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Mad Dogs British Pub at the San Antonio Riverwalk
You're at the Riverwalk. You're feeling kind of British. Or maybe you ARE British! And you want to bump some elbows and enjoy some brewskis with some raucous, a bit of debauchery, and some fantastic beer? Mad Dogs British Pub on the Riverwalk might be the place for you. It features some classic food, imported drafts, and servers in kilts at the riverfront. Televisions, a patio, and themed parties are also available. It's located in the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk area at 123 Losoya Street #19 in San Antonio, Texas. Mad Dogs prides itself on being an authentic British, not just another 'wannabe' British bar. ON top of imported beers and a broad range of full draft beer, they officer exotic drinks and other domestic beverages. The tropical location near the river makes for a tranquil area to enjoy a beer or watch tourists walk by.
The Good:
Yes, the restaurant has fish and chips! They also have cottage pie, bangers and mash, and scotch eggs. Scotch Eggs are amazing, by the way! Burgers, salads, and sandwiches are also served, as well as foods for those who are vegetarian. Every night of the week, Mad Dogs has some entertain ment going on. There's disc jockeys, live bands, and karaoke. As mentioned earlier, there are also theme parties. The bar boasts sixteen high definition televisions and two jump televisions. When it's come for NBA games, the Alamo Bowl, and The Final Fours, Mad Dogs has it covered. Pool tables and video games are available for your enjoyment, and to add some extra flair, look out for the signed dollar bills from celebrities that have visited Mad Dogs in the past. There is a private bar area that can be reserved for corporate events, wedding celebrations, and birthday parties. The full menu is available on the website, as well as a picture of Scotch eggs so that you know exactly what you're missing out on in case you haven't set foot into Mad Dogs yet. Draught beers include various Lagers, Ale, Guinness Stout, Strongbow Cider, and Blue Moon. There's the Cricket Bat Beer Sampler for $10.50 that features two options of beer flights to try, or you can choose your mix. Margaritas, pina coladas, daiquiris are available, as well as beer cocktails and fun drinks like Snake Bite and Black Velvet. Yes, there's Whiskey and Bourbon, and lots of it, including Gentleman Jack and Maker's Mark. There's Tequila, while, Hennchata, and upgraded margaritas and mojitos, martinis and whiskey cocktails. Upcoming events are presented on the website, and the daily bands are outlines. Pictures of past theme parties are available as well, and some theme parties include the themes of Toga, Super Heroes, Luau, and Pajama parties. Many people mentioned that the food was deliicious and that they had a fantastic time. In case you're into the beer, but not the British food, there's a twenty-four-hour Mexican restaurant available up to the walkway not far from Mad Dogs. The cheesecake and Scotch eggs are highly recommended. The music is impressive, as the artists invited to perform with energy for a growing crowd. Mad Dogs is a nice, easy walk from the area's hotels.
The Bad:
Unfortunately, the cleanliness of the restroom was a concerning factor. It's not considered a family friendly place, especially since hard liquor is being served, so consider that if you have very young children with you. While the music provides a lively atmosphere, it can be too loud inside, especially for those with hearing sensitivities and children. Some people felt that the waitresses and staff were rather rude at times. Some felt that perhaps most of the fried foods were fried in the same oil, as potentially the sweet potato fries may have the lingering taste of fish and chips. The mojito, to another reviewer, seemed like a combination of salt and water, with no essence of mint. In the same vein as potential rude staff, it may take a while to be greeted by the bar staff, and a longer time to have the food and drink order placed. The average may be about ten to fifteen minutes for each of those. If areas are reserved, they may not have a 'reserved' sign, so be careful when picking out seats in areas that seem strangely absent of people in a crowded bar. The coleslaw seems to be bland with a flavor that is lacking some, so it may be best to steer clear from it. Individuals may feel that the woman in kilts wearing revealing clothing may be exploitation of women. So if you're a woman and you're the jealous type, it's probably not a great idea to bring your date here because there's a lot of flesh showing, and the night may end up being not-so-great. Keep in mind that the only dark beer on tap is Guinness.
Final Thoughts:
This is a great place to drink beer, listen to live music, dance a bit, and relax on the patio. The crowd is probably more for the late thirties to sixties. The music is a blend of rap, to dance, to rock and pop. The prices are mostly reasonable for the food and the drinks. Service is relatively quick, even though the servers may not be the most welcoming when it comes to staff behavior and customer service. The artichoke and spinach appetizer is the best when it comes to the dip realm, and the portion sizes are perfect for the price. It's probably not the best area for large groups who want to socialize, as the music inside is way too loud, but it's great for those who want to chill, unwind and watch television, or some television. And did I mention how amazing the Scotch Eggs are? Military discount is offered, by the way. Luckily, there's no strict dress code, so come as you are...within reason, of course!
© 2018 Charlotte Doyle