The 11 Best Bars in Bozeman, MT (2024)

Last Updated on February 19, 2024

Bozeman, Montana, a small city in the heart of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, is known for many things: its welcoming culture, beautiful mountain landscapes, being a great access point for Yellowstone National Park, and great coffee shops, amongst many things.

But did you know that Bozeman, Montana is also home to a vibrant and buzzing nightlife scene?

Sure, it’s a rather small city, but Bozeman offers a surprisingly wide selection of bars, pubs, and breweries that cater to all tastes, creating an atmosphere of a lively hotspot that keeps locals and visitors alike happy and entertained.

It makes sense, too. After all, Bozeman, Montana is famously known for being home to a long list of Montana-based breweries, making this quaint little city a fun place for those nights out with friends.

Whether you’re looking for a full bar with great cocktails, good food with a cozy atmosphere, or pool tables and live music for music lovers, Bozeman delivers. This guide will take you through some of the best bars in Bozeman, MT, where you can enjoy a great time no matter what you’re in the mood for. Let’s dive in!

The Best Bars in Bozeman Montana

The Rocking R Bar

Located in historic downtown Bozeman, The Rocking R Bar is a Bozeman staple and an iconic symbol of Bozeman’s laid-back, welcoming culture. At the Rocking R Bar, you’ll usually find local ranchers, traveling skiers, famous hikers and adventurers, and even Montana State college students looking to unwind and watch the big game after a long week at school.

During the week, the Rocking R Bar is usually one of the more relaxed bars in Bozeman MT, making it a great place for a laidback night with drinks and comfortable seating. But on weekends, the opposite is true: Rocking R Bar is a lively hotspot with a great atmosphere and virtually endless entertainment.

Aside from the enticing drinks served by the friendly bartenders, Rocking R Bar comes complete with good food, four pool tables, over twenty TVs, and dart boards to keep your night going strong.

All this in a cozy atmosphere with Western-themed decor makes Rocking R Bar a favorite among locals and tourists alike. What’s not to like?

Hail Mary’s Bozeman

Hail Mary’s, a popular and locally-owned sports bar and restaurant, is a casual hotspot with an expansive selection of beers. It also has a surprisingly large food menu featuring classic pub fare (think fries, burgers, and tots) with a Montana twist.

The bar area itself features several big-screen TVs, making it the perfect bar to catch a game during football season. On top of that, one of Hail Mary’s highlight features is its large outdoor patio, which makes this a very popular spot for locals once it gets warmer out. With lots of tables, a fire pit, and outdoor heaters, it’s a comfortable place to hang out year-round to get your thirst quenched.

Bozeman Taproom

As a true testament to Bozeman’s laidback vibes and thriving brewery scene, Bozeman Taproom is one of the best bars in Bozeman MT that’s well-known for its relaxing ambiance, friendly bartenders, a huge selection of beers and drinks on tap, and its large outdoor seating area via a rooftop bar and patio.

In the summer, Bozeman Taproom offers outdoor seating, live music, and an open-air bar on its rooftop patio, making it the perfect spot to unwind and cool off during those steamy summer months.

As the name implies, Bozeman Taproom is home to more than 75 beers on tap, both local and from around the world. However, you’ll also find delicious food (mostly bar food) and a full bar so you can enjoy whatever cocktails or wines you’re in the mood for.

The Haufbrau House

The Haufbrau, located in historic downtown Bozeman, is loved by locals and visitors alike for its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, along with its wide selection of brews and delicious pub fare. The bartenders are knowledgeable about the beers and are happy to make recommendations if you want to try something new.

This unpretentious Bozeman MT bar is the perfect go-to spot for live music (music lovers rejoice), college students, and honestly just anyone looking for a lowkey but fun night.

As an iconic symbol of the city since 1961, The Haufbrau House can get loud and lively on weekends, as everyone in “The Bozone” looks to get out for a cold beer, cheap eats, and endless entertainment. The Haufbrau House also has pool tables to add to the fun.

Fun fact: Haufbrau is part of Bozeman’s “Barmuda Triangle”, which consists of three locally famous bars. The other two are Molly Brown Bar and Scoop Bar. While Scoop Bar has since closed, Haufbrau is still a famous Barmuda Triangle bar that Bozeman MT folks love.

The Crystal Bar

The Crystal Bar is a classic, lively dive bar on Main Street with all of the usual appeal you’d expect: eclectic decor, cheap enticing drinks from a full bar, and a nice rooftop bar that opens up once the steamy summer months roll in.

If you’re looking for one of Bozeman’s laidback and relaxing bars for great food and drinks, this isn’t the place for you. Another thing that makes this place interesting is the countless bras (you read that right) hanging from the ceiling, serving as a testament to the party atmosphere this place provides.

This unassuming but lively spot gets busy on the weekends, with a diverse crowd of folks looking for a great place with outdoor seating options to let the drinks flow and get their dance on.

The Filling Station

The Filling Station is a unique spot on this list in that it serves as both a taproom and pizza joint in Bozeman.

Housed in an old converted gas station, it offers a huge range of craft beers on tap and amazing pizzas with both classic and creative recipe options. They also serve sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and other small plates, making this a great spot for a casual lunch in Bozeman Montana.

