06.28.2024

Today’s Forecast

🎶 You spin me right round

Take a music trip to San Antonio’s Batcave Vinyl

Crates, posters, and merch litter the walls at Batcave Vinyl.

The store is stocked literally from floor to ceiling with vintage records, new releases, imports, and more music items for purchase. | Photo by SATXtoday team

Big ideas start in garages. Apple, Amazon, Google and Microsoft all started in one. As we recently discovered, the origin story for local legend Batcave Vinyl shares the same roots.

While it may not be a tech giant, it houses massive amounts of music culture under its roof. Follow the sign that says “To The Batcave” and you’ll find yourself in one of the most unique record stores in the Alamo City.

Let’s take the Batpoles and introduce you to Batcave Vinyl.

A Bitters afternoon

City Editor Nicholas here. I can recall the exact date I found this hidden gem. Saturday, April 20th — otherwise known as Record Store Day. After waking up at 4:30 a.m. and leaving the first music store empty-handed (hey, it happens), the afternoon rolled around + I wanted to press my luck by visiting the Batcave.

Find the black Batcave sign to get directions to the store. — Follow the signs that’ll take you to one of the most unique record stores in San Antonio.
|
Photo by SATXtoday

Grabbing my keys and wallet, I drove my trusty Nickmobile to The Alley on Bitters. There, I met shop owner Blaine Pendergraff.

It’s every music nerd’s dream come true in the Batcave, as you’ll sift through stacks of crates and uncover some of music’s rarest collectibles.

CD’s, DVD’s, records, oh my

Shop owner of Batcave Vinyl, Blaine, standing at his counter surrounded by records. — Started out of Blaine’s garage in 2016, his collection quickly outgrew the space. After a couple of locations, Batcave Vinyl finally settled at the Alley on Bitters in 2020.
|
Photo by SATXtoday

Customers also have the chance to meet the dogs in residence: Pepper and Toto. Here’s a taste of what you can find inside:

New + vintage records
CD’s
DVD’s + Blu-Rays
Cassettes
Sound systems
Signed band memorabilia

Keep an eye on it’s Facebook for new inventory.

Batcave coordinates

Make a visit during the day (and skip the dark night) to browse its extensive catalog of music items. Here are its hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday: noon to 6 p.m. + Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can find Batcave Vinyl at 555 W. Bitters Rd. #122.

Events

Friday, June 28

3 Rackets | Friday, June 28 | 4:30-8 p.m. | San Antonio Table Tennis Club, 13107 Lookout Run, San Antonio | $15-$25 | Play pickleball, badminton, and table tennis for the price of one at this family-friendly event.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” | Friday, June 28 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., San Antonio | Free | Spend an evening in one of San Antonio’s best parks featuring the heroes in a half-shell and a tortoise meet + greet.
The Magic of Scott Pepper | Friday, June 28-Sunday, June 30 | Times vary | The Magicians Agency Theatre, 217 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio | $25 | Watch this magician mix magic, comedy, and story-telling to entertain the entire family.

Saturday, June 29

Pride Bigger Than Texas Festival | Saturday, June 29 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Crockett Park, 1300 N. Main Ave., San Antonio | $12 | Come as you are for a Pride parade, weddings, a health fair, entertainment, and food.
“My Time, My Story: Youth from Yanaguana” | Saturday, June 29 | 7 p.m. | Say Si, 1310 S. Brazos St., San Antonio | Free | Catch a youth performance by the Grupo Animo and Teatro ALAS revolving around the themes of love, friendship, self-identity, and tragedy.
Disco Cowgirl | Saturday, June 29 | 7 p.m. | Brick, 108 Blue Star, San Antonio | $11 | Let’s go girls for a night out featuring shopping, food + drinks, drag shows, and a photo booth.

Sunday, June 30

Brunch N’ Bubbly Drag Show: Pride Edition | Sunday, June 30 | 10:30 a.m. | Ay Que Chula, 1503 N. Main Ave., San Antonio | $20-$61 | Clack your fans and bring your friends to celebrate the last day of Pride month with a drag brunch.
Sunday Art Fair | Sunday, June 30 | 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Hotel Contessa, 306 W. Market St., San Antonio | Free | Make your way downtown to view + shop from local artists at this hotel.
Let’s Sing Taylor | Sunday, June 30 | 3 p.m. | Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Cir., San Antonio | $25 | If you have a blank space on your calendar, fill it with this Swiftie-themed sing-a-long party.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

Award-winning wines shipped right to your door

A person holds a box that says "Wine Insiders" and a few bottles of wine.

