The Hydrant Firehouse Grill

This isn’t the worst bar in Cedar Falls, but it is the worst bar on college hill. The food is decent, but that’s really the only thing going for it. The drink specials are nothing special and the staff had an attitude like that they don’t want to be there. Also I highly recommend you avoid this place on karaōke night there are better bars that do Karaōke in Cedar Falls. Their sound setup is terrible for karaōke, their music selection is garbage, the DJ is awful he sings 50% of the time which is total BS, their music choice is just terrible it’s either off tune or at a different beat from the original song or its the karaōke version where someone is singing along in the music which is just awful, and if DJ isn’t playing music he is playing YouTube videos. When I was there I actually heard people boo the DJ which makes you think why do they keep having this? There a better options to get a drink and easily better options for Karaōke.

What a strange collection of humanity can be found at this place. From the old men gathered at the bar to the college students playing darts to the family with the cute kids in the corner. The food was good the wait staff was excellent and the community entertaining. All this at a very reasonable price.

Do not use a credit card here. They are known to up charge customers that used credit/​debit cards.

The hydrant is a little greasy, but if you’re looking for decently priced and fried its pretty good. I do love some good cheese balls!

Great food and the value is right on. Staff is friendly and its clean inside with plenty of room. You don’t feel packed in.

The Hydrant is a nice little place at the bottom of College Hill. The wait staff is great, they get to know you.
They aren’t open till 3 pm, buy the Best times to go there is 3 – 6 M-​F to take advantage of the best Happy Hour around. $ 1 domestic bottles and half price well drinks. That amounts to about $ 1.25 to $ 1.50 for a rum and coke. Not bad.
If you parlay that with $.49 wings (traditional on Monday, boneless on Thursdays), it’s a heck of a cheap afterwork stop!
Usually quiet, I drove passed it for a year before stopping thinking it was a college bar, but it’s very nice inside. Great bar area, and booths for the family. Offers a good place to grab a bite to eat, even with the family.
Don’t hesitate to stop in, has a mature vibe (even for mature college kids that like a place to hang). Cheers!

It’s amazing what a few blocks will do in price ranges! This place is a bit further from the action on the ‘Hill’ where Becks and the other grills/​pubs are located, but it is definitely cheaper and the staff is a lot more attentive. I think the quality of the food is better as well, and they do have an assortment of things, not just your standard steak or burger.