Water Bear Bar

This place!!! If I lived here, I’d be here all the time. West coast oysters were on point! Fresh and tasty, with a nice variety. Their hospitality was above par! THE DRINKS! Big menu, and it all makes sense. Great selection of liquor and custom cocktails. We tasted some pickled veggies that are me being prepped for midnight brunch at the bar me of the week, and WOW! Sad to leave this place…

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.

This spot really does feel like one of the rare safe havens for queer folks in Idaho—the vibe is amazing, the staff are lovely, and the drinks are incredible. But as a young queer person making just above minimum wage, it's tough when a single cocktail costs more than I make in an hour. I totally understand that running a business right now is hard, but I wish there were more price-accessible options on the menu. I'd be more than happy with a lower-tier liquor option if it meant I could afford to come more often without needing my parents to foot the bill. Please consider having more variety on the menu for drink prices! I know so many of my friends want to go here but we always pass because of the prices.

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.

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 🩷

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.

Every time I’ve been to Water Bear Bar, the service has been top-notch. I love the intimate atmosphere with a curated vibe. The fun and quirky appetizers are all delicious, and they serve the best non-alcoholic craft drinks!

The food tasted like food (and that's my highest compliment). I had the Devil's Eggs, which were exactly the right level of mustardy, and the seasonal salad, which was actually seasonal. Use the QR code to see the menu. The cocktail menu is great. I had the daily Old Fashioned, and for desert I asked for something similar with mezcal. The bartender made me a delicious Oaxacan Old Fashioned. I was told by staff that the menu is entirely gluten free: "The only gluten would be in a beer, if you ordered one. There's no gluten in the kitchen."

Water Bear is a nice eclectic bar located not to far from the Capitol. They have a pretty diverse cocktail and beer menu that'll match anyone's palette. If you wanna get a cocktail they have a happy hour during your typical 4-6pm hours and then a late night happy hour starting at 10pm! The staff was so so nice and extremely welcoming. It's a fun, eclectic vibe, and a very inclusive place! I'd recommend to stop by when in Boise.

I was so excited to come here for my birthday with a bigger group of my friends and boy was I mistaken. They showcase themselves as a queer bar, welcoming all people. I did not feel welcome at all as a straight person. When we walked in, there were no smiles, just glares. They have knitted coasters on the outside of the bar, where people can look at them when someone came over to them and gruffly told them to not touch the coasters. When my friends came over to tell me, I was extremely put off by this, and the fact that they clearly did not welcome us into their establishment was my breaking point. Only when I started going around to my groups of friends and told them to finish up their drinks and close out because I didn't want to be in an establishment that treated my friends like crap that I see even a crack of a forced smile come out. Oh, but I was gifted a half a glass of wine as a happy birthday to also try to make up for the scowls. When it was time to pay out, I was told that there was a gratuity included and all the bills. That was upsetting as we did not feel that they were deserving of a tip from us. So if you are looking for a place downtown that has great ambiance, with the most unwelcoming staff and entitlement, this place is for you. I'll be sure to share my experience with anyone that asks about Water Bear Bar.

I visited during Christmas with a small group. The place was festively decorated. I love a bar with lots of character. I also love an inventive cocktail - and they have loads. Passing around our drinks to try, all were super well balanced and flavorful. The Telemark Flip and Last Chair were the standouts for me. The service was very nearly unbearably slow. I'll blame this feeling on our hard out for dinner reservations, as a "sip and yap" is definitely a vibe for late night cocktails. And the service was genuinely upbeat and kind.

Excellent selection of bourbon! The flights are phenomenal, as is the atmosphere. Comfy and cozy at the same time. A real jewel.

While the ambiance and drinks are unique, this establishment adds a service fee "for the cooks in the kitchen" even when you didn't order a meal. Each time we've visited, they've made a change whereby their political beliefs come through in the guest experience....won't be going back.

