Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
Sign In | Register for Free!
Restaurants Recipes Forums Eating Tours Merchandise FAQ Maps Insider

Mint Bar

151 N. Main St., Sheridan, WY - (307) 674-9696
Posted By Michael Stern on 7/14/2007 10:02:00 PM
Honestly, don't go out of your way to dine at the Mint Bar. There is nothing to eat and the drinks are minimal. Basically, people come to this place on the Main Street of Sheridan, Wyoming to drink beer or whiskey or both. So when the bartender asks, “What’re you having, sweetie?” we advise not asking her for a brandy Alexander or a frozen margarita. Instead, request “a ditch.” That’s High Plains terminology for whiskey and water.

Despite its lack of culinary clout, we do recommend visiting the Mint Bar if you are anywhere near Sheridan. Not just to have a drink and some peanuts, but to admire its beauty. Outside, a multicolored neon sign shows a wrangler mid-air on a bucking bronc with neon cattle brands like sparks around the hooves. Inside, the Mint is lined entirely in cedar and gnarled pine burls, with rough-hewn log booths and shingle walls that gleam like slick leather and bear hundreds of brands. The timber walls are hung with panoramic photographs of ranch life, circa. 1941 as well as portraits of rodeo stars, trick riders, and Western celebrities of every stripe who consider this rugged woody grotto the ultimate cowboy bar.

Many regular customers use the Mint Bar as a place of business. Sheridan has been the outfitting center of the region since before this amazing-looking place served its first drink in 1907, and its residents include leather workers, gunsmiths, cowboy haberdashers, and wilderness guides. (King Saddlery, the best tack shop on earth, is just across the street.) These pros use the Mint as their office, and it is not at all unusual to see a local artisan sharing beers in a booth with a client as they go over hides or silver conchos for a saddle-in-progress.

10 out of 10 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Scorecard

5 - Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace
Rate this place

Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

Fun place. Where the locals go.
"Fun place. Where the locals go."
Katherine Black





A quiet Saturday afternoon at the Mint Bar. By evening, the place will be jammed.
"A quiet Saturday afternoon at the Mint Bar. By evening, the place will be jammed."
Michael Stern


The furniture at the Mint is in the style of designer Thomas Molesworth, whose use of wood logs created a setting with a sort of rugged rustic elegance. This is one of the back booths.
"The furniture at the Mint is in the style of designer Thomas Molesworth, whose use of wood logs created a setting with a sort of rugged rustic elegance. This is one of the back booths. "
Michael Stern


This old Wurlitzer fits right in at the Mint, and it really works.
"This old Wurlitzer fits right in at the Mint, and it really works."
Michael Stern


On those parts of the wall not covered by photos and other memorabilia, you can see hundreds of cattle brands along with their owners' names.
"On those parts of the wall not covered by photos and other memorabilia, you can see hundreds of cattle brands along with their owners' names."
Michael Stern


Where Wyoming ranchers, cowboys, saddle makers, and hunters have hoisted drinks since 1907.
"Where Wyoming ranchers, cowboys, saddle makers, and hunters have hoisted drinks since 1907."
Michael Stern



What is Roadfood?  |   Submit Content  |   Privacy Policy  |   Contact Roadfood.com   Copyright - Roadfood.com