opinion from a local:
Food is not what it used to be. I came in here and the quality of the food has taken a dive off the deep end with no water in the pool. As soon as this new management agency Apres Cru took over; Tips Up went down hill. The charm is gone. Thebartenders and servers are no longer allowed to hangout with their friends off the clock at Tips or the other two establishments that Apres Cru runs. It's quite disheartening to walk into Tips now and know for 100% certain our friends who work there cannot enjoy it with us.
Apres Cru has managed to turn a beloved (by locals, tourists, and passerbys) bar in Big Sky to a corporate nutcase that FEELS corporate and no longer feels like a real fun place or real bar. Now it feels like a glorified buffalo wild wings. While I love some B-Dubs, I love Tips Up much more.
Recently since Apres Cru took over, private events run the pool table, more covers on events than ever before, and again, lack of social energy as the staff would come hangout and brina additional cheer.
Apres Cru has managed to turn a beloved (by locals, tourists, and passerbys) bar in Big Sky to a corporate nutcase that FEELS corporate and no longer feels like a real fun place or real bar. Now it feels like a glorified buffalo wild wings. While I love some B-Dubs, I love Tips Up much more.
Recently since Apres Cru took over, private events run the pool table, more covers on events than ever before, and again, lack of social energy as the staff would come hangout and bring additional cheer. it was wonderful to have a drink made by a favorited bartender and THEN to have drinks with them off shift.
It's astonishing for a company to come in and think they know best without any input from those already working there or locals in the area. Big Sky has a fragile community balance and a company affecting us like this really jeopardizes the balance. Tips Up is the only bar on this side of town that manages to speak to all ages and backgrounds. Not just the upper scale of places like waypoint (Even waypoint manages a local feeling and their drinks, price points, and atmosphere is absolutely not that or a ski town sports bar.)
I'd understand if the staff was being ridiculous or unprofessional but through many examples i have witnessed each of them showcase professionalism off the clock. Even going as far as helping remove heinous people from the bar just because their coworkers appeared stressed or ready to get a person out.
They've removed locals cards, hiked prices on drafts and other drinks, don't allow their staff (the locals) to be apart of the bar scene off of work, and contributed to the destruction of our local community. I cannot count how many times this season I myself have left or have witnessed people leave due to this new company. It is simply no longer the same energy and it brings much sadness to us here.
Nearly finished - they refuse to hire anyone. new whilst their staff very obviously struggles someday managing everything. I went in one day and there was 1 bartender and 1 server for the entire inside room and outside patio. if you've never been, that's a lot of steps during a lunch rush. Additionally, each table can hold a full family. Yet they refuse to hire anyone else to support their staff.
All in all, the staff is still lovely. I adore each of them and am aware none of this is their fault. it's ANOTHER company coming into our town and trying to "fix" what isn't broke.
The most ironic part of this is when Apres Cru came to town, someone told them,
"Don't turn our Big Sky into your New York"
"Oh trust us, we don't plan on it. We love the charm of this town"
That was in November of 2025.
Irony is a funny thing.
if you're in Big Sky, give some sympathy to the staff for what they have to deal with. Tip the staff well for their troubles and then consider not giving your money to this disgraceful corporation. They also oversee Blocks 3 and Bucks so l imagine similar antics are happening at each of them.
the salads are good tho.
Cheers.
G. Hanners. read more