We took a trip out to Polebridge on a recent trip to the Glacier National Park area, which landed us in the Northern Lights Saloon. I'm so glad it did! The Northern Lights Saloon is a small saloon style eatery offering up fresh and fabulous bites, wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. The saloon itself is small with a bar and a few small tables--it feels like a throwback to the 1800s. They have tons of outdoor picnic table seating as well so a fun stop in pleasant weather. The food is incredible. We ordered the whipped feta for a starter. It comes with warmed pita and is incredibly flavorful. For my main, I got the rainbow bowl which is packed with fresh veggies (roasted yams, charred onion, avocado, and salad greens) as well as quinoa, black beans, toasted pecans with a generous drizzle of garlic cilantro sauce. It was divine. Our server/bartender was lovely She was so friendly, topping off our exemplary experience. Get to it! read more

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We took the advice of a local when we arrived in town and took the beautiful drive to White Bridge and had a blast at the Northern Lights Saloon. This small town feels like and outpost on the edge of heaven. Loved the decor but the food was amazing too. We recommend the Cubano sandwich, quesadilla with burnt cheese ends and the whipped Feta. Well worth the drive! read more

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We loved this spot and if you're looking for a warm, friendly, accepting place, you've found it. The staff is wonderful, the place is clean and has the right atmosphere to enjoy your time. They are family friendly. The food was great and we're sad we were there for lunch and missed out on the live music tonight. Definitely will go again if we're nearby. read more

After a long day and long drive we were greeted by Bill at the NLS. He went over the menu with us and even pulled out all the cans of cider/seltzer so I could check what was gluten free. Totally above and beyond, he made us feel at home! We were so surprised to find so many gluten free options at an 'off the beaten path spot! Everyone working seemed to be very aware of allergies and what could be made gluten free. All the patrons else seemed to be traveling too and it was positive vibes all around. The tuna tar tar was amazing and the pita with it was GF! Went back the next day to get the tuna tar tar again, the food didn't disappoint but the bartender was not as overly friendly as Bill. Definitely a place to stop on the way to Glacier and situated in a cool rural town. Hope you run into Bill! read more

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Neat spot to enjoy some drinks. We sat on the porch on a nice afternoon. Good-looking menu, but we didn't eat anything. The woman working the counter was very friendly. Like the Mercantile next door, a must-stop while in Polebridge. read more

Northern Lights Saloon - Bar area - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

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Northen Lights first impression it's a small cozy dive bar. I walked in the door and they were busy. Once the bartender was ready to serve us he stopped looked us in the eyes and said "My name is Bill". I liked that...A lot!! The beer selection and craft cocktails are great. The food is upscale and the presentation is white table cloth in a dive bar!' Check out Polebridge Mercantile for sure But, you would be making a big mistake not to stop in and say "Hi" to Bill!! read more

Northern Lights Saloon - Northern Lights Saloon - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

A big bumpy & dusty drive / but worth the visit. We loved the vibe here. Live music when we visited, local brews and cocktails. Beautiful outdoor seating. We loved the meatball appetizer and the ribeyes with whisky glazed carrots were really good, Great visit. read more

Would have given 6! What an amazing place to stop at. The food is exceptional, the staff is friendly and so engaging. I had such a nice visit, got lots of great recommendations for local activities and places to go. Do not miss this place! 11/10 read more

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I was famished after a long hike in Glacier and couldn't wait for dinner to get some hot food so dropped in on a whim. The atmosphere is amazing and food really hit the spot. The potato salad is different than any I've ever had, more vinegar (?) based with fresh chopped veggies and perfectly tender red potatoes than the Mayo based. Really liked it but be warned, it is different than you might be used to back home. Brat was well cooked and bun perfect. All in all, a really nice spot with good food and ambiance. The property is awesome and looks to host concerts in summer as well. Would definitely make another trip here in the future to catch a summer concert. read more

Northern Lights Saloon - Brat - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

