Drink Big Sky
Wondering where you can find a good beer or cocktail in town? We'll drink and tell...
COPPER
Easily one of the nicer bars in town where you can enjoy a handcrafted cocktail and a meal or appetizer. The setting is super nice, with plenty of seating, including high tops, tables next to the fireplace, bar seating, and if you're lucky enough to snag a spot, outdoor seating with a fire pit. It's nestled inside the Wilson Hotel, right up front, and easy to spot, so you can walk right in from the street. The bar itself is beautiful and well kept, and the menu has some interesting twist on old classics. They have quite a list of whiskey cocktails to choose from, so if that's your thing, make this a stop on your itinerary.
LONE PEAK BREWING
Big Sky runs on beer lovers, and it doesn't take long to figure that out. Walk into any store and you will see a hefty collection of craft beers to choose from, and majority are Montana brewed. Lone Peak is one of two breweries in town, this one is not walking distance from Town Center, but it is worth the very short drive. Known for their burgers, and other menu offerings, they also serve cocktails for the person in your group who doesn't love beer. Due to recent events in the World that closed most businesses for an extended time, their hours are a little spotty, so call ahead to make sure they are open!
CHOPPERS
16 beers on tap, and 70 beers total, along with 40 wines, a menu for adults and kids, games, and a casino? This place is perfect for a large group visiting the area, as the building is one of the larger properties in town. It also has something for everyone. Laid back, relaxed, and an overall fun atmosphere, it's worth a try if you have a group with picky eaters or various alcohol preferences. It's located right in Town Center next to multiple food options and The Hungry Moose Deli & Grocery. Call for hours during off season.
THE BROKEN SPOKE
OH, the Spoke... where to even begin. Since moving to Big Sky, I have heard about the Broken Spoke time and time again. It's a local hangout spot, and definitely popular for its classic bar vibe. If you want to chill out, mingle, and be in a super relaxed environment, this is the spot for you. Located right next to two other "Dive" bars, you can walk back and forth between the three if you get restless. But the Broken Spoke will probably keep you satisfied with its cute string light lined porch, its dog friendly exterior, grass area, games, and live music. If that's not enough, they also have Karaoke Night, which is a big freaking deal. Being one of the places that's open late in Big Sky, a lot of people gravitate towards this spot, so expect a crowd during peak season.
TIPS UP
With it's ski inspired decor, inside and out (I mean an old ski gondola hanging from the outdoor sign, patio chairs made of skis, and the ceiling completely lined with old skis), some people in town consider Tips Up to be a major tourist trap... and I mean, ya, of course it is. But that doesn't take away from the cheap drinks, cold beer, large spread out space, outdoor seating, and a menu to choose from when you get the munchies. There is often live music on the weekends, and like most of Big Sky, they close whenever they want, but usually if busy enough, that's pretty late. They have shuffle board, and "shot-skis" of course. If you are looking for the bar vibe, where you stand and hang out, and there are lots of people around to meet and talk to... this probably isn't the place. The indoor space is massive, so it has a tendency to feel a little empty and a little more private... right up our alley!
THE STANDARD
COCKTAIL & DESSERT BAR
The Standard is for all you fancy bitches. Just kidding. But really, it's nice. It's very small, but the menu is massive, the bar is awesome and they take their cocktails seriously. It's got an Old Hollywood feel to it, almost Great Gatsby-ish. The cocktails are pricey, but they are very well executed and the service is great majority of the time. It is located right in the heart of Town Center, so you can't miss it. Large groups may have a hard time finding a place to sit, but it's definitely worth checking. And you could always stand outside in the Montana Cold if that floats your boat too. They also offer seasonal drinks, and the Pumpkin Spice Latte Cocktail is delightful. The Standard: highly recommend.
BEEHIVE BASIN BREWERY
Our favorite local hangout. In a short time we have become regulars, and there is no question why. We LOVE beer, so obviously we had to give it a try, an excessive amount of tries. They have proved themselves to be very friendly, knowledgable, DOG FRIENDLY, and always provide great beer (and the occasional seltzer). It is not a huge space, and it gets pretty busy in the mid afternoon/early evening, as they close at 8pm. It is definitely a local spot, where people let their dogs run free and bring their own glasses. If you are a stuck-up, picky, nincompoop- go elsewhere, no one wants to hear your complaints, we're there for a chill time :)
THE ROCKS TASTING ROOM
This place is great. The drinks the food, the atmosphere, the owners, all great. It is more upscale than most places in the area, but still super chill. They have a great selection of alcohol to try out, and they have a liquor store in the back, which by the way is hard to find in Montana due to state laws regulating liquor sales. This is just as good a place to eat as it is to drink, as they offer a very interesting menu, and in our own experience and the reviews of others, it's fantastic. Try the Pho or the flatbreads and you won't be disappointed. If you like to sit back and relax and try out some liquors, and enjoy the mountain views, this is the place for you.
Where to Buy Alcohol:
THE CAVE
A seriously impressive wine, beer, liquor store for a seriously small town. This place is honestly awesome. They have an amazing selection, with unique offerings and some usually hard to find items. There are so many Montana made Gins, Whiskeys, Bourbons, and Vodkas, a lot of which are made just an hour away in Bozeman. They also have a GREAT gift shop... you could honestly just spend quite a bit of time perusing all of the awesome knick knacks and gifts they have, along with various local crafted art pieces. If you are a huckleberry fan, they have an entire section dedicated to the popular berry, including huckleberry chai tea, mocha, hot chocolate, taffy, jam, honey, mints... you name it. But back to the alcohol... in Big Sky, this is the only place (besides The Rocks Tasting Room) where you can legally buy liquor or any hard alcohol, excluding National holidays and Sundays... state laws. So if you are looking to stock up your vacation rental or take something unique home with you in your checked bag, you will definitely want to stop into The Cave and check it out.
THE HUNGRY MOOSE
While being known for its deli counter, fresh grab and go options, and it's small grocery section, the Hungry Moose is equally as popular for it's stellar wine selection. It is located in Town Center, like The Cave, and super accessible. They have cold beer and ciders, by the can and by the pack, and they also have cold canned wine and a few seltzers.
Roxy's
Easily the most expensive grocery store I have ever shopped in (makes sense when you think of Big Sky's rather remote location), they have a plethora of cold ciders, cold beers, a local craft beer section, boxes of all sorts of seltzers, and a nice wine section. The wines will be more expensive than you are used to, but Roxy's offers the convenience factor of being a one stop shop for getting everything you need for dinner and quickly grabbing a bottle (or can) of chardonnay. If you love cider or craft beer, check out Roxy's and you won't be disappointed with their options, glass bottle, cans, singles, packs, variety cases... they even have a chai tea flavored cider -can I get an "amen"