Biker Bar Culture: How It Became a Thing?

Deep down, when you go into the biker culture in the US, there are many things that most people don’t know about. There are some dark secrets, various biker myths, and traditions related to motorcycle culture. The biker bar culture is one of them.

Those who have heard about the term ‘Biker Bar’ for the first time, it is not a new thing. It is an integral part of biker culture, especially in motorcycle club culture. Biker Bars have become a common and open thing in the US, especially among the biker community.

Nonetheless, those who aren’t a part of the biker community find the biker bar culture quite contradictory and controversial. One thing or rule that we have always heard about motorcycling is to never ride while drunk. Riding under the influence is among the leading causes of most motorcycle crashes. Then how come the ‘Biker Bar’ culture became a thing?

Biker Bars aren’t a hidden aspect of biker culture. They don’t operate underground. They are in abundance and open to all bikers. Continue reading this article to learn in detail about the biker bar culture and how it is a thing in the U.S.

A biker bar is a place where bikers gather to have fun and enjoy themselves in a group. They usually drink and dance in these biker bars. It is a very common place to visit for most bikers who are a part of biker culture and community.

Some of these motorcycle bars are owned by bikers themselves, motorcycle clubs, or people who are quite friendly to riders. While there are other bars too that market themselves as ‘biker-friendly bars’ to attract bikers and club members to hang around and have a fun time.

A biker bar is open for all people, not just the bikers alone. Anybody can visit these biker bars. It is also among the most frequently visited places by members of outlaw motorcycle clubs.

A biker bar is commonly referred to as a bad place with a bad image among non-bikers. It is considered to be the place where all bad bikers, including the Hells Angels and One Percenters (1%ers), gather. However, it is not true.

These biker-friendly bars welcome people from all walks of life. People who frequently gather at these bars are mostly casual bikers who love to ride, eat, drink, and have fun in groups. They find these bars the best places to visit and socialize.

If you are new to motorcycle riding and the biker community, biker bars are a good place to make new friends with common interests. You may likely find someone who can be more than just a friend. Many bikers have found their perfect life partner with similar interests, taste, and style in these biker bars.

When riders gather at a biker bar, the most common topic remains the motorcycles and their unique ride tales. They share stories and their experiences of their amazing rides to different places. Motorcycle customization is also among the most discussed things/topics among bikers. Custom-built bikes always intrigue bikers and even non-bikers alike.

Biker bars are a very different and unique place. It has quite a distinctive environment that bikers like. The vibe and culture in a biker bar are designed specifically for bikers. The lighting, food, and vibe attract the biker community.

Above all, the aesthetics and the music bring most riders to the bar. You will find memorabilia and art pieces that belong to the biker community. Not to forget, the biker community is a deep admirer of rock music.

Whether at concerts, on long rides, or in their free time, bikers love listening to rock music. The classic rock music makes them feel at home in the bar. It keeps bikers relaxed.

In biker bars, it is highly unlikely not to find a snooker table or darts in one corner. There is a true depiction of the motorcycle community culture at the biker bar. For bikers, a biker bar is the place that keeps the community strong, happy, and together.

It is true for most bikers that they love food. They not only love food, but they also love eating together at a table as a family. Well, drinks are the major part of the menu at the biker bar, but it is not the only thing that is offered at the bar. A nicely served, well-presented food item makes the biker bar culture stronger.

You will find BBQ, wings, and burgers at the top of the menu at biker bars. Many top biker bars in the US always have something special on their daily menu to surprise bikers. No matter what bikers eat at the bar, beer always works as a fuel for their rides. Not everyone at the bar is here for the food. Most riders love to have a drink while they are on a small break from the ride. They have their drink and continue to ride again.

On top of the variety of beer available at biker bars, cocktails are also among their most offered services. The food and drink play a major role in why these bars are so popular among motorcycling fans.

If you are one of those riders who are on a long journey or a cross-country ride and love taking stops at biker bars to relax, try the signature meals or dishes. Every biker bar has something special to offer that reflects its local culture.

If you know, the cafe racers were built by UK riders in the 1950s. This bike has a close connection to the biker bar culture. One of the purposes behind building a cafe racer was to design a lightweight, quick, and stylish ride to go to nearby rider cafes and biker bars. One can expect the biker bar culture to be older than the 1950s.

