Entry No. 36 — the Bozeman file — filed under: speakeasy-bar
It Will Always Be That Way
A few doors from Devil's Toboggan in the Cannery District, this cocktail lounge throws the speakeasy formula sideways with a deliberately tacky late-'60s/early-'70s rec-room aesthetic: TV trays, vintage lunch boxes, lava lamps, and beige-and-orange furniture. The menu specializes in oddball martinis plus playful drinks like a s'more cocktail served with a toasted marshmallow. The decor alone makes it unlike anywhere else in town.
The story
When owner Chris Burgard—who already ran the upstairs speakeasy Devil's Toboggan—decided to convert Suite 1B in the same original pea cannery building, he didn't double down on velvet and Prohibition polish. Instead, he gave the venue a name intentionally structured to confuse people into talking about it ('What was the name of that place again?') and built out a room that feels like a cross between Laugh-In, That '70s Show, and your grandmother's 1972 basement rec room.
The interior skips sleek mid-century modern for deliberate late-’60s and early-’70s kitsch: lava lamps, vintage tin lunch boxes, orange-and-beige armchairs, TV trays, and low-wattage ambient lighting set to a vinyl soundtrack. Internally referred to as 'That Way Bar,' the space relies almost entirely on word of mouth and the sheer oddity of drinking a craft cocktail next to a plastic lunch box.
Behind the bar, the menu leans into playful and oddball drinks, ranging from dirty martinis stuffed with oversized blue cheese olives to a s'more cocktail topped with a toasted marshmallow. Food keeps the nostalgic theme going with shareable bruschetta boards, mozzarella cheese sticks, and a banana split meant for the middle of the table.
What it's like
Entering 111 East Oak Street in the Cannery District feels understated because there's no flashy outdoor signage directing you inside. Once in Suite 1B, expect low orange chairs, retro lamps, and a relaxed crowd sipping drinks over board games or weeknight trivia. Order the s'more cocktail if you want to roast a marshmallow over your glass, or arrive during happy hour from 4 to 6 PM to nab a table by the lava lamps before the late-night date-night crowd fills the room.
The move: Grab a pair of weird martinis amid the lava lamps and TV trays, then order the s'more cocktail and toast the marshmallow together.
- 📍 Bozeman
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 111 E Oak St #1B, Bozeman, MT 59715
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Devil's Toboggan — Step straight from this '70s rec-room lounge to its upstairs sister bar in the same former pea cannery building for velvet booths and moody speakeasy cocktails.
- Tinworks Art — Trade indoor retro kitsch for walk-through contemporary art installations set inside raw industrial structures a half-mile away in the northeast neighborhood.
- Tune Up Bar — Head less than a mile south into downtown Bozeman to swap a vintage living-room vibe for a subterranean cocktail bar tucked inside a historic military band room.
Good to know
Where is It Will Always Be That Way located, and how do I find it?
It is located at 111 E Oak St, Suite 1B in Bozeman's Cannery District, inside the converted original pea cannery building downstairs from Devil's Toboggan. Look for Suite 1B off the interior hallway, as there is no large exterior street sign.
What kind of food and drinks are on the menu?
The menu features oddball craft martinis (such as key lime pie martinis and dirty martinis with giant blue cheese-stuffed olives) alongside playful options like a s'more cocktail with a toasted marshmallow. Food includes bruschetta boards, mozzarella sticks, and a banana split for the table.
Who owns the bar and why is it named that?
Owner Chris Burgard, who also owns Devil's Toboggan upstairs, chose the lengthy name intentionally so people would keep asking each other what the bar was called.
Does the bar offer happy hour or weeknight events?
Yes, happy hour runs daily from 4 PM to 6 PM, featuring drink specials and half-price house wines. The lounge also hosts weeknight events like Game Night Live trivia and bingo.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: bozemanmagazine.com · bozemanskissfm.com · Yelp · bozone.com · thebozone.com
last checked: 2026-06-24