San Antonio bar, music venue closing after 16 years; new bar planned

SAN ANTONIO – A bar and music venue on San Antonio’s North Side is closing in October following its 16th anniversary.

Retox Bar, located at Patricia Drive and West Avenue, will close due to a “combination of challenges,” a letter posted on its website states.

The bar’s final month includes live music every weekend leading up to Oct. 28, the last night in which the band Papa Wood is slated to perform. That night is dubbed as their “Halloween bash.”

The finale also marks the bar’s sweet 16: it opened on Oct. 23, 2007.

“With a blend of nostalgia and hope, we’re reaching out to the community that has embraced and uplifted us over the years,” the letter states. “From its inception, this venue has been a spotlight for emerging talents, a rhythmic floor for devoted fans, and a hub of unforgettable moments.”

The letter adds that complications over a lease renewal and regulations on a sprinkler installation, a rent increase, and other costs have led to the closure.

In the letter, owner Eddie Kaufman and staff thanked bands and patrons who visited the bar, and employees “whose dedication and hard work have been the heartbeat of Retox.”

“Retox has always been more than just a venue. It’s been a pulsating hub, a sanctuary for music lovers, and a testament to San Antonio’s dynamic musical heartbeat,” the letter reads.

Despite the closure, Kaufman said they’re planning for a new bar opening at the end of 2023 or the start of 2024.

That new bar will also serve as a music venue. Retox will keep customers updated on that new space on its social media channels.

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