I remember going there when I was young on Wednesday Nights (Straight Night, is what they used to call it on Wednesdays back in 1988). First dance club I ever went to. The place was electrifying. The crowd was awesome and everyone was just there to have a great time. I went back later in my late 20's and the place did not disappoint! Music was always on cue there to let my inner dance demon out!
Brings back a lot of memories....I was stationed at Brooks AFB in the late 80s to early 90s and would go to the BX every weekend. A lot of great memories of that night club.
On April 18 of that year, architect James Wahrenberger and builder Adam Maurer, set out to erect Turner Hall for just under $35,000. The building would contain a bowling alley, a gymnasium, and a grand ballroom for formal events. The 20,000 square foot facility would be covered in pressed Chicago brick, lined with Kerrville limestone, and granite. The Bonham Exchange opened its doors to club patrons in July 1981 with a great grand party, similar to the Hall original opening nearly a century prior and we have been going strong ever since.
I have met the world's greatest guy and lover from this club being that I am a San Antonian native. God blessed me when he gave me Marco A. Carrillo. I love and miss you babe and thank God for us. Dwell In Heaven love. Mwah! Angel kisses forever!
I fell in love with the bar and I've never been there. I'm an author of a vampire series and I was working on my 3rd book. I have the characters in 2005, the series started during the 1900 Storyville New Orleans brothel Mahogany Hall's heyday and then moved to 2005 the night of Katrina. Shifted to Houston and then, what my friends and family here in Houston call "The Great Rita Bugout" happened for Hurricane Rita. The main antagonist is an 800 year old bi-sexual vampire and he's got a former Confederate soldier for a lover. They come, along with the vampire he made in New Orleans and his secretary to San Antonio and the Menger Hotel. But he's called to the Vampire Council and leaves the others in San Antonio. His lover knew of the Bonham Exchange from past visits and decided to go out for the night. He gets picked up by someone in the bar and they leave to find some privacy and the guy who picked him up was working for the vampire's rival (this guy's human and has no idea the guy he's mucking with is a vampire). They kill the body guard, beat the hell out of the lover, and leave him for dead on 3rd street. He lives but it gets....complicated. I did a lot of research on the hotel and the Bonham when I was preparing for that book. Someday I'm going to make it over there to see my daughter, who lives in San Antonio, and my husband and I will stop in and grab a drink. Thank you for the wonderful story of that community and the history of the Bonham Exchange. I enjoyed it.
I remember going there when I was young on Wednesday Nights (Straight Night, is what they used to call it on Wednesdays back in 1988). First dance club I ever went to. The place was electrifying. The crowd was awesome and everyone was just there to have a great time. I went back later in my late 20's and the place did not disappoint! Music was always on cue there to let my inner dance demon out!
I so remember those days they were great!!
Brings back a lot of memories....I was stationed at Brooks AFB in the late 80s to early 90s and would go to the BX every weekend. A lot of great memories of that night club.
I thought they would talk more about the history of the building - like when it was first erected and what it was used for, etc.
On April 18 of that year, architect James Wahrenberger and builder Adam Maurer, set out to erect Turner Hall for just under $35,000. The building would contain a bowling alley, a gymnasium, and a grand ballroom for formal events. The 20,000 square foot facility would be covered in pressed Chicago brick, lined with Kerrville limestone, and granite.
The Bonham Exchange opened its doors to club patrons in July 1981 with a great grand party, similar to the Hall original opening nearly a century prior and we have been going strong ever since.
I have met the world's greatest guy and lover from this club being that I am a San Antonian native. God blessed me when he gave me Marco A. Carrillo. I love and miss you babe and thank God for us. Dwell In Heaven love. Mwah! Angel kisses forever!
I like it when KSAQ (radio station) would broadcast live on the weekend at the club.
a huge part of my early 20s living in SA! Wednesday nights were electric there!
the live shows were so different. lifting and fun. no club compares.
I Met Gene Elder. One of my most precious memories. such a kind loving person.
I fell in love with the bar and I've never been there. I'm an author of a vampire series and I was working on my 3rd book. I have the characters in 2005, the series started during the 1900 Storyville New Orleans brothel Mahogany Hall's heyday and then moved to 2005 the night of Katrina. Shifted to Houston and then, what my friends and family here in Houston call "The Great Rita Bugout" happened for Hurricane Rita. The main antagonist is an 800 year old bi-sexual vampire and he's got a former Confederate soldier for a lover. They come, along with the vampire he made in New Orleans and his secretary to San Antonio and the Menger Hotel. But he's called to the Vampire Council and leaves the others in San Antonio. His lover knew of the Bonham Exchange from past visits and decided to go out for the night. He gets picked up by someone in the bar and they leave to find some privacy and the guy who picked him up was working for the vampire's rival (this guy's human and has no idea the guy he's mucking with is a vampire). They kill the body guard, beat the hell out of the lover, and leave him for dead on 3rd street. He lives but it gets....complicated.
I did a lot of research on the hotel and the Bonham when I was preparing for that book. Someday I'm going to make it over there to see my daughter, who lives in San Antonio, and my husband and I will stop in and grab a drink.
Thank you for the wonderful story of that community and the history of the Bonham Exchange. I enjoyed it.
I love love LOVE the Bonham!
I remember getting TWIT when I would go out clubbing. TWIT was This Week in Texas.
KSAT HAS NO IDEA WHAT BONHAM WAS....THIS IS THE WORST REPORT IVE EVER SEEN
can't blame them for missing out on the 90s.
Looking For Tito Cruz, Big Bend on the River.'80's.
Wasn’t it a Jewish synagogue at one time?
Thank you! Amazing story!
A good place for andres
You glorify this evil place ?
Tear it down ...It's very old .