Big Bear Brewing Company
Coral Springs
Restaurant in Coral Springs, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Big Bear Brewing Company is Coral Springs' brewpub option on N University Dr, best suited for a casual evening centred on house-brewed beer rather than a full dining experience. Walk-ins work for most visits, with Thursday or early Friday offering the best combination of space and service. Go beer-first and set food expectations accordingly.
About Big Bear Brewing Company
Big Bear Brewing Company, Coral Springs: Quick Take
Big Bear Brewing Company sits at 1800 N University Dr in Coral Springs, Florida, and occupies a reliable position in the local craft beer and casual dining bracket. Without published pricing on record, budget expectations are hard to pin precisely, but brewpub formats in South Florida's suburban market typically run $15–$30 per person for food, with pints adding another $6–$9 depending on pour size. If that price band works for you, the more useful question is whether the experience holds up against the other options along University Drive.
The space reads as a mid-scale brewpub: the kind of layout designed to accommodate groups without feeling intimate, and solo diners or couples without feeling exposed. Expect high-leading seating alongside standard tables, bar counter access, and the ambient noise level that comes with an open brewing operation nearby. It is not the room you choose for a quiet conversation, but it suits a relaxed weeknight outing or a casual weekend group with no interest in a formal setting.
On the service question, which is the real make-or-break at this price point: brewpubs at this tier live or die by whether the floor staff knows the beer list well enough to guide a table through it. At Big Bear, the house-brewed lineup is the primary draw, and service that can translate that into actual recommendations earns the tab. If staff engagement is light, the value proposition shifts toward the beer itself rather than the full experience. That distinction matters if you are deciding between a brewpub with table service depth versus a taproom-style setup where you are largely self-directed.
Timing matters here. Weekend evenings at suburban Florida brewpubs tend to fill quickly from early dinner through to late night, particularly when there is any kind of local sports calendar or live event nearby. A Thursday or early Friday visit gives you a better room, less noise compression, and more attentive service. Midday on a weekend is also a reasonable call if you want the full space at a calmer pace. Walk-ins are almost certainly fine given the casual format, but arriving before 7 PM on a weekend removes any wait-time risk.
For the food and drink enthusiast who wants depth and context: Big Bear is worth visiting as a local brewery experience, not as a dining destination. The brewing component gives it a reason to exist beyond food alone, which separates it from generic casual dining options in the same corridor. If you are in Coral Springs for a few days, it fits naturally into a casual evening slot. If you are driving specifically for a meal, set expectations accordingly and consider pairing it with a beer-first mindset rather than a food-first one.
How It Compares
See the full comparison below for how Big Bear Brewing Company stacks up against the rest of Coral Springs' dining options.
Explore More in Coral Springs
- Our full Coral Springs restaurants guide
- Our full Coral Springs bars guide
- Our full Coral Springs hotels guide
- Our full Coral Springs wineries guide
- Our full Coral Springs experiences guide
Planning details
- Location
- 1800 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33071
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- bigbearbrewingco.com
- Phone
- +19543415545
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Big Bear Brewing Company reads like a neighborhood taproom built around beer-first socializing. The prose situates the brewery within Coral Springs’s commercial spine and describes a space that encourages lingering, multiple rounds rather than a single meal, which produces a casual, energetic local hangout. The editorial tone emphasizes community: this is a suburban brewpub that helped introduce a taproom culture to a market previously dominated by corporate draft and chain dining. Expect a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere where the beer program anchors the visit and the kitchen plays a supporting role.
Best For
This is a venue geared toward casual social occasions: think after-work rounds, group dinners, and family-friendly nights out in a residential neighborhood. The taproom format extends visits beyond a single meal, so it works well for groups that want to linger over multiple beers and share plates. With substantial kitchen offerings and signature items like Chicken Puff Pie, Volcano Shrimp, and ribs, the place supports full lunch and dinner service while also fitting into the brunch and neighborhood dining rotation.
