Classic Waterin’ Holes – The “New” Atlas Bar

Columbus, MT
528 East Pike Avenue
(406) 322-9818

While back in God’s Country over the holidays, I had the chance to visit one of my favorite old west waterin' holes – The “New” Atlas Bar in Columbus. If you are traveling through Montana, there is a good chance you’ll end up on I-90 between Billings and Bozeman. While in the area make sure and stop off in Columbus and head “downtown” to The Atlas and blow the froth off a couple at this classic saloon.

History

This bar has a lot of history. Built in 1906 the bar boasts some unique features. Most first time visitors will notice that the men’s bathroom is in the back of the bar (complete with a Crane urinal trough), while the women’s bathroom is in the front near the main door. There is also a rustic game room in front.

There is a good explanation for this historic relic. In the old days women were not allowed past the front area into the main bar – that area was reserved for the men. Women had their own small section (the current game room) where they were packed in and served drinks through a window into the main bar. Their bathroom was across the walkway so there was no need to even consider straying further inside. Nowadays both sexes are welcome all the way inside, but the disassociated bathrooms remain. (More about other unique features in the next section…)

In the early twentieth century, this bar was called the “Atlas Bar.” Of course prohibition was a difficult period in our country’s past. Thankfully for all of us in 1933 cooler heads prevailed, and with the ratification of the 21st Amendment bars were back in business. It is rumored that the Atlas Bar received Montana’s first post-prohibition liquor license and was reborn as “The New Atlas Bar.” It has always been a main congregation spot for Stillwater county locals. Today it is known as one of most historically accurate, and most famous, bars in the state. When you walk in the front door you’ll feel like nothing has changed for the past 100 years. Last summer the National Park Service even added the bar to the National Register of Historic Places. Quite an honor for a small town saloon!

The Dead Animal Bar

The atmosphere in this bar is almost museum-like. The massive backbar is a work of art itself - composed of sturdy arches, wood columns, mirrors, and elaborate, dark-stained woodwork. It is adorned with notes, signs, and random currency plastered all over the place. Underneath the pressed tin ceiling, the long, narrow bar is packed with mounts of every critter you could imagine. Elk, whitetail & mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, a mountain lion, bobcat, wolverine, badger, eagles, buffalo, etc, etc, etc. There is even an albino deer and two-headed calf. Needless to say, this is not the place to take your card-carrying PETA friend for a drink. Most of these mounts have been around since at least 1916 – and they show it! This is the reason locals affectionately call the place “The Dead Animal Bar.”

Spittoons are mounted in the base of the bar to accommodate those belly-uppers that prefer their tobacco smokeless. When is the last time you drank a Pale Ale with a built-in brass pot at your feet? There are also pool tables in the back half of the Atlas to accommodate rural Montana’s favorite pastime. (Winning a few bucks and maybe getting into a little scrap.)

A few changes over the years…

Not many things have changed over the century, but one important one has – the beer selection. Yes, they have Bud, Bud Light, Miller, Coors, and of cause PBR, but they also have a great selection of craft bottles and drafts. On tap they offered Sam Adams Boston Lager, Bozone Amber (Bozeman, MT), Red Lodge Beartooth Pale Ale (Red Lodge, MT), and Bayern Dragon’s Breath Dunkelweizen (Missoula, MT). And in classic Montana fashion, 16oz micro drafts are only $2.50. Happy Hour is even cheaper! Great beer at this price really can’t be beat.

Old West Charm

In my September, 2011 blog entry titled “30 things to add to your to do list” number 13 recommended that one “Drink a local Montana craft beer in a real, old-school western watering hole.” For those checking items off their list - there are countless options for this one. The Hofbräu or Crystal in Bozeman, Grizzly Bar in Roscoe, Cowboy bar in Fishtail, Bulldog in Whitefish, Mooses in Kalispell… the list goes on and on. (What is your favorite?) But the New Atlas is a classic that can’t be missed. It is a totally unique experience and a great place to enjoy a few Montana brewed specialties. And then you can also brag that you’ve been to the Dead Animal Bar!