The Porch

EVAN IS THE BEST EVER!!! Him and biscuit make the porch so amazing!!! Highly recommend!!!

This place was really fun ! Love the big spacious bar area. Me and my girlfriend hung out and ate and watched a band play. Super beautiful woodwork and vibe. The waiter was very laid back and helpful and let us take our burgers into the music bar part. We had the fried pickles along with our bacon cheese burgers- really really good food. Will definitely come here again! Great place for being in the historic downtown too. Will defo be back!

Noah Lopez

The porch is my favorite spot to go out. Joey and Rachel are great and always help me and my friends. Best bar in San Marcos and excellent atmosphere. Highly recommend it!!

Josh Motsenbocker

Joey and Rachel are the absolute best bartenders! Me and my friends always enjoy the atmosphere they bring to the porch and are regulars at this point. No other bar has the vibes that this place. Towanda must be talking about another bar, because that’s not the porch I know.

Stormy Johnson

EVAN IS THE BEST EVER!!! Him and biscuit make the porch so amazing!!! Highly recommend!!!

Michael Tsuji

Stopped by on a work trip for dinner. Got the catfish basket with fried okra, delicious food and reasonably priced. Bartender was nice. Would definitely recommend.

Rusti Johnson

The environment was so amazing and the bartenders were absolutely angels. 10/10 would definitely go again!

Ash Gray

This place was really fun ! Love the big spacious bar area. Me and my girlfriend hung out and ate and watched a band play. Super beautiful woodwork and vibe. The waiter was very laid back and helpful and let us take our burgers into the music bar part. We had the fried pickles along with our bacon cheese burgers- really really good food. Will definitely come here again! Great place for being in the historic downtown too. Will defo be back!

Sara S

This is the BEST spot in San Marcos for brews and people watching on the square. The live music line up is fire too. The staff is super kind, my crew and I feel safe there. Been coming here for years, and will keep going back! Love this place. Bonus: the place is run by women, LFG!

Haley Stoner

Staying in town for the weekend, and came here as a recommendation to someone that was with us. We LOVED it. The food was awesome, had a burger, the mac burger, spicy garlic wings and the chicken bacon ranch pita. We also got motz sticks and onion rings for an appetizer. The service was awesome as well. We had Adriana as our server and she was wonderful, gave recommendations and just visited with us. Also Kevin we got to talk with as well and also gave recommendations and was just an all around awesome and hilarious guy! We enjoyed both of them greatly! They actually seemed or acted like they truly enjoyed their job(which is rare anymore)! We loved the vibe as well and none of us felt rushed. Also had a great beer/drink selection! We will absolutely be back!

Genuinely had a really good time here! Live music was nice and the crowd was really cool. My only complaint is I had my service dog with me- and no not just an emotional support animal, a trained service dog to assist with my disability. Since it was loud punk music playing we had already planned to sit on the patio hence why I didn’t correct the door man and didn’t wanna make it a big deal(plus it would’ve been hard for him to hear me over the music anyway), but I went out of my way to tell the doorman “Just so you know, he’s a service animal” and he had a vest clearly marked as such, I was letting him know in case we had to go into the bar to use the bathroom or anything. In response he said “Okay, but all dogs have to stay on the patio”. He wasn’t rude, it was just clear to me he wasn’t educated on the fact service dogs are by law considered medical equipment and have public access rights, including inside bars or food establishments so long as they are not behind the bar or in the kitchen. Again not at all unhappy! And like I said we were planning on sitting outside anyway, but I felt as if I couldn’t go in and use the bathroom or anything in fear of being asked to leave. He was just doing his job and didn’t know, maybe the bar has had experiences before with fake service dogs and thats why he said that, but it would be nice if maybe the staff had a brief meeting educating on service dog public access, ADA laws, and etiquette :) overall the place had a very nice vibe and we had a good time!