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Visiting the Northern Lights Saloon should be on everyone's Glacier National Park area to-do list. Why? 1) Relatively uncrowded (unless everyone reads this review and takes my advice). 2) Piece of heaven. Off-the-grid, chef-driven, local flavors, fresh-fresh-fresh, willing to accommodate food allergies...what more can you ask for? 3) Mountains in the background while you eat. 4) Did I mention local? Fresh caught fish. Elk meatloaf, Bison burgers, Huckleberry sauce. Local brews. Local liquors used in creative cocktails. I read previous reviews that talked about how great the food was, with the caveat it was a little expensive. I think the "expensive" depends on your normal eating out budget/expectations. My husband ordered the elk meatloaf (came with salad - with house-made dressing, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables and fresh baked bread and butter). I ordered the rainbow trout (freshly caught and pan seared, with the same sides as my husband's meal). Between the two of us we ordered 3 beers. The total for all of the above was $50 even. I don't consider that expensive. You can pay via card here, even though they're off the grid. As of writing (2017) they use Square and pass the convenience fee on to you. It's about 1.25% of your total bill. NOTE: Many people talked about the trek to Polebridge on the Outer North Fork Road (out of Columbia Falls) being a washboard gravel road. We found the 30 mile trip to be about 2/3 paved and 1/3 gravel. The gravel road was in excellent condition with no ruts or potholes. It took us about 45 min to make the drive because it was a new road to us and we wanted to be cautious. Also the road is slightly narrow so you want to be aware of other vehicles and wildlife (lots of wildlife!). Fill up your tank before making the drive because there aren't any stations once you head north out of Columbia Falls. read more

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Northern Lights is a dive bar out in the middle of basically nowhere. You drive something like 30 miles on a gravel road to get here. We came to this crazy place because my husband worked in Glacier Park 40 years ago and wanted to take me down his memory lane. We each had a beer and sat outside on a picnic table and chatted with other folks who were there. I'm giving it 5 stars because it is a true experience. I didn't have any food, so I can't comment. A bonus is the Mercantile next door has an outstanding bakery famous for its bear claws. Worth a trip to Polebridge if you like adventures. read more

Amazing place to eat at when staying in Polebridge. We loved it so much we ate it for dinner all three nights we were there. We didn't find a single bad thing on the menu. Loved the huckleberry mules. Menu changes slightly depending on the day read more

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Closed for the season on September 10, will reopen in 2021. More details on the Facebook page.

The service and operation was just very poor. Grateful for there being a convenient place to eat while camping at Glacier. The burger was just not good, but their corn chowder was good. Just ok, very over priced. read more

Northern Lights Saloon is like something out of a movie. The town is off the grid and runs off solar energy. Just to get to this bar you have to drive to the middle of no where on a gravel road. Inside is where the magic is. We went last night and had drinks, dinner, and dessert. There was live music and good energy. There were lots of locals, which is a good indicator people love this place. Can't wait to tell my friends about this town and its uniqueness!! read more

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The owners' dogs are loose and extremely aggressive. Two nights a in row I rode my bike by this place with my dog on a leash. The first night the owners' dogs bluff charged us, and on the second night they attacked. I had to drop my bike and rush over as my dog was being bitten, scream at the dogs and then they backed away, only to come back for a second try. It's unconscionable to me that these uncontrolled dogs would be allowed to roam. I'd avoid this place until owners change again. The food has gone down hill since the new owner took over too. read more

Visited here in late June ('21) because the timing worked out with their weekend hours and when we were arriving in GNP. The drive up to Polebridge from West Glacier/Apgar is fantastic, so getting there truly is a positive part of the experience (unless you don't like the outdoors, in which case you should not look any further into Polebridge or NLS). So the establishment is mostly for outdoor seating, but they do have a few spaces inside (hopefully this changes once were post-post-COVID), and most of the table have umbrellas. The way things were currently being run, you order inside and receive a pager for when your order is ready (and it looked like the team running things pretty much knew what table ordered what, so getting your order didn't look problematic during the 90 minutes or so we were there during lunchtime). We each had the "I'm your Huckleberry" burger, with a side of chips. It was cooked as ordered and the huckleberry/chipotle dressing is unique/good. All of the tables around us generally seemed satisfied with things and we overheard a few people commenting positively on their orders. Now, a word about logistics for people who don't understand or appreciate what it takes to run an operation like this in such a remote area: COVID or not, running a seasonal restaurant in an area like Polebridge is extremely challenging. Sourcing ingredients, finding the right menu/chef, the capital investment in the facility, the paperwork with city/county/state, retaining quality employees, etc etc. Some of the reviews (granted, several are years old) do not seem to understand the things I've called out above. Regardless of those reviews, and when you've done Yelp or TA as long as I have you know how to read reviews (and some people in the world just don't like anything and should stay home). Polebridge, Northern Lights, and Polebridge Mercantile are all worth a visit. Looking foreword to getting back up there. read more