Ordering Tips
Big Bear positions beer as the primary draw, so start by exploring the tap list and letting the beer program guide your choices. The kitchen is described as supporting the beer-first model, so pick shareable or hearty menu items that hold up across a couple of rounds: signature dishes such as Chicken Puff Pie, Volcano Shrimp, and ribs are natural anchors for a table. Given the taproom’s social purpose, plan to stay a while rather than rushing the meal.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, friendly, and lively atmosphere blending neighborhood pub and family restaurant vibes with comfortable casual decor.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
- Kitchen
- Comfort cooking
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Drinks Focus
- Beer program
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Chicken Puff Pie
- Volcano Shrimp
- Ribs
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1800 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33071
Planning details
Location
1800 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33071 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bagels & A Whole Lot More: Notable alternative
- Eddie and Vinny's: Notable alternative
- Livello: Notable alternative
- Runyon's: Notable alternative
- Tap 42 -Coral Springs: Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Big Bear Brewing Company occupies a distinct niche in Coral Springs compared to most of its peers: it is the brewpub on the list, which means you are choosing it for the beer program rather than the food. Tap 42 is the most direct competitor in terms of format, offering a broad tap selection alongside a more developed food menu and a higher-energy bar atmosphere. If you want craft beer in a setting with more dining ambition, Tap 42 edges ahead. If you specifically want a house-brewing operation, Big Bear is the more specific choice.
For something more relaxed and neighbourhood-grounded, Runyon's is worth a look for casual dining without the brewery angle. Bagels & A Whole Lot More serves a completely different daypart and occasion, so it is not a true competitor for an evening out. For a step up in formality and occasion-worthiness, both Livello and Eddie and Vinny's offer more polished experiences at a higher price point, with service depth that justifies the spend if you are marking a specific occasion.
The honest comparison: if you are deciding purely on ease of booking and casual format, Big Bear and Tap 42 are your two most accessible evening options in Coral Springs. Big Bear wins if the brewing operation itself is the draw. Tap 42 wins on food range and atmosphere versatility. For a more considered dinner, move up to Eddie and Vinny's or Livello and book ahead.
Explore Coral Springs
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Big Bear Brewing Company guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Big Bear Brewing Company
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Brewing Company | Coral Springs | No published awards |
| Bagels & A Whole Lot More | Coral Springs | No published awards |
| Eddie and Vinny's | Coral Springs | No published awards |
| Livello | Coral Springs | No published awards |
| Runyon's | Coral Springs | No published awards |
| Tap 42 -Coral Springs | Coral Springs | No published awards |
How Big Bear Brewing Company compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should a first-timer know about Big Bear Brewing Company? Go in with a beer-first mindset. Big Bear is a brewpub, which means the house-brewed lineup is the main event. Food is casual and approachable for the Coral Springs market, but do not expect a full-service dining experience. Ask your server what is currently on tap and let that guide your visit.
- Is Big Bear Brewing Company good for solo dining? Yes, with the right expectations. Bar seating at a brewpub is a natural fit for solo visitors, and the casual format means there is no social pressure in the room. For a more considered solo dining experience in Coral Springs, Livello offers a different atmosphere, but Big Bear works well if you want somewhere low-key to sit and drink well.
- What are alternatives to Big Bear Brewing Company in Coral Springs? For a livelier bar-forward setting with a broader food menu, Tap 42 is the closest direct competitor in format. For something more relaxed and neighbourhood-facing, Runyon's is worth considering. If you want a step up in formality, Eddie and Vinny's serves a different occasion altogether.
- What should I order at Big Bear Brewing Company? No specific dishes are on record, so the safest advice is to ask what is brewed in-house and order around the beer. Brewpubs in this format typically anchor their menus around bar food that pairs with their lineup, so burgers, wings, or shareable plates are reasonable expectations. Follow staff recommendations on the tap list.
- Is Big Bear Brewing Company good for a special occasion? Not really. The brewpub format is casual by design, and the room is not set up for milestone dining. For a special occasion in Coral Springs, Livello or Eddie and Vinny's are better calls. Save Big Bear for a relaxed group outing or a casual weeknight.
- What should I wear to Big Bear Brewing Company? Casual is the standard here. Jeans and a t-shirt are entirely appropriate. There is no indication of a dress code, and the brewpub setting does not call for one. Come as you are.
- Can I eat at the bar at Big Bear Brewing Company? Almost certainly yes. Bar seating is standard at brewpub operations, and eating at the counter is part of the format. It is also one of the better ways to interact with the tap list, since bar staff tend to have more hands-on knowledge of what is pouring well on a given night.
- How far ahead should I book Big Bear Brewing Company? Walk-ins should be fine for most visits given the casual format and Coral Springs' suburban pace. Weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday evenings, may see a wait. Arriving before 6:30 PM on those nights removes the risk. No reservation system is required for a venue at this tier.
