SAN ANTONIO – Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill quietly opened its new location off I-35 and Loop 1604 Thursday afternoon. It was a smooth grand opening, considering the community’s protests in the past.
The restaurant’s servers call themselves “Babes in Bikinis.” Whether they are serving up drinks or food, workers at Bikinis say customers get an experience they can’t get anywhere else.
“Our slogan is sports with a view,” said staff trainer Whitney Bell.
In addition to 29 large flat-screen TV sets, you will see female servers dressed bikini tops, jean shorts and cowboy boots. The uniform was not a big problem when the Live Oak location opened, but it caused a lot of bickering in 2009 when another Bikinis first opened next to a church and school on Fredericksburg Road.
“The controversy, I think was more about the unknown,” said Chris George, Bikinis Operations Manager. "The church and the school next to us really didn’t know what we were all about."
Last year, parents and staff at San Antonio Preparatory Academy told News 4 WOAI they were concerned students would be exposed to too much. When we spoke with the principal about Bikinis this week, her tune about the restaurant has changed.
“The experience has been what I would call neutral,” said school principal Rose Evola. “During the day we are not experiencing any problems at all, which is good.”
The restaurant’s name alone is already attracting first-timers into the new location.
“It’s nothing worse than going to a beach,” said Amy Pennick. “I mean they are wearing more clothing than they would on the beach. I wouldn’t be offended to bring anybody here.”
Managers tell News 4 WOAI they are looking to open at least two additional Bikinis Sports Bar & Grills in the San Antonio area this year. They are currently looking at locations on the North side.
