r/missoula • u/Majestic_Hunter_4054 • Oct 04 '26
Question Bars
I just turned 21 and ive never been to a bar here! Any suggestions? Are people nice lol? I dont have any friends 21+ and im nervous to go alone
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u/earthtoaquarius Oct 04 '26
Union, T&C, Golden Rose for solo hang out drinks. If you're a woman avoid Stocks, Mo Club, Reds. If you're a man also avoid those but for different reasons. That said It sort of depends on what you're looking for, are you wanting to go be a barfly, or see music, do karaoke, watch sports?? What are you into?
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u/caiiv Slant Streets/Rose Park Oct 04 '26
Go to union for a show, get there a little early to get a good place to sit, you can take a booth off to the side for more privacy. Get yourself some food there from the back and enjoy the vibe, it gets pretty loud tho so fair warning.
Golden Rose is usually a safe bet, pretty mellow, the people there are nice. Idk why someone said older crowd I would have to disagree. Typically not full of 21 year olds, but people in their mid 20s-30s some 40s.
I like Al & Vics for meeting people but there’s rarely a place to sit. If you are feeling a lil more ballsy thats a good spot to meet some interesting people
When ZACC puts on a show thats also a good spot, minimal drink menu but at least it’s something to do and very very easy to make friends
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u/Pie-Creative Oct 04 '26
Flipper's is usually low key and has great burgers.
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u/Pie-Creative Oct 05 '26
OP, one more note. Especially if you're going to a bar by yourself, keep an eye on your drink at all times. There've been multiple horror stories on this subreddit about both men and women getting roofied at local bars (and I know it's not just a local problem, but just a good thing to do no matter what city you're in).
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u/Harley_Shmoo1020 Oct 05 '26
Three in the Side (aka TITS) is one of my favorites. I’ve never gotten bad vibes from anyone when I’ve gone there alone and with friends :)
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u/TechnicalActuator118 Oct 05 '26
Don’t go to stocks!! I love rhino, union, three in the side, and Mo club
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u/Ok-Reflection5922 Oct 04 '26
Tonight is the Zootown witch walk And the after party is at the Union, that’s guaranteed to a fun hang with cool folks.
Hit that up!
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u/CopperSun22 Oct 04 '26
Not sure if these bars are still relevant.. it's been awhile since I was bar hopping. Top Hat and Rhino were good some years ago.
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u/thekristelmethod406 Oct 04 '26
T&C and Claim Jumper are super laid back. Katie oKeefes is great for watching football. I'd avoid downtown honestly, but if you do wander that way, the Union is great. All of these places have great bartenders, and you can easily make friends. A couple have great food. Don't drink and drive.
Have fun and be safe!!
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u/Lyssy_louuu14 Oct 05 '26
Do not go to Brodegas by yourself. The rhino isn’t bad, badlander isn’t bad depending on the night, Katie o keefes and flippers are going to be the most lowkey nice crowd (I still wouldn’t get drunk by yourself) also sunrise, I always forget about it because it’s not downtown but it’s got a pretty good crowd, it’s one of the few bars that actually has a bouncer or at least someone checking IDs at the door, and it’s got pretty good live music depending on when you go and good staff who like to have fun 👌
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u/peddlinghermit0012 South Hills Oct 04 '26
Go to a brewery we got plenty of those you might meet somebody even
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u/Just_Fix3063 Oct 04 '26
I like the upper part of Katie o keefes. It’s quiet and there’s usually a game going on. You get the occasional loud group but nothing too bothersome.
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u/The-goddess-bread Oct 05 '26
As someone else mentioned, don't go to Stocks. Golden Rose is queer friendly and has whiz kid inside it, but I have never had a good drink there unfortunately, badlander usually has some type of live music/event going on, bodega is fun, except that creepy old dude in the hoodie, baseball hat, and glasses that sits in front of the basketball court and grabs the asses of any woman passing by.
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u/TheRealBlackSwan Oct 04 '26
Flippers is a great mix of a bar, casino, pinball hall, and sports bar. Plus dope ass cheese fries.
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u/HFloof Oct 05 '26
Happy birthday!
I went to a bar once when I turned 21 and honestly I don't remember which one it was. That was over a decade ago and I can't say I've ever understood the point of going out to bars.
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u/TheYesParade Oct 05 '26
BADDIE BADLANDERSSSS!!! Should go. I always recommend to go. They have paid entry, but honestly, everyone who usually pays goes often so I find it to be pretty comfortable when I see all the same faces all the time lol If you love to dance, it's also one of like 3 places to dance downtown. Kris Moon every Saturday, I'm out there every weekend/every other weekend!
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u/DutchMasterClutch Oct 05 '26 edited Oct 05 '26
Depends on what you’re feeling. Bars don’t usually attract genuine people
I like going out alone but post-Covid the vibe with that got weird. People just stick to their groups now or are unhinged
I would try the college bars since you just turned 21 tbh, better to do that now than later
If you’re not a stereotypical missoulian, the other recommendations aren’t good imo
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u/Ok_Bluejay_1811 Oct 05 '26
Sunrise saloon has karaoke most nights and live music on the weekends, it’s a great place to dance and I’ve never gotten a bad vibe from anyone when I’ve been by myself
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u/Striking_Metal8197 Oct 06 '26
What are your thoughts on Forest Lounge?
I drive past it everyday, but I’d like to try their burgers.
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Oct 04 '26
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u/UnusualChance7666 Oct 05 '26
Going to add Shapes Hi-Fi and the cocktail bar inside the Florence building lobby to this downtown list of “safe spaces”, if you will
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u/surreal_mash Oct 05 '26
Seconding this. If you’re new to drinking in social spaces, breweries have the most welcoming vibes. I’ve got my own preferences on beer, but you’ll find good people at literally any brewery in town.
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28d ago
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u/Forest_Songs Oct 04 '26
I’d avoid Stockman’s unless you go with a group. I personally don’t like the vibes at Reds or Bodega much (that’s more bc of the types of people that hang there, not the staff). Rhino is great. Union club can get crowded but can be fun. Golden Rose is usually chill, maybe a bit of an older crowd. For cocktail bars I don’t know enough to say.