FOLLOWING THE
BY MIKE MCKENNA
WHISKEY TRAIL
Idaho is home to some of the most wild and rugged country left on earth. The middle of the Gem State is covered by mountainous terrain better suited for elk and mountain goats than it is for humans. But humans have always been drawn to such places, especially when you can steady nerves with a shot or two of whiskey. That’s probably why three of the towns that are gateways to Idaho’s wilderness have long been home to some pretty unique watering holes. Challis, Ketchum, and Salmon make up part of the “Whiskey Trail” that circles the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area—the largest contiguous wilderness area in the Lower 48. Each of these small towns is home to at least one timeless Western bar, the ideal kind of place to kick one back before heading off into the wilderness.
AROUND THE IDAHO WILDERNESS BACKWOODS BARS OF IDAHO PHOTO BY F CRABTREE
Bux’s Bar Main Street Challis, ID
YOU CAN’T BE AWESOME! The Casino on Main Street in Ketchum has a long and storied history. Originally built out of logs harvested from the now famous ski slopes of Bald Mountain in 1926, the Casino is more than just a bar. It’s a true landmark, it’s an institution, and it’s usually a foggy memory for anyone who was there the night before. The PHOTO BY DANA DUGAN place hasn’t changed much since it Matt Gorby: Awesome @ Ketchum Casino first opened or when Ernest Hemingonset of COVID, to the ski and summer way used to drink there. And that’s part of tourist crowds. “I used to know 90% of the its appeal. people who came in here. But now it’s less Matthew Gorby has been bartending at than 50%,” says Gorby, who stopped drinkThe Casino for over a quarter-century now. ing years ago and is happily married and a “It feels like home. It’s like my living room proud father. now,” Gorby says. “I love the clientele.” The long, j-hooked bar sells lots of The Casino is popular with everyone from Jameson’s whiskey and Hamm’s beer and longtime locals, to the new “Zoomtown the latest trendy shot is a “Huck Bomb,” locals” who have fled big cities since the
Idaho vodka mixed with NAS energy drink and splash of cranberry. The low-ceilinged and low-light establishment is known locally as “The Casbah” in honor of the old Clash hit, “Rock the Casbah.” It’s also jokingly referred to as “The Can’t Say No” and “The Can’t See Now.” Part of the personality of the bar is undoubtedly its loyal clientele. When Gorby first started slinging drinks at The Casino, he worked the day shift. When he would open up every morning at 10:30am, some of the regulars would be waiting for him. After Gorby let them in one morning, they asked how he was. “I’m excellent,” he said. “You can’t be excellent. Woody is excellent.” “Okay then, I’m awesome,” he responded. “You can’t be awesome. Neil is awesome.” “Okay. Then I’m two thumbs up and an atta boy.” And that’s what Gorby and many of the patrons at The Casino have been ever since.
FAREWELL COCKTAILS Bux’s Place is tucked at the top of Main Street in Challis. The building’s history dates back to around 1878 and became Bux’s back in 1949. Instead of following the old saying, “If only the walls could talk,” the backbar is really what you’d like to hear stories from. The Brunswick Bar was made in New Hampshire and came around Cape Horn and then spent time hosting cocktails in Blackfoot and Ketchum before settling in Challis. Newspaper publisher Ted Carleton first cut his teeth in the industry while working for the Challis Messenger a couple of decades ago. Bux’s hasn’t changed much since then.
www.idahomemagazine.com
19
