Scooter's Bar Journal » Montana

Fort Rockvale

scooterj — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Rockvale, MT)

Scooter’s 1378th bar, first visited in 2019.

This was not an intended stop, but after two attempts in a row to stop at gas stations to use the restroom failed, the decision was made to use the restroom here. And since I have a rule against using a business’s restroom without buying something, I popped into the bar for a quick drink.

There’s at least one pool table plus a whole array of casino games.

I had the last of the Street Fight Imperial Red Ale by Angry Hank’s before the keg blew.

I’m marking this having a restaurant, but the restaurant is in a separate section of the building.

4283 US-310
Rockvale, MT 59041
US
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(406) 962-3963
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Sip ‘n Dip Lounge

scooterj — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 17:12:00 +0000

(Great Falls, MT)

Scooter’s 1377th bar, first visited in 2019.

Who would ever think that the bar in a borderline shady motel would be a tourist attraction? But that’s exactly what this is.

Located on the second level of a very-dated motel, this tiki bar features casino games and a full menu of pretty decent food. But the main feature is that the back of the bar butts up against the motel’s swimming pool, with a glass wall allowing bar patrons to see into the water. At scheduled times of day women dressed as mermaids swim in the pool, performing for bar guests and getting pictures taken with them for tips.

(I assume that at other times of day bar patrons would see motel guests swimming, which might be a bit weird at times.)

I had a Cloudblast (NE IPA) and a Dam Fog (wheat beer), both by Mighty Mo Brewing Company

First-time visitors (such as us) might find it a bit confusing figuring out how to get to the bar, and might go to the ground floor restaurant instead. Enter the main motel entrance and take these stairs at the back of the lobby.

17 7th St S
Great Falls, MT 59401
US
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(406) 454-2141
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Glacier Distilling

scooterj — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Coram, MT)

Scooter’s 1376th bar, first visited in 2019.

Here’s something different (for me), a distillery! My wife was giddy here, she loved it. Something up her alley for once!

Here is what was on my flight, I also sampled some from another flight but I don’t remember what all I had from that. I also had a cocktail called the Waking Bear: Wheatfish whiskey shaken with MT Coffee Traders cold brew, maple cinnamon syrup, and a dash of chocolate bitters.

10237 US-2 E
Coram, MT 59913
US
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(406) 387-9887
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Swiss Lounge

scooterj — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Glacier National Park, Browning, MT)

Scooter’s 1375th bar, first visited in 2019.

Despite how the picture looks, this place was absolutely packed so we ended up moving outside the bar to a neaby dining room and ordered dinner. But our drinks did come from the bar.

I had a Cold Smoke (Scotch ale) by KettleHouse Brewing Company.

The bar is in the section of the hotel on the right, out of the frame of this photo but about halfway down the length of the building.

1 Rte 3
Browning, MT 59417
US
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Enbär Craft Cocktail Lounge

scooterj — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Great Falls, MT)

Scooter’s 1371st bar, first visited in 2019.

Located next door to The Block and connected through a corridor in the back, so you can actually take your drinks and/or food freely between both places.

There are two rooms for seating, plus an upper-level loft seating area and a sidewalk patio.

This places is all about the cocktails, and as I’m coming to learn is common in western Montana, many of the cocktails are made with huckleberry.

I had a coffee cocktail (Dirty Coffee, I think), and a Huckleberry Press.

8 5th St S
Great Falls, MT 59401
United States
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(406) 952-1520
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The Block

scooterj — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Great Falls, MT)

Scooter’s 1370th bar, first visited in 2019.

We arrived in Great Falls after most of the restaurants had closed, but this place was open and we stopped in for dinner and drinks. Great sandwiches and great beer selection.

I had a Naughty Irish Red Ale by Black Eagle Brewery and Space Goat by Big Sky Brewing Company.

4 5th St S
Great Falls, MT 59401
US
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(406) 315-1783
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Two Bit Saloon

scooterj — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Gardiner, MT)

Scooter’s 1197th bar, first visited in 2017.

The bar is devided into three sections: A front main bar, a back billiard room, and then a front outdoor seating area half-covered and half-uncovered.

I had a Bozone Amber Ale by Bozeman Brewing Company.

We were enjoying sitting outside on the deck, but for whatever reason the crowd was a little too “bro” for our tastes so we decided to call it a night after one round.

107 S 2nd St
Gardiner, MT 59030
US
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(406) 848-7743
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Red’s Blue Goose Saloon

scooterj — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:11:00 +0000

(Downtown, Gardiner, MT)

Scooter’s 1196th bar, first visited in 2017.

Dive-ish bar with a pool table, and a casino in the back. I had a Moose Drool Brown Ale by Big Sky Brewing Company, which I’ve had many times before but everyone had been trying to sell it to me the past few days and I’d apparently never checked it in on unTappd.

206 W Park St
Gardiner, MT 59030
US
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(406) 848-7434
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Iron Horse Bar & Grille

scooterj — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:10:00 +0000

(Gardiner, MT)

Scooter’s 1195th bar, first visited in 2017.

We sat out on the deck overlooking the Yellowstone River and had some delicious steaks. Beer-wise, I had a Black Butte Porter that was ordered by mistake, followed by a Going To The Sun IPA by Great Northern Brewing Company.

200 Spring St
Gardiner, MT 59030
US
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(406) 848-7666
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Antler Pub & Grill

scooterj — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:10:00 +0000

(Gardiner, MT)

Scooter’s 1194th bar, first visited in 2017.

I forgot to take an outside picture, so this one is stolen from Google Street View. This is a bar / burger place located in a second floor loft attached to the Comfort Inn.

I had a flight with a Latte Stout by Neptune’s Brewery, which blew halfway through pouring so I drank that and a bonus Montana Common by Bozeman Brewing Company to replace it. I also had the Midas Crush IPA by MAP Brewing Company, a Scepter IPA by Draught Works, and a Plum Street Porter by Bozeman Brewing Company. The Plum Street and the Midas Crush were tied for my favorite of the bunch.

107 Hellroaring St
Gardiner, MT 59030
US
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(406) 848-7536
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Bullwinkle’s

scooterj — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:10:00 +0000

(West Yellowstone, MT)

Scooter’s 949th bar, first visited in 2012.

Bullwinkle’s is part restaurant/lounge, part liquor store, part sports bar, and part casino. The sports bar and casino are combined at the north end of the complex.

I didn’t play any of the casino games, because I noticed that nobody else was either. Instead I sat and watched NBA playoff action while having a couple of beers.

In the picture below, we see the battle between ranchers and preservationists played out on the wallpaper in the men’s room.

115 N. Canyon
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
US
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(406)-646-7974
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The Gusher

scooterj — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:10:00 +0000

(West Yellowstone, MT)

Scooter’s 667th bar, first visited in 2009.

The pizza may not be anything spectacular pretty standard. (I’m not a fan of any pizza that hides onions in the sauce. If I want onions on my pizza, I’ll order them.)

But, I got the most perfect pour of Guinness here that I have ever received.

40 Dunraven St
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
US
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(406) 646-9050
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