Est. 1902
Our Story
Cold beer, live music, and a back bar shipped up the Missouri, in the shadow of the Absarokas since 1902.
1902
A Stop on the Rail Line
The Old Saloon opened its doors in 1902, the same year the Northern Pacific extended passenger service to Emigrant. Ab Armstrong, a former miner turned entrepreneur, built it directly across from the depot, where hitching posts and a wide porch met cowboys coming off cattle drives, miners down from Emigrant Gulch, and travelers bound for Yellowstone. Ranchers, miners and tourists under one roof: a uniquely Montana mix, and one that still defines the place.
Ab's wife, Ella, cooked daily. A whiskey ran fifteen cents, a beer ten, and a steak dinner thirty-five.
1907
Rebuilt to Last
A lantern tipped in the back room on March 14, 1907, and the fire took the building in under an hour. Ab had it rebuilt inside ninety days, this time with a brick chimney and a dining room framed from the timbers of the old Emigrant livery stable.
He ordered the back bar from St. Louis: mahogany, mirrored, hand-etched, with a brass footrail. It came by steamboat up the Missouri to Fort Benton and overland by rail the rest of the way. It still stands, and it still serves. A sign hung behind it for years: No Credit, Gold Dust Welcome.
1920
Prohibition
Prohibition forced the Saloon's closure in 1920. The doors would not stay shut forever.
1962
Roaring Back to Life
The Saloon roared back to life in 1962, revived by Ab's son, Elmer.
The 1970s
The Livery Stable
Elmer expanded the operation by attaching an actual livery stable, dragged down the hill and converted into a restaurant space that is still the kitchen today. Rustic charm and function, bolted onto a historic bar.
2016
A New Chapter
Ownership changed hands a few times over the decades, and in 2016 a group of local friends purchased the property. They devoted themselves to restoring the Saloon and revitalizing its offerings, adding the outdoor stage, dance floor and grandstand that breathed new life into the venue and set up the next era.
April 2025
The Next Era
That era officially began in April 2025, when Matt and Melody became the proud owners of The Old Saloon. With a shared passion for its history and a vision for its future, they have embraced the responsibility of stewarding this Montana landmark: a place where history is preserved, music fills the air, and locals and travelers alike come together to raise a glass in the shadow of the Absarokas.
Now Shipping From the Bar
Since 1902 the Old Saloon has served outlaws, cowgirls, travelers and locals in the heart of Paradise Valley. The bar has outlived boomtowns, welcomed ranch hands and roadtrippers, and earned a reputation as one of Montana's most iconic watering holes. Now, for the first time in more than a century of stories, a piece of it ships to your door.
Every item in the store reflects the character of this place. The trucker hats and tees echo the ones worn by regulars at the bar. The hoodies and flannels come out of cool mornings in the valley and late nights on the back porch. The drinkware recalls the glasses that have slid across our bartop for generations. Whether you are a longtime visitor or simply someone who appreciates the no-nonsense Montana way of life, these pieces carry a bit of that history with you.
This shop is an extension of the original Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana, just down the road from Yellowstone National Park. When you visit in person, you will find the same logo above the bar that is printed on your gear. Until then, we are glad to share a small piece of Paradise Valley with you, wherever you call home.
Outlaws & Cowgirls Since 1902
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