As soon as you enter this bar, you're welcomed by great beats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a sense of inclusivity. The old-fashioned cocktail I ordered was delicious, while my wife enjoyed the dangerously good Lady Bountiful. Our servers took great care of us, providing plenty of water and ensuring we had everything we needed. The atmosphere of the place makes you feel welcomed and inspired to engage in conversations. read more

Water Bear Bar - Front of the house. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

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Loved the vibes and cocktails at this super cute bar. Friendly staff and definitely somewhere I would come back to when I'm in the area. Highly recommend. read more

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. read more

Water Bear Bar - Christmas decor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

CLOSING OCTOBER 4. In a model of unfortunate timing, this bar opened in July 2019 and we all know what happened in early 2020 to close down public bars for a while. During COVID times they were a participant in a Yelp end of year award event that we participated in via Zoom (I think it was Zoom) in the days when the remarkable Michelle P was CA in Boise and it arranged for a cocktail and eats box to be picked up curbside from Water Bear. I think WB recovered after COVID days a bit but also the owners focus and promotion of it as a queer owned bar may have been an impediment for some customers who wondered if they were welcome if they are straight. (The A to that Q is yes, you were.) They have been struggling financially for a while now and had public news shared about the need for more customers. Alas, it didn't work for them and closure announced. This is a primo downtown Boise location so it won't stay vacant for long. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Fun NA drink - basically a sober person's pina colada - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Golden calculator - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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

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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! read more

My favorite place for a cocktail in town. Love Water Bear Bar! Love the vibes, decor, fun drink menu and different whimsical glasses they come in. Fun small bites. I also still say prettiest bathrooms in downtown. read more

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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

Water Bear Bar - Magpie ($14) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

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

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 read more

Water Bear Bar - The old fashion of the day & the honeymooner super refreshing - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

It was awful. Service rude. Drinks nasty. Snacks from the air fryer it tasted like. Will not go back.

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. read more

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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 read more

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 :) read more

Water Bear Bar - Sloe gin fizz cocktail and seasonal popcorn! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

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. read 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. read more

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! read more

Water Bear Bar - Doilies, c'mon! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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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. read more

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!! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Water Bear Bar - Charcuterie board. Not good - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

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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! read more

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! read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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. read more

Water Bear Bar - Manhattan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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. read more

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

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! read more