Exploring San Antonio’s Historic St. Paul Square

The Ultimate Guide to This Historic Downtown Neighborhood

Take a step back in time to an era when the railroad was the height of innovation and luxury travel. Welcome to San Antonio’s Historic St. Paul Square!

This little square grew around the Sunset Station train depot, an architectural marvel of its day that was nicknamed “The Building of 1,000 Lights” because it boasted more electrical bulbs than any other building of its time.

Today, St. Paul Square is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, nightlife, and happenings. Let’s get to exploring!

History of St. Paul Square

St. Paul Square was founded in 1778 and derived its name from the Old St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, which was constructed between 1870 and 1880. The area grew significantly with the arrival of the railroad in 1877.

In 1902, the famed Sunset Station was built in the Spanish Mission Style to accommodate the influx of railroad travelers. The modern marvel boasted 1,000s of lights and brought new business and interest to the area. Today, Historic St. Paul Square is in another period of revitalization, hosting some of San Antonio’s favorite restaurants and nightlife.

Planning a Day in San Antonio’s St. Paul Square

Here are some of the top events, restaurants, and bars to check out in St. Paul Square.

Check Out Sundays at the Square

Sundays at the Square is a weekly community event in St. Paul Square. From 10 AM to 2 PM, visitors can stroll the local farmers’ market, participate in a community yoga session at 10:30 AM, and check out the brunch menus and offerings from restaurants and vendors starting at 11 AM. This is a great way to experience all the charm of the neighborhood.

Grab a Pub Style Dinner at Francis Bogside

Francis Bogside is an elevated Irish pub serving up cocktails, brews, and classic pub fare. Whether you’re looking for a happy hour snack like wings, nachos, and fried pickles or a pub-style dinner like scotch eggs and burgers, Francis Bogside has you covered.

Attend an Event at the Espee

The Espee is a boutique amphitheater and events venue housed in the former Sunset Station. Here, you can catch some of the city’s best concerts, festivals, and events. So, make sure to check out the schedule. Fun Fact: The name “Espee” comes from the initials “S.P.,” an abbreviation for the Southern Pacific rail line!

Have a Night Out at 1902 Nightclub

1902 is one of San Antonio’s hottest nightclubs. The club is housed inside the historic Sunset Station lobby, providing a stunning background of Spanish Mission architecture and stained glass windows accented by disco ball lights and DJ beats. It’s the perfect night out.  

Stay at the Aiden Hotel

The Aiden is a boutique hotel in the middle of St. Paul Square. It offers easy access to all of the fun of the square and is only a few blocks from other major Downtown attractions like the River Walk, Alamo, and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. (Plus, there is a secret speakeasy bar inside. But you didn’t hear it from us!)