Congratulations! You have finally graduated from Stockman's Bar and made it to the big kids club. If you are interested in a change of pace (and smells), check out this boujee bar guide to a Downtown Missoula 21st birthday.
Dinner:
To avoid throwing up in an ally and passing out under a streetlight, let's start with food. Remember this is a boujee guide, so, the options listed may be a bit spendy.
Top Hat: Boasting the best fried pickles in town and a full bar, Top Hat is a great place to prepare your stomach and pre-game with a cocktail.
Saketome: Avoid weighing yourself down before embarking on your grand drunken adventures and indulge in fantastic sushi. I personally endorse the Massive Attack Roll coupled with an Under the Bonsai cocktail.
Zoo Thai: Zoo Thai is one of the best all around restaurants in Missoula. I have never had a bad food item nor a bad cocktail from there. However, if you are hitting the town after 5:30 PM you will probably be asked to wait. The restaurants ideal location salvages this situation because you have the option to stop by the Residence Inn bar and grab an overpriced cocktail while you wait.
Old Post: While the Old Post does not have the most youthful vibe, the appetizers are phenomenal and the cocktails are strong. You are also more likely to hear smooth jazz than the moans and groans of disappointed sports fans. For a boujee night out, I call that a win!
Drinks:
Now time for the really fun stuff. All of these locations give you a wide variety of cocktail flavor profiles so you can refine your palette a bit.
Bar Plata: I either recommend doing this one at the beginning of the night or end of the night depending on where you are starting. Bar Plata is located on the Hip Strip and has what can only be described as a minimalist-hipster-dystopian vibe. Beware, seating it limited.
Stave and Hoop: Missoula's resident speak easy located down an alley on Broadway St. Stave and Hoop lures you in and makes you stay way longer then intended. I have never had a bad experience there and I always get the Princess Peach.
Feruqi's: This is a hot take, but, even if hole-in-the-wall bars are not what you are going for on your 21st, a Flaming Lamborghini from Feruqi's is a right of passage.
James Bar: James Bar has a great espresso martini, even better fries, and an interesting layout. It is a great spot to stop in toward the end of the night.
7R Bar: This is a seasonal mention and largely weather dependent. The 7R Bar is a rooftop bar located in the AC Hotel by Marriott. The view is incredible and the drinks are good. If you are celebrating your 21st in the summer, it is the perfect place for a photo. Beware, it is small and gets packed early.