How Growler Exchange Found Its Home

A Neighborhood Pour: How Growler Exchange Found Its Home on Broadway

By Taylor Lane

Seven years into its Broadway location and ten years since opening, Growler Exchange continues to evolve while staying rooted in community. From familiar taps to scratch-made pizza, the 78209 favorite proves that focus and heart never go out of style.

For nearly a decade, Growler Exchange has quietly built a reputation as one of San Antonio’s most approachable and thoughtfully curated craft beer destinations. Located along Broadway in the heart of Alamo Heights, the neighborhood staple feels less like a bar and more like a community gathering place—one that reflects the rhythms and relationships of the 78209 it serves.

Originally located near the first La Panadería, Growler Exchange moved to its current Broadway home seven years ago after owner Joey O’Hare and his father happened upon the space. “It worked out better than we ever expected,” says General Manager Tim Macy. The timing proved especially meaningful during the pandemic. “When COVID happened and bars had to close, we were able to stay open because we had a kitchen here. We didn’t have that at the old location,” Macy explains. With limited space to work with, the team made a deliberate choice to install a pizza oven—an addition that would go on to define the menu.

That focus on adaptability and intention resonates with the surrounding neighborhood. Growler Exchange has become a go-to spot for Mahncke Park residents, University of the Incarnate Word students and parents, and local educators. “We’re really the neighborhood bar,” Macy says. “Alamo Heights High School teachers have hosted their unofficial Oktoberfest here for the past seven years—sometimes 10 to 20 teachers bringing sausages and food to share. That kind of support means a lot.”

While the welcoming atmosphere draws guests in, the beer program keeps them coming back. Two staples—Electric Jellyfish IPA and Live Oak Hefeweizen—are always on tap, anchoring a thoughtfully curated selection that balances local favorites with respected craft pioneers. That philosophy traces back to the very beginning of Growler Exchange. “It started from a genuine love of good beer, long before craft beer became mainstream,” says owner Joey O’Hare. “My dad was into imports and bold, hoppy IPAs when most people weren’t. Stone Brewing really shaped our idea of what great beer should be—big flavor, no shortcuts.”

Food, O’Hare says, evolved naturally from that same mindset. “Our pub-style pizzas were inspired by Midwestern tavern thin-crust pies—simple, crispy, and meant to pair with beer.” Over time, the menu became fully scratch-made, designed to complement rather than compete with the tap list. Customer favorites include Mike’s Special pizza, while Macy counts the Broadway as his personal go-to.

As Growler Exchange grew, so did the team’s understanding of where the concept thrives. Closing the Midtown location, though difficult, brought clarity. “It taught us about focus and discipline,” O’Hare says. “Instead of stretching ourselves thin, we took those lessons and applied them to Broadway. The result is a sharper, more intentional version of Growler Exchange.”

That intention is evident in every detail—from the taps to the table. “At the end of the day, it’s about good beer, good food, and good people,” O’Hare says. “We’re not trying to be everything. We’re just trying to do this one thing really well.”