Sometimes, a night out in Bozeman ends up being a crowded dive bar and a watered-down whiskey. There are better ways to savor the evening—ones that include expertly crafted negronis and a side of artisanal small plates. Or maybe an ideal Friday involves dressing up and sipping from coupe glasses. Whatever you’re craving, here’s a guide to the best cocktail bars in town, from downtown gems to hidden neighborhood spots.
AC Benchmark
$$ | (406) 602-1072 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of places to grab a casual drink around town. For a stunning sunset cocktail, you can’t do much better than AC Benchmark and its panoramic rooftop views of the mountains. They serve excellent drinks as well, like a smoky old fashioned that’s perfectly balanced, and they have creative options like the huckleberry vodka. Share a charcuterie board that’s beautifully presented with prosciutto and arugula.
This is also a nice pick for evening visitors since the sunset views are truly spectacular.
Open Range
$$$ | (406) 404-1940 | WEBSITE
Open Range is a pretty typical family-friendly dinner in Bozeman, except there’s some exceptional bison steak. Start the meal with a double order of bone marrow, one classic with rich flavor that’s more satisfying than expected and another with the creamy verde side that’s perfectly herby.
The dinner options go beyond the perfectly cooked salmon and their other usual dishes—we like the cookie skillet dessert, which is pretty much a warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream and an added nostalgic kick of childhood. The staff is in true welcoming fashion, so it’s too lively for quiet reflection but great for memorable evenings.
Bourbon
$$ | (406) 586-3443 | WEBSITE
Bourbon is one of our go-to spots for a lively evening of southern-inspired dining and bourbon tasting in Bozeman. We like the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with its perfectly crispy coating and just-right heat, along with the brisket that falls apart with a gentle nudge of the fork. It’s a great place to gather with friends, but not for quiet conversation—the music pumps at a steady volume, so expect to lean in close and speak up on busy nights.
Montana Ale Works
$$ | (406) 587-7700 | WEBSITE
This sprawling, energetic Montana restaurant, with its gorgeous outdoor patio, diverse menu and excellent local beers, is all about the hearty mountain dining. The best bet is to order the Montana Sampler, a $75 per person selection of five signature dishes for everyone at the table to share. You’ll start with the highly recommended bison pot stickers, and move on to the fantastic elk burger and bison steak you pair with truffle fries and eat with the surprisingly good kale Caesar salad.
Some of our other favorites are hidden on the regular menu, including the hearty Montana meatloaf and Mac & Cheese with truffle oil so rich you’ll need extra bread to soak up every last bit.
Devil’s Toboggan
$$$ | (406) 587-4829 | WEBSITE
Our favorite modern-day speakeasy in Bozeman also does a great cocktail hour. There’s a fantastic bourbon cocktail crafted with remarkable attention to detail, and the popular virgin huckleberry lemon drop with just the right amount of sweetness. Cocktail hour is also a good time to try their signature chocolate cake that has a rich texture with just the right amount of decadence. Come here with a group to hang out in their spacious lounge area, or plan something smaller and sit up at the bar.
est.1864 Noir Bar & Restaurant
$$$ | (406) 404-1066 | WEBSITE
Mysterious barely begins to capture the essence of this Bozeman speakeasy tucked away from the world. The dimly lit western atmosphere is the ideal setting to unwind after a long day with perfectly blended cocktails and boldly adventurous dishes. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, add grilled carrots or a fresh salad to an order of their praised bread. But whatever you do, make sure to sample the creative cocktails that have everyone talking.
The Buck
$ | (406) 522-9555 | WEBSITE
If pizza and a lively atmosphere are the most important things for the family’s dinner plans, The Buck is the move. There’s always 90s rock music playing and regulars enjoying the fun ambiance in the long-standing favorite spot. When it comes to the food, the standout is the Margherita pizza with its unique folded-over crust and customizable doneness. But they have other delicious menu items like the gluten-free white pizza or heartier options.
To go peak family-friendly dinner, enjoy the meal in the welcoming atmosphere and order from the wonderful, accommodating staff.
Tanglewood Grill & Tap
$$ | (406) 551-7437 | WEBSITE
What’s great about the $28 steak frites at Tanglewood is that the servers will bring the chimichurri sauce straight to your table. The staff carries around plates of tempting, perfectly cooked king salmon, blackburn pizza with honey and walnuts, and generous portions of fried cauliflower with Tso’s sauce as if you’re being treated at a cozy neighborhood gathering.
Ask for a seat near the modern bar area, where you can enjoy the atmosphere and sip craft cocktails and local beers (for an additional $12 per drink) before relaxing with dessert.
Nina’s Tacos
$$ | (406) 577-2620 | WEBSITE
Nina’s Tacos still serves the bison nacho plate and shrimp tacos they became known for when they opened. Unlike some trends that fade, though, these dishes still impress. Although it might not scream Mexican fine dining, the carne asada tacos with flour tortillas and chipotle sauce are some of the best in Bozeman.
They also have one of the better patios for enjoying an outdoor meal in the middle of Montana: the Huckleberry jalapeno margarita and that impressive rice taste even better with a front-row view of the sunshine.
Brigade
$$ | (406) 624-6161 | WEBSITE
Brigade, nestled among Bozeman’s bustling downtown storefronts, is a low-key retreat from the area’s typical craft beer and burger joints. There’s no loud music, over-the-top cocktails, or pretentious wine pairings. But there is a perfect Brigade Burger, and well-executed bison short ribs with equal parts tenderness and flavor in every bite. Oh, and lots of pork—in crispy ribs, slow-cooked short ribs, or mixed into chorizo mussels.
The menu is mostly hearty, even the salads, which are made the substantial way you’d find them in a Montana lodge (with generous portions and bold dressings).
Plonk Bozeman
$$ | (406) 587-2170 | WEBSITE
Having dinner at Plonk Bozeman feels like enjoying small plates in a swanky wine cellar. Guests in the intimate dining area dip Korean fried spring chicken in house-made sauces and savor plates of delicate scallops, while the low lighting casts warm glows across exposed brick walls. This cocktail bar restaurant even builds tartare with flair, topping fresh beef with crispy shallots, creamy aioli and a quail egg hidden under a sprinkle of microgreens.
For something rich, drag a fork through the silky pork belly glazed with sweet soy and pair it with a glass of bold red from their cellar. For a sweet finish, end the meal with the crème brûlée and watch as the caramelized sugar cracks to reveal the vanilla custard served with fresh berries. The cocktails impress with creative twists, making the patio a perfect spot to linger over drinks as the evening unfolds.
Bozeman Spirits Distillery
$$ | (406) 577-2155 | WEBSITE
Bozeman Spirits Distillery sits in a charming neighborhood location that makes it the perfect meeting point for locals from all corners of town and for visitors looking for a relaxed stop before heading out of Bozeman. It’s become the cocktail destination du jour—cozy atmosphere, personalized service, hand-crafted drinks, and friendly faces everywhere you look.
The cocktails are reasonably priced (around $14 each), with an option to sample before you order, and an add-on tasting flight worthy of a top-tier craft distillery. We love the Agave Old Fashioned made with local tequila, and with a little muddled berry on top, it’s a reason to linger on a quiet evening.