Entry No. 41 — the Boise file — filed under: speakeasy-bar
Ampersand
Officially the highest-elevation bar in Idaho, Ampersand is reached by a small ritual: check in at the Art Haus Bar inside KIN and ask for an "elevated cocktail," and staff guide you up to the 14th-floor speakeasy. The intimate room overlooks downtown, the State Capitol, and the foothills. There is no menu at all; every drink is built custom around what each guest wants.
The story
Most secret drinking spots ask you to crawl down into a basement or slip behind a false refrigerator door. Ampersand flips that concept on its head by perching you on the 14th floor of 999 West Main Street. Officially holding the title as the highest-elevation bar in Idaho, this tiny room sits directly above KIN and its Art Haus Bar, giving you an open view of downtown Boise, the State Capitol dome, and the dry foothills behind it. You won't find public signage on the street or an obvious elevator button to press.
The access ritual is quiet, but you didn't hear it from us: show up at Art Haus Bar downstairs, check in for your reservation slot, and ask the bartender for an "elevated cocktail." That phrase prompts staff to escort you up the building's elevator to the 14th floor. Step inside the compact space and you'll immediately spot what isn't there: a menu. There are no paper drink lists, chalkboards, or QR codes anywhere in the room.
Instead of forcing you to choose from a list, the bartender conducts a quick diagnostic on your palate. Tell them what base spirits you drink, whether you want something bitter, citrusy, stiff, or sweet, and they will whip up a custom cocktail tailored specifically to your taste. With a strict one-hour cap on each visit, the room stays uncrowded and the drink flow moves fast.
What it's like
Check in at Art Haus Bar inside KIN five to ten minutes before your reservation and give the staff your cue phrase—"elevated cocktail"—to get guided up to the 14th floor. The room is compact with floor-to-ceiling glass looking out across downtown and the foothills. Without a drink menu in sight, you'll brief the bartender on your favorite spirits and flavor profiles so they can mix a custom drink on the spot. Your reservation locks in roughly one hour, so get your preferences sorted early.
The move: Reserve ahead, request your "elevated cocktail" at Art Haus, and ride up for an hour of menu-free custom drinks over a sunset skyline.
📍 Before you go Reservations required (online for up to 4; call KIN at 208-342-0600 for larger groups). About 1 hour per group; check in at Art Haus 5-10 min early.
- 📍 Downtown Boise
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 14th floor, 999 W Main St (via Art Haus Bar at KIN), Boise, ID 83702
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- 8 Horses Lounge — Swap 14th-floor city views for a drink inside a subterranean lounge built around a 15-ton vintage bank vault just one block away.
- Thick as Thieves — Trade Ampersand's high-altitude custom drinks for a secret cocktail room two blocks off, accessed by dialing 102 on a vintage rotary phone.
- Press & Pony — Continue your cocktail crawl behind the burger counter at Boise Fry Company, where a hidden doorway leads to another offbeat drinking den.
- Freak Alley Gallery — Stretch your legs before or after your sky-high drink with a stroll through the Northwest's largest open-air mural alley right around the corner.
Good to know
How do I get into Ampersand?
Check in at the Art Haus Bar inside KIN at 999 West Main Street five to ten minutes before your reservation and ask the bartender for an "elevated cocktail" to be escorted up the elevator to the 14th floor.
Is a reservation required?
Yes, reservations are required. You can book online for parties up to four guests or call KIN directly at 208-342-0600 for larger groups.
What kind of drinks are served?
Ampersand has no drink menu. Bartenders craft bespoke cocktails on the spot based on your personal spirit and flavor preferences.
How long can my group stay?
Each group is allotted approximately one hour in the 14th-floor speakeasy space.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: kinboise.com · visitboise.com · opentable.com · Official site · visitidaho.org
last checked: 2026-06-24