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5 stars?! You bet! The NLS isn't fancy, chic, trendy, or anything you would expect a 5 star rated place to be. It is, however, a quintessential Montana experience and of all of my Montana memories and experiences, this one is tops! Because of it's location, it doesn't get a lot of traffic, except by the backpackers coming out of Glacier National Park, people like me who know it for the gem it is, and the locals. But don't let the word "locals" scare you off, they are a very friendly lot, but there are not many of them. Actually, the endangered species in the Polebridge area out number the residents. It doesn't have a huge menu, it's more of a case of this is what the cook cooked today, which one would you like. They have a full bar too, so you can get your bourbon and coke that you've been craving. The only illumination in this historic cabin is what's put off by the rope lights that are wrapped around the log beams in the ceiling. When the town generator is turned off at a certain time of night , the propane lamps are then lit and the evening continues. When it gets chilly, they fire up the wood burning stove. What I've always found weird about the NLS is how musical instruments just start appearing out of nowhere during the course of the night. You'll just be sitting there, enjoying your bourbon and coke out of a mason jar, when all of a sudden you hear a guitar being strummed. A few minutes later, another guitar. A few minutes later a fiddle. A few minutes later someone is playing the piano. The NLS band? No, these are people (locals and campers) who just spontaneous start showing up and music start happening. It's pretty damn magical! If you're up in that neck of the woods, the NLS is not to be passed. You'll drop in for a drink, but you end up there for the whole evening. The new owner has made it a seasonal operation now (not open in the Winter), so make sure you check to see if it's up and running before you make the drive up there. read more

Northern Lights Saloon - World famous Northern Lights Saloon during winter. - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

This bar/restaurant is a must for anyone visiting the North Fork. We stopped here to eat dinner on our way home from Bowman Lake and the service was excellent. We were tired and they got our food out pretty quick. Our bartender and server were very nice and made us feel at home. We did have a special request with our food (because of allergies) and I was impressed that the cook Dan came out to our table to talk to us about it. Great food great staff and great place to visit. We will definitely be back! read more

Northern Lights Saloon - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

Awesome dive saloon with great views! This place was so off the grid, 15 minutes from Canada. Great place to chill, relax, and have a beer. Food was good to, can't wait to come back read more

Northern Lights Saloon - the entrance to the saloon - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

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Food was ok but for a few chicken quesadillas and a burger i was dumbfounded how much it costs. Granted it's location in the park but still, I think it's cheaper to eat at Disneyland. Not a whole lot be excited about here. Stick with the lines and eat in the central locations at the park. Bigger selection of door there. Or the mercantile store there in polebridge. Either way find another place to eat at. read more

Ordered a Bison Burger with Bacon. The best burger I have ever had, hands down. Took me by surprise as the location is a bit remote. I will definitely be back for another meaty bison burger after a treacherous hike in GNP. read more

How does this place get five stars?? Would give zero stars if possible. Worst experience I have ever had at ANY bar or restaurant and the most digesting food. My husband ordered the chili. Buying a can of chili at the store would have tasted better. Ordered cornbread. Wasn't until we asked the waitress where it was that she told us they were out. Forgot our cokes until we reminded her a good thirty minutes after ordering it. Waitress was a total ditz and of course gave the best service to the drinkers. I ordered a quesadilla. I got about. Teaspoon maximum of sour cream with it and about three tomato pieces qualifying as the salsa. Chicken must have been boiled. Yuck! Service and food were awful. Stay away! read more

Service was half decent to say the least. Our waitress got our order incorrect and did not write anything down when we ordered. Food did not taste good at all even though their menu is very limited. After forcing down my overpriced meal I had to walk inside to pay my tab since our waitress forgot about us on the outside patio. When I walked in I accidentally saw the cook and was immediately more disgusted with my meal. Hygiene is clearly not a priority here. The cook had his pants almost hanging off and I got an entire view of his behind. I would like to take the location of this place into consideration and cut them some slack, but the Mercantile right next to it provides great service and high quality food, so no excuses. read more

Super neat place out in the middle of nowhere. The food was great and the people where too. This is definitely a cool stop. Also check out the store next door. read more

Cheeseburgers are good and the drinks are great! Love the vibe of this place! The live music is much appreciated!

