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The Gaff

3.9 (141 reviews)
ModeratePizza, Sandwiches, Pubs
Open • 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
Updated a few days ago

About The Gaff

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The Gaff Photos

Business Info

THE GAFF ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Divey
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - The Gaff

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Reviews With Photos

Tom C.

What a fun place. I love this bar! Nice people too. The Gaff pizza was excellent with pepperoni, onions, bell peppers, hamburger, black olives, mushrooms.... Outstanding! Beers were nice and cold. We had a fun night.

Cold pizza thanks to poor service
Guy H.

Unfortunately,my first food experience here was one I'd like to forget. One of my favorite things to do is take a pizza to the beach. This particular evening I'd built a fire,weather was perfect and I was ready for an evening listening to the waves and looking into the fire. The Gaff,a local dive bar,is reputed to have good pizza. So,we slid by ordering in person. Telling us it would be 30 mins,we enjoyed the live music. An hour later upon inquiring about our pizza,the ditzie counter girl reaching for our pizza said," oh I thought you were picking up! I didn't realize you were waiting." Da! By the time the pizza was back at the beach,it was cold. But the fire was hot and nighttime beach experience mitigated the pizza faux pas. However,I wouldn't go back to the Gaff. The owner was standing there and knew what happened. He could have easily replaced our cold pizza with a hot one, on the house . No Go!

Enjoying the races!

We love "The Gaff" and we always stop in every time we are on island. The pizza, the cold beer and atmosphere is over the top! Live music and naturally the Belt Sander races are just added bonuses to an already fun place!! Highly recommend!

Entertainment
Ryan W.

Fun little dive bar with belt sander races on Sunday. Speedy service (order at counter). Easily one of the top 3 pizzas we've had... and we pizza a lot.

Ruth D.

Party like a local! This is a pirate themed dive bar with live music and the best dogs. We came for the annual talk like a pirate day parade and EMS fundraiser and we had a blast. Jim Dugan was playing an acoustic guitar set in the back and we sang along to Americans favorites while we waited for pizza. My friends ordered pizza and I enjoyed locally brewed craft beer from Nueces brewery. My fella ordered N/A beer. I met the owner Kip and his wife Heidi and they were so warm and authentic. They shared with me the struggles they faced on the island after the deviation of hurricane Harvey. They told me they were expanding the N/A beer selection and we talked about his previous work at the historic Scholz Garten in Austin, where we live. Places like this provide a real taste of island culture and it's so important to support this kind of independent business. We will definitely be back next year!! Support your local pirate bar!

The Gaffer
Kent R.

Love me some Gaff!! This isn't your standard touristy place. Definitely a regular spot, well worth it. Bartender is sweet as could be, we had our two dogs and they were just fine accommodating as long as they stayed on a leash. Cold beer and some wine, but the pizza, it was outstanding! We got the World Famous Gaffer. Crust is crispy on the bottom, holds up to all those toppings and delicious melty cheese. I will 100% go back every time and get that same pizza. Go support awesomeness!

Front entrance
Brent L.

That's right folks. This little hole in a wall joint holds the bragging rights for being the "birthplace of Texas belt sander racing." Although they didn't have the races the day I was there, I did get to see the "tracks" out back. It looks like it might be an entertaining sport. I was on a quest looking for a late afternoon meal, and this place said "pizza" on the outside, and since most of the Yelp reviews say they have good pizza, I stopped in. Well, after realizing they allow dogs inside (I love dogs, but don't bring them inside a bar or food establishment) and they still allow smoking inside, I decided to just get a cold brew and hang out on the back patio instead. If you're looking for a fun and relaxed dive bar to hang out at, this is probably it. There's plenty of picnic table seating out back and they have a small stage for live music events. Beer prices are great - cans of Sierra Nevada Sierraveza are $1.50 - you just can't beat that with a stick. It's CASH ONLY. Again, it's a great place to hang out, but the smoking inside thing really turned me off. I don't mind cigarette smoke on a patio, but when it's inside, it just plain stinks...

Cold beer

The Gaffer pizza was really good, the bar had just the right feel, and the service was really quick and friendly, all while riding out a tropical storm.

Bar area was busy on Christmas day!
Jan F.

Funky fun for Christmas! So it was the only place open in town, but it was still worth the visit. We enjoyed our brief stay at the bar catching up on local color. So much to see. Beer was beer. Cold.

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2 months ago

Service was good with plenty of sarcasm and no holding back on patrons. Pizza is good as well.

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26 days ago

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2 years ago

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4 months ago

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3 months ago

Poor food. Poor service. Rude owner. Looked dirty inside. I would not recommend this place. Way nicer places close by.

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7 months ago

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2 years ago

The pizzas are pretty good. The atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. We really enjoyed ourselves there. Definitly going back.

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

Great dive bar, nice beer selection, fast, friendly service. Entertainment too! Enjoy!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Beat pizza on the island, great old town feel and love the live music!! This is always a " must have" meal when in town.

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2 years ago

Hands down best pizza EVER! It's a must try while on the island. May be hard to order pizza on an island , but you won't be sorry.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Fun locals bar. We came in from Michigan and stayed in town several days. The pizza here was amazing

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3 years ago

Best place to find out the latest scoop about Port Aransas and they make the best pizzas. The gaffer is a must!

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

The pizza was disgusting and the service was trash. The staff was not friendly at all.

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3 years ago

We just love this place and the pizza and Ambience is great!!! Service is good to!!

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4 years ago

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Page 1 of 4

Ask the Community - The Gaff

Can you smoke outside?

Yes. You can also smoke inside.

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Review Highlights - The Gaff

“Live music and naturally the Belt Sander races are just added bonuses to an already fun place!!”

Mentioned in 12 reviews

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Fulton’s Irish Pub & Grill
Fulton’s Irish Pub & Grill
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Venetian Hot Plate - Corner table

Corner table

Venetian Hot Plate - Crab crostini with red blend

Crab crostini with red blend

Venetian Hot Plate - Ambiance

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Ambiance

The Gaff - pizza - Updated October 2026

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