Pub Crawl: Zen Bar

Address: 221 East Houston St.
Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday
Phone: (210) 271-7472
Web: www.zenbar.com

Snapshot:
Behind bamboo-filled windows on a downtown block home to some of the city’s most fashionable bars is an Asian-inspired urban escape. Drinks, some garnished with chocolate-covered fortune cookies, go by names including Lucky Buddha, Geisha Girl and Tantric Passion. Images of Buddha overlook a 30-foot bar, dance floor, intimate seating areas and a custom-designed loft dubbed ‘the temple.’

Behind the bar:
Monday through Friday from 5-9 p.m., every drink, including the signature Zen Bartini — a blend of Grey Goose vodka with fresh pineapples and raspberries — costs $3. The bar menu features an array of one-of-a-kind designer cocktails, wine, sake, traditional mixed drinks, a limited selection of beers and liquor by the bottle.

Munchies:
A few appetizers on the menu — curry-dusted pork dumplings, Zen maki rolls (spicy tuna rolls) and peppercorn-crusted tenderloin (sake plum demi, roasted vegetables with jade oil). Monday through Friday from 5-9 p.m. sushi rolls cost $2 and pork dumplings cost 25 cents.

Sound:
The sound system travels beyond Asia to incorporate Latin, samba and tango into an international mix that also includes jazz, house and Indian bhangra music.

Who goes there:
The hip, suit-clad young professionals working in downtown office buildings by day often make their way to this hot-spot by night along with other locals, theatergoers and the occasional tourist.

Getting in:
Across the street from the Majestic Theater, it’s a short walk from many downtown offices and hotels. For drivers, ga-rage parking is available about a block away on Travis, Houston and College streets.

Dress code:
No sneakers on the weekends.

The skinny:
Part serene oasis and part dance club, Zen Bar provides a taste of Asia just blocks from the Alamo. With a theme that carries even into the bathrooms, this Eastern-inspired nightspot brings serenity to the heart of this big, bustling city.

SMOKE: None
COST: Med.
NOISE: Med.

Meena Thiruvengadam, San Antonio Express-News