The Bear's Lair Brewpub is the center of campus social life on the UC Berkeley Campus. It is where the campus community gathers to celebrate sporting events, to hear great music, to see entertaining acts and to get the best food and beverages around Cal! "The Lair" is also known as a great place to just hang out, after a rough day in academia. Lots of students and campus staff love to relax out on the patio on Lower Sproul Plaza, or inside by the fireplace, or with their buddies in a big booth. Many patrons prefer the action at the huge bar, as the student staff members pour pints & pitchers, fill up drinking "Yards", and pull down mugs for the 100 plus Mug Club members. The Bear's Lair is truly where all paths cross on campus. On a visit to The Lair you might find yourself at the bar, with an English Prof. at your right elbow and a Cal football star at your left. In the corner a "21er" party might be going on, while at the same time a DJ is spinning out on the patio to the crowd. The Bear's Lair has been known for years as the best place around campus to get a beer, beverage, and/or a pizza: and at the best price.

HISTORY OF THE BEAR'S LAIR: The Bear's Lair has been in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union since 1962. Over forty years of beer have sloshed onto these floors! The Lair was here when Mario Savio was demanding the right of Free Speech, when anti-war riots erupted on Telegraph Avenue, and in 1969 during the "Summer of Love". During all this, the campus community has found solace and companionship within the walls of the Bear's Lair. It has also been there for great moments in Cal sports, such as the 1982 Big Game (remember "The Play"?), when crowds in The Lair celebrated momentous victories. Just like it has been for 40 years, Oski and the Cal Band still frequently visit the Pub after home football and basketball games. The Pub has also hosted many fine performances over the years, often by celebrities before they made it big. Robin Williams, the Talking Heads, No Doubt, Green Day and many others have played here on Lower Sproul! Also, when you visit, take a look around at all the Cal memorabilia on the walls, including the latest addition: the goalposts from the 2002 Big Game! (Cal 30, Stanford 7)

BEAR'S LAIR RENOVATION: In the year 2000, the ASUC (the owners of the space) decided that the Bear's Lair was literally worn out! Thirty-eight years of beer had taken its toll! A plan was created to completely renovate the Pub, and bring it into the 21st century, while retaining the history of the place. All new booths were put in, multiple TV sets and a huge oval bar. Forty taps were installed vs. the half dozen there previously. The Pub patio was renovated, as well as the installation of a completely new kitchen. The highlight of the renovation was the discovery of the original Pub fireplace that had been walled off from public view for a least twenty years. The fireplace, a gift from the Class of 1910 when the building was constructed, was completely restored, and is now roaring again!

BEAR'S LAIR FOOD: Along with the Pub renovation, the menu at the Bear's Lair has been completely redone! Quality food at reasonable prices was the goal. Thus, the Bear's Lair now serves the best pizza around the Avenue! The huge brick oven puts out incredible pies! A menu of mini-burgers, salads, and appetizers are also available. The Bear's Lair serves slices too! Available are three slice varieties, quick and easy at the bar, and at the best price in the area. The Bear's Lair food menu received the "Best of Berkeley" award for best menu on Campus, from the readers of the Daily Cal, last Spring.

BEAR'S LAIR BEVERAGES: The Bear's Lair beer list is second to none! The Pub serves it's own great variety of house brews made in the Bear's Lair brewing tanks, located in San Leandro. The Lair is the only place on the planet where you can get "Ludwig's Lager", "1868 Gold", "Oski's Honey Wheat" and "Partheneia Pilsner", among a variety of other house brews. The Bear's Lair also serves up Pabst Blue Ribbion and other national brands,  plus a bunch of the new "malternatives", like Mike's Hard Lemonade, Seagram's Ice, and Skyy Blue.