The Crystal Bar

If I could give less than 1 star, I would. Monica was HORRIBLE. I asked her the difference between miller lite and miller draft she proceeded to act like I was the biggest idiot. She literally said «I don’t know how to help you, one is a lite beer, one isn’t.» The attitude she had the second we walked in was ridiculous. I can’t believe how rude she was… For no reason. It’s silly because she would probably get 80% more tips if she wasn’t so condescending. Haven’t been less impressed… And I’m from Portland. Not good Monica… Not good.

Hands down favorite bar in downtown Bozeman. Fun atmosphere, and always friendly bartenders! The rooftop in the summer is my favorite place to be.

Old school saloon, good drinks locals are entertaining. Reminds me a mining town bar you see on TV. bet this place gets fun on the weekends.

I have been coming to the Crystal Bar for over seven years and have been very supportive of the business. Until recently, that is. A recent experience I had at the Crystal has made me question whether I will ever go back ever again. I am a very polite person who is never belligerent or disruptive, but during one evening at the bar my friends and I were treated with complete disrespect. We were just finishing up our drinks at the bar. It was just after 1:00am on a weeknight and the bouncer decided it was time to close. Yes, it felt a little early and we were a little bit annoyed that we were being kicked out when there were several other people sitting at the bar who were not being rushed out, but the way that the bouncer handled the situation was absolutely ridiculous. Cussing and yelling directly at us, almost in a violent manner. I tried to explain to him that if he would suggest nicely (even just without yelling) that it was time for us to leave it would have been much more effective, but instead I just got yelled at. When my friend went back inside to quickly finish his drink the bouncer actually grabbed his ponytail. He was not only verbally violent but was beginning to be physically violent. The situation did not at all call for that type of reaction, and it was only a few minutes from when he first yelled «bar closed» to when the situation escalated. We never got the chance to finish our drinks. After we left we noticed several people still sitting at the bar. Not only that but the bouncer was there with them laughing. I have never had such a terrible experience at any bar or restaurant in my entire life. I have never had a restaurant/​bar employee make me feel so stupid and so small. If the management allows employees to treat customers in this way I certainly will not ever be going back. There is no excuse for such poor customer service, and there are such better ways to handle such situations. Spend your money elsewhere. This bar obviously doesn’t care that much about its customers.

Good service. Good prices. My kind of dive bar.

I leave The Crystal for The College students. Ventured in a few times, ventured right back out within minutes.
Cheap drinks (power hour features $ 1 shots of liquid crap). Sticky floors, wouldn’t touch the counters if I were you. Super crowded on the weekends, all those college kids trying to get the most bang (and drunk) for their buck.
Atmosphere is fun dive bar, but there are better fun dive bars out there. And less crowded ones. Go to the Cannery instead.

So I can say that I met my husband here on accident (long story) and I happen to have found 2 of my old ID’s on the wall… Fun times and a very diverse crowd is sure to please. Beware of power-​hour crowds! Fun rooftop bar is open in the summer too!
Things that could make it better:
— Cleanliness is next to Godliness… or so the saying goes, but the restrooms are nasty!

Saw two old panheads parked out front with local license plates, so I KNEW this was my go-​to place.
Went up to the patio, located on top of the building, and sure enough, I had the pleasure to see some lovely, hippie biker eye-​candy with long hair and tight faded jeans.
Throw in a cold, cheap draft beer, and you’ve got one happy camper. But if draft beer is what you want, you have to get it downstairs and take it up to the patio. They only serve cans and bottles up there.
Topped the happy hour off with a cool black t-​shirt that I bought from the bar for only $ 15.
Bonus!

Dive. Dump. Hole-​in-​the-​Wall. All of the above! This is probably the funnest bar in Bozeman! Mix of college kids and longtime locals. Bras on the wall, confiscated fake IDs on the ceiling, and power hour drinking! I don’t miss a lot about Bozeman, but damn, I miss The Crystal.

Dirty and full of college kids. Just how I like my dive bars. The cocktails are tasty and the company is great. You never know if you’re going to start expounding on the effect of physics in a vaccuum, or if you’re just going to discuss the world. I’m definitely going to go again.

I love the wall of shame, millions of fun things to look at on the walls and ceiling, great music, and the bartender did a great job with every drink I asked her to create. Great party.