MURRAY BAR
Livingston, Montana • Railroad Town Bar • Cash Only
LIVE MUSIC
The best live music scene in Livingston
Thursday
Open Mic Night
8:00 PM
All genres welcome
Friday
Local Bands
9:00 PM
Rock, Country, Blues
Saturday
Featured Artist
9:00 PM
Varies weekly
Open Mic Thursdays: Sign up at the bar by 7:30 PM. All skill levels welcome!
RAILROAD ROOTS
Built by the railroad, sustained by the community
Northern Pacific Railroad reaches Livingston
Murray Bar opens to serve railroad workers
Livingston becomes major rail hub with 2,000+ workers
Rail traffic declines, bar becomes local institution
Still serving the working class, 140+ years strong
LITERARY LIVINGSTON
Livingston has long been a haven for writers, and the Murray Bar has been their unofficial office. The town's literary tradition runs deep - from the railroad workers who told stories at this bar to the famous authors who followed.
Thomas McGuane
Novelist and screenwriter, longtime Livingston resident
Jim Harrison
Author of "Legends of the Fall," frequent Murray Bar patron
Tim Cahill
Travel writer and founding editor of Outside magazine
The Story
When the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Livingston in 1882, the town exploded. Workers flooded in to build and maintain the rail lines, and the Murray Bar opened its doors to serve them. For over 140 years, this bar has been the heart of Livingston's working-class community - a place where railroad workers, ranchers, writers, and wanderers all find common ground.
What to Expect
The Murray is a proper dive - no pretense, no craft cocktails, just honest drinks at honest prices. The long wooden bar has been worn smooth by generations of elbows. The back bar is original, with vintage mirrors and brass fixtures. Live music fills the room on weekends, and the crowd is a mix of locals, artists, and travelers passing through.
What to Order
Beer and whiskey. That's what the railroad workers drank, and that's what you should drink. They've got a solid selection of Montana craft beers on tap, and the whiskey pours are generous. Don't ask for anything fancy - this is a cash-only establishment that takes pride in its simplicity.
Tips
- Bring cash - there's no ATM and they don't take cards
- Catch live music on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday
- Ask about the literary history - the bartenders know the stories
- The Paradise Valley is just south - perfect for a day ride
- Respect the regulars - they've been coming here for decades
PHOTO GALLERY
The long bar where railroad workers have been drinking for over a century
Cash only - the way it's always been
Live music every weekend - a Livingston tradition
FIND US
201 W Park St
Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-6433
Cash Only
HOURS
Monday - Wednesday4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday - Saturday4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
SundayClosed