Where: Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden
Address: 11011 Shaenfield Road, San Antonio, TX 78254
When: Sundays, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission:
Online tickets: $18
Tickets at the door: $20 per person — limited availability
Military, first responder & senior tickets: $15 online / $18 at the door
Teachers & Zoo Club members: free admission
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
Please choose the time you’re most likely to arrive so we can help spread out guests and keep the experience comfortable.
Your ticket is valid for the full event, so you’re welcome to come and go anytime during event hours.
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 a ticketed animal experience at Refuge Coffee + Beer Garden.
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: Do I need a ticket?
Yes. Tickets are required for Café & Cuddles. Online tickets are $18, and tickets at the door are $20 per person (limited availability). Military, first responders, and seniors pay $15 online or $18 at the door. Teachers and Zoo Club members receive free admission.
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: Where is Zoo Club held?
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: Do Zoo Club members receive special pricing?
Zoo Club member ticket details are provided with each event.
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: Are there special ticket arrangements?
For questions about Zoo Club, educator, professional, or creator ticket arrangements, please contact Once in a Wild before the event.
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.
