Reviews (512) 482-8993 Call Menu Direction Website Photos About
Call Direction Website Reviews

About

The Iron Bear is Austin's premier Gay Night Club and American Restaurant, where the party never stops! Located in the heart of downtown at 301 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, we offer a unique blend of delicious food, craft cocktails, and unforgettable entertainment. Join us for a night of Karaoke fun, dancing, and mingling with the LGBTQ+ community. Our restaurant serves up tasty American classics, from burgers to sandwiches, and our bar features an extensive selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner or a night out on the town, The Iron Bear is the perfect spot. Come for the food, stay for the fun!

The Iron Bear Review Summary

The summary was generated by AI, based on reviews.

The Iron Bear is a popular American restaurant in Austin, serving up classic comfort food with a twist. Reviewers rave about the burgers, sandwiches, and brunch options, praising the generous portions and flavorful dishes. While some mention slow service, most agree the food is worth the wait.

Review Rating Chart

Yelp: 4.5/5

TripAdvisor: 4.5/5

Google Reviews: 4.4/5

Zomato: 4.3/5

OpenTable: 4.5/5

Initializing review summary...

Reviews & Ratings

Leave a Review
4.4
(276 Reviews)
5
4
3
2
1
[bip_review_summary]

Leave a Review

rating iconrating iconrating iconrating iconrating icon rating iconrating iconrating iconrating iconrating icon Select a rating
Overall
Drop files here

