Chain Drive
(512) 480-9017
504 Willow St
Austin,
TX
78701
30.2611
-97.7395
Neighborhoods: South River City, Greater South River City
What People Are Saying About Chain Drive
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
Popular Austin gay, leather bar with a preferred "Levi's, leather or Latex" dress code.
User Reviews
Mike78704
February 12, 2009
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???
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wbohrer
September 25, 2007
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.
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ejgoyle
July 22, 2006
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.
read full reviewThe Details on Chain Drive
Know Before You Go:
Expect to see a lot of furry men bellying up to the bar: This is the home base for the Heart of Texas Bears, a social group for "masculine, bearded, and/or hairy gay men and their admirers."
