Bars in Boise, ID
Bars in Boise, ID mix craft and comfort — cocktail bars in Downtown Boise shaking seasonal menus, neighborhood pubs in the North End and Hyde Park, brewery taprooms pouring local IPAs, and wine lounges with patio seating along the Greenbelt. From speakeasy-style hideaways to lively rooftops, there’s a spot for post-ride pints, date-night martinis, and weekend tastings.
If walkable nightlife is on your wishlist, explore Boise bars by neighborhood — Boise real estate includes luxury homes for sale near bars for an everyday lifestyle that feels like a night out.
The Mode Lounge
The Mode Lounge is Boise’s go-to speakeasy-style cocktail bar that pairs artful mixology with an effortlessly stylish vibe. Housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings just off 8th Street, it features moody lighting, luxurious indoor-outdoor spaces, and a craft cocktail menu filled with both reinvented classics and imaginative creations like the Biz Bang Buzz or Mist of Westminster.
Voodoo Cellar Boise
Voodoo Cellar is Boise’s delightfully quirky, New Orleans–meets-speakeasy underground pub, tucked into the historic Adelmann Building in downtown’s East End. Their drink menu spans craft beers, ciders, slushy cocktails, and signature mixes, while eclectic entertainment like retro video games, shuffleboard, darts, and live DJs turns an evening here into a little adventure.
Cactus Bar
Cactus Bar is Boise’s legendary dive hangout and the city’s longest-running watering hole, serving cheap drinks with no pretense since 1936. Tucked into the heart of downtown, this “every hour is happy hour” joint is known for stiff well drinks, playful jello shots, a vintage photo booth, and a welcoming outdoor patio complete with bar games and a jukebox.
Bar Please!
Tucked into the former Alchemist Coffee spot, Bar Please! offers seasonal, spritz-heavy cocktails. They also carry a “pretty serious” cocktail program alongside a rotating selection of beer, wine, mocktails, and lip‑smacking snacks like grilled cheese with kimchi and chips & dip, all served without reservation, just good vibes.
Pengilly Saloon
Pengilly’s Saloon is a downtown Boise institution — an authentically old-Western bar that’s as steeped in history as it is alive with energy. It features a 114-year-old Brunswick bar, a vintage turn-of-the-century cash register, and walls lined with local memorabilia, immediately immersing visitors in its storied past. During the day, you’ll find easygoing happy hour specials on wells and beers and by night it pulses with live music.
Hap Hap Lounge
Hap Hap Lounge is Boise’s go-to rooftop cocktail sanctuary right above Treefort Music Hall in the heart of downtown. This half-indoor, half-outdoor lounge blends cozy heaters (for Cold Idaho nights) with sky-high views of the city below. Come for creative, music-inspired cocktails and light bites during their day-to-night happy hours, stay for themed trivia nights, live DJs, and after-show gatherings that pulse late into the night.
Thick as Thieves
Thick as Thieves is downtown Boise’s clandestine cocktail playground, hidden behind a vintage rotary phone and dim, upscale décor that oozes speakeasy sophistication. Known for inventive drinks like the Tokyo and the Greedy Monk, it’s a haven for cocktail enthusiasts and night owls alike. Add to that a “secret menu” revealed only under blacklight, candlelit ambiance, and exceptional service, and you’ve got a spot where every visit feels exclusive.
Whiskey Bar
Whiskey Bar, located on Main Street, is downtown Boise’s beloved haunt for whiskey aficionados and casual cocktail-goers alike. Boasting a collection of 200 whiskeys — and growing, the ambiance channels both reclaimed Idaho barn wood and classic rock’n’roll flair. Throw in free pool, bottled beers for $2, Wells for $3, and relaxed late-night hours, and you’ve got a spot that’s equal parts cozy and creative.
Press and Pony
Press & Pony is a cocktail bar with imaginative mixology. Hidden behind a curtained entrance, the venue draws in-goers into a warm, dimly lit space where creative “craft cocktails” are the main attraction — often tailored to your mood rather than a set menu. Guests rave about twists on classics like the Espresso Martini and Old Fashioned, and say the bar excels at crafting custom drinks when you describe what you're craving.
Water Bear Bar
Water Bear Bar is the cozy yet chic underground cocktail lounge and oyster bar in downtown Boise that feels like a tropical mountain hideaway. Inside the historic Jefferson Building, this queer- and woman-owned gem serves balanced classics, alpine-tropical–inspired modern cocktails, punch bowls, and low-ABV options — with craftsmanship evident in every detail, from “good ice” to premium glassware. Their rotating "Old Fashioned of the Day," sustainably sourced Hama Hama oysters, and vibrant vinyl playback during All-Wax Wednesday nights help make every visit feel thoughtful, inclusive, and uniquely memorable.
Taphouse Pub & Eatery
Taphouse Pub & Eatery stands out as a go-to for casual, crowd-pleasing fare and drink lineup. It features the largest draft beer selection in Boise, with 44 beers on tap and build-your-own tasting flights, making it a great choice whether you’re here for game day or a relaxed brunch. The menu mixes pub favorites like bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, cauliflower wings, Itacate tacos in crispy cheese shells, and hearty Wagyu burgers. Weekend brunch shines with $2 mimosas and $3 Bloody Marys, alongside must-tries such as buffalo chicken dip and sweet potato fries with maple aioli.
Tiner’s Alley
Tiner’s Alley is a hidden gem tucked into a back alley behind The Avery Hotel, offering an English-inspired gastrotavern experience centered around Boise’s oldest Brunswick bar. The moody setting sets the stage for expertly crafted cocktails and thoughtful pub fare like Michelin-caliber fried chicken, braised lamb, and short-rib shepherd’s pie. Don’t miss their Happy Hour, where you’ll find $5 scotch eggs, $10 signature cocktails, $5 drafts, and their acclaimed burger with house chips.