The Liberty Bar opened in 1984 at 328 E. Josephine Street in a building that justified a prayer before entering. The two-story Boehler House tilted so far to the left, you felt like you were taking your life into your own hands, but the food and the ambiance were worth the risk.

Prayers are still appropriate at their new location, 1111 S. Alamo in the King William historic neighborhood, but it’s only because the Liberty Bar is now housed in a former Benedictine convent.

Billed as a place of Beauty and Charm, Liberty Bar is misnamed. Yes, cocktails, wine, beer and liquor are all available, but their bread is what draws me in. When my friend and I met for lunch, we each ordered a seasonal salad of spinach, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, pecans and goat cheese, and we split an order of goat cheese with piloncillo sauce, chile morita and garlic on their toasted, housemade bread because a person can never have too much goat cheese. Or bread.

Though I still miss the leaning building on Josephine Street, the new location has risen to the challenge of replicating an inviting space. Tall ceilings, quirky artwork, light-filled rooms, Mission tile, hardwood floors and a friendly staff create a welcoming vibe that pleases both locals and visitors. Liberty Bar’s menu is extensive, and they also cater private parties, ranging from 20 to 200 attendees.

Tuesday Night Music from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. features a variety of musicians and DJs. Liberty Bar is open Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. until midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until midnight. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the Villa Finale, a National Trust Historic Site.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!