The Biker bar culture is also very common among motorcycle clubs. These bars are often referred to as motorcycle club bars. Though they are almost the same, they may have a specific set of rules and etiquette, considering which motorcycle club owns the bar. These biker bars are quite a friendly place for all riders unless owned by an outlaw biker gang.

Though you are likely to find a decent, friendly vibe in such motorcycle club bars, one must avoid getting in a fight or argument with any outlaw motorcycle club. The whole party can get spoiled in a matter of a few seconds if something happens. If you are from a different biker club, especially from a different outlaw biker gang, and you choose to wear your own patch, things can go wrong.

Some motorcycle club bars are opened by the motorcycle clubs as a way to earn money and operate as a club. They usually don’t want any issues in their clubs to keep things running smoothly. However, as we all know, for these biker gangs, their values remain on top. The members of these motorcycle clubs do not compromise on anything that doesn’t go with their tradition and rules.

These motorcycle club bars have their own bouncers standing outside the bar for security. These bouncers are a part of the motorcycle club, and they ensure that no conflict arises in any case.

If you are a member of the club that owns the biker bar, you will get some benefits. You can avail of discounts and may get a drink for free. Also, as a member, you may not be required to stand in the queue, unlike a non-member.

The biker bars seem to be a decent, happy place for bikers. However, what about drinks and rides? Doesn’t it promote riding under the influence? Isn’t it making bike riders and roads unsafe? Let’s discuss.

The two things, including the biker bar culture and drink and ride, cannot go hand in hand. Riding a motorbike under the influence is considered highly unsafe. Whether you are a biker, car driver, or road user, everyone knows that drinking can take away all your ability to ride safely.

Biker bars may be one of the reasons why there is a loud voice coming from both inside and outside of the biker community against riding under the influence. There is no doubt that alcohol consumption takes your senses away.

Riding a motorbike demands great precision, focus, attention, flexibility, and whatnot. Riders need to have great responsiveness, cognition, and muscle action to ride a motorbike and be safe.

There are hundreds of threats on the road for bikers, even in normal riding scenarios, that they must avoid. If you are drunk and still choose to ride a motorbike, you are a threat to other road users’ safety.

The biker bar culture has become too strong in the U.S. that it seems impossible to undo it. However, what we can do is to eliminate alcohol from these bars. You can still have fun, dinner, lunch, take photos, dance, and drink non-alcoholic beers at the biker bars.

In any case, even if you drink, you must not ride until you are fully in your senses and aren’t under the influence. You can ask a sober friend to drop you home or call an Uber.

You must also know your limit. People may have different limits for consuming alcohol. Some people don’t get boozed with a single glass of beer. In any case, it is still recommended not to drink and ride.

According to the 2023 Safety Reports, almost 26% of fatal motorcycle accidents with fatalities involve riders who were under the influence of alcohol. The numbers have likely increased from then on. Alcohol-impaired riders are seen to be a bigger threat than alcohol-impaired drivers, driving cars and other vehicles. If you ride a sportbike and are involved in drink and ride, you are at a greater risk of dying sooner.

Considering the affiliation of bike riders towards biker bars, this culture doesn’t seem to die. We must also focus on what can be done. On the positive side, biker bars are a great place for the biker community to spend some quality time.

Biker bar culture is among the most evident part of the American motorcycling culture. As a rough estimate, there are more than 5,000 biker bars in the US. Some of the most popular biker bars in the U.S. include:

• Johnny's Bar & Grill, Hollister, California.

• Full Throttle Saloon, Sturgis, South Dakota.

• Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon, California.

• The Hideaway, San Diego, California.

• Dirty Harry’s Pub & Package, Daytona Beach, Florida

• Roadhouse Bar & Grill, Oklahoma.

• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in New York and New Jersey.

Biker bar vulture seems very strong and popular in America. Bikers, especially members of motorcycle clubs and long-distance riders, love to spend some quality time at these biker bars. They love the essence of being closer to the motorcycling community. Being specially opened for the biker community, motorcycle riders take pride in going to these bars. These bars also keep them closer to their roots and biker culture.

The biker bar culture has become mainstream thanks to the motorcycle clubs. There are a number of biker bars that are owned and operated by motorcycle clubs as a means to earn money for the club.

Despite all the benefits and good things for the biker community, these biker bars still promote a drink and ride culture among the motorcyclists. We all know how unsafe and deadly it is to ride while drunk. Therefore, this drink-and-ride culture must stop. Roads must be safer for bikers and all road users.