The Iron Bear

Austin, United States

3.9

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 512-482-8993
Website:
www.theironbear.com
Address:
121 W 8th St, Austin, TX, 78701
Downtown
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miDowntown
0.4 mi5th/Rio Grande
0.5 miGuadalupe/14th Street
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Loud
Music
DJ
Good For Dancing
Yes
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check
No
Smoking
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Has Pool Table
Yes

Today

Today 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Open now
Local time (Austin) 15:33 Friday, 29 November 2024

Business hours

Monday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Tuesday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Wednesday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Thursday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Friday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday 2:00 pm – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

We have a great staff serving great cocktails. Happy Hour daily 3 — 9pm

Monday…Your Music Monday. bring your music and we play it!

Tuesday… Texas Hold ‘em Poker night. Game starts at 8:30pm

Wednesday…Karaōke with Kenny @ 9:30pm-close

Thursday…Geeks Who Drink @ 8pm… Karaōke @ 10pm

Friday…Friday Night Bears with a great DJ

Saturday and Sunday… Come watch the games with us on our flat screens. Beer Bust every Sat. & Sun.

History

Established in 2011.

Opened Feb. 2011

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20 reviews of The Iron Bear

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Austin, TX
Came here on Disney Trivia Night — Geeks that Drink. So. Crowded. They said we didn’t realize how many people would be here. It’s Disney. We found a spot — good thing we got there early — but it was so loud. Could barely hear the questions. There were issues with AV system. The drinks were ok. Nothing to write home about.
The bathroom (at least female) were so bad. So bad. I can’t even describe them or I might be kicked off Unilocal.
However, the only reason I would ever come back with an empty bladder is the staff. The staff that actually works there — not the DJ or the staff that handles Geeks that Drink. One particular person was so nice. So nice. He tried to help us here by adjusting the closest speaker and changing the TV angle. He consistently apologized for the noise level and that we could barely hear the questions. The bar staff was so nice as well. Always, gave us prompt service and very friendly.
Final thought. Go for the staff. That’s it.
Place rating: 3
New York, NY
This gay bear bar in downtown Austin is nicely apart from the 4th street cluster of gayness. Also set apart in style and attitude with an older, brawnier cast of characters, all of which seemed to be more or less famulair with each other, as they rapped with cocktails on a busy Saturday night.
The curbside patio out front by the entrance provides a visual sampler of whats inside in order to suss out the goods awaiting you.
Unflashy and hangable, the bar offers a below level pool table room if you need some privacy. Drinks are inexpensive and basic, so is the music.
Attire —
Jeans and a T shirt, or plaid.
Clientele —
35 – 55 big burly men, with a smattering of the more typical young gay men looking for something fresh and down to earth.
Patio out front
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
I travel a lot and get to see many «gay» bars across the country… This is one of the best I’ve been to and certainly the best in Austin… I was there on a Sunday and it happened to be karaōke night. It was a ton of fun with a great vibe! I loved that it was not to loud or over the top. Very friendly staff, heavy pours on the cocktails and super clean. If I ever make it back to Austin, I’ll seek this place out again.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
I’ve gone there over the years, and always had exquisite service from the bar staff. It’s a laid-​back friendly place where everyone can feel included and enjoy and evening.
Place rating: 3
Burleson, TX
I came in on a Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening. It seams like a friendly place. The bartender was helpful and friendly. I only gave three stars because the whole bar was sticky and hadn’t been wiped down the whole night. My napkin literally stuck to the bar. Lol. The bar back was very social and only stepped behind the bar to clean glasses. On a busy Friday, they may need a stronger bar back, or bring in a second person.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
I come to The Iron Bear every time I’m in Austin. It’s a great place for bear sighting. I love the flashing disco lights that gave me creativity juice flowing to write more reviews.
I like the friendly staff, cheap drinks and clean restrooms. Watch my in-​app video for the music the DJ played on a Saturday Night (wrong day posted on the video). I wish there was a bear bar in Houston. Oh well, I’ll just come to Austin more often.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
My first time here and I have to say, this is closer to my gay scene back in Indy (I never in a million years would have thought Indpls would have a more happening gay scene than someplace like Austin… but go figure?).
Don’t let the name fool you… this place is more panda than grizzly and a good time waiting to happen (if you’re willing to let it).
You can shake your money-​maker, just chill, or stand around amongst old friends and new and enjoy people watching or eye-​guzzling the yummy chunks of manmeat behind the bar.
