Rockin' R re-opens today

[Common Cat]

My buddies and I got to talking about the bar scene in Bozeman as of late. Now, my two cents comes from an outside grad student who spends a night or two there for about two weeks when I'm in Bozeman. We graduated our undergrad around 06 (just to preface my comments). With the R opening up and the Legion and what not, it just seems they are all so similar. I remember when we were there, every bar seemed distinctly different. The Crystal, Cannery, Legion, Zebra, R, Molly, the Eagles...so on and so forth. Maybe, its me, but I think the bar scene seems more ....mmmm how should I put it...less diverse? In my opinion, it looks like it got "bozemanized,", and consequently not as fun.

[rollo_tumasi]

Amen Brother!

[CatBlitz]

I think it's pretty unique. The other bars really haven't changed that much (minus the Legion) since the explosion so I don't get the idea that everything is suddenly the same. The R Bar has their huge bar in the middle, with and even bigger back part than they used to. Plus the open front for the seating is really cool. I guess I just don't understand the lack of support for it by some. To each their own.

[kcatz]

So I got a facebook link from the R Bar yesterday they have a live web cam in the bar. I am torn, in thoery it seems pretty cool to see what is going on but in reality is seems a bit creepy that you could be going about your normal business having a drink after work and the world could be watching you.

[SonomaCat]

Maybe people got older and bars in general started seeming less exotic and therefore less fun?

[BearCat]

So I finally got a chance to check the new R-bar out today.

Overall, I'm quite impressed. Especially at the cleanliness! With the overhead door open to the elements all day long that has got to be no small feat!

Secondly, all the staff is always busy. If they aren't waiting on a customer they are cleaning, hauling trash, stocking, etc. Very refreshing to me. It's way better than being disgusted watching them bullsh&% a friend in the corner instead of pulling their weight.

Only complaint....Food is terrible! I tried a burger and chili cheese fries. Both waaaaaaay over-priced for what you get and not at all satisfying. They are going to wish they brought the pickle barrel back IMHO. If they can't get their prices a bit more reasonable and put out a better quality product I see that little corner of a grill becoming a second-party business very quickly.

Overall, Congrats R-bar! It's a heck of a place!

[ilovethecats]

[SonomaCat]

You know somebody has to ask ... given how impressed you were with the wait staff, how much did you tip?

[BearCat]

You know somebody has to ask ... given how impressed you were with the wait staff, how much did you tip?

I figured somebody would ask. I tipped better than usual....if that's an acceptable answer.

They also seem to be preparing for the college kids coming back. Carding EVERYBODY and saw them ask several for a second form of ID just to be sure.

[SACCAT]

So I finally got a chance to check the new R-bar out today.

Overall, I'm quite impressed. Especially at the cleanliness! With the overhead door open to the elements all day long that has got to be no small feat!

Secondly, all the staff is always busy. If they aren't waiting on a customer they are cleaning, hauling trash, stocking, etc. Very refreshing to me. It's way better than being disgusted watching them bullsh&% a friend in the corner instead of pulling their weight.

Only complaint....Food is terrible! I tried a burger and chili cheese fries. Both waaaaaaay over-priced for what you get and not at all satisfying. They are going to wish they brought the pickle barrel back IMHO. If they can't get their prices a bit more reasonable and put out a better quality product I see that little corner of a grill becoming a second-party business very quickly.

Overall, Congrats R-bar! It's a heck of a place!

It was Pickle Barrel that decided not to go in there. The grill that is in there is run by Santa fe Reds. Just an FYI

[kcatz]

SAC, I don't think that Reds is running the grill just yet. I was told that they would run the grill once they opened (both businesses would come out of the same kitchen). The impression I got is that it has been "leased" temporarily until Reds takes over once they are moved in next door.

[SACCAT]

SAC, I don't think that Reds is running the grill just yet. I was told that they would run the grill once they opened (both businesses would come out of the same kitchen). The impression I got is that it has been "leased" temporarily until Reds takes over once they are moved in next door.

Red's is running the grill, trust me.

[ilovethecats]

SAC, I don't think that Reds is running the grill just yet. I was told that they would run the grill once they opened (both businesses would come out of the same kitchen). The impression I got is that it has been "leased" temporarily until Reds takes over once they are moved in next door.

Red's is running the grill, trust me.

yes, this is true. my sister works there and is already getting shifts at reds on 7th and will get future shifts in the new store as well.

[BearCat]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

[ilovethecats]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

this is also true. sideline grill is the name of the operation run by the owners of reds. employees there also have the opportunity of working at reds on 7th. maybe they gave that answer because people are under the impression that you can get reds type food at the sideline which they can't....

so they are not working for reds. yet. but they are working for the owners of reds.

[BearCat]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

this is also true. sideline grill is the name of the operation run by the owners of reds. employees there also have the opportunity of working at reds on 7th. maybe they gave that answer because people are under the impression that you can get reds type food at the sideline which they can't....

so they are not working for reds. yet. but they are working for the owners of reds.

That would make sense as to why the responded that way.

[SACCAT]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

this is also true. sideline grill is the name of the operation run by the owners of reds. employees there also have the opportunity of working at reds on 7th. maybe they gave that answer because people are under the impression that you can get reds type food at the sideline which they can't....

so they are not working for reds. yet. but they are working for the owners of reds.

That would make sense as to why the responded that way.

My company did the entire Sideline grill kitchen and Rockin R Back bar. The people that wrote us the checks are the same poeple that write us the checks from Santa Fe Reds. TRUST ME they are the same owners.

[TomCat88]

So will Red's turn the Sideline Grill over to someone else and open a restaurant similar to the one on 7th in the F&H Building or will that be only food at that site?

[BearCat]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

this is also true. sideline grill is the name of the operation run by the owners of reds. employees there also have the opportunity of working at reds on 7th. maybe they gave that answer because people are under the impression that you can get reds type food at the sideline which they can't....

so they are not working for reds. yet. but they are working for the owners of reds.

That would make sense as to why the responded that way.

My company did the entire Sideline grill kitchen and Rockin R Back bar. The people that wrote us the checks are the same poeple that write us the checks from Santa Fe Reds. TRUST ME they are the same owners.

Sorry SACCAT. All of the calls that I've made today have said otherwise to the owners of Reds having affiliation with the Sideline Grill. I do believe you are mistaken unless I"m just getting completely false information.

[SACCAT]

When I was in there and asked those who were working behind the grill, the answer was "No, this isn't Red's grill." So even the kids who are working behind that grill were pretty sure they weren't working for Santa Fe Reds.

The receipt reads Sideline Grill for what it's worth.

this is also true. sideline grill is the name of the operation run by the owners of reds. employees there also have the opportunity of working at reds on 7th. maybe they gave that answer because people are under the impression that you can get reds type food at the sideline which they can't....

so they are not working for reds. yet. but they are working for the owners of reds.

That would make sense as to why the responded that way.

My company did the entire Sideline grill kitchen and Rockin R Back bar. The people that wrote us the checks are the same poeple that write us the checks from Santa Fe Reds. TRUST ME they are the same owners.

Sorry SACCAT. All of the calls that I've made today have said otherwise to the owners of Reds having affiliation with the Sideline Grill. I do believe you are mistaken unless I"m just getting completely false information.

You are getting completely false info. We have worked really close with them on this. Sideline grill will stay under Santa Fe control, but stay as a bar food type grill. Red's will open downtown next to Rockin R and serve the same food the 7th street restaurant does.