Bear’s Smokehouse in downtown Hartford is a laid‑back, lively spot serving up Kansas City–style wood‑smoked barbecue on Front Street, just steps from the convention center and riverfront attractions. The roadhouse‑style space features high ceilings, big communal tables, and counter service, where you can watch brisket, ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and sausages being sliced and plated in the open kitchen. Guests fill trays with hearty sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, cornbread, and broccoli salad, then grab a seat at tables stocked with paper towels and a range of house barbecue sauces from sweet Kansas City–style to spicy pepper blends. The vibe is energetic yet family‑friendly, with an attached bar pouring local craft beers and cocktails, making it a go‑to for a quick lunch, pre‑event bite, or relaxed group hangout in Hartford’s Front Street entertainment district.