Now here’s an artist-owned bar that’s easy to get behind.
There’s been a lot going for Wyoming native Ian Munsick. Just last month, the country music artist released his fourth studio album, The Mountain Goat. And just this past weekend, the “Medicine Man” singer opened up his very own bar and grill in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Ian Munsick’s Cowboy Bar & Western Grill, to be exact.
We spoke with Ian ahead of the opening about what made him want to open his own bar – and why he chose South Dakota:
“My wife and I, we really wanted to have a store or a restaurant or a bar that people could physically step into my world, to my musical world, and feel like they are there without being outdoors.
So having a cowboy bar in the Black Hills where a lot of my audience is already close to felt like a great move, and Deadwood is just an extremely historic town. It has so much incredible culture there, and tourism there, and being in the Black Hills, that’s a very spiritual place. It felt like the perfect spot for my bar.”
The establishment officially opened its doors on September 18, and Munsick’s family, friends, and fans all helped ring in the special occasion. Artists like Philip Bowen, Ross Cooper, Ashland Craft, Kylie Frey, Jenna LaMaster, The Munsick Boys, Tyler Nance, Faren Rachels, Kellen Smith, and Kasey Tyndall all made appearances, and producers Jeremy Spillman and Mike Robinson – who worked on The Mountain Goat – were there as well.
Munsick took time out of the grand opening to thank everyone for showing up:
“These guys have spent thousands of hours working on my music, and it’s an honor to have them as well as all of the other singer/songwriters that flew in from all over the country to be here. Thank you guys for being here, and welcome to Ian Munsick’s Cowboy Bar & Western Grill! Most importantly, (to my fans), thank you guys for being here. I know a lot of you drove hours and hours, or had to hop on airplanes, to be here. So thank you.”
And it’s important to note that Munsick opening up his very own bar and grill in Deadwood, South Dakota probably would have never happened without a nudge – and guidance – from his wife, Caroline.
The country singer shared that she was the one who had the initial vision for the South Dakota Honky Tonk. Munsick recalled played at Red Dirt Fest years prior, and Caroline manifesting that they’d one day own their very own bar in Deadwood:
“She was here from the very beginning. … She told me the first time that we played the Red Dirt Fest at the Deadwood Mountain Grand five years ago, ‘We’re going to have our own bar here someday.’ And sure as sh*t, five years later here we are. Being able to watch my wife accomplish such an amazing feat in not a lot of time is pretty incredible.”
I’ve also got to say… the logo itself for the bar and grill is top notch.
Yeah, branding like that will sell some merchandise. There’s no doubt about that.
Ian Munsick’s Cowboy Bar & Western Grill partnered with The Landmark Hotel & Casino to develop the 2,600 square foot space within the existing building. Both Munsick and his wife added their own, special touches all throughout the bar, including a display of Caroline and Ian’s outfits for the artist’s first ever ACM Awards.
Just like Munsick’s music and style, the bar and grill exudes unique, western personality. That even pours over into the bar’s menu, which has Western-inspired dishes like the “Wild Bill Sampler,” “Mountain West Spring Rolls,” “Western Fried Steak,” and “Ian’s Smash Burger,” among others. And yes… the drink menu features some specialty cocktails with western-theming as well, with some of the favorites being the “Medicine Man,” “Ian’s Filthy Martini” and the “Doc Mule.”
Everything truly came together for the grand opening, and now, Ian Munsick’s Cowboy Bar & Western Grill is open for business in Deadwood, South Dakota. If you consider yourself a fan of Ian Munsick, there’s no doubt that you’ll love the space that he and his wife have created in the Mount Rushmore State.
And it all started with an idea, and a good one at that.