New San Antonio Bar Merci Jones Offers Unforced Cool and Top-Notch Service

The latest venture from Empty Stomach Group brings a classy cocktail spot to lower Broadway.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Merci Jones, the newest bar from San Antonio's Empty Stomach Group, has opened on lower Broadway. The establishment merges elements of the group's other concepts, Barbaro and Double Standard, offering an unfussy cool vibe and a focus on quality cocktails and service.

Why it matters

The opening of Merci Jones adds to the growing culinary and nightlife scene around the intersection of Broadway and Jones, cementing the area as a destination for San Antonians and visitors alike.

The details

Merci Jones features a deep green wall hung salon-style with framed art and taxidermy, a checkerboard floor, and custom lantern pendants with bold red lettering. The drink menu keeps things playful, with a '7 for $7 till 7' happy hour featuring classics like Mai Tais and Salty Dogs, as well as two signature cocktails. The bar is led by manager Steven Santillan and bartender Rachel Villalobos, who have crafted a thoughtful, well-executed program focused on quality and care.

  • Merci Jones opened in February 2026.

The players

Empty Stomach Group

A San Antonio-based hospitality group that owns and operates several popular restaurants and bars in the city, including Hot Joy, Petit Coquin, Barbaro, and Double Standard.

Steven Santillan

The bar manager at Merci Jones, who helped craft the bar's straightforward menu from the very beginning.

Rachel Villalobos

A bartender at Merci Jones who worked alongside Steven Santillan to create the bar's thoughtful, well-executed cocktail program.

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What they’re saying

“During the Current's onsite visit, Merci Jones's bar manager Steven Santillan worked diligently serving up customers, setting the tone for the kind of attentive, unpretentious hospitality the space embodies.”

— Steven Santillan, Bar Manager (sacurrent.com)

The takeaway

Merci Jones offers a classy and cool cocktail experience that complements the growing culinary and nightlife scene in San Antonio's lower Broadway neighborhood, showcasing the Empty Stomach Group's commitment to quality and hospitality.