Councilman

Mario Bravo repeatedly asked a city department about McIntyre’s Southtown before police swept in.

BY MICHAEL KARLIS AND BRANDON RODRIGUEZ

Despite Councilman Mario Bravo’s denial that his office initiated a raid last month on a Southtown bar, emails obtained by the Current show that one of his staffers repeatedly contacted code enforcement officials to raise questions about that nightspot a few weeks earlier.

The revelation comes as St. Mary’s Strip and Southtown business owners allege that Bravo’s District 1 office is unfairly targeting bars and restaurants in the popular entertainment areas to appease downtown-area neighborhood associations. Tensions between neighbors and businesses in those two areas are strained over concerns about noise, parking, crime and litter.

“I believe very much that staffers in the District 1 office are pushing Development Services and the City Manager’s Office to do all this sort of stuff,” restaurant and bar owner Chad Carey told the Current. “To hassle us with code enforcement, to pursue this residential-only parking permit thing, to exacerbate the Noise Ordinance Task Force.”

Carey owns the Strip’s Little Death, Rumble and Paper Tiger, along with Southtown’s Hot Joy. Bravo didn’t respond to multiple interview requests for this story. However, he has said in the past that he works to represent both residents and businesses in downtown’s District 1.

Carey and others have pointed to the Friday, April 28 police raid of sports bar McIntyre’s Southtown, 1035 S. Presa St., as an egregious city overreach.

As many as 15 San Antonio police officers swept into the bar to respond to complaints that it over-served patrons and provided drinks to underage customers, according to an eyewitness.

On May 2, Carey tweeted an accusation that the District 1 office issued the complaints that led to the raid. Bravo denied it.

“Specifically saying so right now: We didn’t play a role and we were surprised to learn that this happened,” said Bravo in a tweet replying to Carey. “I spoke with one of the owners of McIntyre’s today and

Even so, records obtained by the Current show that District 1 Director of Zoning and Planning Anisa Schell — a former Tobin Hill Community Association officer — peppered city staffers with requests for documents, certificates and permits related to McIntyre’s.

According to records obtained by the Current, Schell sent six emails from March 20-28 to San Antonio Planning and Land Development Manager Kristie Flores seeking details about the Southtown bar.

Schell initially requested a copy of McIntyre’s certificate of occupancy, citing a complaint from the Lavaca Neighborhood Association about loud music and alleged overcrowding at the venue.

“They told me that they felt the business was operating a nightclub and had outdoor amplified music,” Schell wrote to Flores.

The Lavaca Neighborhood Association didn’t respond to interview requests from the Current, and Schell referred inquiries to District 1’s communications staff.

In the March email exchange, Flores informed Schell that McIntyre’s had the appropriate zoning to operate as a bar and tavern, meaning it’s allowed to sell food and alcoholic beverages and to host live entertainment.

According to documents, the city mailed notices to 45 property owners within 200 feet of McIntyre’s pri- or to giving it that zoning designation in 2020. Three returned in favor; none came back in opposition. The Lavaca Neighborhood Association returned its notice in favor of the zoning change, the paperwork shows.

The scrutiny over how Bravo’s office is dealing with strife between residents and business owners comes as he seeks reelection in a June 10 runoff against political novice Sukh Kaur, an education consultant who took roughly 34% of the vote to Bravo’s 26%.

St. Patrick’s Day

According to the emails obtained by Current, Schell sent a March 25 inquiry to Planning and Land Development’s Flores about a St. Patrick’s Day event held at McIntyre’s.

“Apparently McIntyres had a large event in their parking lot on St. Patrick’s Day,” Schell wrote in that email. “They set up a large canopy over their parking area and had several hundred customers there with amplified music outdoors. For an event of this type, would they need any special permits or is this allowed?”

It’s unclear from Schell’s email whether Bravo’s office received complaints about the event. When Schell referred the Current to District 1’s communications staff, she specifically declined to comment on what prompted her to ask Flores about the St. Patrick’s Day gathering.

In her response, Flores told Schell that McIntyre’s had the appropriate temporary permit to hold such an outdoor event.

Regardless of whether Schell intended to create trouble for McIntyre’s with her multiple inquiries, Carey alleged Southtown and St. Mary’s Strip businesses saw an uptick in interactions with city staff after Bravo was elected in 2021.

“We also started getting Code Enforcement coming through,” Carey said. “Code Enforcement comes through [saying], we want to review your COO, we want to review the information on your building permit, we want to see what is permitted under your zoning designation — and that is coming from the District 1 office.” Indeed, those are among the same questions Schell asked staffers to look up regarding McIntyre’s in her email exchanges.

Aaron Peña, owner of the St. Mary’s Strip mainstay Squeezebox, said he’s also seen a significant uptick in visits from city personnel since Bravo was sworn in two years ago.