Silas Alexander

Genuinely had a really good time here! Live music was nice and the crowd was really cool. My only complaint is I had my service dog with me- and no not just an emotional support animal, a trained service dog to assist with my disability. Since it was loud punk music playing we had already planned to sit on the patio hence why I didn’t correct the door man and didn’t wanna make it a big deal(plus it would’ve been hard for him to hear me over the music anyway), but I went out of my way to tell the doorman “Just so you know, he’s a service animal” and he had a vest clearly marked as such, I was letting him know in case we had to go into the bar to use the bathroom or anything. In response he said “Okay, but all dogs have to stay on the patio”. He wasn’t rude, it was just clear to me he wasn’t educated on the fact service dogs are by law considered medical equipment and have public access rights, including inside bars or food establishments so long as they are not behind the bar or in the kitchen. Again not at all unhappy! And like I said we were planning on sitting outside anyway, but I felt as if I couldn’t go in and use the bathroom or anything in fear of being asked to leave. He was just doing his job and didn’t know, maybe the bar has had experiences before with fake service dogs and thats why he said that, but it would be nice if maybe the staff had a brief meeting educating on service dog public access, ADA laws, and etiquette :) overall the place had a very nice vibe and we had a good time!

the food was sub par. my chilli was to be homemade and tasted like it came from a can. the other 2 dishes were ok. none of out orders came out hot. they were luke warm. the service was the worst. everything had to be ordered from the bar even when she came to the table. when we went to bar she was nowhere to be found and stood there waiting like an idiot. additionally they were not busy at all. I guess I know why.

The food was good and we enjoyed the atmosphere. The service was terrible. Th le waitress at on her phone at a table with another waitress and barely came to check on us.

Lauren Hughes

The food was good and we enjoyed the atmosphere. The service was terrible. Th le waitress at on her phone at a table with another waitress and barely came to check on us.

Ronald Vigneau

the food was sub par. my chilli was to be homemade and tasted like it came from a can. the other 2 dishes were ok. none of out orders came out hot. they were luke warm. the service was the worst. everything had to be ordered from the bar even when she came to the table. when we went to bar she was nowhere to be found and stood there waiting like an idiot. additionally they were not busy at all. I guess I know why.

My friend and I have been coming here for the last couple years and at first I liked the vibe and the service was okay at best. We have gone the last 2 Saturdays and both time were ignored by the male bar tender both times (Aaron I think is his name). When we FINALLY did get served the drinks were by far the worst drinks I've ever had. Tequila sunrise was just sugar in a cup and then we tried the long island iced tea from a different bar tender and it was even more sugary. They clearly don't know how to make drinks. It's consistently gone downhill over the last several months and we decided to just not go here anymore. It's sad but I'm not going to wait 20 minutes for a horribly made drink anymore. And no they weren't busy either time. We are in our 30s so we don't go out late. Also... they will severely over charge at random times. Most of the time I pay about $5 for a domestic beer and the last time I got just ONE budlight I was told it was $10. I immediately went to another bar. I've seen other people have this issue so BEWARE they DO try to scam on prices. They really need to do hospitality training on their bartenders.

Like most other subpar clubs and bars who hold themselves out to be "exclusive" or where no one listens to what you're playing (this place falling in the latter category), the delight on their faces from unclear and arbitrary policies with one person going on a power trip and then actively refusing artists at the last minute is disturbingly visible. Making up rules on the spot and enjoying saying no because I mean, what else power does one have as a sad manager of a college town bar on a Tuesday night. No wonder most of these establishments get nowhere. You're in a college town with no crowd. Get over your smug selves.

I rate 1 star pretty much everything everyone else said on here I agree nice pool tables though 🤓

While the atmosphere was chill, we witnessed a few disturbing things regarding sanitation/food safety. We witnessed a bar guy (not sure if he was a bartender) place the ice scoop on his personal drinking vessel), and we witnessed a different bar person-younger guy- blow his nose at the bar, and didn't wash his hands, before going on to touch cleaned dishes, etc. He also didn't wash his hands when he initially came into work. These things are disturbing amd can affect customers like myself, returning. Thank you

The bouncer was harassing me I am 20 years old and I was going to see a show at this bar the flyer said 18+ no cover and I was still supposed to pay cause I was 20 I was constantly harassed by the bouncer I had to take a phone call and he told me I wasn’t going to be aloud back in if I walked out again and when I was watching the concert almost every 15 mins to ask to see my hands he would grab my shoulder hard it hurt me and I was genuinely scared every time there were multiple people with the under 18+ markings on their hands were never approached I was the only one the whole time who was harassed I’m a female and a big man grabbing me every time aggressively to tug me and tell me to show me your hands is very wired and I get it your a bouncer but when I’m the only male or female in the entire place is awfully

Bartenders are bad with giving the correct change back. I'm not sure if she thought we wouldn't notice the extra $20 she gave herself, but we did and chose not to say anything to her. She obviously needed the money more than we did but we will choose NOT to go back for this reason. Female bartender on Friday, March 21st mid day.