As a straight female who loves her gays, I can come here with my gaggle and everyone will have a great time! There is no «stranger danger» vibe and It was surprisingly easy to meet and talk to people here as they are much more approachable than the cliques you tend to see at OCH or Rain.
Drinks were almost on the pricey side, but the crowd and atmo more than compensated.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
Listen up, twinks! The Bear is not as scary as you think it is.
It’s a fun and casual place with nice bartenders who are happy to liquor you up quickly. The crowd is fun, not over-«bear”-ing. Been here a few times with friends, and it’s always a good time. I often meet folks here too (no, that doesn’t mean what you think it means — thank you very much).
I heard they have trivia during the week. I need to check that out.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
The Iron Bear is without a doubt one of the most welcoming bars in Austin. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and talented (especially Kyle, Bruce, and Al).
This bar is for everyone, but it happens to be my favorite gay bar. If you’re tired of the 4th Street drama, this is the place for you. It’s comfortable, yet exciting.
The best way to explain it is: A spacious dive bar where everybody knows your name
Karaōke on Wednesdays and Sundays is a must, hosted by Murrah with Planet Fabulous. Geeks Who Drink on Thursday nights! Pool tables and darts as well with great music on the weekends.
I can’t say enough about how awesome this place is! I’ve been coming here for about a year now, and I love it!
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
I have been coming to the Iron Bear for almost 3 years now. The staff is friendly and hot and the bears are too! Dancing and hanging out on the weekend and karaōke twice a week with a great host. This place is a blst no matter the day of the week. Oh and the drink specials! I love this bar!
Place rating: 5
Bastrop, TX
The Iron Bear is my favorite bar in Austin. The owners there are real down to earth. They always show customers how much they appreciate them. They host many events and very rarely a cover charge. Since they opened, this has been the place to be. The crowd there are bears and bear admirers. All are always welcomed of course. Karaōke with Murrah (Planet Fabulous) has been such a success there. The bartenders and the bar backs are awesome. It feels like home and I really love this bar.
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
My favorite bar in Austin! Great atmosphere. fun people, strong drinks, and Bear-​e-​oke!!! Never had a bad time at the bear! Go see Kyle Kline for your drinks! And be sure to moo at him!
Place rating: 5
Oltorf/East Riverside, Austin, TX
The Iron Bear has become one of my favorite places to have a drink with friends in Austin! The staff is very friendly and they have good drink specials and regular prices. The crowd is always fun, diverse, and welcoming. They’ve really stepped it up in the last few years with creative theme nights and bringing in special talent. They also have fun activities during the week like karaōke, poker, and trivia night. Definitely stop by and check it out!
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
My favorite gay bar in Austin (didn’t say queer or dance) for karaōke and eye candy. Yes, even this lesbian is so into it. Strong pours and «family» feel. Love it.
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
We had our table moved while we were sitting and drinking. No consideration for customer service.
Place rating: 2
Los Angeles, CA
Cool layout. Very unfriendly bartender. No people there during a Saturday beers bust. I wonder why?
Place rating: 1
Austin, TX
Apparently we went on «bearaccuda» night? Not sure what this means, unless it means sub-​par drinks, selectively charging a cover to the people not in your clique, and cliché stereotypes of bitchy gay behaviour. Maybe on regular nights it is great, but I wont be back to find out.
Place rating: 5
Guerneville, CA
Recently visited on multiple occasions and highly recommended.
Very friendly staff.
Very well made drinks.
Very reasonable prices.
Very friendly patrons.
Very cool street-​side patio across from City Hall!
In Your FACE!
One night was trivia challenge game called
.
Too much fun. Thanks guys, for all the laughs. We’ll be back to visit y’all again, I’m sure.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
My favorite ‘family’ bar in Austin. I love that it’s not right in the middle of the other bars, that the staff has always been friendly, and that beer is the default beverage of choice for most of the patrons.
We usually hit the place up in the early afternoon and leave as the crowd starts to pack in. It is a smallish place and when it gets full it can literally be elbows to… well you get my drift.
They always have some sort of event or special going on so be sure to check their site, FB, etc.
Place rating: 4
Austin, TX
After drinking and looking at high falutin’ art and sweating and drinking some more, I strolled on up the street from Art City Austin to the Iron Bear to meet some people for a Sunday adventure. Little did I know I was going to discover one of my new fave places.
I went into the bar to grab a beverage and encountered a bevy of manly dudes, free food, $ 5 pitchers and a raffle. My bill was practically free despite paying for many drinks at our table and I had a fantastic time ruthlessly flirting with dudes, chatting about the new cool this and that and watching them ogle each other.
Iron Bear is a dark horse. The friendly folks, cheap drinks and the kitschy appeal of it being a bear bar puts it firmly in my regular rotation.