“I mean, I had no problems the last six years of operations at Squeezebox, and the last two years have been continuous harassment, from whether it be Code Enforcement to TABC — any of those avenues for somebody who understands how to work and basically exploit bureaucracy,” he said.

A partner in another St. Mary’s Strip nightspot agreed that city scrutiny increased after Bravo took office. The person, who asked not to be named for fear of political blowback, said Schell’s history as a neighborhood association activist raises questions about her ability to play fair with bars and restaurants.

“She seems determined to make it difficult for businesses to function on the Strip,” the partner said.

15 Officers

McIntyre’s management declined comment on the late April raid. However, a witness, who asked that their name be withheld due to concerns about keeping their job, told the Current the incident occurred after an undercover agent reported the establishment for over-serving patrons and providing drinks to minors.

In a letter to the Current, Assistant City Attorney James Kopp acknowledged that San Antonio Police Department personnel took part in a Friday, April 28, raid at McIntyre’s.

However, Kopp said the department filed an injunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Office to withhold additional details of the raid. Police officials did so due to ongoing litigation and in an effort to protect undercover agents’ identities, he added.

None of Schell’s email inquiries about McIntyre’s mention underage drinking, over-serving patrons or other alleged illegal activity. Even so, it’s not lost on Carey that the police raid on the bar happened so soon after her multiple inquiries about it.

“We are absolutely at odds with the City of San Antonio on just about every front. Parking. Noise. Code enforcement. SAPD criminal enforcement,” Carey said. “So, all of this [comes back] to this McIntyre’s raid. Why did that happen? Vice and SAPD don’t go out randomly looking to kick ass. That’s not them responding to a noise complaint from someone in the neighborhood about the sports game being too loud.”

We all went as kids and found out what kind of metal we were made out of and we endured Earth, wind, and fire. Resulting in a metal you can’t buy, borrow, or steal. Only earned blood, sweat, and tears. That is the finest metal ever made, The Vietnam Veteran.

02.25

ART ‘BIG LITTLE STAGE’

The McNay Art Museum’s “Big Little Stage” offers a peek into the set design process for live theater productions. The new exhibition showcases a striking variety of maquettes — or scale models — of stage setups through the ages, which range in medium from simple cardboard, newspaper and watercolor to robust wood, plexiglass and stainless steel. Some works date back to the 19th century, such as Hanging Gardens of Babylon (1860) by Victor St. Leon, but 21st century renderings, such as Joel Steinberg’s La Périchole (2013), also will be on display. In this atmospheric exhibition, visitors can even step inside and move around inside an enchanting full-sized set inspired by Steinberg’s La Périchole maquette. “Big Little Stage” will be on view through February 2024 and is included with museum admission. $10-$20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m., June 1-Feb. 25, 2024, McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5638, mcnayart.org. —

Wolff

FRI | 06.02

SPECIAL EVENT

JOSH GATES LIVE!

Explorer Josh Gates, the host of Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown, has traveled the world to gain insight into its greatest mysteries: disappearances, biblical enigmas, lost cities, mythical creatures, hidden treasures, the paranormal and modern legends such as the D.B. Cooper hijacking. Archaeology degree and insatiable wanderlust in tow, Gates has trekked to more than 100 countries, from Egypt to Antarctica, and visited some of the most remote spots on the planet, from the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the mountains of Bhutan. As an occasional Ghost Hunters guest and former host of Destination Truth, the globetrotter also knows how to tell a story. Gates will delve into anecdotes about his expeditions and off-the-grid hijinks in a show that promises to be thrilling, hilarious, suspenseful and insightful. $29.50-$99.50, 8 p.m., H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — Dalia Gulca

Special Event

Bonsai Weekend

The San Antonio Bonsai Society is bringing its centuries-old craft to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Established in 1973, the Bonsai Society is dedicated to promoting participation and enjoyment of bonsai, the Japanese art of growing, shaping and pruning miniature trees. The group will show off a variety of bonsai species, including some available for purchase. Members also will provide demonstrations and answer questions for those with questions about cultivating miniature landscapes. $16-$18, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org. — Christianna

Davies

Reminder:

Although live events have returned, the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us. Check with venues to make sure scheduled events are still happening, and please follow all health and safety guidelines.