My friends and I went for the KTSW event tonight. Each time we went to the bar we were blatantly ignored by the two bartenders on duty. We were never rude or obnoxious, we were actively tipping, etc. they made eye contact with us and then walked away multiple times. Ordering for our group took more than 10 minutes because of them ignoring us. (We were some of the only people standing at the bar). When we finally flagged them down, they rolled their eyes and had attitudes with us. It was frustrating because all of us had been polite and had been tipping as I said before. All in all, some of the worst service I’ve ever received.

Towanda Arnold

While the atmosphere was chill, we witnessed a few disturbing things regarding sanitation/food safety. We witnessed a bar guy (not sure if he was a bartender) place the ice scoop on his personal drinking vessel), and we witnessed a different bar person-younger guy- blow his nose at the bar, and didn't wash his hands, before going on to touch cleaned dishes, etc. He also didn't wash his hands when he initially came into work. These things are disturbing amd can affect customers like myself, returning. Thank you

nathaniel garcia

The bouncer was harassing me I am 20 years old and I was going to see a show at this bar the flyer said 18+ no cover and I was still supposed to pay cause I was 20 I was constantly harassed by the bouncer I had to take a phone call and he told me I wasn’t going to be aloud back in if I walked out again and when I was watching the concert almost every 15 mins to ask to see my hands he would grab my shoulder hard it hurt me and I was genuinely scared every time there were multiple people with the under 18+ markings on their hands were never approached I was the only one the whole time who was harassed I’m a female and a big man grabbing me every time aggressively to tug me and tell me to show me your hands is very wired and I get it your a bouncer but when I’m the only male or female in the entire place is awfully

Sophia Wortman

I rate 1 star pretty much everything everyone else said on here I agree nice pool tables though 🤓

Beverly McCue

Bartenders are bad with giving the correct change back. I'm not sure if she thought we wouldn't notice the extra $20 she gave herself, but we did and chose not to say anything to her. She obviously needed the money more than we did but we will choose NOT to go back for this reason. Female bartender on Friday, March 21st mid day.

Ollie Robinson

My friends and I went for the KTSW event tonight. Each time we went to the bar we were blatantly ignored by the two bartenders on duty. We were never rude or obnoxious, we were actively tipping, etc. they made eye contact with us and then walked away multiple times. Ordering for our group took more than 10 minutes because of them ignoring us. (We were some of the only people standing at the bar). When we finally flagged them down, they rolled their eyes and had attitudes with us. It was frustrating because all of us had been polite and had been tipping as I said before. All in all, some of the worst service I’ve ever received.

SR Anon

My friend and I have been coming here for the last couple years and at first I liked the vibe and the service was okay at best. We have gone the last 2 Saturdays and both time were ignored by the male bar tender both times (Aaron I think is his name). When we FINALLY did get served the drinks were by far the worst drinks I've ever had. Tequila sunrise was just sugar in a cup and then we tried the long island iced tea from a different bar tender and it was even more sugary. They clearly don't know how to make drinks. It's consistently gone downhill over the last several months and we decided to just not go here anymore. It's sad but I'm not going to wait 20 minutes for a horribly made drink anymore. And no they weren't busy either time. We are in our 30s so we don't go out late. Also... they will severely over charge at random times. Most of the time I pay about $5 for a domestic beer and the last time I got just ONE budlight I was told it was $10. I immediately went to another bar. I've seen other people have this issue so BEWARE they DO try to scam on prices. They really need to do hospitality training on their bartenders.

The Sanctuary

Like most other subpar clubs and bars who hold themselves out to be "exclusive" or where no one listens to what you're playing (this place falling in the latter category), the delight on their faces from unclear and arbitrary policies with one person going on a power trip and then actively refusing artists at the last minute is disturbingly visible. Making up rules on the spot and enjoying saying no because I mean, what else power does one have as a sad manager of a college town bar on a Tuesday night. No wonder most of these establishments get nowhere. You're in a college town with no crowd. Get over your smug selves.