Idaho has it all — a rich history, gorgeous natural scenery, and amazing nightlife. But when you say “hotel bar,” two places stand out — the capital city of Boise and the mountainous resort town of McCall.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor looking to soak in the sights and sounds or a bored local who’s looking for an exciting staycation, we’ve listed all of the best hotel bars in Boise and McCall you should check out.

How many of these have you been to?

Allie Mann | Editor

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THE BEST BOISE HOTEL BARS

Franklin House

The Franklin House is an 18th-century “ice house” turned bed-and-beer located on the corner of 15th street and Franklin. Offering a more cozy and homey type of hospitality, it features five bedrooms and offers amenities like fire pits, private hot tubs, and hammock swings.

Located quite literally in their backyard is The Backyard™ Beer Garden, a casual, open-air bar that offers 14 rotating taps of craft beer and cider, along with a wine list and ready-to-drink cocktails. Fur friends are also welcome, as this bar allows well-behaved and leashed dogs on the premises.

Catch this bar open from Wednesday to Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. It’s important to note that, since it’s an open-air bar, it’s open depending on the weather.

The Grove Hotel

Located near downtown Boise, The Grove Hotel is a 4-star full-service hotel that features full amenities such as a gym, a spa, a library, their famous bar aptly named “The Bar,” and their restaurant, Trillium.

Taking interior design cues from Idaho’s natural sceneries, The Bar is known for its soothing ambiance where customers can listen to music while sipping and chatting away on cozy sofas near a crackling fireplace.

It also offers a plethora of drinks, from handcrafted cocktails and locally sourced draft beers to a wide selection of wines. Patrons can also opt for light appetizers to go with their drink, all sourced from local producers from around the region.

The Bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays or 11 p.m. for the rest of the week. You can also go for morning coffee in the early morning at 6 a.m. from Monday to Saturday or at 7 a.m. on Sundays.

Hotel 43

Hotel 43 boasts a true Idaho-branded experience, celebrating downtown Boise’s rugged charm and artsy culture. Located on the 43rd parallel in the 43rd US state, Hotel 43 is home to the only Forbes-rated steakhouse in Idaho — Chandler’s Steakhouse.

Located in the energetic part of downtown Boise, Chandler’s Steakhouse is an upscale resto and bar that serves prime steaks and fresh seafood directly flown in from Hawaii. Chandler’s is also known for their “10-minute martinis” and extensive, award-winning wine collection with over 700 selections and 40 wines by the glass. For entertainment, Chandler’s plays live jazz music every night of the week.

Chandler’s Steakhouse’s bar opens from 4 p.m. til closing, while dinner service starts from 5 p.m. till closing. Just take note that, since this is a fine dining establishment, business attire or upscale casual clothing is encouraged.

Inn at 500 Capitol

The Inn at 500 Capitol is a chic boutique hotel that offers a luxurious getaway in the very heart of Boise. One of Boise’s premier Four Diamond hotels, this hotel offers fun activities for guests, such as wine and beer tastings and complimentary bicycles.

Part of the hotel’s establishment is Richard’s Restaurant and Bar, a fine dining restaurant serving contemporary Italian cuisine. It’s attached to The Red Umbrella Bar, which is an al fresco bar located on the 2nd-floor plaza of the hotel. Its drinks menu features craft cocktails, wine, and beer that pairs well with its appetizers menu. You can catch live music here every Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.

Richard’s Restaurant and Bar is open daily for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Take note that the Red Umbrella Bar is open only on select days of the month — on the first Thursday of the month and every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. and every Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.

Leku Ona

Translated from the Basque term for “Good Place,” Leku Ona is a boutique hotel-slash-resto-bar located in the heart of Boise’s Basque Block, near the hustle and bustle of downtown Boise. Its owner, Jose Mari Artiach, first opened its doors in 2005 with the aim of sharing his love for Basque culture and flavors with Boise Residents.

The Leku Ona resto-bar features colorful Basque-inspired lunch and dinner menus consisting of appetizers, entrees, specialty sandwiches, desserts, and more. On the drinks side, it offers specialty and unique cocktails, traditional Basque drinks, and wines from Basque and all over the world. They also have a Happy Hour menu named “Pintxo Menu” consisting of small snacks local to Basque.

For an authentic Basque wining-and-dining experience, catch Leku Ona open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy Hour is served Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Modern Hotel and Bar

Located in a prime spot near the bounds of city and nature, The Modern Hotel and Bar is situated in downtown Boise’s lively Linen District. It’s a new and remodeled boutique inn that capitalizes on a chic blend of modern and vintage interior design, featuring Americana motifs and minimalist accents.

The Modern Bar boasts an exciting menu run by an award-winning chef duo, where they feature a culinary fusion of seasonal meals and local favorites. One of the main highlights of the bar is that you can choose to dine indoors or enjoy your meal al fresco on their gorgeous dining patio. For their drink menu, they offer a good range of specialty cocktails, wines, and beers.

The Modern Bar is open daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday or 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy Hour for hotel guests gets you 20% off all your drinks from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily.

The Riverside Hotel 

Perched atop a sprawling 14-acre lot along the Boise River, The Riverside Hotel is the largest full-service hotel in the city of Boise. It’s connected to two bars and restaurants, and a concert venue that hosts live music performances daily.

The first bar, The Sapphire Room, is conveniently located in the lobby area and features a full-fledged bar and restaurant that can seat up to 170 guests. This bar is a treat to music lovers as it features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and a large stage where both local and touring artists perform. Its menu consists of appetizers, small plate meals, entrees, and desserts.

The Sapphire Room is open daily from 5 to 11 p.m.

Located on the north side of the hotel is the Sandbar Patio Grill, which gives you a stunning view of the Boise Greenbelt and Boise River as you enjoy your meal. This bar also has live music daily, with all-day performances during the weekends and evening music for the rest of the week. The menu mostly offers fresh, locally sourced grilled dishes that go well with their specialty cocktails, local draft beers, wines, and other refreshments.

The Sandbar Patio Grill opens from 4 to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

THE BEST MCCALL HOTEL BARS

Hotel McCall

Overlooking the gorgeous Payette Lake, Hotel McCall is a historic bed-and-breakfast located on the corner of Third and Main. This mountain-nestled hotel features a range of amenities like an indoor heated pool, a massage spa, a gym, and an adjoining restaurant, Rupert’s.

Rupert’s at Hotel McCall puts an emphasis on offering a fresh, simple menu born from a fusion of Southwestern, Asian, and Mediterranean flavors. This lakeside resto bar offers a full menu of appetizers, entrees, and weekly specials like Chef’s Tasting Menu on Mondays, Thai Night on Thursdays, and more. It also features an extensive drink selection of wines, cocktails, beers, and more, with Happy Hour starting from 4 to 5 p.m.

Rupert’s is open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

The Shore Lodge

Shore Lodge is the ultimate outdoor getaway situated on the southern shores of the majestic Payette Lake. Nestled at an elevation of 5,000 ft, this resort hotel features a whole host of amenities such as three dining establishments, a full-service spa, fitness facilities, a golf course, heated salt immersion pools, and more.

Along with a gorgeous view of the lake, Shore Lodge’s The Bar offers a wide menu of meals and drinks for you to enjoy. Its menu mostly consists of generous sharing platters and an impressive drink selection consisting of specialty cocktails, beers, wines, liquor, and other alcoholic drinks.

The Bar is open daily from 3 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 12 to 11 p.m. on weekends. Food is served until 10 p.m

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I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best of the best hotel bars around Boise and McCall. When you come to town, make sure you sample the drinks and flavors these bars have to offer for the full Idaho experience.