This place is SUCH a vibe! We wanted to get a couple drinks and snacks and this was just the place. It's dimly lit, lots of comfy seating at the bar and tables throughout. The service was wonderful and the staff was super attentive. The drink menu was so interesting and unique too! They have an old fashioned of the day, which my partner got and really enjoyed. We're from Utah and these drinks aren't Utah pours, I'll tell you that much! They were really delicious. I got the aqueduct which had vodka, passionfruit-peach honey, lime, and curacao. I was worried it was going to be too sweet when I ordered it but it was delicious. I also got the Hawaiian Chi Chi which had vodka, macadamia nut liqueur, coconut cream, pineapple, and orange. The macadamia nut liqueur was so unique and delicious, it really added a lot to the drink. Both drinks were amazing, and not too sweet or overpowering in flavor, and I would order them again. They have a snacky menu - we got their chips & queso and my partner ordered their oysters and really enjoyed them. The chips and queso were wonderful.

Fun, quirky, and delicious drinks! Went after dinner and stayed late, the old-fashioned of the day was a winner!

This is a gorgeous place! Service was amazing and the drinks were very tasty. We tried 4 different drinks and they all had a very unique flavor to them. The atmosphere was very cozy and we got a kick out of the fact they were playing Bob Ross on the TV. As my husband would say, "I would rather watch Bob Ross than a game." It was a great experience and we will be back very soon.

Came by here with a party of 6 without reservations on a Saturday night (hindsight 20/20), so we waited about 30-45 min for a table. The staff were attentive and friendly from the moment we walked in, so shoutout to them! The vibes are great - good music, fun entertainment on the TVs, and not too dark lighting. My husband and I ordered the Chuflay and Hawaiian Chi Chi. We were pretty excited to see Chuflay on the menu since it's originally from Bolivia and my husband is Bolivian! Both drinks were good and we enjoyed our experience at Water Bear Bar. Definitely recommend checking this place out!

Okay, this place is so cool and atmosphere wise. Other than that ‍ it's self seating which is kind of chaotic people tend to take up weird amounts of space and two people will sit at a larger table and not care. We sat at the bar, and the service was chaotic you don't really have one server multiple people check on you. Which wouldn't be a bad thing except it's few and far between. The drinks are ridiculously priced 18$ for a cocktail. I don't really get it, but maybe I should expect that for downtown I'm not sure. We ordered the queso and chips for 15$ it came out and was Tostitos chips and grocery store queso. Wasn't impressive at least not for that price point. Flagging down someone to cash out was the ridiculous. Once we finally flagged someone down I asked for my check and she stuck her hand out and stared at me to hand her money. I asked her what the total was and she said "I don't know, like 18$." So I gave her 18$. She came back no change, no recite and told me it was 18$ exactly. I'm not sure how that works, but sure. You like the atmosphere you're set. If not I'd skip.

The ambiance here was so cool. They were playing the best 80s music, and the vibe was such a good one for meeting a friend for a drink. Food-wise, we got the chips and dip, which was delicious! We also got oysters, which were good. They are PRICEY though, so if you're used to more affordable, bigger ones in coastal states, be aware of that. For drinks, we each got a NA one, and both were unique and delicious. Again, expensive for drinks without alcohol. The service was really good, and our waitress was knowledgeable and friendly. Overall, I wouldn't go here on a regular basis simply because it was a bit more pricey than what I can afford, but for a special occasion it's a win!

I've been to Water Bear Bar on a couple of occasions now and have enjoyed it each time. Some seriously fun and inventive mixology is going on here. They describe themselves as "serving classic cocktails with a modern twist and side of tiki," which explains their menu and vibe perfectly. First thing to note is that I'd recommend reservations. We had reservations both times we went and I don't know that we'd have gotten in otherwise. The inside is teeming with life--from the myriad of plants and leafy wallpaper to the bustling atmosphere--this spot is alive with a sense of care and community. Every cocktail I've ordered here has been perfectly rendered and beautifully balanced. I love that they have an 'old fashioned of the day' which offers a slight twist on the classic old fashioned on the daily. Bourbon is my liquor of choice and they have a variety of beautifully delicious bourbon cocktails (the hotstepper being one of my faves). The service was as kind and welcoming as the atmosphere. Get to it!

At one point this was my favorite bar in Boise, service has never been a strong point but I am very patient. My visit tonight however was ultimately my last straw to the point I felt the need to leave a yelp review. Having a server come by every 30 minutes during a very relaxed night is lame, there is maybe 14 other people here. The drinks are killer, vibe is great, but the service lacks harder than the jack in the box drive thru at 12:30 on a Saturday. I've become hesitant to recommend friends. I hope for more success here as I'd hate to see it go but don't think I'm in the wrong to expect more.

