Black Bear Bar & Grill

Great local Dive Bar… Its on top of the hill near the resort (Behind the Lodge at big sky) if your in big sky and your drinking, find the Black Bear. its where the locals go and I think its kind of a secret?
Places to go while in Big Sky… The Lodge at Big Sky, First Place Pub, Black Bear Bar
*** Caution *** You can become very Drunk while drinking at high elevations — Have Fun!!!

Food was hit or miss pizza was great, sandwich was amazing, onion rings were ehhh… Service was ok. Not overly friendly or speedy but nice enough and refilled drinks well. Atmosphere was ok… Eclectic, but a little shabby. Price was great for vacation meals.

I’ve been meaning to write this review for a while because this place has earned it. I went here two days in a row with a friend. We had a great time the first day and returned for a second day. We went there pretty early and our original bartender was awesome. Eventually another bartender showed up, he was an asshole [we learned this later], but we didn’t interact with him much. We drank for quite a while and then settled up. I forget exactly how we paid the tabs (or the one tab), it was a mix between us and perhaps cash and credit, but we were certain to leave a decent tip (20% absolute minimum) because we really liked our bartender (and because I have a habit of leaving awesome tips when i’m drunk). My friend left the bar and I got caught up outside talking to some people out front. We talked for longer than I had planned, but it was fun until the asshole bartender came out and approached me. He was angry with me for not leaving a tip… which was absurd. I assured him that he was mistaken and he replied that I was denying it because he called me out in front of everyone. I told him I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding and then he told me to go into the bar and leave a tip; I told him I would go in and talk to the bartender. I went in, asked the guy if everything was good and ensured that I left a tip, he assured me that I did and everything was good. The asshole bartender was back at the bar, I went over to let him know everything was cool. At this point he yelled «what the hell do you want now!?!» I tried to explain that everything between the other bartender and I was good, but he came out from behind the bar, lost his mind, and then pushed me all the way out of the place. I’ve never been treated like that by a bartender, or anyone for that matter, in my life. I am a regular at all the bars where I drink and I maintain great relationships with the bartenders… here I am on vacation dropping far more cash than usual, and this asshole has the audacity to forcefully make me leave the bar. I am one of the most chill bar patrons ever… I just sit and drink beer, nothing more. I would never do anything to warrant such a reaction from anyone. I wish I knew his name or something, but I really don’t. I think he was pretty skinny/​fit and I’m pretty sure he was wearing a ball cap and had really short hair. He definitely has some kind of emotional issues combined with violent anger… he has no business working in the service industry or anywhere near civilized humans for that matter. This bar could really be great, but not with assholes like that guy working there! Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else!

Cold. You would think they would have some heat on, or the fire place going when it is –10 out.
Food is typical bar food. Don’t be fooled by the «grill» in the name. Someone in our party liked the pizza, but the rest was just standard greasy fare. Drinks were average price For montana (cheap for california) with no apparent discounts despite the hand written sign indicating happy hour was until 7.
Three local taps and a decent bottle selection as far as bars go.