Horrific service. The crowd is sloppy. Definitely not a go-to place. The "bartender" (not sure how this person even acquired the job in the first place) forgot to place my order for food, subsequently told me "let me check to see if I can even place it because it's late now", and then didn't comp anything. Not that I expect a comp, EVER, but the experience itself was so awful that he probably should've bought at least ONE watered down beer. Any Black Bear Saloon I've ever walked into I've had a horrible experience. Lousyyyyyyyy!!!!!
Review Source:Uggg. Made my first visit in some five years. No hostess any more. Grabbed a table, waitress dropped off menus, took a drink order and disappeared for 20 minutes. It was 8pm on a Thursday, still a dinner time for the crowd coming back from NYC at the end of a workday. Seemed odd for it to be so empty. I opened the menu, yikes, really pared down over the last few years. Mostly pub chow now. 20 minutes later, the waitress came around the corner and was shocked/surprised to see us there. I guess she forgot she had customers. Ordered an appetizer and our entrees. FAIL.
Twenty more minutes passed. Out came a fantastic pile of nachos and all the great fixin's. At that moment, my thought was to cancel the entrees, this appetizer was more than enough flavor and food for the evening. Probably too late, as our dinners were presented before the server cleared a spot on the table for the nachos. FAIL.
The nachos were great, good flavor, good toppings, generous portion. ONE STAR. My sandwich; fresh hoagie roll, decent toppings, onion rings were perfect, but the namesake meat on the sandwich? Ever been to Subway? Â It seemed to be premium steak, but just two thin (width and thickness) hidden under onions and peppers. FAIL
I put a one-year clock on the BBS believing business was way too weak to survive their address and rent. It was the NCAA tournament and McDonald's probably had more sports fans dining there. Then began the transition. Over the next twenty minutes, their predecessor Shenanigan's slowly oozed out of the kitchen, closets, through the floorboard and from behind the bar. What had been a top shelf sports bar/tavern five years earlier, is now making their money as run-of-the-mill meat market. But too much meat, not enough trim. Mob's of 30+ guys, almost no girls, and none that would really turn your head without a pitcher or two. Also, something very unappetizing watching thirty-something guys, playing beer pong while sort-a dressed for work as a low level corporate or financial drones. Dudes, college party night was fun and all, but yah gotta move on at some point. Go home, take a shower, put on comfy clothes, then start your quest for fine fur.
So, anyway, one star for no food poisoning and serving hot food. One star for hardwood decor and a previous menu that was inspiring and service that was worth receiving. Sad to see a fine dining experience slide back into the LCD market, but thanks while it lasted.
I will not be returning to Black Bear! I've been to Black Bear many times and its truly gone down hill! I went last night with my husband for some drinks and appetizers. When we entered, the bar seemed very calm with only six tables in use and a few people at the bar.  When we sat down, I noticed the place was freezing and I had a fan blowing on the back of my head. It took the wait staff almost thirty minutes to flip a switch to shut it off. The wait staff also couldn't ultimately decide who was going to  Wait on us. When they finally figured it out,  we ordered drinks and buffalo wings. The drinks were so weak, that I couldn't even taste the alcohol in the drink and my husband's beer took fifteen minute to make it to the table. Moreover, the wings which we ordered were sub-par and took way to long to make it to the table. They were dry and the sauce that was drizzled on them was tasteless. I had to request blue cheese dressing, which I think is a standard. What came to the table however, was not blue cheese. It was an odd mixture of chunks of blue cheese and pepper corn ranch dressing. Still, we decided to order the nachos (which at most bars is a pretty safe bet). When the nachos arrived at the table (about thirty minutes later) they were the most sad display of nachos I had ever seen. Only four of the chips had cheese on them. The rest of the small plate of crushed chips did not have cheese. The waiter came to the table and asked how everything was going? I explained how the nachos only had four chips with cheese and the rest of the chips were crushed. He asked if we wanted to order another plate of nachos. I told him that I would like the nachos to be removed from the bill, due to how they were served and that the wings were very dry. He said that I had an attitude! I explained to him the situation and that in no way shape or form did I think the wings or nachos were his fault, however, I was disappointed with the quality. He continued to be rude, walked away and when he came back, he mentioned how he gave me a "free" drink that he messed up on and didn't appreciate my attitude. I would NEVER go back to this place after the lack of service we received (which should have been great service considering only six tables were in use and few people at the bar), horrible food and rude wait staff.
Pros: Laid back, you can take your time, more than enough seating.
Cons: Inattentive staff, some rude staff, you need to ask repeatedly for items, drinks are weak, food takes a rather lengthy time to arrive at the table and the food is sub-par.
Ok so, where to start....? Â I've been to Black Bear many times, and it's usually pretty crowded with youngsters, but not too too bad. In SoNo seems to be the best option to party, and sometimes I just ended up there for not finding another better place to go.
