Giant flag in the window. Let’s pass on politics and focus on food.
Emily Ramirez
This place has never been open when we’ve stopped by even though online it says they’re open. We’ve tried 3 times now to try this place and still haven’t had a chance because they’re never open.
LaDonna Speiser
Great drinks and great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim Oleander
The environment and decor are amazing at Water Bear Bar. You can sit anywhere and feel a sense of privacy- its set up in a way that you’re able to fully communicate and enjoy conversations without being to close to others. The owner is wonderful soul and made everyone of my drinks with quality and care. I love this bar. I love the community they support. It’s definitely a hidden gem in Boise ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Paul Mumaw
There is nothing about this place that isn’t top notch. I have never had a bad cocktail here and have always had fantastic service. This is a place to have a great beverage and enjoy the time to relax.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Allison Jones
The oysters are fresh and amazing!!!! So tasty! And the server as really nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica
Very cute bar! We had a couple of drinks and several of the menu items. We had service from two different people and they were both wonderful. And they were playing Bob Ross on the framed TVs behind the bar! Will most definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peacock Email
Great atmosphere, great service. stingy, overpriced pours. service charge sucks, but they're up front about it on the website and menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Daniel Rohwedder
The drinks are fantastic, creative, and genuinely world class. I’ve been to cocktail bars in Seattle, NYC, Portland, the Bay Area, and Water Bear clears them in variety, drink concepts, and execution. Drinks are priced steeply, but I’ve found them to be worth the expense-there are always going to be cheaper ways to get inebriated. Certainly not a divey bar, I’ve found the music to be well attuned to the crowd, providing enough background noise to not overhear other patrons, but not too loud to drown out conversation.
Maybe the service could be faster? But I prefer enjoying my drink and conversation over ordering another round instantly. If that’s what you’re looking for, ask at the bar.
I know the website mentions mismanagement which may explain some of the overcharges seen in previous reviews, I haven’t experienced that, nor have my friends who also enjoy waterbear.
Judy Anderson
Many people walking around who appear to be servers however the few times I’ve been to this bar, which includes last night the service is really slow and not very engaging. Then went to Redfeather, sat at the bar and had a lot of fun.
I really want to like this place. Especially because it is a LGBTQ + friendly bar. I love that! But I’ve been a few times and each time the service is really lacking and unwelcoming. Our drinks were really good but with poor service, it was overall a lackluster experience. I am also completely confused about the 18% service charge. So because the service wasn’t good and we were charged that, we didn’t tip. Something I normally never do! While the space overall is beautiful, the vibe just wasn’t there due to benches being used as storage space and tacky decorations all over that just didn’t mesh with the beauty of the plants, lighting, seating, etc. It just didn’t vibe for me.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Michael S
Really disappointed by this place. Poor service and the bartender had the biggest attitude problem that I’ve ever seen at any establishment on all of the dang west. I asked nicely to move one of the bar seats to make more room at the bar for my wife and I, and she gave us the snootiest remarks and started yelling. The ambience is nice, but it’s really not worth the prices here.
Kiera Lotoski
Water Bear is ABSOLUTELY dialed in; the music, the lighting, the thoughtfully decorated interior, the humans (Laura and Mac). 🤌🏼✨ The cocktail menu does not leave you wanting for much with a selection of thoughtfully crafted cocktails and a generous number of zero proof offerings. It is evident that a lot of care and passion has gone into the effortless masterpiece that is Water Bear. The snacks, while minimal were phenomenal! I really enjoyed the corndog and devilled eggs. I’m sad this spot is so far from home, but I look forward to the chance to visit again. A special mention to the very intentionally safe and inclusive space that Laura has created.
Jazlyn Olmedo
Waterbear is one of the best cocktail lounges in Boise! Their drinks are unique and very tastey! The vibes are chefs kiss. Great place for a date or girl night. There is nothing like this place! Very cool they have yummy snacks available too. Not often a bar has any, but theirs are delicious! Definitely my go-to & love supporting them 🩷
Cynda LeDuc
The drinks were great. HOWEVER, included on your bill is an 18% SERVICE charge AND a 10% tip and a suggestion of another tip. Bottom line, if you add that minimum suggested tip of 10% you are paying 38% more than the listed price. Our five drinks totaled $113.00. What does the service charge cover?? Their website says: The hospitality industry is still recovering in this post-pandemic world. One key component to this recovery is a standard service charge of 18% added to every check. We train our staff to the highest standard and prioritize specialty spirits so we can deliver a consistent and elevated experience. Gratuities are always welcomed for excellent service. Sorry, Water Bear, we'll be going elsewhere.
