Octopus

It’s a nice and small hip place in Cedar Falls which is nice since the college town is dominated by gimmicky bars that are so loud you can’t even hear the people you’re with. However, I came for open mic night and while most people were enjoyable I’m pretty sure they let a mental patient on stage who thought he was a comedian. He was far from funny. You would think they would screen who does mic night since if you get bad entertainment it can be bad for business. Needless to say after that I’ll avoid this place on mic night. Hopefully, the other nights here are more enjoyable.

I recall first visiting the Octopus with optimism, hoping that it would be a high brow addition to the Hill. My girlfriend and I arrived late (a bit after 1) following a weekend night out and planned to have a drink and soak in the quiet atmosphere. We sat down in a booth after being served and slow sipped for less than five minutes while basking in each others’ company and conversation. I kept overhearing semi-​loud hints from the man behind the bar (who I’m assuming was the owner) that it was time to wrap things up and that we were an unwelcome party. I noticed that the patrons he was making these implications to weren’t moving from their stools at the bar (after all it was well before 2), and I sensed that this was a close knit group. Finally, turning to my girlfriend and I, the owner curtly announced that, «anyone who doesn’t know me needs to leave». In disbelief, we did so without protest and without getting the chance to finish our beers.
We do apologize for being such nuisances and for interfering with what undoubtedly became a nude, opium induced xx concert the instant we exited. It must be awfully difficult putting up with such well mannered, paying customers night in and night out.
The beer and one song we were able to hear were both excellent, but since you had no part in the creation of either, you get one star.

Seriously enjoyed my experience. Nice staff. Cool atmosphere and even though it was just 2 blocks from a university didn’t feel like a college bar. Worth a trip if you are in Waterloo.

Do you remember those dorks in high school who wore bondage jeans and adored Marilyn Manson? Or the kid’s who had a disdain for gym because they couldn’t climb a rope or catch a ball? Well sad to say they’re hipsters now. Octopus is the breeding grounds for the aforementioned. All jokes aside, this place has a cool selection of drinks. And if you’re looking to get away from the hayseeds with chew in their back pocket and girls with way too much glitter and Jessica Simpson perfume. This might be the spot for you.

A great place to chill with a reasonably priced drink and listen to great music

Drinks A+
The Music B+
The hipsters sneering & eye rolling a big fat F
It just made my LA friends & I laugh!
Dumb a$%es I’m from Los Angeles & now live in Boulder & you UNI hipster wanna bes are from CF & your giving me rude tude really? Give me a break. It was fun to try.
I’m glad I don’t live in CF any more.

My favorite.
Which is not surprising considering the ownership.
Good vibes and ALWAYS good music and lots of very cool events.
Plus the whiskey sours are so yum.
Yay!

One of my fave bars to play and hang in! They dj, awesome punk and rock records with turn tables behind the bar, the staff kicks major buns, and they have a huge sound system for a fairly small bar. Free popcorn and snacks and huge selection of local and regional beers both on tap and in a bottle! The bar is owned by legendary House of Large Sizes band leader Dave Diebler who is a great story teller and will talk rock n roll with you all night!
If your ever in Cedar Falls you got to stop here and get a brew, the people rule, the bar is rad and it’s right on college hill!

love it, $ 10 bottles of wine! nice atmosphere. we go there when we are in town.