5 stars simply for location and ambience! Food is good too, but you can't beat a cold beer and cheeseburgers under the majestic mountains of Glacier National Park after a long day of hiking. I only wish they served pizza on a more regular basis. I have eaten here 3 times and have always left full and content. read more

BEST STEAKS EVER!!!! loved all the food. cannot wait to return to this hidden gem for more. read more

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Great place to eat and see the evening sky. I have been here many times for dinner and the food is always excellent. They have a great selection of draft beer which can be substituted for a meal if your not hungry. read more

Northern Lights Saloon - Restaurants Near Me - Polebridge, Montana

Don't miss this place. Our trip to Glacier National Park couldn't have been the same without our Friday at NLS. It opens at 4pm. Serious beer selection in the woods: 4 beers on draft, plus a bevy of others in cans and bottles, and a full bar. Between the band, a dozen friendly roaming dogs, and a lively crowd, we never knew camping could be this fun... We played football in the back with a mix of fun strangers till the sun went down, then kept the party going out front, listening to the band. We can't wait to get back, at minimum to try all the amazing pizzas that went by us. read more

Tiny saloon way out there. Quirky setting with outside seating (bring mosquito spray!) with picnic tables and a bar inside with 4-5 tables. Friendly staff. We got there at 7p, caught some live music out front. Really impressively good food. Chiliburger for me, prime rib for the wife, and huckleberry pie with ice cream for dessert. read more

This is an adorable little restaurant/pub! They have picnic tables outside and had a small menu for the weekend of the 4th filled with southwestern/Mexican flare! The mountains in the background and the perfect summer breezes made this a wonderful outdoor meal! I'm so happy we stumbled on to this gem! read more

"We aren't in a hurry" should be the official slogan here! Such a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Firstly, Polebridge is teeny tiny and this is the only joint in town (aside from the bakery/mercantile). Service is first come first serve and it's easy to be overlooked; nothing that a quick comment to one of the many servers that work there won't fix. The husband had yummy rainbow trout that was fresh caught locally and I had a bison burger. Only complaint is that it's a little pricey, but when you consider where you are it makes sense. Totally worth a stop! read more

Amazing rustic bar in the middle of absolutely no where. Alan and the team were great. Spotted bear gin and local beers were a hit, as was the huckleberry pie as always. Highly recommended if traveling to Glacier. read more

There is nothing to not love about this place. Friendly owners, delicious food, great beers, and INCREDIBLE views. We stopped for dinner (bison burger, steak, and huckleberry pie) after checking out Bowman Lake, and it was well worth it. read more

This is probably the worst place I have ever been to. I can take the service being bad when the food is so good it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This place had neither the good service or good food. After a long day of hiking, fishing, and swimming we were looking forward to this place. My wife and I should've ran back into the woods. We were helped out by Birdie. Waited over 20 minutes before anyone noticed we were there (although the inside of the bar is tiny). Then we ordered our food from a very simple menu and were put on hold for another 40 minutes or so just to get our drinks. We ordered Cokes from a can. Seriously how hard can it be to open the fridge and get two cokes out and take them to the table?? Yes, you guessed it. Our food took forever to get to us and once it did we were disappointed because it was cold and tasted awful. Because it took so long they were out of corn bread, which we had ordered. In hind sight we are glad we didn't get the corn bread because it saved us from another disappointment. I have no idea what the fuss is all about at this place. Trust me when I say this -- you're better off packing PB&J sandwiches yourself and staying in the woods enjoying nature than coming to this place. read more

The northern lights saloon had to be one of the highlights of my trip out to Glacier National park. The people who work here are very friendly and welcoming and the food and beer were delicious and all at a good price. Plus, you cant beat the setting as its nestled up against a beautiful river and Glacier national park. This is a very special place and I look forward to coming back in the future! read more

Wonderful food and atmosphere! Outdoor seating and pet friendly! Friday night is pizza night! The supreme is amazing!

1985, was a great place! Spent a week in Polebridge and ate and drank here every day. Its been too long, I have to get back!

If you're hungry in Polebridge, the Northern Lights Saloon is a great option...and you're only option! Great small-town feel with delicious roasted rosemary potatoes. read more