We wanted to get food and didn't even stay because of the 20-30 minute experience we had. I loved the aesthetic. Such nice colors and was really excited to try this place. Disclaimer: I think of myself as a martini connoisseur. Sadly I was a little disappointed and found things a little odd. Their website was down and they had no physical menus, which for such a "nice" place I found a bit weird. I ordered a Chopin martini, it came out at an average speed, I tried it and it was average (4/10) - not bad not good. My boyfriend proceeded to order a Cadillac margarita which took about 10 minutes to get, and came in a glass 3/4 full. Again, in his words, proceeded to be average. We were never checked on again. After sipping our drinks for 20-30 minutes we were trying to get out check. Finally after multiple efforts of getting someone's attention we received our check. Mind you I love a nice cocktail and I do not mind spending the money on a pristine drink. When these two drinks came out and we saw they were $20 each, we both were shocked. It's one thing to have wonderful service, a delicious drink, and spend $20; but to have a subpar experience with bare minimum service, and bad drinks. $40 for two drinks is not worth it in BOISE, ID! Especially when the nicest restaurant in town with great drinks are $7 cheaper. I hope this review helps someone especially the restaurant.

Vibes vibes vibes everywhere! Even their bathroom is a vibe lol. I've been wanting to come here for a while & glad I finally did. I highly recommend Water bear bar if you're looking for a relaxing spot to connect & have some amazing cocktails Thank you Janelle for the cocktail recommendation. See you guys soon

Listen, I love this place. Still a two star review. Here's why I can't do more. The service here has always been a chaotic system of no server assignments. That's fine in theory or maybe with some organizational elements. However, while some experiences here have been with too many people stopping at the table asking if we've ordered when we ordered with three servers before them, most of the time there are very limited visits to the table. We will find a table, but by the time we're greeted, god forbid we need another minute as we won't be seen again for 30. The reason why this is so important to me is because the setting is great, drinks are good, and best oysters in town. And for such a potentially GREAT place to be brought down consistently by the service. It's such a bummer!

Really loved the time we spent here just ordering drinks! The space was smaller than expected but loved the decor, plenty of live plants around the space, and even on screens they were showing a game of a city being built. Even the hallway to the bathroom was well decorated and had a clean look. We came right at opening and were lucky to be able to nab bar seats at the end away from people but throughout the night the place got packed with other groups. Looking at the menu I thought the cocktail names were unique and the cocktails had nice flavor combinations. $15+ which is pretty standard for cocktails imo so nothing too out of the ordinary. Ended up getting a couple rounds and tried the pegasus club, el jefe, bloomer collins, and book club G+T. All drinks we got were unique and not something we normally see at other bars and were happy with our options. Throughout the night staff was keen to check up on us to ensure we had everything we had, enjoyed our drinks, and just chat it up. Had a great time thanks to my company and staff. Thank you!

I loved the ambiance of this place the minute I walked in. The decor along with a large variety of plants and the music really set the tone for this space. We were seated in a cozy booth in the back that was perfect for a private group setting. The drinks here are next level. They have so many fun drinks that come served in such creative ways. One of my favorites about this bar is that they have the "good ice". The owner came and chatted with us for a while and gave us so many recommendations for drinks based off of what we like. I can't say enough about this place, it is fantastic!

Good drinks. Creative concoctions. Beautiful room and friendly staff. So what's not to like? Only the fact that they hopped on the train of practically hidden "service charges," whatever that means. The menu is only by QR code and don't blame my old eyes for missing the "18% service charge will be added to all checks" disclaimer in like 4pt font on my little iPhone. I literally added a 25% tip to our ~$50 bill (for 2 drinks and a popcorn), then happened to glance at the itemized receipt and saw this mystery fee. Were we a party of 6? No, just two. Of course the check also asked for separate gratuity. So, scratch the tip then. If you're going to add some mystery fee rather than simply build it into the price of your already $14-$26 drinks (you didn't read that wrong) then fine, you can use that as your gratuity. Really wanted to like this place even though I don't typically pay that much for drinks. Sadly, due to personal policy regarding hidden charges, I won't be going back

