Weapons & Whiskey at Bohanan’s
A Fun Filled, Gun Filled Evening
Writer & Photographer: Nick Blevins
A presenter from the Alamo historical curation staff holds a very large gun
Alamo fans, history buffs, and whiskey connoisseurs alike flocked to the elegantly lit patio of Bohanan’s Prime Steaks & Seafood Thursday evening for the return of Weapons & Whiskey, a spirit-soaked, educational ode to the warring ways of Texas past. Alongside local distilleries Devil’s River and Maverick Distilling, guests enjoyed light bites and sampled whiskey, wine, and cocktails from across the state, as presenters from the Alamo historical research and curation staff educated attendees on some of the ornate tools of warfare once used at the battle of the Alamo.
In what briefly felt like stepping into a particularly glitzy episode of Antiques Roadshow: Texas edition, swords, tomahawks, and knives lay on tables across from rifles, muskets, horse armor, and ship-mounted guns. Each item was meticulously labeled, and handled exclusively by the reverent, gloved hands of Alamo staff. Though the pieces on display may have never seen the battlefields of old San Antonio — those are exceedingly rare and astronomically priced, I’m told — they were genuine articles of the time; weathered lethality in abundance. Behind each table, knowledgeable presenters fielded questions from curious onlookers, and expounded on the provenance and utility of the items before them.
Seeing some of the carefully curated weapons up close, it’s hard not to feel a mortal tug on your conscience; the array of historical items are undoubtedly fascinating pieces of Texas history — with a purpose that gives pause. Lives were lost on the business ends of these instruments, a sobering thought that I imagine can pierce the pleasant fog of even the finest Texas whiskey; fortunately there was plenty to go around.
Weapons and Whiskey was presented by The Alamo, in partnership with Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Remember the Alamo Foundation, a nonprofit organization that “provides support exclusively for the Alamo and its preservation, educational outreach, and public programs.” If you’re interested in all things Alamo, check out thealamo.org for more information. ■
The gang’s all here
