Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Oyster Bar
New Braunfels, TX · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Oyster Bar's cocktail program is a deep, playful catalog: over thirty house cocktails, a full martini matrix, margarita variations, and the World Famous Breakfast Shot. The Bloody Gonzo, a loaded bloody mary, earned second place in 'Best of ' 2025. Daily specials and happy hour prices keep the value high. Beer leans heavily Texas craft. A solid, inventive stop for drinkers who like options.
- What should I order?
- Start with the World Famous Breakfast Shot—Jameson and butterscotch schnapps with an orange juice chaser and candied bacon. Then the Bloody Gonzo, loaded with celery, pickled green beans, olives, a dill pickle, lime, and peppered bacon. For a classic, the Old Fashioned uses Templeton Rye. The Texas Mule pairs Enchanted Rock Vodka with Fever-Tree ginger beer.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking a large, varied menu with playful signature drinks. Groups will appreciate the range of martinis, margaritas, and daily specials. Beer lovers, especially fans of Texas craft breweries, will find familiar and local options. The breakfast shot is a draw for those wanting a unique, shareable experience.
- When should I go?
- Daily specials change throughout the week, with themes like Monday's Lone Star/Coors special and Thursday's $7 Espresso Martini. Sunday features mimosas and the Bloody Gonzo at a reduced price.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Pricing is only confirmed for specials: happy hour house margaritas are $5, and daily cocktail specials are mostly $7. Sunday mimosas are $6. Regular menu prices are not listed, so expect moderate bar pricing typical of a full-service cocktail bar.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The World Famous Breakfast Shot is the centerpiece, a sweet, savory shot with candied bacon. The Bloody Gonzo, a fully loaded bloody mary, is a local award-winner. The cocktail list is unusually extensive, spanning tropical blends, martinis, margaritas, and classics, with daily specials to keep regulars engaged.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A vast and varied cocktail menu with house creations, martinis, margaritas, and classics. Signature shots like the Breakfast Shot and Bloody Gonzo add distinctiveness. Daily specials and happy hour provide accessible pricing. The breadth and creativity are exceptional for a cocktail bar.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive cocktail menu with over 30 house cocktails, martinis, and classics.
- — Signature drinks like the World Famous Breakfast Shot and Bloody Gonzo are unique draws.
- — Daily specials and happy hour provide value pricing.
Standout selections
- — World Famous Breakfast Shot: Jameson and butterscotch schnapps with orange juice chaser and candied bacon.
- — Bloody Gonzo: loaded bloody mary with celery, pickled green beans, olives, dill pickle, lime, and peppered bacon.
- — Oyster Shooter: Absolut Peppar with bloody mary mix, horseradish, and a freshly-shucked oyster.
- — Texas Mule: Enchanted Rock Vodka with fresh lime and Fever-Tree ginger beer in a copper mug.
Pricing: Happy hour offers House Margaritas at $5, Strawberry Margaritas at $6, and Titos at $5. Daily specials include Espresso Martini at $7, Blackberry Smash at $7, and Bahama Mama at $7. Sunday specials include Mimosas at $6, Aperol Spritz at $7, Bloody Gonzo at $8, and Oyster Shooter at $8.
Wine
A modest wine list offering a few whites and reds by the half-bottle, plus a handful by the glass. Includes recognizable labels like Santa Margherita and La Crema. Functional but not a focus.
Menu strengths
- — Offers a selection of wines by the glass and half-bottle.
Standout selections
- — Deau Chardonnay: Paso Robles, with honeysuckle, pear, and subtle vanilla oak.
- — La Crema Pinot Noir: Monterey, with black plum, cherry, and raspberry, layered with earth and spice.
Pricing: No wine prices are listed on the menu.
Beer
A wide selection of drafts and bottles, with a strong showing of Texas craft beers including McConauhaze IPA, Shiner Bock, and Karbach offerings. Domestic and import standards are well represented. Seltzers are also available.
Menu strengths
- — Wide selection of draft and bottled beers including local Texas craft options.
- — Includes non-alcoholic beer options like Michelob Ultra Zero and Heineken Zero.
Standout selections
- — McConauhaze IPA: Twisted X Brewing, Dripping Springs, TX, 6.5%.
- — Shiner Bock: Spoetzel Brewery, Shiner, TX, 4.4% full-flavored amber.
- — Altstadt Hefe: Altstadt Brewery, Fredricksburg, TX, 5.1% traditional German wheat.
Pricing: Monday: Lone Star/LSL $3, Coors Original $3. Tuesday: Corona $3. Friday: Karbach Lovestreet $4.
Nonalcoholic
Limited non-alcoholic options: two non-alcoholic beers and one seltzer. No dedicated mocktail menu. Adequate for designated drivers but not a focus.
Menu strengths
- — Offers a few non-alcoholic beer and seltzer options.
Standout selections
- — Michelob Ultra Zero: non-alcoholic beer.; Heineken Zero: non-alcoholic beer.
- — Strawberry Guava Topo Chico: non-alcoholic seltzer.
Pricing: No pricing information available for non-alcoholic items.
Spirits
A broad range of spirits is used in cocktails, from vodkas and tequilas to ryes and bourbons. No dedicated spirits list, but the full bar supports a large cocktail menu. Premium labels like Casamigos and Woodford Reserve are present.
Standout selections
- — Templeton Rye used in the Old Fashioned.
- — Casamigos Blanco tequila in the Cadillac Margarita.
- — Enchanted Rock Vodka in the Texas Mule.
Pricing: Monday: Titos $6, Rumplemintz $5. Tuesday: Espolon Blanco $6. Wednesday: Crown $6, Well Bourbon $3.
How it sits with the food
Given the name and menu, oysters are a natural pairing with the Oyster Shooter, which combines Absolut Peppar with a bloody mary mix and a freshly-shucked oyster. The Bloody Gonzo's savory, spicy profile would complement raw bar items. The Texas Mule's ginger and lime could cut through fried seafood.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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