(512) 480-9017

504 Willow St
Austin, TX 78701 30.2611 -97.7395

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Neighborhoods: South River City, Greater South River City

CHAIN-DRIVE.COM

Reviews & Ratings for Chain Drive

4 Star Rating: Recommended

7 reviews

What users are saying:

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/12/09

Pretty disgusting...inside and out.

by Mike78704

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
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/25/07

Surprisingly great music for such a dive

by wbohrer

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

08/21/06

Editorial Review by Citysearch Editors

by Contributor

Popular Austin gay, leather bar with a preferred "Levi's, leather or Latex" dress code.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/22/06

good fun, good people, good bar

by ejgoyle

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/15/06

Austin's only gay biker bar.

by bertgunner

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
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/21/03

Not To Be Feared!

by wolkie

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

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

12/08/02

One of the Best

by leandertxcwby

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

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