It has a dozen or more restaurants, cafes, bars with live music. It is located near downtown, and near the famous riverwalk. The edge of the area is what is called 'Museum Reach,' and is the turnaround point for river taxis that navigate the riverwalk area. There is an apartment complex in the grounds of the brewery, and as many as 500 people live within its borders. Another 2,000 live within a few blocks. Even though it amounts to a mall, it is like being downtown in an old city.
The original brewery made Pearl beer, and was the largest in Texas until prohibition. After that it made soft drinks and ice cream. The Pabst brewing company took it over in the 1980s, but closed by the turn of the century. It was about 2009 when it took off again as a chic neighborhood. There are 22 acres and the original building still stands, and some of the pipes and other machinery of the brewery is still around, but more a statement of fashion.
The Pearl Brewery grounds have 15 restaurants, several cafes, bars and places for late night live music. There are 15 retailers of things like clothing, art and electronics. A farmers market is also held twice a week. Special events are also scheduled, such as an Italian Chef cook-off, or an Latino art exhibition. A tamale festival is held in December, and more events are often added. The Pearl Stable, and the Studio, are places where private events may be held.