THU | 06.08

Drag Drag Out Loud

This all-inclusive 21-and-over drag show kicks Pride Month into high gear with a star-studded lineup that includes some of San Antonio’s best performers. Expect to see Miss Gay South Texas USofA Newcomer Mehgan Iman Dlux, Tezla Rawze, KylieGorgeous Dlux, Anita Dlux and Aysia Rawze and more turning heads. Attendees are also in for standout performances, amazing costumes and, naturally, plenty of ribald fun. $15, 8 p.m., Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 541-8805, improvtx.com/sanantonio. — DG

FRI | 06.09 -

SUN | 06.11

DANCE

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show

The iconic Riverdance troupe will shuffle into the Alamo City for a three-night stint to commemorate its 25th year on the global stage. Perhaps unbeknownst to many of its American fans, the international dance sensation debuted during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with a seven-minute performance. Its fleet footwork elicited a standing ovation, followed by a swarm of media attention. By 1995, co-creators John McColgan and Moya Doherty had developed Riverdance into a full-length show. Since then, the group has toured more than 40 countries and performed for some 25 million people, bringing Irish culture to United States and beyond. The show’s true 25th anniversary fell in April 2020, just after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Riverdance is finally celebrating with this North American tour. The Majestic Theatre describes this year’s show as a “reinvention” of the Riverdance audiences know and love. However, it also references previous iterations as a nod to longtime fans, who have come to expect ornate

FRI | 06.09 -

SUN | 06.25

Theater Footloose

The Public Theater of San Antonio will kick off its summer lineup with the heartfelt and high-energy musical Footloose, featuring classic songs such as “Holding Out For A Hero” and the infectious title track. The play is an adaptation of the oh-so-’80s film hit that featured Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer and Sarah Jessica Parker in star-making roles. Footloose follows Chicago native Ren McCormack (Russell J. Scott) who finds himself in the throes of culture shock after moving to the rural Midwestern town of Bomont. Bearing the weight of supporting his single mother after his father abandoned the family, Ren uses dance to heal from his trauma. However, he soon discovers that the domineering religious congregation of Bomont — spearheaded by the self-righteous Reverend Shaw Moore (E.L. Jones) — has banned both rock music and dancing. Ren immediately launches a crusade against Moore’s stringent rules, drawing in the support of a handful of classmates, including Ariel (Jaeden Riley Juarez), the cleric’s rebellious daughter. Vastly outnumbered and violently harassed, Ren and his friends stop at nothing to win back their rights to self-expression. Directed by Laura Michelle Wolfe Hoadley and Claudia de Vasco, with music direction by Jaime Ramirez and choreography by Tanesha Payne, the Public’s production brings all of Footloose’s passion and momentum from screen to stage. A complete schedule of special performances — including community engagement nights, ASL-interpreted performances and relaxed presentations — is available on the theater’s website. $15-$45, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Place, (210) 733-7258, thepublicsa.org. — CW costumes, spellbinding set design, moving orchestral arrangements and — most of all — groundbreaking choreography from the veteran troupe. $35 and up, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — CW

SAT | 06.10

SPECIAL EVENT

BUD LIGHT PRIDE RIVER PARADE & CELEBRATION

San Antonians are here, they’re queer, and they’re parading down the River Walk — very likely covered in glitter — as a part of the Second Annual Bud Light River Parade and Celebration. Kicking off Pride Month, the event will begin at La Villita’s Arneson River Theatre with an afternoon of live music from Studio AVI, Live Oak Singers and Shonnie Murrell & Funk Potion #9 alongside DJs, impersonators, dancers and more. La Villita’s Historic Village will also host a wide variety of vendors from 1-5 p.m. The river parade itself, featuring more than 17 Pride-themed floats, will have two evening showings. The first, from 4-5 p.m. on the downtown stretch of the River Walk, will serve as the closing event for the Celebration festival at La Villita. The second procession, from 7-8 p.m. on the Museum Reach, will serve as an encore performance for additional community members. Free, 1-8 p.m. San Antonio River Walk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com. — Macks Cook

SUN | 06.11

Special Event

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: COSMIC ADVENTURES

Aerospace engineer Tracy Drain will shine a light on the dark, vast mysteries of outer space in Cosmic Adventures, the latest of Nat Geo Live’s speaker series to come to the Tobin Center. Drain will share stories from working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including tales about the Kepler mission to search for planets beyond our solar system, the Juno mission to explore Jupiter and the Psyche mission to investigate one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt. Audiences will learn about the depths of space and about the importance of aerospace engineers in discovering its secrets. Expect insights which only those behind the scenes at NASA usually get to see. $15-$45, 2 p.m., H-E-B Performance Hall, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — CD

TUE | 06.13

Film Space Jam

This piece of ’90s nostalgia pairing hoops legend Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny ended up being the second-highest grossing basketball film of all time — a real feat considering the whole thing started out as a Nike shoe commercial for the Super Bowl. The plot combines live action and animation to tell a story about Looney Tunes characters teaming up with Jordan in a basketball match against invading aliens — all to prevent the cartoon squad from being enslaved as amusement park attractions. The soundtrack also went platinum six times over. The mix of groundbreaking animation, infectious ’90s tunes and Jordan’s star power suggests Space Jam’s legacy will survive for years to come. (Forget the 2021 sequel attempt that deflated on arrival.) Free, 8:30 p.m., Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., (210) 212-9373, slabcinema.com. — DG