In the heart of downtown San Antonio’s historic Houston Street, a new chapter unfolds as Bohanan’s, the venerable culinary landmark steakhouse, unveils its well-crafted first-floor renovation that extends into the restored Houston Street Court. Enhancing the already exquisite 10,000 sq. ft. second-floor fine dining realm, a lavish 6,000 sq. ft. renovation has unfolded, encompassing the first-floor bar, library, kitchen, service, and reception areas. Complementing this revitalization is an additional 2,500 sq. ft. courtyard adorned with purposefully restored original metalwork, tile, and fountain created by local artists.

 

Keeping Pace With Exponential Growth

In the midst of downtown San Antonio’s exponential growth and burgeoning neighborhoods, Bohanan’s Steakhouse, under Restaurateur Mark Bohanan’s visionary leadership, is an active participant in the unfolding urban metamorphosis. The strategic decision to expand aligns with the city's ambitious development plans, positioning Bohanan's at the forefront of the anticipated surge. With a keen eye on the future, Bohanan's is poised to seamlessly integrate into the downtown landscape, complementing forthcoming hotels, the Alamo restoration project, HemisFair, potential stadiums, and the strategic revitalization of Houston Street.

Moreover, Bohanan's dynamic partnerships with key cultural institutions such as The Majestic and Empire Theatres, the Las Casas Foundation, and The Alamo Museum highlight its commitment to fostering community connections. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between prosperity and community engagement, Bohanan's actively supports local non-profits through innovative culinary initiatives.

Mark Bohanan elaborates, “Our renovation investment of $500,000 is a testament to our commitment to being an integral part of the downtown renaissance. Bohanan's is not just a steakhouse; it's a vision where growth and responsibility intertwine, creating a shared success story with our neighbors and the heartbeat of our evolving city."

 

The Renovation Journey: Preserving Heritage Through Artistry

The Houston Street Court underwent a transformative journey in the early 2000s. Local artists left their mark in intricate tile work, metal craftsmanship, an imaginative fountain, and custom torchiere lighting—turning this courtyard into a hidden gem of artistic expression.

As the longest-standing neighbor to this historic courtyard, Bohanan’s instigated a careful and considerate renovation to extend its refined dining experience into the al fresco embrace of the Houston Street Court. The courtyard’s entrance, marked by 9’ tall steel gates by Ray Castillo and adorned with punched copper patterns by Isaac Maxwell Studio—is an homage to the same local artist workshop that defined this space more than two decades ago. Newly planted trees and lush planter boxes surround custom marble and brass tables. The original tile fountain, “Hope Springs,” is by prominent local artist Twyla Arthur. It has been meticulously restored and adds a gentle melody to the air. Underfoot, diamond green-flamed granite tiles pave the way for patrons to enjoy a sumptuous evening, while above, fabric shade canopies and string lights dance in the breeze, transforming the courtyard into an epicurean sanctuary.

 

The Elegant Bar and Library: Where Cocktails Meet Artful Design

The indoor renovation project was carefully curated to harmonize with the existing tapestry of the establishment. It unveils a fusion of bespoke design elements, each telling a story that resonates with the past and present.

The objective was clear: to enhance the historical essence of the turn-of-the-century building on historic Houston Street. The design team, led by Jill Giles and Mark Anders of Giles Design Bureau, seamlessly added layers integrated with the restaurant’s rich history. Nothing in this renovation is ordinary; each piece is a custom creation or a repurposed antique. Retrofitted into millwork are salvaged etched glass panels from Belgium; hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers cast a soft amethyst hue; European and American paintings from the 1800s to the 1930s contribute to the visual narrative.

Nestled off the entryway is the small, cozy space known as The Library. Classic volumes line the shelves—Rudyard Kipling and kindred spirits—each spine a glorious display of cloth, leather, marbleized papers, and touches of gold. Custom-designed booklights with Fortuny shield shades illuminate the literary treasures, complemented by an antique Louis Philippe mirror, 1930s horse head bookends, and delightful antique objets de fantaisie.

A gemstone palette twist has transformed Bohanan’s legendary bar. Rich colors and cut velvets create a beautiful, warm, and timeless ambiance. The design team gave special attention to the curved silhouette of the table chairs. The wrap-around design hugs you with jewel-toned, luxuriously sourced fabrics.