I can recall the first time I went to WaterBear Bar and every time thus after because every visit here is an experience. The ambiance is cool and eclectic with tons of plants that are simply thriving in there. You have to make a reservation beforehand on their website- so, plan ahead and make an event out of it. When you get there- they usually have the door locked but someone comes out quickly and you just tell them the name on the reservation and YOU'RE IN. The drinks here are delicious! Here are a few I recommend: - Old Fashioned of the Day: top shelf, unique, and changes everyday! - Bodinky: a shot of braulio and a small beer- comes in the cutest boot shot glass. - Bold Rish: a little heat and some bourbon- what more could you ask for? - Daisy in my Lazy eye: it's like a marg but better- for my fellow reposado lovers. -Bobby Lawn- made with a strong black tea... but also kinda reminds me of college(?) - Espresso Martini: I'm just such a big fan of starting the night with an espresso martini- this one is deep and delicious. If they have them when you're there- OYSTERS. The oysters are fresh and delicious and come with some amazing sauces. Sourced locally in the pacific northwest- you can tell that WaterBear has a good and close relationship with the oyster farmers. WaterBear bar is worth the wait- just make a reservation!

This is an upscale and small bar and it's recommended that you make reservations beforehand. Fortunately I came here at around 7:30pm when it wasn't as busy and got a seat at the bar. Once you walk in you'll see tons of plants all over the bar, including those coming off the ceiling. I overheard one of the servers telling another group that it takes one person 4 hours to water all the plants in the bar! There is a huge cocktail selection and each of them also has flavor profiles under the ingredient list so you know exactly what to expect from each drink. They also have happy hour from 9pm-close which includes some twists on classic cocktails. My first drink was the magpie ($14) which definitely follows the tiki drink profile. It's slightly boozy and slightly bitter from the Campari but it's definitely sweet and not strong tasting. It's a downable and dangerous drink. My second drink was the man's hat ($16) which is basically the complete opposite of the magpie. It's boozy and a dry cocktail from the blanc vermouth but also slightly sweet from the sweet vermouth. The lemon peel and oils are so clutch on the nose too! It's like an upgraded old fashioned; if you like strong boozy drinks this is the one for you. Note that tax is included with the cocktail prices so that's why it's a little more pricey. There's also an automatic 18% service charge included with your check. This is pricier than other bars in Boise but it's a good place to go if you're looking for a great atmosphere and a cool vibe for a special occasion.

My friend and I came here for a girls night specifically to have a Christmas cocktail in a cute cup and decorate and gingerbread cookie. We came in a Tuesday night around 7 and it was pretty busy! We didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us before a 8:30 reservation. It did take a bit to get seated but we had a great time nonetheless. We ordered a bowl of popcorn to snack on, one of the Christmas cocktails that was recommended by the server (I don't remember the name) and the gingerbread cookie to decorate. We spent about 1.5 hours here and we had a good time. It's a neat spot to check out when they have some fun speciality experiences going on.

waited 30 minutes for a dozen oysters, the suggested tip is on top of an 18% service fee, and i got charged regular price for an "old fashioned of the day" even though there was still 5 minutes left of happy hour. food and drinks were good but definitely won't be back.

My friends and I are all regulars at Water Bear! It's a greatly inclusive and friendly space with a kind wait staff and amazing bar tenders. Its definitely on the pricier side, but the quality and the atmosphere are so worth it. And Vinyl Wednesdays are the best!!! They've even given us free champagne for birthdays and graduation celebrations. Definitely recommend. The other negative reviews on here seem to be simply because of the bar's covid precautions. When everything was starting to open back up, this was one of the only places that we felt safe going because they really did their due diligence and cared a lot about the safety of their patrons and staff. They are currently back at full capacity without restrictions, but we still make a reservation when we go to ensure a table just in case it's busy :)

I absolutely love this place! Hands down one of my fave places to hit with my gals. Their cosmopolitans are one of the better that I've had in Boise. The atmosphere is so cozy. Good ramen too! Service is usually pretty slow though and you feel like your order has been forgotten just about every time you go in there.

Worst charcuterie board I've ever seen. It was so weak. Lacking in every category. Nearly zero cheese and meat with a few tasteless crackers. Highly do NOT recommend. Of all the charcuterie boards I've ever had this so the worst one over ever had.

