Bars

Al's and Vic's: where everybody knows your name (Kaimin pick)

Al's and Vic's is as close as it gets to the "Cheers" of Missoula. With patrons ranging from blue-collar workers to law students, you'll always find someone you know at Al's and Vic's. On the weekends, the bar and rear patio are likely to be packed, so call "tap tap, spot back" if you manage to find a table or a spot at the bar. And don't be afraid to rub shoulders with the regulars —or become one of the regulars yourself — and you'll quickly find that Al's and Vic's is a place "where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

The Badlander: the place to find a show and an under-age date

The Badlander has been a place to see and be seen since first opening its doors. The bar recently had a short closure when it failed an underage drinking sting, but despite these setbacks, there's still no other bar in town with the sheer range of The Badlander. No other place could pull off jazz nights, dubstep, rock shows, karaoke, and hip-hop – and that's all in the same week. If you're walking down Ryman and hear the music pumping from inside The Badlander, don't stroll past, head in and join the party.

The Central: the place to stay a while

This Broadway Street bar is the place to head if you're looking for a quieter night out on the town. Sidle up to the u-shaped bar and grab a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of The Central. It's a great bar to bring a few friends, find a table and chat. And because it's part of the Badlander complex, if you do feel the need to make your way briefly to another bar, you have plenty of excellent options available to you right there in the same building.

Flathead Lake Brewing Company: the place to try all the beers in one night

Flathead Lake Brewing Company has excellent pizza and burgers to compliment its equally excellent beers. It also has a $10 oversized plate of nachos that can fill up the stomachs of an entire table. Flathead also has one of the best food and drink specials in Missoula – Pizza and a Paddle. Every Tuesday night from 6 to 10 p.m., you can get an eight-inch pizza and a paddle [four, four-ounce taster glasses] of beer for only $8 – a bargain that's too good to pass up.

Iron Horse: the place to have a veggie burger with your Irish Trash Can

With some of the best salads, sandwiches and burgers, the Iron Horse is a food favorite in Missoula. And it doesn't hurt that it also serves up a long list of martinis, mixed drinks and specialty shots. You can't go wrong chowing down on a slow-cooked pork Media Noche sandwich with a cold local brew on the side. If the weather is nice, take advantage of the large amount of outdoor seating, including a deck on the second floor. Throw in a basket of sweet potato fries and you'll have one of the tastiest meals in town.

James Bar: the place to take your parents

It's a weeknight and you're feeling a bit like "Mad Men" super ad man Don Draper. It's going to take at least one (or maybe three) martinis to forget your troubles. Only problem is that $500 plane ticket to New York – and your key to a swanky night on the town – is totally out of reach. Never fear, James Bar is the place if you're looking for class – or a bar your parents won't be totally appalled by. The bar's overwhelming selection of martinis and other sophisticated mixed drinks may put a dent in your wallet (most will put you out $7), but just spend the money you would on three PBRs and give the James Bar's espresso martini a try.

Red's: the place to find other sports enthusiasts

This Ryman Street bar is a downtown hot spot for sports fans. It boasts 11 TVs, two bars and cheap drink specials most nights. You can't go wrong stopping in at Red's to watch the Griz, NBA, NFL, MLB, college basketball and football and more. Pull up a stool and join the rest of the fans who are sure to have formed a crow long before you arrived.

Sean Kelly's: where taking a shotski is almost classy

This Irish pub is a great place to go when you want to grab a table with a few friends and tip back Guinness for the night instead of a multi-stop bar hop. The bar also hosts events during the week, with open mic night on Monday, trivia on Tuesday, bingo Wednesday and the infamous Dead Hipster Dance Party on Thursday night.

The Top Hat: where the cover charge is probably worth it