“We also plan to have even bigger and better events then we have ever done before,” he says. The current schedule of weekly and monthly events will resume once the spot is fully operational and Beshear hints that there will be a few surprises in store. You know bears like to eat, so we are doing a lot of testing,” jokes Beshear.ĭespite the major changes, The Iron Bear will continue its mission of being a bear bar that is open to all. “We are doing a lot of testing to fine tune what we will be offering. Beer-friendly finger foods like fried pickles, wings, and pretzels will be offered along with a “really good burger.” Beshear says that The Iron Bear 2.0 will start off with a small food menu, then gradually expand its selections. The building also happens to have a kitchen. “If everything goes according to plan, we will open sometime in the week of January 20,” says Beshear.
The Austin Ale House space, which was suddenly vacated in August after six years, provides ample square footage, plus its Warehouse District location is closer to the LGBTQ+ nightlife hub on Fourth Street.Īlthough The Iron Bear owners plan to close on January 4 with a moving party, the reopening date is still up in the air pending the transferral of the liquor license and building inspections. What are the best gay clubs/bars in Austin Cheer Up Charlies: This bright, jovial (as the name suggests), and inclusive space walks the line between bar and. The owners, however, found good fortune just a few blocks away. The Iron Bear 100 Dance Clubs American (Traditional) Warehouse District This is a placeholder Great little gay restaurant and bar. A downtown Austin gay bar is beefing up security after someone threw a firework onto its patio for the second time this summer, setting off a cloud of smoke that sent patrons scrambling early. While Iron Bear was hoping to be able to remain open at the original address until July, the landlord said the business would have to vacate at the end of January. Cheer Up Charlies 126 Downtown This is a placeholder Arlo’s at this location. Sixth St.Ĭo-owner Bengie Beshear explains that the watering hole was forced to relocate after its current landlord decided to turn the building into an office complex or sell to developers.
on January 4, 2020, it will soon reappear in a prime downtown spot - the former home of Austin Ale House at 301 W. Though The Iron Bear is ending its almost nine-year run at 121 W.
While Oilcan Harry’s will retain its street-facing facade and signage in the new space, its neighbors Neon Grotto and Coconut Club will likely be replaced by a “cool, chef-driven restaurant,” Ott said.ĭevelopers said they hope to have their demolition request considered by the full landmark commission at its May 4 meeting.Losing a lease is often the death knell for a small business, but one long-running Austin gay club is turning it into an opportunity. The gay landmark had operated in Studio City since 1968 until it became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021. But owners of Oilcan Harrys told KXAN News it represents the best chance to preserve their business. Its name is a reference to the oldest gay club in Los Angeles, Oil Can Harry’s. 6 hours ago &0183 &32 Plans to develop a 400-apartment tower on the site of prominent LGBT bars has sparked anger. Oilcan Harry’s at 211 West Fourth– the one tenant protected from the demolition– has been in operation for 30 years. “But also, to the extent there’s a business there that does have some lease term left, how can the developer come in and work with that business to ensure that they come back in, in a designed space that works for their needs and maintains the texture and quality at the ground floor that’s there today.” “Our intent is to…set an example here really about how responsible development can happen, and a developer can come in and at their own will and desire try to preserve facades-which we’re doing at Third and Brazos as well,” Ott said. Stream Realty gets green light for six-story office project in East Austin.Rastegar Property plans office project in bustling Austin neighborhood