Boise's nightlife is better than most people expect, and Totally Boise is here to help you make the most of it. Download the Totally Boise app to find deals, happy hours, and events at the best bars in Boise before you head out for the night.
Boise's Bar Scene Is Worth the Night Out
Nightlife in Boise has grown up. The city now has a cocktail bar scene that would feel at home in a much larger city, rooftop bars with legitimately great views, dive bars that have been pouring drinks since the 1930s, and everything in between. Whether you're planning a big night out or just looking for a low-key spot to catch a game, Boise bars deliver across the board.
Best Cocktail Bars in Boise
Thick as Thieves
Thick as Thieves is the most talked-about cocktail bar in Boise, and for good reason. Hidden behind a vintage rotary phone with dim, upscale decor and a speakeasy vibe, the experience starts before you even order a drink. The menu features inventive cocktails like the Tokyo and the Greedy Monk, and there's a secret menu revealed only under a blacklight. Reservations are recommended.
Press and Pony
Press and Pony on W Idaho Street is a warm, dimly lit cocktail bar with imaginative mixology and a curtained entrance that gives it an instant sense of occasion. The bartenders are known for crafting custom drinks based on what you're in the mood for, making every visit feel a little different. One of the most consistently recommended bars in downtown Boise.
The Mode Lounge
The Mode Lounge has been one of downtown Boise's best cocktail bars since 2014, housed in the historic Mode building on the corner of 8th and Main. The atmosphere blends 1940s neon, Art Deco touches, and dimly lit lounge vibes in a way that feels genuinely sophisticated without being stuffy. The cocktail program uses house-made bitters, syrups, and tinctures, and the bartenders are known for crafting custom drinks based on your mood. Daily happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m., and live music on Thursdays makes it one of the best mid-week bar nights in the city.
Ochos Craft Cocktail Bar
Ochos on W Idaho Street is a downtown gem with a focused, well-crafted cocktail menu. A moody atmosphere, knowledgeable bartenders, and drinks worth taking your time with. A great choice for a date night or a low-key evening with friends.
Best Dive Bars in Boise
Cactus Bar
Cactus Bar has been pouring drinks in downtown Boise since 1936, making it the city's longest-running watering hole. Stiff well drinks, jello shots, a vintage photo booth, a jukebox, and a patio with bar games. No pretense, no dress code, every hour is happy hour. It's a Boise institution in the best possible way.
Humpin' Hannah's
Humpin' Hannah's has been a Boise staple since the 1980s and is still one of the liveliest spots downtown. A classic dive bar experience with big energy, a loyal local crowd, and the kind of character that only comes with decades of good nights.
Pengilly's Saloon
Pengilly's on Main Street is one of the most historically interesting bars in Boise, featuring a 114-year-old Brunswick bar, a vintage turn-of-the-century cash register, and walls covered in local memorabilia. It feels authentically old-Western without being a gimmick, and the atmosphere is as alive as ever.
Best Rooftop and Outdoor Bars in Boise
The Highlander at Hotel Renegade
The Highlander is the best rooftop bar in Boise, full stop. Perched on top of Hotel Renegade with a 180-degree wraparound terrace, it offers views of the Boise Foothills on one side and the downtown skyline on the other. The cocktail program uses fresh juice and house-made syrups, and the whole experience feels more like a major city rooftop than what you'd expect in Idaho. Open seven days a week, accessible through Hotel Renegade's lobby elevators.
Hap Hap Lounge
Hap Hap Lounge sits above Treefort Music Hall on Broad Street and is one of the most fun rooftop spots in the city. Half indoor, half outdoor with creative music-inspired cocktails, trivia on Tuesdays, live jazz on Wednesdays, and DJs on weekends. The entrance is easy to miss, which makes finding it feel like a reward.
Luna Bar at Barbacoa
Luna Bar is Barbacoa's rooftop patio and one of the most anticipated openings of the summer season every year. Creative cocktails, great energy, and a crowd that knows how to have a good time. The view of the city lights from the patio is genuinely worth the trip up.
The Boise Post
Brand new and already one of the most talked-about openings in Boise, The Boise Post sits on the 16th floor of the AC Hotel Boise Downtown and offers the highest rooftop views in the city, with sweeping sightlines toward the Boise Foothills, Table Rock, and the downtown skyline. Two outdoor rooftop decks, a central bar, and a menu built around local Idaho ingredients make this more than just a drinks stop. It's the newest crown jewel of Boise's rooftop scene.
Best Sports Bars in Boise
The End Zone
Located just a short walk from Albertsons Stadium, The End Zone is the go-to sports bar for Boise State Broncos fans. Multiple screens, game-day energy, and a classic college bar atmosphere make every watch party feel like the place to be.
The Shed
The Shed near Boise State is a laid-back sports bar with solid burgers, a good beer selection, and plenty of TVs for catching games. The Grateful Shed Burger with bacon jam is worth ordering alongside your first drink. Friendly staff and a reliably good time.
Taphouse Pub and Eatery
Taphouse is one of the most consistently recommended sports bars in Boise, located right downtown for easy walkability. Plenty of TVs covering a wide variety of sports, a solid beer and food menu, and a crowd that actually shows up for the games. One of the best all-around options when you want a reliable sports bar experience without the chain restaurant vibe.
Best Bars for Beer in Boise
Bittercreek Alehouse
Bittercreek on 8th Street is the standard-bearer for beer bars in Boise. Excellent rotating local and regional tap list, a creative cocktail program, and a full food menu that's legitimately good. The patio is one of the best people-watching spots downtown.
Payette Brewing
Payette's taproom near the Greenbelt is a Boise staple with a spacious beer garden, rotating food trucks, and some of the best IPAs brewed in Idaho. The outdoor space in summer is hard to beat.
Boise Brewing
Boise Brewing downtown is community-supported, family-friendly, and consistently pours great beer. One of the most welcoming taprooms in the city with a feel that's authentically Boise from the first pint to the last.
Plan Your Night Out with Totally Boise
Totally Boise keeps you plugged into the best bars in Boise, from new openings and happy-hour deals to events worth showing up for.
Download the Totally Boise app and never waste a night on the wrong bar again.