The Honey Bear Story...The year was 1936 when Warner and Anna Norlander started it all when they purchased the property where The Honey Bear now stands. Warner and Anna built the small bar, with several cottages and "his" and "her" privies, and christened it, "The Ideal Tavern". The tavern passed through several caring hands throughout the years when in 1977 a couple from Chicago, Harry and Marilyn Hiselman, purchased the inn and named it after the Chicago Bears’ cheerleaders, The Honey Bears (sorry Packer fans!). Four years later, the Merz family acquired The Honey Bear and for the next few decades hosted Honey, a live bear cub who would entertain the patrons each spring. In 2002, long-time Eagle River resident Bill Nier brought his sweetheart Christine up from Chicago and took her to The Honey Bear for her 1st fish fry. That’s all it took. History repeated itself when Rockford, Ill. couple Kym and Cliff Harvengt began visiting Bill and Christine at The Honey Bear while summering in Eagle River and had to make it theirs in 2007. They visited so often that they didn’t even need to see a menu even tho it’s a great one!

Now the tradition of great fish fry, friends and fun continues! After 30 great years, The Honey Bear staff welcomes you, and thanks you for visiting!