Travel Tips for Drinking in Livingston
- The state of Montana has a 0% sales tax, which means you might be more inclined to order a couple extra glasses of your preferred beverage.
- Some bars in Montana include a mandatory service charge with the bill, but not all. In Montana and North America in general the tip has become something of a social norm or expected percentage of the bill, aside from its original intended purpose as an expression of gratitude.
- Tipping is of course at the customer’s discretion though, and the service charge is not considered a tip. A point of interest worth noting when deciding whether or not to tip is that employers aren’t bound by any laws to share the service charges with the employee who did the serving. At least not as extras—more as part of the employee’s wages. Many employers will have a tip pool that is equally shared, although the service charges are unlikely to be seen as add-ons to the server’s wages.
- Bars in Montana typically close up shop around 2 am—which gives you more time to experience each watering hole without feeling too rushed
The 10 Best Bars in Livingston
If you are looking to grab a drink and some pub food, there are plenty of options when checking out the best bars in Livingston.
- The Murray Bar
- Livingston Bar and Grille
- The Office Lounge and Liquor Store
- The Katabatic Brewing Co.
- Hiatt House Bar
- The Mint Bar
- The Owl Lounge
- Neptune’s Brewery
- The Stockman
- The BuckhornYellowstone Saloon
1. The Murray Bar • Main Street • $$
This quirky and historic bar is simply one of the town’s ‘must visit’ establishments when visiting Livingston and is likely to kick off any listing related to Livingston’s bars.
It is worth the visit just to view the walls and décor and consider some of the history behind the place and some of the people who have drank here over the years. Like the iconic hotel with the same name, the Murray Bar has seen a few interesting characters come and go over the years.
The Murray Bar has remained the mainstay of the downtown Livingston bar scene for more than a century. It’s not hard to see why if you drop in and encounter the authentic and vibrant atmosphere as well as live music. For many, the Murray Bar is akin to the epicenter for southwest Montana bar music.
The Murray Bar is a popular spot for a broad range of people aside from the locals and often includes the odd visiting celebrity alongside other travelers.
A large dose of Livingston heritage is evident in this bar yet the drink prices are reasonable and if you get hungry the bar is right next to some impressive food menus courtesy of the 2nd Street Bistro & Gil’s Goods in the same building.
2. Livingston Bar and Grille • Main Street • $$
More of the typical warmth & charm found in Livingston is evident at the Bar & Grille, where a range of drinks and food are served up in a casual setting with a touch of elegance.
Like all the best local establishments in the town, there are a few unique, homemade touches to this bar’s approach.
Their happy hour runs from 4 to 6 pm, and we always offer dinner specials. The fact that the restaurant is housed in a historic building and features a classic Brunswick back bar does it no harm whatsoever.
The reasonably-priced cuisine comes with an extensive wine menu, local craft beers, and a helping of signature cocktails.
An ideal choice for singles, couples, and families alike looking for a decent meal or alternatively for anyone who just fancies a glass of wine and an appetizer at the bar.
The establishment opens Thursday through Sunday, 4.30 pm-9 pm.
3. The Office Lounge and Liquor Store • South Main Street • $$-$$$
The Office Lounge is a reasonably-sized, nicely-decorated local establishment that retains a local and welcoming atmosphere. The style of the bar is almost saloon-like, with plenty of seating and staff.
Locals and visitors alike come here to grab a cold beer, a glass of wine, or a hand-made cocktail while watching sports, playing various bar games like pool and darts, or trying their luck in the casino section of the bar which has more than 10 slot machines.
The bar not only has a wide range of drink options including local craft beers on tap alongside other local and imported beer, a range of seltzers, and wine by the glass.
Seasonal beer and various other specialty beer options are always on offer here, and the bar offers a full menu when you get peckish, which is well worth checking out as Chef Cory’s background stems from a lifelong interest and commitment to the food service industry that is more than evident in his culinary creations.
This is an ideal place to watch football or some other sports event or to catch some of the regular live music that they put on.
There is a daily Happy Hour at the Office Lounge which serves between 10 am and 12.30 am, and the liquor store opens 10 am-10 pm in case you want to take home your own nightcap.
4. The Katabatic Brewing Co. • West Park Street • $$
Katabatic Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in Livingston that makes all its own beer on site, from scratch, and served fresh to each customer.
The brewery aims to showc