Wine Insiders makes wine shopping easy, convenient, and affordable. | Photo by Wine Insiders

Thanks to Wine Insiders, treating yourself to a great bottle of wine after a long day doesn’t take a trip to the store.

Shop 40 varietals from 15 top wine regions around the world on Wine Insiders without any commitment — unlike online wine clubs, Wine Insiders doesn’t require a membership. Bonus: You’ll skip the retail markups.

Enjoy 40% off your first order at checkout, plus get free shipping on orders of six bottles or more.

Get your first order 40% off

News Notes

Civic

The City of San Antonio was named a recipient of a federal planning grant. The $8 million will go towards road improvements at Culebra Road from Loop 410 to General McMullen Drive. This development stems from a 2022-2027 bond project and has an estimated cost of $18 million.

Traffic

Heads up. Major road closures are happening at Loop 1604 + the I-10 interchange. It starts tonight at 9 p.m. and runs through Monday, July 1 at 5 a.m. Keep this tacked on your fridge for future northwest San Antonio travels.

Watch

Did you catch the NBA Draft this week? See the crowd’s live reaction from Frost Plaza when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Spurs’ No.4 draft pick. Spoiler alert: They were electric. Check the results from round two.

Community

Musicians, this one is for you. Get Creative SA is looking for Alamo City talent for its Local Music Spotlight Program. It’s goal is to highlight singers + songwriters and showcase their work. Comb through the eligibility requirements, applications close Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Furry Friend Friday

Say hello to Odie. He’s a young pit bull looking for his furever home. Odie loves a good case of the zoomies, playing ball, and napping. Give the adoption application a read at the Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue.

Sports

San Antonio Parks and Rec unveiled the improvements made to the Stinson Park baseball fields. Visitors can now enjoy larger bleachers, shaded structures, and improved sidewalks. Check out the photos.

Plan Ahead

La Tuna Icehouse is hosting a Sip ‘n Strum ukulele class on Tuesday, July 2. No experience is needed for this lesson. Make your way to 100 Probandt St. from 7 to 8 p.m. to give the instrument a go. Tickets are $10.

Listen

The Astronauts have won half of their games, take a deep dive on their seven game winning streak. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Houston Astros with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Finance

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Eat

Looking to dine out this weekend? According to OpenTable, top-loved restaurants this month include Cappy’s Restaurant for food and 1011 Bistro for ambience.*

Outdoors

🦜 I spy with my little eye...

Birds you’ll see in San Antonio

Reader, meet tweeter — a Northern Cardinal (male). | Photo by Phil Hardberger Park

Whether you’re a “wake up to the sound of birds” type, or a “please be quiet I’m trying to sleep” type, we’re all getting a new soundtrack to our Texas mornings.

Here’s the pitch: Imagine getting out of bed, sitting out on the patio, or going for a hike. Instead of just a bunch of noise, you hear the songs of a Green Heron or Wood Duck. You could even learn their colors, habits, and favorite foods.

The upshot: You should really get into birdwatching.

You could wing it, or…

Be prepared with the help of:

A field guide. Instead of trying to name them all on your own, bring a physical guide like Texas Parks & Wildlife’s printable document or an app like Merlin.
Bird food. A backyard or window feeder brings the birds to you. Try visiting Wild Birds Unlimited at 14602 Huebner Rd., Ste. 114.

Meet 4 local birds

The Buy

The Buy 6.28.24 (Affiliate)

A Prime membership — because Amazon Prime Day is coming Tuesday, July 16 + Wednesday, July 17. You need a membership to be eligible for the sale prices (which are usually pretty great).

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicholas

From the editor

The entire time I was writing the Batcave Vinyl story I could not get Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” out of my head. Let’s get this Friday started with some upbeat 1980s tunes.

I wonder if I can find their “Evolution” album at Batcave Vinyl.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY