At 318 E Houston St in downtown San Antonio, The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum pairs an old-style bar and cafe with the Buckhorn Museum and Texas Ranger Museum. Its walls are lined with mounted wildlife, horns and curiosities, while the museum collections range from unusual animal displays to Texas Ranger artifacts. The saloon opened in 1881, and its historic furnishings set the scene for a drink or a meal. Browse the exhibits with a drink in hand, then stop at the cafe for a Buckhorn burger or Texas barbecue.
A saloon that grew into a museum
The Buckhorn began as a saloon in 1881. Its owner, Albert Friedrich, accepted horns, pelts and other objects when customers could not pay for their drinks. Those exchanges helped build the collection that now fills the museum with wildlife displays and curiosities.
The collection includes 520 species of wildlife, alongside unusual objects such as rattlesnakes in jars. Some displays are especially striking: an eight-legged lamb and a large black marlin are among the specimens associated with the collection. The rooms also contain horn and antler furniture, including a chair made from buffalo horns that was given to Teddy Roosevelt.
The Texas Ranger Museum
The Texas Ranger Museum shares the site with the Buckhorn Museum, so one visit takes in two collections. Its displays include authentic law enforcement artifacts, weapons, badges and photographs connected to the Texas Rangers.
Ranger Town recreates part of early San Antonio with shops and a jail cell. Other displays include a Bonnie and Clyde exhibit. Together, these rooms shift the focus from the Buckhorn’s wildlife and curiosities to the history and legacy of the Texas Rangers.
Inside the saloon and cafe
The saloon’s Old West setting comes from its woodwork, mounted trophy heads and historic bar. The cherry and walnut bar dates to the 1890s. You can sit down for a drink or a meal, then carry your drink as you explore the exhibits.
The cafe serves Texas-style food, including barbecue and burgers. Drinks named at the saloon include the tequila-based Buckarita and a Prickly Pear Margarita, as well as Alamo Golden Ale. The site also has a gift shop and a shooting gallery, adding more stops beyond the two museums.
FAQ
What can you see at The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum?
The site has the Buckhorn Museum’s wildlife and curiosities, the Texas Ranger Museum’s artifacts and photographs, and a recreated Ranger Town with shops and a jail cell.
Can you eat or have a drink there?
Yes. The saloon and cafe serve drinks and food, including burgers and Texas barbecue. You can carry a drink while looking through the exhibits.
How old is the Buckhorn Saloon?
It opened in 1881. Its original collection grew from objects Albert Friedrich accepted in exchange for drinks.
Is there a gift shop?
Yes. The shop sells Texas-themed merchandise.
