What happens when a California man uses the front door to enter the legendary Moose’s Saloon in Kalispell, Montana? Stephan Negherbon recently found out the hard way.
Everybody looks at you with squinted eyes as if they have seen an alien, which, they might as well have!
If you ever find yourself in the Treasure State, this is a bar you cannot miss. Just be sure you go in the right way…
Moose’s Saloon is a Montana icon.
The city of Kalispell is located in the northwest corner of Montana. It is known as a gateway to outdoor recreation. The populations hovers around 30,000. It is the seventh-most populous city in the state and the eighth-largest by area.
Kalispell saw a massive boom in the late 1800s when the Great Northern Railroad built its tracks through the center of town. Today, it is the cultural hub of the Flathead Valley, surrounded by more than two million acres of federally-protected land near Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain and Flathead Lake.
Downtown Kalispell looks pretty much how you would expect. The historic main street is full of places to eat, drink and shop.
The backdrop cannot be beat.
Near the center of downtown is a bar called Moose’s Saloon. It is a quintessential local hangout with scratch-made pizzas, frosted mugs and sawdust-littered floors. It has not changed since the day it opened nearly 70 years ago.
David ‘Moose’ Miller met his wife while playing college football at the University of Montana. His father-in-law owned the bar that eventually became what it is today. He took over after his passing. His daughter took over from him.
Red-tinged glass allows only a small bit of light through the mostly windowless walls. Names and initials are carved into the bar’s timber beams. Sawdust and peanut shells cover the hardwood floors. It’s perfect.
Moose wanted to be sure that people from all walks of life were welcome. It does not matter who you are or what you do, you can still enjoy a frosty pint.
“As the legend grew, Governors, senators, corporate presidents, laborers, tradesmen and business people all came to call Moose’s Saloon their place to meet and socialize. Evel Kneivel attributes the conception of his Snake Canyon jump to an evening with his friend ‘Good Time’ Charlie Shelton at the Saloon. The basic philosophy of ‘everyone belongs’ is still very much evident today.“
However, there is one unspoken rule.
What happens when a California man uses the front door?
Regulars (and those who know) enter Moose’s Saloon through the rear entrance. There is a door located in the middle of the parking lot.
However, a pair of Wild West swinging doors are in place to greet anyone who strolls in off of Main Street. They have been there for more than six decades.
You are more than welcome to use the front door. It is open during operating hours.
But, as Stephan Negherbon found out in real time, you’re going to get a funny look. Everybody inside the saloon is going to know you are a tourist!
Negherbon, who hails from California, works as a field tech specialist. He travels all over the world for business, including Kalispell. Although Moose’s Saloon was thrilled to have him, his arrival through the front door caused some confusion. Who is this guy?!
Now you know! If you ever find yourself in Montana, you must swing by Kalispell for a cold beer and a pizza at Moose’s Saloon. Just remember the rules… GO THROUGH THE BACK DOOR!