Meandering Bear

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Meandering Bear
Meandering Bear

The Meandering Bear is one of the newest independent bars on Halifax’s expanding food and drink scene. Owned by the folks who run the award-winning Grayston Unity, the Meandering Bear is a great little independent bar and eatery.

Situated close to Westgate Arcade and The Piece Hall, the Meandering Bear offers an impressive range of cask and keg ales and lagers, cocktails and spirits. Locally sourced wholesome food is on the menu here – informal and honest – expect meat and cheese boards, loaded toasties and ploughman’s lunches, with a pleasant alternative for veggies too.

The Meandering Bear takes its name from a grizzly tale in Halifax’s history. It may come as a surprise to some, but at the beginning of the twentieth century, the town had its own zoo and amusement park. Around this time there were many reports of animals breaking free from the confines of the zoo – a boar leaping over the railings and an elephant setting loose from her chains. Most interestingly, it is well documented that in 1913, a grizzly bear and a Russian bear escaped from Halifax Zoo. The Russian bear was captured almost straight away, but the grizzly beer made a dash for freedom and spent an hour and a half meandering around before it was eventually found and returned to the zoo.

The Meandering Beer hosts a live jazz band on the last Sunday afternoon of every month and occasional Saturday DJ sets, as well as being one of the primary venues for the annual event, Halifax Festival of Words too.

21-23 Union StreetHalifaxHX1 1PR View map
Telephone: 07807 136520 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday4:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Wednesday4:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Thursday1:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Friday1:00pm - 12:00am
  • Saturday12:00pm - 12:00am
  • Sunday1:00pm - 9:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Meandering Bear

Rebecca Hurst
LiteratureWest Yorkshire
Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.

free entry
Jazmine Linklater
LiteratureBradford
More Song at The 1 in 12 Club Library

Bradford’s number-one live lit night with invited guests and open mic. The autumn season closes by welcoming Jazmine Linklater, Nell Osborne, David Mullin and Edwina Attlee.

free entry

Where to go near Meandering Bear

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The White Swan Hotel offers an ideal location for those looking to explore West Yorkshire – its arts and culture, and its shopping.

Grayston Unity
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Café or Coffee Shop
Grayston Unity

The bar itself is small but you’ll find it a friendly place where you can get a lovely drink in a unique setting.

Culture Guides