New Atlas Saloon in Columbus, Montana

New Atlas Saloon in Columbus, Montana.

New Atlas Saloon in Columbus, Montana.

The New Atlas Bar in Columbus, Montana, has been servin’ up a brewsky or two for over 100 years. Built in 1906, this old saloon doesn’t advertise itself as historic or museum-like; it doesn’t advertise at all. It just “hangs out” like it always has, much like the 60-plus animal mounts adorning the walls of this old tavern.

Catering mostly to the locals around Columbus, visitors usually find just two or three people at the long bar, including the bartender.

When visitors first enter this place, there’s a small room reserved for women in the old days, as they weren’t allowed in the main bar.

Two mammoth bars stand beneath the pressed tin ceiling, one of which was transported from a defunct saloon in Butte, Montana.  Amongst the other original furnishings, you will also see a smattering of small stuffed creatures hanging or displayed in the old tavern, including a two-headed calf in a glass case.

Don’t get fancy when entering this old saloon, as the dress code calls for Levi’s and cowboy boots.

And, don’t get any ideas about playing outlaw at this old place, or the “Montana Vigilantes” will be on your tail in no time, just like they were on August 1, 2004. Reportedly, two South Dakota would-be outlaws decided to try their hand at robbing this old saloon. Entering the old bar around 2:00 a.m. on August 1, carrying a handgun and a rifle, they soon tied up the bartender and the three late-night patrons, escaping through the back door with an undisclosed amount of cash.

New Atlas Bar, Columbus, Montana

New Atlas Bar, Columbus, Montana

In no time, the captives unloosened themselves from the bandits’ poor bondage attempts and chased the robbers through the door, taking potshots at the rear end of their red Buick. Soon, the Montana Highway Patrol took chase, apprehending the two, who were soon facing charges of aggravated kidnapping and felony robbery and looking at the rest of their lives behind bars.

At the New Atlas Saloon and the rest of Montana, “would-be” bandits should be advised to leave behind their six-shooters and outlaw aspirations.

Columbus, Montana, is about 45 miles west of Billings on I-90.

Contact Information:

New Atlas Bar
528 E Pike Ave
Columbus, Montana 59019
406-322-4033

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated February 2024.

Also See:

Desert John’s Saloon Museum

Montana Main Page

Montana Photo Galleries

Saloons of the Old West