2 Best Bars in San Marcos, The Hill Country

Although its Austin counterpart closed years ago, Showdown is still a mainstay in downtown San Marcos. The dark dive bar has a neighborly vibe, made stronger by the numbered mugs hanging above the bar for regulars. The cozy space manages to pack in two pool tables along with several pinball machines and plenty of tables for mixing and mingling. In addition to cold, cheap bottles and pitchers of beer, locals flock here to indulge in their jalapeño poppers, hash browns smothered in cheese and jalapeños, and sloppy-good burgers (you can even replace the bun with a quesadilla if you’d like).

Set in an eye-catching 1930s service station with a brick exterior, Zelick’s Icehouse features plenty of modern touches like craft beer, cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices, and a food truck serving burgers, tacos, and more. The rustic interior is certainly a draw, but so is the spacious exterior, which wraps around the building with loads of outdoor seating and space for groups, live music, and playing popular Texas games like horseshoes and cornhole.