The Coyote may not attend your San Antonio Spurs watch party, but he’s one of the biggest celebrities you’ll find in San Antonio. (Zereshk/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Looking to catch a game or learn more about the top sports team in town? Dive into our San Antonio Spurs watch party guide and embrace the team’s traditions.
The NBA season is humming along nicely, and the San Antonio Spurs have been one of the top teams in the league. San Antonio residents are passionate about their squad. With an abundance of young talent, this team is on track to be a championship contender for years to come.
Whether you’re a lifelong supporter looking for a spot to catch a game or a newcomer to Spurs fandom, our San Antonio Spurs watch party guide is here to help. Let’s dive in.
Where to find a San Antonio Spurs watch party
The good news is that the Spurs are among the biggest shows in town in San Antonio—and the only team from the four pro sports leagues in the city—so you’ll be able to catch a game at many different places. Here are some of our favorites.
Frost Plaza at The Rock at La Cantera
1 Spurs Way, San Antonio, TX 78256
Frost Plaza at The Rock at La Cantera is the home of Spurs fan fest watch parties throughout the season, with a 40-foot outdoor screen broadcasting the action. The watch parties have giveaways and raffles, interactive games, and appearances by Zay Zay and DJ Quake. There are also plenty of food and drinks to buy while checking out the Spurs. When there’s not a watch party event, each Spurs game is still broadcast to visitors.
River North Icehouse
317 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
With indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty of big-screen TVs and LED walls, River North Icehouse boasts a sensory overload for sports fans. That’s great, because the icehouse hosts regular San Antonio Spurs watch parties. If you happen to be with someone who’s not so into sports, point them to the seasonal bar menu or arcade games, or find a dog hanging out who’s just itchin’ for some scritchin’.
Mitchell’s Sports Bar
1923 Lockhill Selma Rd, San Antonio, TX 78213
Mitchell’s Sports Bar is, as the name suggests, a classic sports bar. You’ll find watch parties during major events like the NBA Cup or Super Bowl, and you can always catch a game on TV. Even better, happy hour goes until 7 p.m., making Mitchell’s an especially enticing option during those East Coast games with an earlier tip-off. During halftime or extended replay reviews (sometimes those officials really need to make sure if a ball grazed off a fingernail), try your hand at darts or pool. It’s good to have a mix of talents, after all.
The Friendly Spot
943 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
If you’re looking for a vibe of hanging out in a chill backyard, The Friendly Spot is one of the best … ahem, spots in San Antonio. The #FriendlyTron, a massive LED alongside the barn, is the highlight, though there are plenty of screens throughout the establishment. With 76 taps and 300 bottles and cans available, you can down beers in celebration (or frustration, should the Spurs be having an off-night) without needing to repeat yourself. Kids and dogs are welcome, too, and with rotating specials and food options available until midnight, you can keep chanting “Go Spurs Go!” long after the game is over.
Gimme Gimme
803 S St Mary’s, San Antonio, TX 78205
When you see someone playing with a basketball and your first instinct is to hold your hands up for a pass, Gimme Gimme is a worthy place to watch the game. The “Spurs HQ” has ice-cold drinks at the ready, a nice happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m., and keeps the game volume up so it feels like you’re sitting courtside (but in a much more affordable venue). Gimme Gimme’s eats are a treat, too, with Frito pie, Oaxaca cheese sticks, and special wing and steak nights serving up a variety of tasty gametime snacks.
High Horse Ice House
358 E Craig Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212
BBQ and basketball are an excellent pairing, and you can admire the Spurs hitting baskets while you’re hitting briskets. There’s ample outdoor seating with picnic tables and chairs, all equipped with heaters and fans to battle whatever elements happen to be tormenting the city on a particular day. Wednesday night wing deals and Thursday night karaoke give High Horse a true party feel. On Monday game nights, you can also enjoy Dad Rock Mondays, which feature free hot dogs, $2 beers, and flash tattoos.
McIntyre’s
Southtown: 1035 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX 78210
North Star: 90 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216
McIntyre’s has two San Antonio locations, and both deliver terrific gameday experiences. Southtown sports a 210” outdoor LED wall, and the establishment sports over 50 TVs. North Star has a 600” LED screen on its dog-friendly patio. The Spurs are always on multiple screens when they’re playing, but you’ll get to keep tabs on other events going on, too. With more than 50 beers, a nice wine selection, and a surprisingly impressive whiskey and scotch list, McIntyre’s has really improved the neighborhood sports bar feel. Both locations also offer ample parking and bike racks, and have swings available as seats. Because sometimes you need to let out a satisfying “wheeeee!” while taking in a game.
