Bozeman's Best Après Ski!

Before we go any further, I need to address something. A lot of people assume that the person behind this blog may be Tatum, our fearless leader, boss babe, and Bozeman born-and-raised local who actually knows how to ski.

This one’s on me though. Hi. 👋
I’m Gunner.

I’m the person responsible for this very blog, and I’ve been living in Bozeman for the past three years. I love it here. I just… don’t ski. Never have. Probably never will.

So if you were reading this thinking, “Wow, a local skier really gets Après,” let me stop you right there. This guide comes from someone who lives here, works here, drinks here, eats here, and has fully embraced the art of Après without the actual skiing.

And honestly? That might make me the most qualified person to write it. 

So, Bozeman's Best Après Ski! 
Or: What the hell is skiing and why am I already on my second drink?

I’ll be honest with you: I do not ski.
I do not understand skiing.
I do not wish to understand skiing.

What I do understand is the sacred ritual of being warm, slightly buzzed, and eating something salty and luxurious at 4:30 PM on a weekday. And apparently, that -that- is what Après Ski is really about.

From what I’ve gathered (mostly from overhearing conversations while holding a cocktail):

• Après = after

• Ski = cold, expensive, suspiciously vertical exercise

• Après Ski = drinking and eating like you earned it, even if the only thing you conquered today was your inbox

So if you’re like me... confused, cozy, thirsty, and deeply uninterested in strapping planks to your feet... welcome. Let’s talk Bozeman happy hour spots that scream Après energy without requiring a single snow-related skill.

(Western Winter Tee, Ski Season Tee, Western Winter Sweatshirt, Après Hoodie, Ski Bridger Tee)

First things first. Can you pass the vibe check?

Picture this:
Low lighting. Big coats tossed over chairs. Someone casually mentioning they “did Bridger this morning” while you nod politely and order oysters like you absolutely belong here.

That’s Après.

So order the Aperol spritz with confidence.
Act like you earned it.
And remember, Bozeman does Après best, whether you touched a ski or not.

So… where do we need to go?

Don’t fear! I’ve done the work.
I’ve compiled my favorites and our local friends’ ride-or-die spots. From taprooms to wine bars, cocktail counters to cozy corners, these are the happy hours so worth it you’ll forget what time it is (and why you ever thought skiing was required).

Whether you’re here for the beer, the bubbles, or the “just one glass” that turns into three. We’ve got you covered. 🥂

Let’s Ease In With Beer & Cider 

We’re starting cozy and carbonated. If beer is your love language or if cider is more your speed, these spots set the Après-without-the-effort tone perfectly.

Lockhorn Cider House

📍 21 S Wallace Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
Their website doesn’t exactly spell it out… but that should absolutely not stop you from going.

If beer isn’t your thing and cider is more your vibe, Lockhorn is the place. As Bozeman’s only locally crafted cider house, they bring a solid lineup of flagship ciders, a biweekly rotation of new pours, and fun small-batch experiments that keep things interesting.

The food menu is limited but gluten-free friendly, and the cheese boards? Incredible . This is a sit-and-sip, talk-too-long, order-one-more kind of spot. Après energy without the pressure.

Mountains Walking Brewery & Pub

📍 422 Plum Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
Not exactly—but they do have a reason to go every Wednesday.

Wing Wednesdays:
🍗 ½ off wings (chicken or cauliflower)
🍺 ½ off a full-pour draft beverage with wing purchase
📌 Dine-in only, flights not included

Their brewing style is totally different, which makes bar hopping dangerously easy. Plus, their food is so good, the fries alone are worth the visit. Pizza, pub classics, cozy vibes… perfect for post-work or post-“I was outside today” hangs.

Shine Beer Sanctuary

📍 451 E Main St A, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
Some sources say yes. Their website is a little mysterious about it. But honestly? Go anyway.

Shine is a craft beer sanctuary in the truest sense, laid-back, welcoming, and dangerously easy to stay awhile. Located downtown, they serve up burritos, tacos, salads, and all the casual comfort food you want alongside a solid beer lineup. Bonus points for their bottle shop and private event space.

This is the kind of place where you say, “Just one,” and suddenly it’s dark outside.

Beer. Cider. Wings. Cheese boards.
You don’t need skis for any of this—just a coat, a free evening, and the confidence to call it Après. Up next? 🍸🍷

Let’s Move on to WINE (Because Après Deserves a Stemmed Glass)

Wine might not be the first thing people associate with Bozeman, but trust me, these spots prove it belongs firmly in the Après conversation. Cozy interiors, knowledgeable staff, and wine lists that make you forget what state you’re in (Montana? Napa? Tuscany? Who’s to say).

City Vineyard

📍 2825 W Main St STE 1-B, Bozeman, MT 59718

Do they have a happy hour?
No, but they are worth every penny. And yes, they do FREE tasters. Just ask. Casually. Confidently.

We’re starting with a personal favorite of mine, tucked in the Gallatin Valley Mall. I’m a regular here, especially in winter. The staff is that friendly. At this point, I know about 90% of them by name, and they know my order so well it’s usually at my table before I can even ask if they’ve done any skiing lately. (Probably not… it’s been warm.)

The food? Exceptional.
The wine selection? You’ll feel like you’re in Napa Valley one minute and Tuscany the next. If you need something snacky, the Spicy Dill Dip is a must. While they specialize in wine (with a retail shop up front), do not sleep on their Spritzes, some of the best in town.

✨ Local tip: Their Monthly Wine Club is a steal. Great price, great wines, great excuse to drink better wine at home.

Plonk

📍 29 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
YES. And it’s a good one.
🕒 3–5 PM daily
🌙 10:30 PM–midnight Thursday–Saturday

A downtown icon and an undeniable local favorite. Plonk is in a prime Après location, meaning this is where you put on your most confident “Yeah, I was outside all day” face, even if the closest you got to snow was your windshield.

