Boise Idaho's Bar Scene
- Local bar scenes, Bar reviews
- November 7, 2023
Welcome to the vibrant bar scene in downtown Boise, Idaho! Nestled in the heart of the city, this bustling area offers a range of bars and pubs that cater to every taste and preference. Whether you’re looking for a cozy speakeasy with cocktails, a lively sports bar to catch a game, or a rowdy late night dance floor, downtown Boise has it all. Where the laughter is loud, the scenes are raunchy, and the hangovers are legendary. Join us as we explore the unique and exciting bar scene that this thriving city has to offer. But be warned, dear reader, this journey is not for the faint of heart or weak of liver.
Mulligans’ Pub & Eatery
Mulligans is a true classic. Expect to find a slightly more eclectic crowd in this punk rock pub. They have pool, fair prices, and tasty late night bar food. This bar is a little more laid back, but the bar top is huge so you’ll likely find yourself socializing. Note: They’re open on Christmas - which is cool.
Perfect for: Grabbing a table with a group of friends as this bar isn’t as obnoxious as a few others on this list
Humpin Hannah’s
This is one of our favorite spots in Boise. Hannah’s features two floors, an abundance of pool tables, and of course the captivating performances from The Rocci Johnson Band. Check out one of their shows on a Friday or Saturday night and see what souvenirs you might be lucky enough to go home with. The music is loud, the crowd is wild, and the memories are… well, let’s just say they might be a bit hazy. If you’re looking for a place to let loose, sing your heart out (regardless of your actual singing ability) and dance like nobody’s watching, Humpin’ Hannah’s is the spot for you. Note: They sell PBR pounders for $2 on weekend nights.
Perfect for: A wild night of fun
The Silly Birch
A bar themed around sports. The open floor plan makes mingling second nature. The music gets increasingly louder the longer you stay, but it is common to start the night here and work back towards downtown as the night progresses. They have reasonably priced drinks with a few great deal nights. There’s also some entertainment in the form of pool, darts, and shuffleboard, but good luck grabbing a table as they’re usually in use.
Perfect for: Catching the end of a game and getting your buzz on before the other bars
Karma
Karma truly has everything: stripper poles, a huge private booth, arcade games, a photo booth, a dance floor with a DJ, pool, foosball, and a punching bag. This bar certainly feels like a dance club. The drinks are a little pricey, but ladies, you absolutely must make this stop to get your iconic picture next to the neon “Girls, Girls, Girls” sign. Note: This bar is next to Pie Hole, the famous late-night pizza by the slice shop in Boise.
Perfect for: A large group ready to bust up the dance floor and check out all of the other games inside
Tom Grainey’s Sporting Pub
This is a unique one to say the least. Grainey’s consists of a total of 4 different bar areas. You may feel lost as you make your way back to Tom’s Room which is by far the least hectic area. It almost feels like a speakeasy in there. The main bar is a cool spot to hang around and visit. The basement gets packed and a little wild. The basement dance floor is always a fun time, but beware it can feel a little… greasy. Note there are two bar areas in the basement.
Perfect for: Hanging out with friends on a Saturday night
Strange Love
This is probably the closest Boise has to a nightclub. Strange Love has bottle service with bottle girls. They usually play some form of hip hop, and it is honestly a large bar. Unfortunately, it is a bit more expensive and unless this is your thing, there isn’t really much here to separate from the others. Strange Love does have a very diverse crowd from our experience, and we’ve heard rumors that the bar area in the girls bathroom is worth checking out.
Perfect for: Celebrating a big win with bottle service on a Saturday night
Thick as Thieves
Thick as Thieves is a speakeasy bar with a super cool atmosphere. The lights are dim, and this place oozes with intimacy. They serve beer out of milk carton glasses (yeah cool, we agree). I wouldn’t come here with a group of people as it’s pretty quiet.
Perfect for: A date
Pengilly’s Saloon
This isn’t our personal style, but the bar is pretty cool. This place embodies a classic saloon. Live music is pretty common here and it can be a cool spot to grab a booth with friends while enjoying some classic tunes. It is certainly an older, more laid-back crowd.
Perfect for: Grabbing a beer with your parents
Cactus Bar
Cactus Bar is a cash only hole in the wall. They have some good deals, a patio, photo both and darts. It isn’t a super big bar, but everyone always seems to have a good time here. It’s pretty divey, so if that’s the vibe you’re going for this could be the spot for you.
Perfect for: Satisfying your dive bar craving
Whiskey Bar
Whiskey Bar is a little more upscale. There isn’t a huge college presence here, and the crowd tends to be pretty laid-back. The patio area is pretty cool and the mood of this bar is fantastic.
Perfect for: Escaping the college scene while staying close to the craziness
Dirty Little Roddy’s
Roddy’s is the go to country bar for the younger crowd. They have a punching bag and a mechanical bull. The bar itself is in a basement which really ties the vibe together. Drinks aren’t cheap, but good times are sure to follow. The dance floor is usually packed, and it may take you a decent while to walk from one side of the bar to another. Note: They don’t open until 10:00pm.
Perfect for: Making your buddies ride the bull at 1:00 AM
The Mode Lounge
The Mode is a cool spot on 8th street. They seem to specialize in cocktails, and the staff is super friendly. This isn’t a huge bar, but their patio is neat. They tend to get a bit more of an older crowd. Its’s a great choice for a drink or two after grabbing dinner on 8th street.
Perfect for: Grabbing a cocktail
Amsterdam Lounge
Amsterdam is one of the best spots in town hands down. This upscale bar has one of our absolute favorite patios in Boise. They also have pool and shuffleboard. In total, there are three different bars in here. It gets pretty busy on the weekends, and they usually roll with house music. The seating is comfortable, the espresso martinis are a must try, and the mood is unmatched. Note: The dance floor is pretty underwhelming, and it can get a little crowded.
Perfect for: Sippin’ an espresso martini on the patio of course
Reef
Feel like you need a getaway from reality? Jump into this Tiki Bar and pretend you’re laying on the beach. That is, until they open up the dance floor. This is a strange spot as it isn’t open super late. It’s predominantly a restaurant, but they have rooftop patio that’s awesome in the summer.
Perfect for: Tiki time with a marg
Voodoo Cellars
Voodoo Cellars is a newer bar in Boise. It’s in a basement, and they certainly lean into the basement vibe. They have a few pretty cool events throughout the week including a beer pong tournament and open mic comedy. It’s worth checking out during the week, but we haven’t tried it out on the weekends.
Perfect for: Testing your beer pong skills while meeting new people
Press & Pony
Press & Pony is a small, comfy, speakeasy style bar. The beer options are limited as this is mostly a cocktail bar. It’s very quiet, but fun. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into this scene.
Perfect for: A date
9th Street Nook
A quaint little hideaway tucked away from most of the action on 9th Street. This bar has a great atmosphere, but it’s pretty small. There are only a handful of very small tables to compliment the bar top. The patio is small but cozy, the drinks are pretty cheap. Don’t be afraid to ask for the complimentary candy jar that gets passes around the bar.
Perfect for: Chatting with a few close friends in the afternoon/early evening
Double Tap Pub
Double tap is a local favorite. There are a plethora of beers on tap, and it feels pretty divey. This is a common place to catch a football game. We never tried it as a late night spot, but we have nothing bad to say about it as a daytime bar. If Cactus Bar wasn’t the dive bar for you, we’d highly recommend this one.
Perfect for: Catching a game at the local dive
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