By the way, how are the Spurs doing this year?
A heck of a lot better than they have been. After winning five NBA championships between 1999 and 2014, the Spurs have struggled over the past decade. Their last playoff appearance and winning record came in the 2018-19 season, but they’re on pace to break both of those droughts this year.
The Spurs are currently within shouting distance of the top seed in the Western Conference. Even if they don’t catch the Oklahoma City Thunder, they’re in a great position to enter the playoffs as the No. 2 team in the conference.
San Antonio has a young, exciting team led by Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman who won Rookie of the Year honors two seasons ago. He’s one of the most unique players to ever play in the NBA and continually does things that make jaws drop. He’s also charming and introspective off the court and a fantastic face of the franchise.
Wemby isn’t doing everything alone, though. Stephon Castle, last year’s Rookie of the Year, is having an even better sophomore season. De’Aaron Fox, acquired from the Sacramento Kings shortly before the trade deadline last year, has been a stellar point guard in San Antonio. Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie are strong pieces on the wing, and Harrison Barnes brings a calming veteran presence to the roster. Keldon Johnson and rookie Dylan Harper have been key bench contributors, as well.
San Antonio Spurs traditions and chants
Now that you know more about the team and some great places for a San Antonio Spurs watch party, you can brush up on chants and traditions.
“Go Spurs Go!”
During the Spurs’ first championship run in 1999, team executives wanted a rally cry that fans could get behind. The team’s top brass initially considered “Ready To Go” as a team slogan, but Al Aguilar, the co-owner of the advertising agency Creative Civilizations, had a better idea.
He convinced the team through “some corporate arm-wrestling” that “Go Spurs Go!” was a better chant. Each word was one syllable, and it could be said (and read) forwards and backwards, making it more accessible. To this day, you’ll still regularly see and hear “Go Spurs Go!” around the city. Musical performances like those from the Mariachi Campanas de America only add to the legend.
The Spurs Coyote
The Spurs Coyote made its debut on April 13, 1983. Little did fans know that Coyote would become one of the most recognizable and beloved mascots across all sports. Created by Tim Derk—who also donned the costume for over two decades—Coyote is a staple of Spurs games, community events, and local commercials. The reverence for the mascot is on par with (or even greater than) any other celebrity. To be fair, we don’t know many other celebrities with such talented unicycle skills or the ability to pull off and reattach their own expressive eyes.
The Mascot Hall of Fame welcomed Coyote into its ranks in 2007. For good reason: Coyote puts in the work, averaging around 400 community appearances per year, more than any other mascot. Coyote has also earned recognition among peers, winning multiple Best Mascot of the Year awards.
The Jackals
The Jackals are the most passionate Spurs fans around. This group of die-hards has turned fandom into a movement. During each Spurs home game, the Jackals pack into Section 114 or the H-E-B Fan Zone, rocking gear and flags, chanting and banging drums, and bringing unparalleled passion to support the team.
This is the first season of the Jackals. While membership is closed for this year, it will reopen before the next season. Membership costs $999 and provides access to a ticket for each Spurs game, plus other perks. While the chants change throughout the season, the Jackals have shared some of the more common ones for fans to cheer along.
Other things to yell
The Coyote will come out during breaks in the game and lead various fan chants. Among the most popular: fans spelling out “S-P-U-R-S” while The Coyote hops on the spur at center court.
When a Spurs player gets fouled and heads to the free-throw line, the fans shout “two shots!” in unison. Just make sure the player didn’t make a basket while getting fouled. They’ll only get one free throw in that case.
All the way back in the days of games at HemisFair Arena, the Vicente Fernández song “Volver, Volver” played heading into the fourth quarter. Knowing the tune comes in handy as a Spurs fan.
Even if you’re not at the game, you can still show your support by honking your car horn while driving along Commerce Street after a Spurs win.
Postgame Skol chant
Victor Wembanyama introduced the newest Spurs tradition after a victory earlier this season. The Skol chant originated with the Icelandic National Football Team and was later adopted by the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, but Wemby and the Spurs are putting their NBA twist on it.
After a Spurs home win, the game’s MVP will pick up a drumstick and head to the big Spurs bass drum. The player will give a hearty two beats on the drum, and the crowd will offer one clap over their head in response. The “boom-boom-clap” continues picking up speed, ending in a frenzy of applause.
The Spurs are on track to win more games this year than they have in any season since their last playoff appearance, by a wide margin. Catch the action at one of the San Antonio Spurs watch party events and get ready for what’s hopefully a deep postseason run.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