Giant flag in the window. Let’s pass on politics and focus on food.
This place has never been open when we’ve stopped by even though online it says they’re open. We’ve tried 3 times now to try this place and still haven’t had a chance because they’re never open.
Great drinks and great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The environment and decor are amazing at Water Bear Bar. You can sit anywhere and feel a sense of privacy- its set up in a way that you’re able to fully communicate and enjoy conversations without being to close to others. The owner is wonderful soul and made everyone of my drinks with quality and care. I love this bar. I love the community they support. It’s definitely a hidden gem in Boise ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
There is nothing about this place that isn’t top notch. I have never had a bad cocktail here and have always had fantastic service. This is a place to have a great beverage and enjoy the time to relax.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The oysters are fresh and amazing!!!! So tasty! And the server as really nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very cute bar! We had a couple of drinks and several of the menu items. We had service from two different people and they were both wonderful. And they were playing Bob Ross on the framed TVs behind the bar! Will most definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, great service.
stingy, overpriced pours.
service charge sucks, but they're up front about it on the website and menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
The drinks are fantastic, creative, and genuinely world class. I’ve been to cocktail bars in Seattle, NYC, Portland, the Bay Area, and Water Bear clears them in variety, drink concepts, and execution.
Drinks are priced steeply, but I’ve found them to be worth the expense-there are always going to be cheaper ways to get inebriated.
Certainly not a divey bar, I’ve found the music to be well attuned to the crowd, providing enough background noise to not overhear other patrons, but not too loud to drown out conversation.
Maybe the service could be faster?
But I prefer enjoying my drink and conversation over ordering another round instantly. If that’s what you’re looking for, ask at the bar.
I know the website mentions mismanagement which may explain some of the overcharges seen in previous reviews, I haven’t experienced that, nor have my friends who also enjoy waterbear.
Many people walking around who appear to be servers however the few times I’ve been to this bar, which includes last night the service is really slow and not very engaging. Then went to Redfeather, sat at the bar and had a lot of fun.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I really want to like this place. Especially because it is a LGBTQ + friendly bar. I love that! But I’ve been a few times and each time the service is really lacking and unwelcoming. Our drinks were really good but with poor service, it was overall a lackluster experience. I am also completely confused about the 18% service charge. So because the service wasn’t good and we were charged that, we didn’t tip. Something I normally never do! While the space overall is beautiful, the vibe just wasn’t there due to benches being used as storage space and tacky decorations all over that just didn’t mesh with the beauty of the plants, lighting, seating, etc. It just didn’t vibe for me.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Really disappointed by this place. Poor service and the bartender had the biggest attitude problem that I’ve ever seen at any establishment on all of the dang west. I asked nicely to move one of the bar seats to make more room at the bar for my wife and I, and she gave us the snootiest remarks and started yelling. The ambience is nice, but it’s really not worth the prices here.
Water Bear is ABSOLUTELY dialed in; the music, the lighting, the thoughtfully decorated interior, the humans (Laura and Mac). 🤌🏼✨ The cocktail menu does not leave you wanting for much with a selection of thoughtfully crafted cocktails and a generous number of zero proof offerings. It is evident that a lot of care and passion has gone into the effortless masterpiece that is Water Bear. The snacks, while minimal were phenomenal! I really enjoyed the corndog and devilled eggs. I’m sad this spot is so far from home, but I look forward to the chance to visit again. A special mention to the very intentionally safe and inclusive space that Laura has created.
Waterbear is one of the best cocktail lounges in Boise! Their drinks are unique and very tastey! The vibes are chefs kiss. Great place for a date or girl night. There is nothing like this place! Very cool they have yummy snacks available too. Not often a bar has any, but theirs are delicious! Definitely my go-to & love supporting them 🩷
The drinks were great. HOWEVER, included on your bill is an 18% SERVICE charge AND a 10% tip and a suggestion of another tip. Bottom line, if you add that minimum suggested tip of 10% you are paying 38% more than the listed price. Our five drinks totaled $113.00. What does the service charge cover?? Their website says: The hospitality industry is still recovering in this post-pandemic world. One key component to this recovery is a standard service charge of 18% added to every check. We train our staff to the highest standard and prioritize specialty spirits so we can deliver a consistent and elevated experience. Gratuities are always welcomed for excellent service. Sorry, Water Bear, we'll be going elsewhere.
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