My SA | San Antonio's first alcohol-free bar is shaking up how people party
Walking into HASH Vegan Eats on South Flores Street, it's hard to guess that the colorful, garnished concoctions sipped by customers don't contain any alcohol.
The laid-back South Side eatery, the brainchild of two local brothers, stocks up on zero-proof bottles in place of traditional liquor. But HASH doesn't skimp on flavor for those venturing back out into the world to dine and drink out.
CBD-infused mocktails, craft non-alcoholic beers from brands like Athletic Brewing Company, Heineken, and Budweiser, and coffee or local loose-leaf teas are just some of the options available.
"It's 2021, there are way too many delicious NA options out there to have any excuse," says Rogelio Sanchez, owner, and founder of the restaurant.
The concept he created with his brother, Michael, is the first full dry bar in San Antonio. HASH, which stands for “Heal And Spead Healing”, is on the mission to be a safe space for locals who or sober or simply avoid it sometimes, and heal their bodies with a menu of wholesome, plant-based vegan eats.
"HASH is much bigger than a dank vegan restaurant and non-alcoholic bar, it's a safe space for people of all colors, creeds, and all genders. We strive to be a light in the darkness," Sanchez said.
Although the restaurant and dry bar is relatively new, (they only just opened in the fall of 2020), HASH has already made an impact on its patrons.
Recently, Sanchez posted on social media about a customer who ditched alcohol after visiting the South Side spot. According to the post, the customer (who remained anonymous), said that after a visit to HASH, they tossed out all alcohol at home and are now over five months sober.
"We started HASH to be a safe space for people who may be struggling with substance abuse. Messages like this really make all the struggle & stress worth it," Sanchez wrote in his social media post.
But executing a dry-bar concept in an alcohol-fueled city hasn't come without its challenges.
"Being the first is never easy," says Sanchez. "While it is emotionally taxing it is completely worth it to hear success stories."
Reflecting on their own struggles with sobriety — the brothers have been sober for over seven years — the Sanchezes hope HASH serves as an inspiration for those beginning or continuing their own journeys with sobriety, or for those wishing to simply cut back on drinking.
"We feel if something like this existed when we were in the beginning stages of recovery, we would have been more successful in being comfortable in the newfound life of recovery," Sanchez says.
And the pair said more needs to be done overall in the bar scene for those wishing to skip the booze.
"As former bartenders ourselves we saw the negligence of bar owners and bartenders of over-serving guests as well as treating someone who orders an NA option as a waste of time," he says.
In San Antonio, that issue has grabbed headlines in recent weeks following the death of Beatrice “Bea” Gonzalez, who was killed in April after being struck by a car. The vehicle's driver, Samantha Castillo, was charged with drunk driving and earlier this week was slapped with a $20 million lawsuit alongside Cervecería Chapultepec, the bar where Castillo was reportedly drinking before the accident.
"As fellow cyclists that hurt us to our core," Sanchez said. "I think until we address the alcoholism epidemic in this country and city we will continue to see unnecessary deaths."
Still, Sanchez is adamant that HASH is not just for those in recovery or those looking to avoid alcohol completely, but a place for the community. With its plethora of vegan comfort food, from tacos to waffle sandwiches, the purple-painted building with an eco-green interior offers something for every visitor.