Outstanding evening! We walked in on our last night in Boise while visiting our son. The atmosphere was excellent and the drinks were top-notch. My son completely enjoyed the eclectic playlist. Pro-tip: order the Furikake Celery Matchsticks...so delicious we ordered them twice! Really, really happy with our evening. The staff was amazing!

A great find! Quirky atmosphere, friendly servers, and exceptional cocktails, including ones made with akvavit!

If it were an experience it would be worth it but it's not. It's a bar with overpriced drinks and hidden gratuity/cost of living fees. Pricing is comparable to an experience but without an experience. Tiki bar with less booze.

Worst service I've ever had - waited 45 minutes to be served and very unaccommodating to every ask as simple as getting water. A friend joined us half way through and we didn't see a server for another 30 min so the friend ended up ordering herself a drink at the bar and closing out on her own. But then our bill came and we were charged an auto gratuity for having 5 people (one of them being the girl that had to get her own drink so wasn't even served or part of our bill) and an additional 18% service charge for the, wait for it...SERVICE. 28% added to an already overpriced drink, absolute madness! This place does not belong in Boise and the service is awful! Sounds like everyone is having the same experience though so won't last long.

Drinks are great but service just so so with a little tude. Food: oysters, when they actually have them, are great. The rest is ridiculously over priced and substandard. And the shady 18% service charge to every check, which is only listed at the bottom of the nonalcoholic drinks....because that's where everyone looks!?!? I have tried to support local but I won't be going back here. Not worth it Too bad

Cocktails are on the expensive side for Boise. Are they good, yes. But I'm not a fan of $17+ cocktails. Just not my vibe. It feels like I am sitting in my grandparents home bar (just much bigger). All of the above are fine, what really warrants the 2 star review is the automatic 18% "service fee" on the bill. We would have left a 20% tip but since we were forced an 18% fee, we didn't. It was just my wife and I. While the owner of the bar was friendly and nice, we definitely won't be coming back here.

Had a great time! Drinks were on point. Staff were super friendly. Super chill atmosphere makes this a great place to sit, sip and visit with whoever you're with!

was pretty excited to come into this place because it was closed for a really long time for covid. we walked up yesterday and there was a sign out front on the door that says not to walk in, to wait and they will come to you. everyone is still masked. social distancing stickers on the floor. it's not exactly an inviting atmosphere for a BAR. I didn't feel very welcome. felt like a science experiment. then they sat us at the bar directly next to people....so much for social distancing. ok then. whatever. the menu is QR code...of course it is. the bar itself is really pretty and there are plants EVERYWHERE. it's like a jungle in there. it's pretty cool. they have interesting art on the walls and random stuff to look at floor to ceiling. books in the bar go read. the booths were interesting. the bar itself has so many types of libations behind it. that was nice to see. then we opened up the menu and....um. can I just get a regular drink? all the drinks were $15+ each. all of them had ingredients I had never heard of. i've been going to bars for 15 years. these cocktails were expensive and over the top. there wasn't a list of their liquors and it seemed like you couldn't just order a regular drink. no wine, and no beer list either. it was just overall too much for me. the whole place felt over the top, expensive, and overwhelming. we got up and left. if you are wealthy and want to show off how many cool random liquors you know and wear two masks everywhere you go- this is the place for you.

They charge an 18% gratuity, which is technically not a bad thing. However, just letting you know here because you won't find that info anywhere on their menu. Will any of the staff to give you a heads up as you place your order or when the bill comes around? NOPE. But, they will include a recommended tip amount ON TOP of the 18% already included in your bill. Do not get tricked into paying upwards of a 40% tip just because they refuse to be transparent about their service fees.

The ambiance and decor is amazing! The service was exceptional - they brought us small glasses of Prosecco when our cocktails took a little longer than expected. The Manhattan was a a fantastic classic and the Old Fashioned of the day had an unexpected twist.

Super cool spot, good variety of cocktails & a nice little switch up from the bars down the street. I have not tried the food but the cocktails were great, good service too!

They're really killing it with to-go cocktails! Being able to bring home canned cocktails with everything to feel like you're out for a fun evening is so refreshing in this year! I loved that they had the ice vacuum sealed and labeled for the correct drinks. I ordered 4 cocktails from the seasonal menu: Studded Tires, Persephone's Downfall, and Home Alone (x2). This is really kicking date night up a notch or two. Can't wait to try it again soon!!