They topped our locals’ list for Best Espresso Martini in Bozeman (hot tip: it’s off-menu, just ask). Their French fries are absolutely to die for, salty, crispy, and exactly what you need after a long day of… existing.

Incredible wine selection (if you’re feeling adventurous, try an orange wine), plus cocktails, food, dessert, matchbooks, and more. This one’s a non-negotiable stop.

La Brasserie

📍 31 S Willson Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
From my findings, no. But they have wine on tap, it’s a great price, and honestly… after the second glass, who’s counting?

This is a newer hidden gem in town, and when it comes to wine, they clearly know what they’re doing. Like City Vineyard, they offer a monthly wine club, and they proudly call themselves an Urban Winery, which feels extremely on-brand for Après energy.

They’ve got a lovely wine menu, featured wines on tap (meaning: fast pours, no waiting), and if hunger hits? You’re covered with a gorgeous French cuisine–inspired menu. Elegant but approachable. Cozy but elevated.

When you think of Bozeman, wine might not be the first thing that comes to mind—but these spots are doing the absolute most in the best way. Thoughtfully sourced bottles, welcoming atmospheres, and the kind of places that make you linger just a little longer.

So raise a glass, to Bozeman, to Après, and, of course… to yourself. You earned this. 🥂

Saving Some of the Best for Last... COCKTAILS

When we’re done with a long day of “skiing” (heavy air quotes), and you need a drink and a little social life, these are the places we think of. The kind of spots where Après officially turns into plans.

Sky Shed

📍 24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
YES. Golden Hour: 4–6 PM daily

First of all... YOU MUST ORDER THE WAFFLE FRIES FOR THE TABLE.
(Pro tip: if you miss happy hour, you can still order them, just ask your server.)

Sky Shed sits on the rooftop of the Armory Hotel and holds the very important title of the tallest building in Bozeman. The views are to die for. Catch it at peak sunset and you might shed a single dramatic tear... it’s fine, we’ve all been there.

The staff is friendly, fast, and genuinely great at recommendations. They offer a rotating Cocktail of the Week, just ask your server or bartender. Or, if you’re the “I drink everything” type, let it be a blind pick moment.

The menu rotates seasonally, but the cocktails are always crafted beautifully. This ranks extremely high on my personal list of “I NEED A DRINK...LET’S GO HERE.”
Recently I tried the Aztec Ascent (Don Julio Blanco, lime, cinnamon demerara, ginger) and WOW! It was absolutely incredible.

✨ Matchbook travelers: this is a stop. Complimentary matches here, just like Plonk.

And if you love the vibe but aren’t ready for bed? Head downstairs.
There’s a second bar in the basement with live music, great drinks, more matchbooks, and immaculate energy.

👉 That bar’s name? Tune Up Bar.

It Will Always Be That Way

📍 111 E Oak St Suite 1B, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have a happy hour?
YES. from 4–6 PM

Born in the wrong decade? Same. It Will Always Be That Way is a bar dripping in dreamy ’60s and ’70s vibes you wish you could’ve experienced firsthand. The cocktails are to die for, and the aesthetic? Immaculate.

If you want your Après appearance to be known on social media, this is the spot. Easily one of the cutest bars in Bozeman.

One of the coolest things the bar-with-the-longest-name-in-town offers:
Board & Bottle Pairing
Any bottle of wine + any bruschetta board for $30
Sunday–Wednesday, 6–9 PM

Share it… or don’t, babe... we’re not judging. We’re screaming CHEERS!

I would be doing this place a disservice if I didn’t circle back to the cocktails, because honestly? They deserve their own moment.

Here’s exactly what you should be ordering:

• Louis’ Lemonade - 10/10, no notes. Bright, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. If you only order one thing here, make it this.

• Key Lime - For when you want something a little more dessert-forward, but still balanced with a twist. Sweet, citrusy, and cozy. The Pie Crust Rim completes this cocktail.

• Orange Dreamcicle - Yes, it’s winter. No, that does not matter. This is the town favorite for a reason and tastes like pure nostalgic happiness in a glass.

And just when you think it can’t get better, once you’re seated, they bring you a small shot of their house punch, which changes weekly. A welcome drink and a surprise? We love a thoughtful host.

Oh, and yes, you already know what I’m going to say:
Order the French fries.
You won’t regret it.

Guten Laune

📍 10 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715

Do they have happy hour?
YES. 4–6 PM, Reminder they are Closed Mondays.

Tucked upstairs above a the Rialto in the heart of downtown, Guten Laune is still a newer face in Bozeman, but she’s already doing the most.

Beer? ✔️
Cider? ✔️
Seltzer? ✔️
Wine? ✔️
Cocktails? ✔️

This German-themed spot is perfect for bigger groups, so don’t worry your whole party fits here. With a German-style wurst (hot dog, for us Americans) in one hand and a Golden Hour cocktail (Lemoncello, Strawberry, Brut Rose, Soda Water) in the other, this place absolutely nails the Après brief.

We can’t keep this one a secret and honestly, we don’t want to.

So a Final Toast

Cocktails are where Après really comes alive. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, vibes, or just one very good drink that turns into three, Bozeman shows up.

So… what did we learn today?

• Après means after.
  What a fun little French fact.

• French fries are apparently a ski thing now?
  Don’t question it... just know I pointed you toward some of the best french fries in town.

• And most importantly: hitting the town “après” literally anything is just as valid as doing it after skiing.

So if you’re anything like me and don’t know how to ski (and don’t plan on learning anytime soon), just know you are not alone. There are plenty of post-ski (or post-work, post-errands, post-existing) activities we can all enjoy together.

Order boldly. Tip well.
And remember: you earned this.