Chain Drive

If you like going to a bar that you can get staph infections just by walking through, this is the place for you! It's disgusting, very lowly lit, and the patrons/staff are a much less than intolerable. A lot of s*x out on the two different patios. Also, what's up with the music? It's supposed to be a leather/bear/biker bar, and yet they still constantly play Christina, Madonna, and Fergie??? Pros: Plenty of parking, easy to find, cheap drinks Cons: public s*x, filthy, kinda smells more

I love this dump; I will miss it if it ever gets put out of business by the corporate machine chewing up downtown Austin. The rumor of its imminent death has been going for at least 10 years now so I won't believe CD is closed till the building is bulldozed. Chain Drive is a seriously dank dive that purports to be a leather bar in name only. I have on occasion seen leather in there on a Friday or Saturday night but even then, that was not the norm. Its a friendly place where non-twinks, bears, chubs, punks, old guys, guys who like all of the above, and anyone else who doesn't feel comfortable in "mainstream" gay culture goes. The restrooms are nasty, no privacy - I don't know if that's supposed to cut down on cruising, or the owner is just too cheap to spring for doors and stalls. The patio furniture is all broken, and the place is more or less dead when there's not an event, but the drink specials are insanely cheap and the staff is friendly. Pros: Cheap drinks, Great music, friendly patrons and staff Cons: Seriously run down dive more

When I first got there, it was dark, but definately not scary. The bartenders are great, the music is good and the drink prices are the best around. The atmosphere is very casual, and everyone seems to just gel when they get there. So what ever you want to do, Cruise, chill, or hang out with some down to earth bears, this is the place to go. You can smoke out in the back yard, or if you're not a smoker then there is a yard for you too. Pool tables, trivia machines, music and not a bit of attitude attached. Pros: Hot men, PLENTY of FREE PARKING (behind ihop), exellent prices Cons: Wednesday night live bands - the bars too small for that and the music is VERY LOUD more

This is the only gay biker, leather, bear, cruise bar in Austin but "typical Joe" type of men go there as well. Drinks are cheap especially Friday and Saturday all day long with $1.00 domestic beer and well drinks. Cover charge after 9 p.m. Fri-Sat is $3.00 but still worth it with the cheap drinks and lot's of friendly men. The staff is also very friendly and there's always a wide variety of music playing especially during happy hour. The main bar is sort of dark while the side bar with pool tables is brighter. There's also a roomy back yard and patio. Pros: Cheap Drinks, Friendly Patrons, Friendly Staff Cons: Dark, Smoking outside only, Cover after 9 fri-sat more

Hit this place on Friday for the cheap cover and cheaper drinks...you think you won't like it...but you will! more

A nice mix of music, pool playing area and courtyards which facilitate talking and making friends. Pros: Good Bartenders, Nice Courtyards, Leather atmosphere Cons: Not enough parking more