 They have crappy bands playing, but it's fun. They charge to get in, which is not cool, considering it's the ONLY bar in SoNo that charges, at least that I'm aware of, and I don't think it makes any sense....
The staff sometimes can be rude, some of the bouncers are full of atitude. Other than the male bartenders, the service is not too good. The girls that work there don't seem to be any friendly or helpful, and I noticed some of them pretty much hitting on customers boyfriends... LOL Not cool.
Drinks are ok, food is not bad, but theyhave a good deal on buffalo wings on sundays, really nice for football season...
The manager has no clue of customer services, cause no complain ever get resolved and they try to say you ( the customer) is wrong!!! ( ????)
 But overall the place is fun to go to dance and get wild. It's definitely a meat maket if that's what you're looking for!
Allow me to preface this review. I see a lot of the reviews are people complaining about the crowds, cover, ect at night. I came here on a Sunday afternoon starving while railfanning at the SoNo train station - yes, I'm THAT kind of nerd - and the BBS met my needs, although it was an expensive lunch - $25 with tip. I got the Salmon BLT, which was fantastic, and sweet potato fries, which were ok. I'm really picky with sweet potato fries, they have to be crispy...whereas these erred on the side of slightly too mushy for my taste. That alone was $14 or something. I get it, salmon isn't cheap, and overall it was worth it. I also got a toasted almond, which was on the cheap side - 6something...some I've paid $9 for, so that was fine too. Bartender/waiter (I ate at the bar) was pretty attentive, which is why I didn't deduct a star for the slow service.
Overall, If I'm in the area railfanning on a weekend when the concessions at SoNo station aren't open, I'd be back...although I'd probably look to something cheaper on the menu to sate my appetite, because honestly all the other places that popped up on the yelp app looked even MORE expensive!
I have absolutely HAD IT with Black Bear...
The food is alright, perhaps better if you've been drinking... but it's nothing special. It takes forever and a day to get a beer, even though there are two bars at this nightmare of an operation. Furthermore, there's a NINE dollar cover most nights. Are you kidding me? Nine bucks for a near intolerable social scene and crappy bands?
And the real dealbreaker that will ensure that I never go here again...THEIVES.
Do not go here, because you just may have something stolen. When we went in November, my friend had her cashmere scarf stolen. In December, I had my coat stolen, with keys and cell phone inside. I have a feeling these were inside jobs. This should not be happening in SoNo... it certainly doesn't happen at other bars in the area.
I'm just done with Black Bear... all of its locations.
Its ok Not great not horrible. They seem to draw a huge young crowd which is fine. The most recent visit that I was here for was this past weekend. Trumball was having a 10 year reunion there so they are good in that sense of blocking off an area for a group. It usually gets packed here on weekend nights. Food is decent. not out of this world but decent. Prices are great for what they offer. Would go back again.
Review Source:I have been here a few times now so I can write a fair review.
Like other Yelpers stated- the bartenders are not friendly. The beer choices are lame- if they are anything at all they are a BAR which tells me that they should at minimum offer solid choices but they don't.
The food is less than average. Although they offer a variety of chicken wing choices I didn't like any of them. Lime Spicy/Terriyaki, Buffalo, Chipolte, but they were under cooked/ not crispy which they served w 3 pieces of celery & a table spoon of Bluechesse dressing.
This spot is stagnant w/o personality (flat screen TVs are no substitute). So many great choices in SoNo- why bother?
On Thursdays - Saturdays this is the spot to channel your inner guido. If that is not your thing than it's best to walk down the road. Primarily 21 (19?) Â - 25 year old's playing STD roulette.
For the games on Sunday it's a solid choice. The bar food is mediocre but the set up and screen availability is great. The wait staff is attentive and friendly along with reasonably priced beers to go along with your average wings and above average slider.
This review is for bar only. Â One of the more fun places to hang out in Sono, in my opinion, this is the best place to watch a live band in the Stamford/Norwalk area. Â The crowd on the weekends is a little on the young side, but still a good time. Â The layout of the place is a bit awkward and on weekends the place gets pretty crowded. Â A fun place to watch a live band, but the venue itself is pretty mediocre.
Review Source:Stopped in for lunch. I live on the street and give these restauarnts a LOT of business. Â Service was friendly, but that's where my good experience ended. The turkey burger and bun were burned beyond recognition. Menu promised shoestring fries, which were not shoestring. They were much fatter. Ugh.
Review Source:Ran around like a madman looking for a place to spend St. Patty's day with some friends after work and this was one of the only places around that didn't have a line down the block. Walked right in. Wasn't as interested in drinking as we were in getting some Corned Beef and Cabbage. We were seated immediately. By the large dancefloor and very large bar. Buncha TV's littered the room we were in showcasing a few sports games ranging from baseball and hockey to soccer.