OR

Allowed file types: .jpg, .jpe, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .ico
(You can upload 10 files)
Please drag & drop the files to rearrange the order
Jessy Castillo
Jessy Castillo
3 years ago
Ramsey Perez
Ramsey Perez -Local Guide
2 months ago
Just moved here from out of town and was told this place was a comfortable bear bar so I took my lunch break here recently. The prices on the food seem reasonable in comparison to where I moved from the space is impressive. It's a...Read More
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Daniel
Daniel -Local Guide
3 months ago
Good food, strong drinks, and fun themed nights. The best and only gay dive bar in atx.update: excessively slow because the tabs don’t transfer between registers. the bartender was also visibly wasted, swaying, and slurring his words. my fries came out undercooked and they wouldn’t...Read More
Food: 5/5Service: 2/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Mark Riggle
Mark Riggle
8 months ago
So good we went twice! Seems like more of a neighborhood bar which is what I prefer. Bartenders were friendly and drinks were good. Didn’t have the food. They advertise as bear-owned but the crowd was very diverse and friendly (not saying that bears are...Read More
Service: 4/5Atmosphere: 4/5
Josh K
Josh K
a year ago
So many good times here. Literally everyone that works there is great. Always one of the best spots in town, especially on Sundays. Very few ATX bars make you feel as comfortable as this place.I always bring friends here when they visit & they love...Read More
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
D C
D C
8 months ago
The bartender served the people in front of us and when it was our turn he went to the next till to serve the line of people who came in after us. Zero communication that he would be back and the interaction after was very...Read More
Tripp
Tripp -Local Guide
10 months ago
Friendliest gay bar in the area that gives the best vibes. People just seem happy here, and that's because all are welcomed and nobody thinks they are better than anyone else. Wings on Monday are phenomenally, as is the Queso. Good, strong drinks for a...Read More
Food: 4/5Service: 4/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Michael Jones
Michael Jones -Local Guide
a year ago
I just have to say that the younger Hispanic dude that served me today was so nice and inviting but also made the best drink I’ve had in the 3 years I’ve been coming here. It’s sucks when the night time bartenders come because they...Read More
Food: 5/5Service: 1/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Victoria
Victoria
a year ago
I am travelling alone and found this lovely bar purely by chance. I felt safe and welcome, the staff were super friendly, and the quesadilla were delicious. If I lived in Austin this would be a regular spot for me. Oh, and they have...Read More
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5
jake ryan
jake ryan
a year ago
The Iron Bear is the best gay bar in Austin! Great food, friendly faces, and great music/atmosphere!I would recommend this place to anyone who is supportive of the LGBTQIA + family!
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Matt Forsberg
Matt Forsberg -Local Guide
2 years ago
Decent place to stop in for a quick drink. Found the bar staff to be slow and somewhat unfriendly (maybe picked up on us not being LGBT), hence the loss of stars.Made an average tasting margarita and vodka lemonade, nothing much stood out to me...Read More
Oz Cantu
Oz Cantu
3 years ago
This is my fifth time visiting and I keep coming back for Mack! He is amazing. He’s always so friendly and quick! He makes amazing drinks and always greets us with a smile, warm hug and remembers my drink order! He recommended the funnel...Read More
Trevor Bye
Trevor Bye -Local Guide
2 years ago
I. Love. This. Place. So much!!! Ever since they opened their new location, I have experienced nothing but a fantastic time. Pro tip: their burgers are giant, you don’t need to order a double unless you are super hungry or super hammered lol 😂They have...Read More
Phil R
Phil R -Local Guide
3 years ago
This place has a good bar and is set up well. The bartenders are friendly and quick. The only bad thing, and it's a big thing, is the music is deafeningly loud. It's not a dance club so I have no idea why...Read More
Mike Bonham
Mike Bonham
a year ago
Love the Iron Bear. The staff is great. All super fun and friendly. Food is surprisingly great for bar food. The corn dog and patty melt is great.Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options on the menu.
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
ivan d
ivan d
4 years ago
I work in the area and happened to see the flashing light open, i love burgers and decided to try a burger from here. I ordered a double patty burger and mozzarella sticks to go. I received my food and left to eat it at...Read More
Dave Miller
Dave Miller -Local Guide
2 years ago
Arrived and sat at bar Fri bit before 9PM. There are 2 patron service areas at bar to order. I was sitting next to the main service area. In the next 25 mins was not able to get the attention of bartenders even...Read More
Jimm Morreale
Jimm Morreale -Local Guide
3 years ago
Parking is the worst of any nightclub/bar I have ever been too! I went on a Saturday night and the crowd looked very sketchy, almost homeless. And speaking of homeless, I must of stepped over 50+ homeless people from the parking lot to the bar....Read More
Spasming Book
Spasming Book
6 years ago
While this bar was a very nice place, in that it was very clean and the bar seemed to be in order; the bartender ignored us, and the manager denied my friends and I service claiming we were too intoxicated, despite the fact that this...Read More
Zachary Miles
Zachary Miles -Local Guide
2 years ago
Surprised at the service my group received as we waited for a drink. We were the only brown people at the bar and our server intentionally ignored us to help other patrons, funny enough all were white. Basically We had walked in and went...Read More
Bryan Jase
Bryan Jase -Local Guide
4 years ago
I'd give them a 100 if I couldThis place is nothing short of AWESOME and AMAZING!!!! To my server Mac....I can hear, but it was really loud and I took out my hearing aid. You didn't let me signing to you stop you. He made...Read More
Conor Gallogly
Conor Gallogly -Local Guide
a year ago
Welcoming place. Nice vibe early, before upping the energy late.Good bar food.Blended drinks were perfect on 100+ degree day.
Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Nick Godeny
Nick Godeny -Local Guide
3 years ago
Very rude if they decide they don't like you.I had a friend visit from out of town, and we waited 15 minutes to order a drink while the bartenders were joking around with each other.We finally just left.Another night, they treated me well with inexpensive...Read More
Kenneth Reynolds
Kenneth Reynolds
3 years ago
Great place for drinks and food. Bartender Mac was excellent. His service and personality was great! I will definitely return and recommend that you go. Ask for Mac he is a great bartender.Try the funnel cake fries!Ken
Stephen Fairbanks
Stephen Fairbanks -Local Guide
3 years ago
First time visiting Austin and decided to stop by this bar. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit! The music was right up my alley, the people were so nice, and the bartender (I wish I would have gotten his name beard, bearish, great legs, and sooo...Read More
Dee Frazier
Dee Frazier -Local Guide
11 years ago
My boyfriend really likes this place. He says its the one gay bar that he can go to and not be judged. I tend to agree with him. The interior is on the darkish side, but the bartenders are friendly. They have a temporary outside...Read More
Tom W
Tom W -Local Guide
8 years ago
When it comes down to quality ...if that is important to you "happy hour" at this establishment when Al is working will have u coming back again and again.The people that are here during his shift march the quality of his understand of a good...Read More
Jake Ventura
Jake Ventura -Local Guide
4 years ago
The new and improved Iron Bear is fantastic. This bar (which was formally located on 8th and Colorado) has officially moved to 6th and Lavaca. This LGBT “bear” bar has some of the best quick bar eats in the area and for a good price....Read More
Steve Karas (Steve)
Steve Karas (Steve) -Local Guide
5 years ago
Well maybe I wasn't expecting anything that that bar is...I thought it would be the leather kinda bar... I mean bears are usually within that range.Well let me tell you... with the giant window with transparent glass you know that the eagle jockstrap night ain't...Read More
Dylan Garsee
Dylan Garsee
11 years ago
Cheers always glorified a bar where everybody knows your name. Growing up, I never thought that place for me would be a gay bear bar. But that's what The Iron Bear is for me. It's turned into my third space and I love it more...Read More

Features

Service options

check icon Outdoor seating
check icon Takeout
check icon Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights

check icon Fast service
check icon Great beer selection
check icon Great cocktails
check icon Karaoke
check icon Live performances

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot
check icon Wheelchair accessible restroom
check icon Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

check icon Alcohol
check icon Beer
check icon Cocktails
check icon Food
check icon Happy hour drinks
check icon Happy hour food
check icon Hard liquor
check icon Wine

Dining options

check icon Seating

Amenities

check icon Restroom
check icon Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

check icon Casual
check icon Cozy
check icon Trendy

Crowd

check icon Groups
check icon LGBTQ+ friendly
check icon Tourists
check icon Transgender safespace

Planning

Accepts reservations

Payments

check icon Credit cards
check icon NFC mobile payments

Other

check icon LGBTQ+ friendly