A game of musical chairs is happening on the St. Mary’s Strip in San Antonio. Last year, locals said goodbye to The Amp Room, a place for live music, karaoke and craft cocktails. But now, it looks like a new bar is picking up the mic. Here’s what we know.
According to a regulatory filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, a new concept called La Descarga is moving in. The filing lists The Amp Room’s former address at 2407 N. St. Mary’s Street, so the building won’t be empty for much longer. The rock ‘n’ roll-themed bar closed down after 10 years in October 2025, citing a rent increase. According to a previous MySA report, The Amp Room was part of a revival on the Strip about a decade ago. It nearly fell victim to the sweeping closures caused by COVID-19, but was “saved” by new ownership in October 2020.
Not much is known about what La Descarga will look like, but it shares the name of a famous, 1950s Havana-inspired speakeasy in Los Angeles (which also carries a strict, upscale-only dress code).
Development entity Mary’s District Fund GP, LLC is listed as the owner. MySA reached out to the agent named in the filing, but did not receive a response. However, TDLR outlines a December 1 start date for renovations, with work expected to conclude by the end of April 2027. MySA also looked for an active Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission license but didn’t find any attached to the project — which isn’t surprising, since an opening is still several months away.
St. Mary’s Strip shakeups, closures
It’s not the only shakeup taking place on the Strip. Beloved Vietnamese spot Singhs suddenly closed its St. Mary’s and UTSA locations in August. Midnight Swim recently announced it will close in January after seven years in the nightlife hotspot. Plus, the shuttered Candlelight Coffeehouse seems to be getting a new chapter as Vecino, a project from Chef Bryan Rojas of Bilia Eatery.
And there are mysterious plans for the space Hardbodies Ladies Club (and later, The Gallery) left behind. So give it a couple of years, and the Strip will have a new rotation of places to try.