Nocturnal City

The Garden City doesn't sleep when the sun sets. From concerts to bars to coffee shops, there's plenty to do in Missoula when it gets dark.

Photo by Lisa Mee

Nightlife

Whether your buzz of choice is alcohol or caffeine, you’ll find a slew of Missoula nightlife options. Coffee houses, breweries, bars, poker rooms and casinos, and various music venues are plentiful, each with style and specialties all their own.

So what’s your mood?

Feeling brew? Head to one of the local breweries with some of the best microbrews in the west.  Down a Moose Drool at Big Sky Brewing, an Amber at Bayern Brewing, or a Cold Smoke at Kettlehouse Brewing Co.  Newest breweries to Missoula include Flathead Lake Brewing Co, and Tamarack Brewing Company.

Live music striking your fancy? Try the Top Hat, a Missoula staple for years. Bluegrass one night, reggae the next, rock two days later. Great acts, great fun – and just one example of the Missoula music scene.

Or try an Irish ale at Sean Kelly’s or the The Stone of Accord. Both are Irish pubs that serve up traditional Irish fare as well. Plus, you can sometimes catch an Irish band on the weekend at The Stone.

Want to dance? Head to the Elbow Room, affectionately called “the double wide” by locals. Great for dancing, great for people-watching, the Elbow Room serves up an eclectic mix of fun.

Something mellower in mind? Nothing beats the Depot Deck. Great appetizers, awesome sandwiches, and a young professionals crowd.  Or, depending on the weather, nothing beats the deck of Finn and Porter for a fabulous river view and a glass of wine.

And all this is just for starters. Check out our list for more Missoula nightlife spots.

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