The music was so loud! Felt pretentious to me. They put a gratuity automatically into the bill. Staff were friendly.

Beautiful bar but 28 percent increase when you see the check. No thank you 18 percent service charge. Then a 10 percent gratuity that was included. Wont be returning. This ain't New York. Also I have worked in the industry for years and I would always tell the customers the gratuity is included if it was. And they did not

18% "Living wage gratuity" added at checkout. They told us this but it wasn't until we checked out. My experience with "automatic gratuities" is that the wait staff "phones-in" their service because they know they're going to get tipped no matter what; unfortunately, this was no different. It took 20 minutes to get our drinks (on a Wednesday night, not exactly slammed). After my drink was gone I asked one of the wait staff for our server and she said she'd get them. 5 minutes later our server came by and had no clue I'd asked for her. Overall, the drinks were a 5-star. Service was a 1-star. I bumped up the average to a 3-star rather than down to a 2-star. As far as a "living way 18% gratuity", at those prices the owners can afford to pay more and the staff can work for their tips, just like all other servers. You go to a place because of the menu; you go back because of the service. I won't be back. And no, we didn't leave additional gratuity.

This is a new favorite spot to get drinks. Recently celebrated a friend's birthday at this location and I was very impressed. Drinks were on point, service was great, ambiance was so calm and relaxing. We had a variety of drinks like Negronis and Martinis but I was very impressed with their seasonal cocktails. So glad they re-opened their lounge and even though it took awhile to get a reservation, it was very much worth the wait. So glad they weathered the pandemic and I plan to make frequent visits here maybe on a weekly/biweekly basis. Must visit for anyone who appreciates nice cocktails!

Was a big fan pre-Covid! Been a tough year for bars in general, but they have there Covid game on point! You can order drinks to go, and they mix them up and pack them in a sealed can to stay fresh. Think tiny Crowler! Loving the studded tire, Try it!

Came here firs t the first time, visiting ID and I'm a fan of their drinks! I arrived pretty late, around 9pm and found this bar was still open! Luckily they were able to 2 seat me and my gf real quick. We had the small plates nothing crazy. Oysters and a small app. All I can remember is the ambiance and their drinks! Come for the vibe here and the popcorn!

Was so excited to finally go to this bar I had heard only good things about. Boy, was I dumb to get my hopes up. Let me preface this by saying I have worked in the food service industry for most of my life. I currently work in the kitchen in one of the busiest restaurants in downtown Boise. I have experienced it from both "ends of house". All these critiques come with two things taken into consideration: one, it being about an hour and a half til close; two, it being a busy Friday night. I've seen some other reviews on this same channel talking about long ticket times. We waited about 30 minutes for a couple relatively simple drinks. Nearly waited an hour for a dozen oysters. When I finally approached the bar to tell them we didn't want our food anymore, I was met with passive aggressiveness. Instead of any explanation to why our food was taking so long or an eta, or even a simple apology. Our food was only dropped off after this prompting. A friend who was sitting with us informed me after that they were told something along the lines of "well this is a $50 item so I just want to know if you want it or not" essentially guilt tripping our table instead of taking any responsibility for the situation. I've shucked dozens upon dozens of oysters in my lifetime and I know it doesn't take an hour to clean and suck a dozen oysters. We ordered one (1) food item. By the time we had gotten our food, most of the bar had cleared out. There's no reason why they should've been running ticket times this long. I'm not sure what kind of a kitchen situation they're working with, but even at full capacity, I doubt water bear can hold more than 50 tops at a time. A volume which kitchen staff should be more than capable of covering with a measly 5 or 6 menu items. I am generally sympathetic of restaurant staff and their daily plights. It would've been fine if any sort of apology of comp had been issued, but now here we are. When my friend expressed frustration with the food, she was met with general "cuntiness" from the staff. I'm more disappointed than I am mad. I had high hopes for this oyster bar that is held in high regard by many I know. Ultimately I feel like I had been victim to the ultimate bait-and-switch I didn't expect this establish to stoop to. Will never be coming back and will make sure fellow restauranteurs steer clear of this place.

