Comments on: The 10 Most Colorful Bars in Montana

By: Linda Looser

Linda Looser — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:14:50 +0000

Clint: I can’t believe it! I had so much fun at yours and Jen’s wedding at The Lumberjack that I suggested it to my son and his wife to celebrate at and spend the night following their wedding coming up this summer! And lo and behold, upon researching info on The Jack whose article do I stumble across but yours! You sure do know your bars (been to quite a few on your list myself) and you are still the best bartender I’ve ever come across. Great to read your stuff! Tell your mom “hi” from me and that I hope to get to Sandpoint sometime soon! Linda Fike-Looser (in case the new last name threw you)

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By: Maryann

Maryann — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:16:42 +0000

FYI The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is not down the road from Babb….Babb however is part of the reservation. People seem to fail to mention the local natives and their hospitality. Believe me, there is plenty @ Charlies:)

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By: Anni Evanoff

Anni Evanoff — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:59:02 +0000

Well well well, Mr Traver! How in the hell did I stumble across this posting? I love that you are putting your excellent writing skills to good work, keep it up. Great stories, that one about The Metlen is CA-RAZY! I still think about the Rocky Knobb and miss the BItterroot Valley so much. Hope life is treating you well.

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By: Helmuth Naumer

Helmuth Naumer — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:36:38 +0000

I have been going to the K-Bar in Gardiner for 30 years as one of my favorite bars in NA. Unfortunately, the pub/pizza house was purchased by someone out of town this year and turned into a typical tourist establishment, complete with poor management, slow food production, and very rude service. The K-Bar is dead and they should really rename this bar.

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:37:09 +0000

you mean there are swimming pools in Montana? who knew!

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By: Brian French

Brian French — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:22:41 +0000

Great write-up, Clint! I can’t imagine a better man for the job of helping people find the watering holes of choice in Big Thigh Country. Your stories made me laugh just like when you tell them in person. And to everyone else out there, this guy definitely knows his stuff when it comes to drinking in Montana – I hadn’t lived in Missoula for a month before i was cross-eyed and having trouble staying in the swinging chair in the Lumberjack Saloon (now The Jack) as the bartender treated us to a night of dancing on the bar. Not to mention the fact that you can stroll outside for a round of axe-throwing between shots (there are targets). If that ain’t Montana, i don’t know what is!

Thanks for all the foggy memories and bottom’s up amigo!

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By: Tawnya Storm

Tawnya Storm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:28:39 +0000

Great post — I have many fuzzy memorites myself of being very happy at the West Glacier Bar (also known as Freda’s, I believe). But I have to let you know of a crazy fun bar that should have definitely made the list. Have you ever been to Great Falls?? If not, you need to plan a trip there to check out the Sip n Dip!!! It is my all time favorite watering hole!!! If you belly up to the bar, you will be mesmerized by the ever so graceful and beautiful mermaids that will go floating by purely for your entertainment. The entire wall directly behind the bar is glass and lends you a perfect view of the swimming pool and anything that is going on in the pool. If you get drunk enough, they may even let you borrow a mermaid suit to try and do a little entertaining yourself. Also, there is the most lovely lady who plays the most lovely tunes on her most lovely organ right there in the bar. She is a hoot!! Not to mention the sweet 70s style booths you get to relax in as you sip your berverage of choice. Go check it out!!!

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By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:24:12 +0000

When I lived in Missoula, Charlie B’s on Higgins Ave and Al & Vics on Alder were my two favorite haunts. I probably had the most fun during my drinking days (those days are over) at those two places than any other place on earth. I remember playing pool one night at Al & Vics with a friend (we were on mushrooms) and just destroying everybody on the table all night and just giggling the whole time while Patsy Cline played on the jukebox. Oy vey. Reading this article made me miss Montana a lot. I don’t know how much has changed there since the mid-90s but I loved living there though it was a tumultuous period for me. God bless the great state of Montana!

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By: joshywashington

joshywashington — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:47:30 +0000

After 11 hours of driving my brother Dustin and I rolled into Gardiner Montana and chose at random a packed watering hole called K-Bar. It was opening night and we with all the locals drank heartily and I got great footage with the owner, Burton, talking about when he was a penniless backpacker… If y’all are ever rollin into Yellowstone, drop into the K-Bar!