Our waitress was very nice and attentive to us, even though the room was pretty packed. They were running some kind of special on Guiness for like $2.50 or so and you could keep the glass, so I ordered that with my corned beef, and a carbomb. (Hey, it was St. Patty's day, why not)
Prices weren't bad. Waitstaff was friendly and cute enough. The wait wasn't bad at all.
The music choices were pretty damn awesome, frankly I was surprised. the DJ played a lot of 80s remixes, stuff from Journey to Bon Jovi, .38 Special, it was pretty good. He then transitioned into throwback 90s stuff, and I can say I really didn't hear anything that I disliked (although he did toss in some soundbytes from Soldja boy in with "Brown Eye'd Girl" which kinda peeved me but I got over it)
The crowd seemed pretty typical for a bar/pub/resturant, especially on St. Patrick's day. Nothing really awful though.
The only thing keeping this from a 4 Star was that the music was utterly too loud.
I gave Black Bear a second try. It seems that the management really cares about improving this place and making the necessary changes.
I had Sunday Brunch at this place and our waiter was very attentive and courteous. I ordered a Herb Crusted Salmon which was perfect. My companion ordered a Pan Seared Petite Filet which was a bit on the rare side.
Overall, I'd recommend giving Black Bear another shot as they have definitely improved in the last year.
Love going here for college football Saturdays, and it's absolutely great for kids too since they do arts and crafts with them during the games. Â They always put my team on a TV for me and are very friendly with service.
Food is pretty average -- decent selection, but none of it is very good and it's your standard bar food that is mostly fried. Â I'd give them 4 stars if I could think of a single thing I've eaten there that impressed me, but unfortunately it's all very average food.
Oh well, I go only a few times a year and it's more for the atmosphere.
We're in NORWALK!! WHY ARE YOU CHARGING TEN BUCKS FOR COVER?!?! Â I would have given one star but the bartender gave us free Jack shots because she thought we had waited too long for a refil on our beers. That was cool.
This black bear is huge and is actually a pretty decent place to grab a beer mid-week. I just would go on weekends because it's a trifecta of fail: door charge, way too loud crappy cover bands, and nine zillion people ahead of you at the bar.
Just a crappy bar, with awful patrons. Â The crowd is horrible, your typical jerk kids just wanting to get wasted on Thursdays - Saturdays.
The only thing that makes this place okay, is Sundays. Â Good crowd gathers for the games, and you can see any football game that plays on Sundays. Â Fun time with friends.
Avoid on Thursday nights through Saturday nights. Â Unless you want to see very drunk idiots being rude and stupid.
Cheers.
Having just moved to CT I wasn't really sure what to expect....having low (or no) expectations is always a good thing. Â I guess the short of it is, I had a great time. Â I was told it wasn't 'packed', but then, do you really want it to be? Â It was perfect as is, plenty of space to dance without bumping in to someone every second, drinks were cheap (4 for under $30) and the crowd was cute, if not a bit on the young side. Â The cover band sucked horribly, but the DJ (the reason we were there) was plenty good to make up for the live debacle.
Review Source:i don't know anything about their food, but i will tell you that, they throw the best parties on friday and saturday nights. Â right around 10:00pm, the live band starts rocking out all of your favorite 80s and 90s jams. Â make sure to go there when Darik and the Funbags are in town (best cover band ... EVER). Â it gets really crowded in the band area. Â cover is $8 after 11pm. Â lights turn on at ~2:00am....sometimes earlier depending on how much of a crowd is left. Â seriously, what is this 2:00am CT law?
Review Source:There's a reason there are no pretty girls here...they all showed up for ten minutes, looked around, fought tooth and nail to fend off the rather creepy guys in their mid-30's dressed like they just came from work, and then they left for greener, less sketchy pastures. Â
The drinks are relatively cheap by SoNo standards, but not as cheap as the ones at home. Â And where to begin with the music...from bad techno to cover bands (nothing screams "get out while you can" like a place that has cover bands)...I think there is little more to be said.
Not many people know that the fabled Sono Black Bear is also part of a small chain of similarly named pubs. Â If you've never been to Sono, Black Bear should most definitely be part of your night. Â On the rare occasions that I visit CT I make it a point to hit the madness that is the Black Bear on a Friday night. Â There are always decent cover bands playing and the entire place turns into a meat market teaming with the young 20s-30s crowd of young professionals and those lost souls still living at home after college. Â Can't say much for the food but drinks are decently priced (slightly cheaper than elsewhere in Sono, especially if you opt for bottles) and you should expect to pay a cover. Â Get there before 10 to get your hand stamped in order to hit some of the other area bars before the Black Bear gets really crazy.
On a quieter night (I believe Tuesdays) I also highly recommend the karaoke--a nice mix of idol wannabes and professional-area crooners come out to sing, mingle, and have fun.
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