bear garden

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbɛːgɑːd(ə)n/
(also bear pit)

noun

  • a scene of uproar and confusion: he appeared at the bear garden of a conference

Origin:

late 16th century: bear from bear2. The original sense was 'a place set apart for bear-baiting'; bear gardens were often used for other rough sports, hence the figurative meaning