just that.

When you make your visit to Otto’s, one of the best new restaurants in San Antonio (do it soon!), you will find free parking along the residential side streets, as well as paid parking in the Pullman Market Parking Lot for a reasonable fee. If it’s a busy weekend or evening, don’t waste your time circling and just hit the paid lot.

WEBSITE | 111 Newell Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212