I think it's funny to note that nearly all of the reviews for this place are by people from out of state- it says a lot about this bar's place in the Missoula bar scene. Not exactly what most of us consider a typical hangout. It does bring some class and sass to the 'hood, with higher prices to go with. The fries are tasty, the drinks, while spendy, are excellent if consumed on the back patio, and the decor is pretty darn great. Retro light bulbs, poured concrete bar, giant Janis poster on the wall, Jimmy Buffett quote outside, inlaid wood tables....good stuff. It definitely gets to be a bit too much of a "scene" late weekend nights, but it's not bad for an early evening cocktail. If things get to be too much, you can always slink across the hall to Als and Vics and feel right at home. Even better? You can get some of Chef Noel's yummy grub (the Aidenator is on my top 5 list of best burgers ever) over on the Als side if you ask real nice. read more

Very good food, and the vibe is really great. Cool black and white rock photos on the wall, and a modern design fireplace. Nice low lit atmosphere if you're considering it for a date. We had an assortment of sliders, including the duck, bison, ostrich, and elk. All were very good and distinct in flavor. I particularly enjoyed the duck prepared with Maker's Mark sauce. We also enjoyed the spicy garlic fries and tater tots, neither being over-flavored or too salty. I believe we may try it again tomorrow night! read more

I really like the atmosphere here, but I am always a fan of a dark bar with a fireplace! I had been hungry for a good brat & they had it ( with really yummy sides of kraut & braised cabbage although sadly enough the mashed potatoes were below average). Margaritas were the happy hour special @ 3 bucks a pop and they hit the spot for sure. The husband had a big burger with lots of stuff ( I think it was called the aidenator...) and he finished every last bite with a smile on his face. We added the garlic fries to his meal b/c that was what I was originally wanting... I was a little underwhelmed on those. Not enough garlic and they were mushy and fatter than I was hoping for. I was craving pomme frite style so my expectations may have been a little off. Overall, with the nice decor & fireplace & both main dishes on the money I would say I will want to return often. Price is a little high... But I liked it all enough not to mind it. read more

I enjoyed this interesting take on Tapas. The selection of sliders and general atmosphere will get me coming back again while I'm in town.

Well. I wanted a burger because we are in Montana. You know. Beef country. I asked for it to be medium rare. I got it and it was well done. The burger itself was not good otherwise. The fries were soggy. The meal gave me a stomach ache. read more

Terrible from the beginning to end. We walked in not knowing it was "seat yourself", several servers walked right past us along with 2 servers standing against the wall chatting within voice distance. Even though it was not at all busy,not one of them stopped or signaled us to say "hey seat yourself", then another customer walked in and sat down at a table telling her friend "yea it is seat yourself". Who knew? The food was as bad as the service. I ordered a drink, they brought me the special (which I wasn't even told about) not the drink I ordered...really! The food was terrible from the Greek fries too greasy to eat to the quinoa cakes too bland for words. The only redeeming thing was the tater tots, the single redeeming quality. We have discovered too many really great places to eat with wonderful servers to ever bother with terrible service and food @ this establishment. read more

Really great place. Best tater tots I have ever had. Wonderful bison meatloaf.

Walked in after a long day working to eat at James and to meet 3 others. Bouncer at the door wouldn't let me in as I had left my ID in my car. I am 60 years old. Treated me poorly. So I texted my wife and two others and we enjoyed an evening at another establishment. Might want to train your bouncers in basic respect versus intimidation. I have been in and out of James since it open. Crummy agree a long day at work. Always have enjoyed the place but that left a sour taste. read more

Food was amazing and service was fantastic!! Our waitress Kate was fantastic and very attentive! Will be back for more elk sliders!

Probably the worst bar I went to here. I expected to pay a lot and left a great tip but until the staff saw my tip they acted like my twenty five minute $14.50 tab wasn't worth their effort. Totally turned me off to the place. Probably because I'm in college but I generally dress up-scale so very I was confused on their thinking. read more

This is one of my favorites in Missoula. Great service!

This is an excellent with very good food, a wonderful menu selection and great service. They have an outside patio area too which is very nice as well as a long bar inside with lots of tables and booths. Local brews on tap too. Highly recommend this Bar in downtown Missoula area! read more

Beef bites are excellent. Also, got to go for the sliders. Service is great. Music and atmosphere are solid.

Great place. Love the martini deals and truffle fries. Please put coat hooks under the bar.

