The Bear is the only pub in Waco; it is a beer lover’s dream. While it can get loud when there are many people inside (rather than on the patio), it seems to be designed for the serious business of talking with your friends and drinking good beer. The patio is great with long tables that are lit up by strings of lights above. Another reason that it is so nice is that smoking is only allowed out on the patio. The beer selection is great and expansive. The have beers there that most people have not have heard of, but fear not, the bartenders are all beer geeks that can help you find what you will like. They are personable without being too friendly. Even better for getting to try new beers are the monthly tastings that are usually ably led by the pub’s owner, Paxton. The dude knows his beer and leads attendees in learning more about beer and what tasting notes to be aware of in the beer. The tastings all have themes, my favorite ones have been the all Belgian beers, the all Stone Tasting (led by a rep from Stone Brewing), and the all Avery Brewing. At the Avery tasting they surprised the guests by serving Avery’s Black Tot (they had two of ten cases that were shipped to Texas, and they shared it for a tasting!). I hear that this pub is great for Waco, but that sells it short. It is a great pub period. It is just nice that in a light beer town like Waco, that there is such a great pub.

The Dancing Bear Pub is a diamond in the coal stack of Waco, TX. Being the closest bar to campus and the only true pub in Waco, this place has one of the greatest selections of craft brew in Texas along with a very knowledgeable staff. The pub is just off the highway and is well worth the stop when roadtriping to Austin or Dallas.