 

Dining in Style Downstairs

Bohanan’s introduces a carefully curated first-floor menu that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern culinary specialties and well-crafted cocktails. The first-floor menu is punctuated with hallmark steakhouse flavors for which Bohanan’s is renowned. Prime meats and seafood are featured in shareable appetizers, salads, soups, specialty sandwiches, and main courses. The first-floor renovation extends to the state-of-the-art kitchen, ample service area, and reception.

Scott Becker has been Bohanan’s General Manager for over 18 years. With his finger on the pulse of the clientele, Becker elaborates on the first-floor dynamics, “We listened to the voices around us. Our patrons love our ‘special occasion’ fine dining experience but expressed a desire for expeditious pre- and post-theater refreshments. Professionals sought a unique and memorable ambiance to entertain clients. Our ever-growing neighborhood residents longed for a walkable culinary indulgence. As opportunities arose, we chartered a course to bring the elegance of Bohanan’s to these ‘everyday’ experiences in our first-floor expansion.”

Bohanan’s new courtyard expansion is not merely an extension; it’s a continuation of a legacy, a tribute to the history of Houston Street, and an elevation of fine dining in San Antonio. With a dedicated team of 150 skilled professionals, including servers, wine stewards, and chefs, Bohanan’s elevates dining to an art form. Patrons find themselves immersed in a culinary oasis where the essence of classic elegance and exquisite cuisine converge. It serves as an unrivaled venue for business meetings and professional gatherings. The refined surroundings provide an atmosphere conducive to collaboration and success.

Whether gathering for pre-theatre cocktails, a leisurely rendezvous, or a pivotal business meeting—the courtyard, bar, and library beckon—offering stylish and sophisticated settings for all occasions and ready to serve the growing downtown district.

 

Bohanan’s has been privileged to witness shared moments of connection beyond exquisite steaks, luxurious dishes, and rare wines. Our 21+ year history of celebrating memorable occasions is a testament to the richness of relationships and the warmth of sacred bonds of connection—all illuminated in the heart of luxury.

Reservations are recommended and may be made via telephone or OpenTable. We are located at 219 East Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas. Valet parking is available for patrons.

Bohanan’s 2nd Floor Fine Dining is open Sunday-Thursday, 5:00-9:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5:00-10:00 p.m.; 210-472-2699

Bohanan’s 1st Floor Bar and Courtyard is open Sunday-Thursday, 5:00-10:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5:00-11:00 p.m. with live music; 210-472-2202

Quick Facts

  • In 2002, Bohanan’s opened as a 10,000 sq. ft. second-floor fine dining experience, with access through the Houston Street Court.
  • In 2009, Bohanan’s added 6,000 sq. ft. to the establishment with the first-floor bar, library, and live music space.
  • In 2023, Bohanan’s expanded again with 2,500 sq. ft. of courtyard space and first-floor renovations. This transformation cost $500,000.
  • Bohanan’s boasts a total of 18,500 sq. ft. with 150 staff and combined service for 300 patrons.
     

Second-Floor Fine Dining

consists of a large dining room, state-of-the-art kitchen and service facilities, and four private rooms:

  • The Wheeler Room seats 6-10, with a direct view into the kitchen.
  • The Bar Room seats 26 for formal dinners or business meetings. It’s equipped with a large flat-screen HDTV and computer connections.
  • The Houston Street Room seats 40 and can be partitioned for 20-24 guests. The enclosed patio overlooks Houston Street, and is a perfect setting for pre-theater banquets.
  • The Courtyard Room seats 80 (formal dining) to 100 (banquet), for special parties and corporate dining options. This room is well-equipped for meetings, seminars, and presentations, with a 92-inch roll-down screen, HD projector, laptop connections for presentations, laser pointer, and handsome cherrywood podium.

 

FIRST-FLOOR RENOVATIONS

include indoor bar, library, outdoor courtyard, expanded kitchen, service area, and reception:

  • Houston Street Courtyard seats 30 or serves 100 standing. A great outdoor setting for pre-theater festivities.
  • The Bar and Library combined first-floor indoor seating is 70 and features live music.

 

CONTACT
Scott Becker,
210-324-5645
Lainey Berkus,
210-710-0931