Where: Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden
Address: 11011 Shaenfield Road, San Antonio, TX 78254
When: Sundays, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission: Animal encounter tickets available.
Free to attend.
Café & Cuddles:
A Wild Sunday Hangout with Animals, Coffee & Family Fun
Spend your Sunday at Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden with live animal encounters, zookeepers, kids activities, drinks, food, vendors, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere for all ages.
Choose your date
& reserve your animal encounter tickets below
Tickets help support the animals, their care, and the Once in a Wild zookeepers who make this experience possible.
Meet Amazing Animals
Enjoy up-close encounters with animals like giant rabbits, owl, reptiles, guinea pigs, and other fascinating members of the Once in a Wild family.
Relax at Refuge
Grab coffee, craft beer, drinks, food, and enjoy a laid-back Sunday hangout with family and friends.
Fun for All Ages
Perfect for families, kids, couples, animal lovers, and anyone looking for something different to do in San Antonio.
What to Expect
- Live animal encounters with Once in a Wild
- Friendly zookeepers guiding safe interactions
- Fun animal facts and hands-on learning
- Coffee, craft beer, and drinks from Refuge
- Food options and occasional food trucks
- Vendors and kid-friendly activities
- Coloring books, scavenger hunts, and a small playground area
- A relaxed Sunday atmosphere for families, couples, and animal lovers
Stop by anytime between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and enjoy a wild, memorable Sunday experience.
How Tickets Work
Café & Cuddles is open to the public, and guests are welcome to enjoy the atmosphere at Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden for free.
Animal encounter tickets are available for guests who want the full Once in a Wild experience, including access to the animal area and guided interactions with our zookeepers.
Your ticket helps support the animals, their care, and the Once in a Wild team.
Location
Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden
11011 Shaenfield Road
San Antonio, TX 78254
Café & Cuddles takes place at Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden, a relaxed local spot with drinks, food options, outdoor space, and a welcoming atmosphere for families and guests of all ages.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is the event free to attend?
Yes. Guests are welcome to visit Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden and enjoy the general event atmosphere for free. Animal encounter tickets are available for guests who want to enter the Once in a Wild animal area.
Q: Is there a cost to meet the animals?
Yes. Animal encounter tickets are required to enter the animal area. Ticket sales help support the animals, their care, and the zookeepers who make the experience possible.
Q: Are Zoo Club members free?
Zoo Club is hosted at various partner locations within the San Antonio area, and the exact site depends on the session you register for. All available locations and times are posted on the Once in a Wild website.
Q: Are Zoo Club members free?
Zoo Club members may participate for free when attending with a paying parent or guardian.
Q: Will there be food and drinks?
Yes. Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden serves coffee, beer, wine, and other beverages. Food options may also be available, and occasional food trucks may be on site.
Q: What activities will be available for kids?
Kids may enjoy coloring books, scavenger hunts, a small playground area, chickens on display, and the animal encounter experience.
Q: Can we feed the animals?
No. For the safety and health of the animals, guests are not allowed to feed the animals.
Q: Are there rules for interacting with the animals?
Yes. Guests should stay calm and respectful around the animals. No yelling, running, chasing, or rough behavior is allowed in the animal area.
Q: Is Café & Cuddles family-friendly?
Yes. Café & Cuddles is designed for families, kids, animal lovers, couples, and guests of all ages.
Q: Who qualifies for a free animal encounter ticket?
Free animal encounter admission may be available for Zoo Club members, zookeepers and animal care professionals, life science teachers, children under 3, and qualifying local content creators. Please bring ID or proof of eligibility.
Q: Is Café & Cuddles accessible for guests with disabilities?
The venue currently has stairs and limited accommodations for mobility, hearing, or visual disabilities. Accessibility is important to us, and we hope to improve accommodations as future events continue to grow.