I really wanted to love this place and I'm sad that I didn't. The inside was cute and the drinks were very tasty. But there were 2 things that weren't good and are the reason for my low rating. 1. The music is super loud which makes it hard to talk. 2. Most importantly, the servers are not kind. I was sat at the bar next to a large box of very cute crocheted coasters. I loved them. So I was admiring how unique the were. I grabbed a couple to throw in front of me because they were literally in an open box on the bar in front of patrons. By the way I was treated by staff after that, you would have thought I grabbed a bottle of liquor from behind the bar and started chugging it. I had multiple servers chastise me over it. One literally said to me "those are only for me to touch, not you." Like come on. They are sitting in front of me on the bar. So I guess if you go, just know you aren't allowed to touch ANYTHING - even if it's right in front of you. That's fine if you don't want people touching things, but at least make it clear and don't treat people poorly for not being able to read literally unwritten rules.

This is my favorite bar in the world. So weird and unique. The best drinks! A little pricey, but it's a great pre or post spot to grab a drink on a date night. They had Heman on the TV last time I was there and it made my life.

I'm not sure I've encountered such a pretentious or discriminatory business. Customer centric, they are not. Professional, they are not. Discriminatory, they are. Ding, ding, we have a winner in the Water Bear Bar. First, they make it absolutely impossible to reach them via phone. We tried in vain to find a phone number to let them know we were running 10 mins behind, but of course who could expect a less than customer centric business to have their phone number listed- the only number listed on our reservation led to a dead end "we are sorry the mailbox user you are calling mailbox is full". How convenient but in hindsight not overly surprising once experienced their lack of customer service. So fast forward to 11 mins later in which we show up, masks on. Doors locked. And we wait patiently for quite some time. Then an employee comes out and we tell them of our reservation, she goes back in to confirm and promptly comes out announcing "since you were 20 mins late for your reservation we gave away your table but luckily we have seats a available at the bar". Just a quick fact check for your review readers: 1. We weren't 20 mins late, this was very rudely and conveniently exaggerated by this employee and without consideration for how long we were left waiting, even then it wouldn't have added up to 20 mins 2. There was nothing lucky about available bar seats (stay tuned to find out why) So naturally stunned but the how unprofessional and rude the service was to boot, sadly it only got worse. We sat at the bar, next to one lonely stool. No menus. No nothing. The bartender asked if we had menus to which we answered no, only then did the menus come. In the midst of this the lonely stool was seated next to us. Shortly after reviewing the menu, we were approached by another employee who started the greeting with "well I heard you ladies were late..." this might be a good moment to STOP and take pause for anyone who understands the meaning of hospitality or customer service or even basic professionalism or maybe even those basic manners your parents should have instilled in you. Certainly one of the worst approaches I've ever encountered. In short, she was basically trying to move us to another table to which we said no thanks, we ok where we are. Her response was to essentially insist on us moving and insisted there was no other option. One look at my friend and I knew it was time to leave, a business who so clearly doesn't value customers and will enforce at any length. Upon leaving she very sarcastically said "oh your leaving? Ok well I hear western proper is doing a decent job if you want to check them out?" I think that does a well enough job in exemplifying their complete lack of customer service and professionalism. Clearly going out of their way to push out those who they don't feel belong and in doing so, discriminate against. Certainly not a badge of honor I would ever want to carry but bravo to Water Bear. The irony was when we decided to leave and went to a local business near by, it was pretty clear we weren't the only ones this had happened too. Which is incredibly sad and horrible. But I am tenfold more content in supporting those businesses than I ever well be an establishment such as water bear. Knowing their culture that was so clearly demonstrated by more than one employee, I doubt they will be capable of seeing the learnings in this example of their unprofessionalism and severe lack or hospitality, which will undoubtedly catch up to them one day if left unaddressed. Until then, we will be making a point to cheers elsewhere.

GAHHHH, I can't believe how COOL this place is!! The drinks are insanely good (so many to choose from, and even if you order off menu, you won't be disappointed... I ordered a mojito, and it had super fresh mint), and the food is bommmmb... try that popcorn for sure, and also the compressed watermelon hand roll. The folks who work here are the most awesome, friendly, kind and welcome people... Kylie, one of the owners, was especially amazing and welcoming to these out-of-towners. Everyone here made our first night visiting from Denver super great. Visit here - you won't be disappointed. Promise.