The Filling Station has a relaxed and casual vibe, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor patio is usually lively and hoppin’ during the warmer summer months, with tons of space to enjoy a cold craft beer and a hot slice (or five) of pizza.

All in all, The Filling Station is a great spot for amazing pizza and good cocktails with friends, complete with friendly staff and attentive service.

Copper Whiskey Bar

Right in the heart of downtown Bozeman on Main Street, Copper Whiskey Bar & Grill stands out as a super popular cocktail bar for both whiskey aficionados and casual drinkers alike. With its cozy, inviting atmosphere and rustic, yet sophisticated decor, Copper offers a welcoming vibe that goes well with its huge selection of whiskeys.

Whether you’re a fan of the smooth, mellow taste of a well-aged bourbon (like myself) or you’re more about a fancy cocktail (their cocktails are ridiculously good), Copper Whiskey Bar has something to get your thirst quenched.

But it’s not just about the cocktails and spirits – the menu features a huge range of delicious and quality American cuisine that’s got Montana written all over it. The bison meatloaf is a fan favorite.

Whether you’re dropping in for a quick drink after work, escaping the chilly Montana winters for a few brews, enjoying a leisurely dinner, or looking for a cozy spot to spend the evening for a few cocktails, Copper Whiskey Bar in Bozeman Montana is the perfect spot that has it all.

Tune Up Basement Bar

Tune Up Basement Bar is yet another hidden gem located in downtown Bozeman that is loved by travelers and the local Bozeman community alike due to its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. As you walk down those dimly lit stairs into this cozy, speak-easy-style venue, the bar transforms into a space where past and present seem to blend.

On top of that, this historic underground bar is originally located in the National Guard’s military band room, making it an even more unique and fun bar to check out in Bozeman, Montana.

For four nights a week, you can come to this for live music, a wide range of spirits from the full bar, carefully curated cocktails, and the delicious food (pub style) that makes for a great night out on the town.

Whether you’re looking to unwind with a classic cocktail after a day’s worth of exploring or just looking for a place to grab a beer and escape those chilly Montana winters, Tune Up Basement Bar offers a welcoming haven for just about anyone.

Sky Shed

If you’re looking for outdoor seating, a prime view, and an open-air bar, then you probably won’t find a better place than Sky Shed in Bozeman Montana.

Unlike some of the other options on this list that are more lowkey, country, and rugged even, Sky Shed leans more upscale and urban sophistication while still being a fun and lively bar.

The bar sits on the top floor of the Kimpton Armory Hotel, right in the middle of downtown Bozeman MT. As soon as you walk in and are greeted by the friendly staff, you get a prime view of the city, with panoramic views through the glass-enclosed walls.

The outdoor seating area keeps the same upscale appeal, complete with warm firepits for those colder months, plush seating, and more. If you’re in search of one of the more sophisticated bars in Bozeman with great views and an upscale vibe, the Sky Shed is the place to be.

Pro tip: this place competes with the many great restaurants in the area, so be sure to try out the food menu as well. Brunchtime is always a good choice!

Shine Beer Sanctuary

Shine Beer Sanctuary is a popular craft beer spot in Bozeman, offering a huge variety of handcrafted beers along with an impressive food menu.

Unlike other bars on this list, Shine Beer is like a breath of fresh air in Bozeman’s very lively bar scene, welcoming everyone from beer connoisseurs to those just looking to soak up the Montana sun on the spacious outdoor seating.

It’s one of those bars where you can bump elbows with locals, share stories with travelers, or simply enjoy the laid-back vibe that makes the bars in Bozeman MT so special. At Shine Beer, it’s all about good beer, good company, delicious food, and unwinding from the stresses of everyday life.

With an ever-changing lineup of local and regional craft beers, what’s not to like? You really have it all (unless you’re looking to party until the sun comes up– you’ll have to look elsewhere).

Plonk

You won’t find any pool tables and dart boards here at Plonk. On the flip side, Plonk Wine Bar is a sophisticated downtown Bozeman wine bar that features a very extensive wine list sourced from all over the world, including rare and hard-to-find wines. The atmosphere is stylish and intimate, complete with friendly staff and optional outdoor seating, making this a perfect local spot for a romantic evening out or a night with friends.

To match the quality of the amazing wine, the food at Plonk is seriously good, especially for dinner. The grill offers premium-quality cuts of wagyu steak, pork chop, lamb, the list goes on and on. It’s honestly on par with some of the other amazing restaurants located in Bozeman.

Pro tip: Order the Angus hanger steak along with your favorite pour of red wine. You won’t regret it.

Closing Thoughts: Best Bars in Bozeman, Montana

And there you have it. If you’re looking for a fun bar located in Bozeman with friendly staff, great drinks, a fun ambiance, or even dinner, these bars are all great options for a night out in Bozeman. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Bozeman, MT, offers a diverse selection of bars to suit everyone’s needs.

So why wait? Head to one of these great places in town, enjoy a cold beer or a cocktail, and have a great time in this small city with a big spirit. Cheers!