The Esquire Tavern begins a new chapter

The latest: The Esquire's longtime operator and beverage director, Stephan Mendez, is the new owner, the bar announced Tuesday.

• A fixture in San Antonio's cocktail scene, Mendez takes over from architect and developer Chris Hill, who purchased the Esquire in 2011 and led its restoration after it had sat vacant for five years.
• The bar will remain open during the ownership transition.

What they're saying: Hill said in a statement that he's confident in the Esquire's next chapter.

• "The Esquire is more than a bar; it's embedded in the history of San Antonio. Every person who has ever pulled up a stool here has become a part of what makes this place special," Hill said.
• "Stewarding that legacy has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I'm proud to pass it on to someone who will carry the same passion for generations to come."