Wow, what a disappointment, considering that we chose this place based on the positive Yelp reviews. We went in on 3PM on a Sunday- not a busy time at all. Our waiter started off fairly friendly but then progressively lost interest in being at all nice, and it's not like he had a lot of tables to cover. Over half the place was empty. The Nicoise Salad was served with no dressing and the pastrami sandwich was not served with the mustard that is "of course" promised as an accoutrement to the dish. They forgot about our appetizer and it was served after our main courses. Our waiter came back to check on us and as we tried to order more beers he was already walking away and we had to shout our beer orders at him. WTF. The party at our table all has had experience working in not only the service industry, but retail too, and we were all just pretty astounded that someone could have such a bad attitude. Too bad, because the ambience was cool and so were the murals. :( read more

If you're looking for a step up from the typical downtown Montana bar, James Bar is it. Despite the pretense and hipster attitude, the food and drinks are quite good. I go there at least twice a month and I've always been pleased. Their prices are fair ($8-$20 for food, $4-$10 for drinks) and the service is usually good. Keep in mind that their meat is locally sourced and the kitchen is open and clean. Try a burger (or a few gourmet sliders) with spicy vinegar fries. read more

Potential is there. Calamari sauce was tremendous (but the little calamaries were, well, little and cold). French Fries must have come from tiny potoatoes with all peels and little potatoe. Seems like the grown-ups left and the kids are running the kitchen. read more

Haven't been to Missoula for quite awhile. Did a search for best steaks in Missoula and came across quite a few good reviews for the James Bar. Had the Bison and Elk sliders, steak salad, sweet potato tater tots and truffle fries. WARNING!!!! They give you a lot of tots and fries:) weren't even able to make a dent in them, as we wanted to save room for the chocolate chip dessert.........Glad we did! OMG, warm chocolatey deliciousness, a must have for dessert lovers. FOODIES should eat here:) read more

Inventive menu, cool rock-and-roll memorabilia. Food was satisfying. Fun and attentive wait staff. A welcoming place

Good food (the rasta rings are delicious, as are the sweet potato tots, the greek burger, and basically everything else I've tried). My only complaint is about seating - the tables are very small and often hard to grab during a dinner rush. read more

Adam is an amazing bartender! and the service was amazing! great food and great drink specials!

Oh, wow. I love this place. Great servers with smiling faces greet me as I sauntered in the door. I thought to myself as I entered, "this is too good to be true." I sat down at the copper-top bar and was greeted once again with the most robust specimen I had ever laid eyes upon. Shoulders as wide as the building and a voice that echoed through canyons of my weary psyche. I felt at home. I felt welcome. I felt as I'd image I did in mother's womb and the voice echoed again, "Welcome to the James Bar. What will it be?" Goosebumps. I asked for a menu and their finest local beer, both ready and available, I perused the menu and the very second u laid eyes upon this culinary passage, I knew what I wanted. There. On the very menu given to me...read the words...Kale. Caesar. Mercy... Could it be? The superfood of the present made into a salad so delicious it was named after Nero himself. I had to find out, and oh, I did. I have not eaten a meal since and as I sit in my room growing thinner and thinner, I smile at the very fact that I had done it. I had found the perfect meal and nothing will ever live up to it. I give James Bar a perfect 5 out of 7. read more

Very disappointed with our visit to the James Bar. First off let me say the initial atmosphere is outstanding....we chose a booth at the center of the restaurant across from the bar, middle of the action. At first we were enjoying the people watching and our waitress was prompt and attentive. Then we noticed a staff member in a James Bar shirt at the end of the bar drinking.....we asked our waitress what the deal was....her reply...."he is the Noel Mills, the Executive Chef".....I was appalled what is the EC doing drinking....on shift....in uniform??? So unprofessional. As we sat and continued to watch we saw the bartender, Adam, make a round of shots, gather up a group of friends and go outside. What is the deal with this place? As we were leaving a punk kid came into the front door and motioned to one of the kitchen staff who passed him a baggie out the window!!!! So not only is the staff drinking on the clock, without paying but it appears they are also selling drugs. The owners need to clean house in this place....either that or the police need to come raid it. read more

As I stood up to leave after my birthday dinner, the bartender called me over for a celebratory shot. He pointed to a waiter sitting on the bar with what he called a "blow job shot" sitting between his legs that I was supposed to drink without the use of my hands. The whole restaurant, composed mainly of older men, caught on immediately and directed their attention towards a young, tipsy female: me. I felt pressured into obliging by their cheers and the bartender's insistence. When I turned towards the door everyone booed and jeered. Is this the way a young woman deserves to be treated, just to entertain a room of ill-mannered men? I am horrified and disgusted by the experience I had at James Bar. I was objectified and degraded in front of the entire restaurant, and when the manager was confronted he defended the crude "tradition." This restaurant disrespected me as a person and I hope that upon reading this you will think twice about supporting a business that allows and encourages this type of repulsive behavior. read more