Great Falls, Montana, is known for its outdoor adventures and natural beauty. But, what many visitors to the city don’t know, is that Great Falls also has one of the most historic and diverse bar scenes in the entire state.
From an internationally celebrated Polynesian tiki bar to traditional Montana sports bars, Great Falls offers a variety of unique experiences to enjoy for your next night out on the town.
Check out this list of the eight best bars in Great Falls, Montana, to help you decide which late-night hotspot is best suited for your trip to the city.
The 8 Best Bars in Great Falls
1. The Block Bar & Grill
With 24 beers on tap, the Block Bar and Grill features some of the best local craft beers for their guests to sample. Along with their selection, the Block Bar also includes a variety of popular domestic and import bottles, spirits, and specialty cocktails.
As self-professed grilled cheese aficionados, the Block Bar’s kitchen specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. However, if grilled cheese doesn’t pique your interest, don’t worry. The menu also includes all of the bar foods you would expect to find in a Montanan grill.
The Block Bar’s happy hour runs from 4 to 6 pm daily and between 9 to 11 pm every night.
Be sure to visit at these times to enjoy $1 off all draft beer, $4 off all domestic pitchers, and a variety of additional discounts on select appetizers and bar foods.
What to try
With 12 creative grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from, the Block Bar and Grill offers a sandwich for an array of pallets. Some local favorites include the Philly Cheesesteak, The Big Pig, and the Lobster Mac.
2. The Celtic Cowboy Pub
The Celtic Cowboy Pub is where American Montanan history meets traditional Irish culture. First developed in 1890 by Welsh immigrant Robert Vaughn, the historic building the bar shares with Hotel Arvon was originally named the Arvon Block.
Over the years, the building was used as a town livery stable, a freight transfer office, a hotel, and even a vegetable market. Today, the building is well recognized as one of the most historical and distinguished buildings in Great Falls.
With over 30 beers on tap, The Celtic Cowboy features several locally brewed craft beers and is a great place to explore both the tastes and history of Great Falls, MT.
Before visiting, check out the bar’s event schedule for fun activities, including live music performances, trivia night, and other periodic specialty events.
What to try
Along with the bar’s various craft brews, the Celtic Cowboy also features a variety of international imports and favorite Irish beers.
However, for a heightened cultural experience, try one of the bar’s specialty cocktails inspired by prohibition-era influences and Irish traditions.
3. Sip ‘n Dip Lounge
First opened in 1962, the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge has served and entertained guests for over 60 years. Voted by GQ magazine as the #1 bar on Earth worth flying to in April 2003, this Polynesian-inspired tiki bar has become a destination in and of itself.
The bar includes food service from the Clark and Lewis Restaurant, located on-site, and features various thematic cuisine and bar foods.
Also featured on site is the O’Haire Motor Inn, a hotel offering beautiful accommodations and complete services so that patrons don’t have to worry about driving home after their night out at the bar.
Nevertheless, while the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge boasts a variety of industry-leading services, drinks, and food, what truly sets it apart as one of the best bars in Great Falls, MT, is the exotic mermaids they keep under their employ.
In the summer months, guests can enjoy their beverages on the lounge’s outdoor patio, where they can watch the Sip ‘n Dip mermaids wading through the outdoor pool.
What to try
While watching the Sip ‘n Dip mermaids swim through the large pools, try the tiki-inspired specialty cocktails. The Sip ‘n Dip 64 ounce fishbowl is a popular favorite cocktail and includes nine shots of various liquors.
4. Elevation 3330
Featuring a large inside serving area, long-spanning bars, and a great elevated outdoor patio, Elevation 3330 is one of the best social spots in all of Great Falls.
The bar’s expansive drink menu includes a variety of locally crafted beers, spirits, and creative cocktails. With the addition of a variety of popular imports on the menu, Elevation 3330 has a drink to match just about any pallet.
Before visiting, check out Elevation 3330’s event schedule for upcoming live music shows and other special events. Bring your dance shoes as the indoor lounge space opens up to feature a large wooden dance floor on live music nights.
What to try
Enjoy your favorite cocktail, local Montanan Beer, or glass of wine with one of Elevation 3330’s elegant finger foods.
Happy hour is from 3:30 to 5:30 pm every day but is best enjoyed during the bar’s Taco Tuesdays, which features a new specialty recipe each week.
5. The Do Bar
The Do Bar has its name because there is always some form of entertainment on its premises. Between its full-service bar, pool tables, music venues, and casino, there are hours of fun to be had exploring everything The Do Bar has to offer.
The full-service bar includes a wide variety of cocktails, domestic beers, and local microbrews, all available to be enjoyed while playing one of the many bar and casino games.
For further entertainment, visit the bar during one of its weekly event nights. The Do hosts live music every Friday and Saturday and Karaoke on Monday and Tuesday.
In addition, the Do Bar holds its popular Ladies Night, where women receive $1 off all drinks starting at 7 pm on Thursdays.
What to try
The Do Bar features a myriad of local flavors and microbrews. To sample some of the best beers found in Montana, order the Lewis & Clark Brewery’s Miner’s Gold, The Front Brewery’s Mountain Man, or the Dam Fog from the Mighty Mo Brewin Co.
6. The Mighty Mo Brewing Co
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While The Mighty Mo Brewing Co’s award-winning brews are available in several bars throughout Montana, it is never the same as ordering it from the source.
Opened in 2013 in Great Falls’ downtown area, The Mighty Mo Brewing Co aimed to restore the town’s vibrant nightlife with great tasting drinks and social experiences.
Almost a decade later, the bar now features 14 unique beers brewed directly in-house, a selection of favorite bar foods focusing on their specialty pizzas, and numerous daily events throughout the week.
Beyond revitalizing the town’s downtown district, the Mighty Mo Brewing Co gives back to their community by hosting their Monday night’s Raise a Pint Night. Each week the bar chooses a new charity to sponsor to which they donate $1 for each pint sold during the event.
What to try
The various tasteful brews of the Mighty Mo Brewing Co are best enjoyed over a slice of the bar’s famous pizza.
Visit the bar between 8 pm and 9 pm Monday through Thursday for the Pizza Happy hour, and receive your choice of pizza for only $15.
7. Stein Haus
Serving Great Falls for over 50 years, Stein Haus offers the quintessential sports bar experience with televisions playing a selection of games, weekly football pools, pool tables, and dart tournaments.
Stein Haus features 25 rotating draft beers on tap, including 18 microbrews and foreign taps. The bar also includes a selection of four wine taps and over 40 bottled microbrews, domestic, and imported beers.
The bar offers air-conditioned comfort throughout the hot summer months, and in the winter, guests can cozy up by the large indoor fireplace.
Whatever time of year you visit, Stein Haus provides a comfortable, welcoming environment for tasting the many flavors of Great Fall.
What to try
Whatever your pallet, Stein Haus has a drink for you. Combine your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail with an order of Howard’s internationally famous thin crust pizza.
8. KellerGeist Pub Theatre
While most bars in Great Falls focus their inventory around Montana’s extensive craft beer scene, KellerGeist Pub Theatre brings a European influence to its services with its German-style bar.
The bar’s great international flare features exotic craft cocktails and one of the largest German beer selections in the US. Its vast assembly of foreign flavors is a great way to reset your pallet after sampling the many local craft beers throughout your stay in Great Falls.
Be sure to check for upcoming events. From exciting Oktoberfest celebrations to frequent live music shows, various events are held at KellerGeist that bring a multicultural experience to your night out in Montana.
What to try
KellerGeist Pub features a brunch special from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday and Sunday, where they serve a selection of sweet and savory crepes with five different types of Bratwursts.