Located at 810 1st Ave. W. in Columbia Falls, The Rendezvous is the latest venture from the team behind Sacred Waters Brewing Company on U.S. Highway 2 near Kalispell. Situated just a few miles from its sister establishment, The Rendezvous might be in close physical proximity to its genetic beginnings, but its liquor-infused offerings set it apart.
Unlike Sacred Waters, which functions as a traditional brewery that only serves craft beer, as well as pub fare, The Rendezvous features a full bar with an expansive drink menu that includes beer and wine, as well as hard liquor, hard seltzers, fresh cocktails, and “sloshies,” a new take on a boozy, frozen slushie.
“We had more to say creatively,” said Jackie Evans, general manager of Sacred Waters Brewing and The Rendezvous, describing the new venture’s departure from traditional microbrewery territory. “This is chapter 2.”
The Rendezvous renders a distinct take on the night out by blending fresh-made cocktails with live music, later hours, a dedicated team, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
The building has been transformed into a 200-person capacity venue, and even the name, “The Rendezvous,” reflects a spirit of adventure and connection.
For anyone looking for a traditional bar, The Rendezvous checks all the boxes, but its focus on frozen cocktails, “sloshies,” imbues its drink menu with a sub-zero degree of cool. The invention of The Rendezvous’ mixologist Meagan Schmoll, the sloshies are made with fresh ingredients and, at $12, cost the same as other signature cocktail classics. Inspired by a trip to New Orleans, Schmoll was determined to deliver a version of the Big Easy specialty to Montana — the frozen Irish Coffee cocktail. Once Schmoll perfected the recipe, she crafted other flavors that cool patrons down without numbing their palates.
Currently, the bar serves three sloshie flavors in addition to the “Irish Coffee” — Margarita, Mango Daiquiri and Frozé (another turn-of-frozen-phrase concoction using rosé). And for snacks, The Rendezvous will partner with local establishments.
The goal is to create a living-room-like atmosphere where people can unwind and enjoy Montana’s “slower pace of life,” including by hanging out longer and later. Unlike Sacred Waters, state law doesn’t require The Rendezvous to stop serving at 8 p.m., so it can function as a classic “watering hole,” Evans said, further accommodating Sacred Water regulars and new patrons alike at the new location, which is open Wednesday through Sunday.
The physical space opens other new possibilities, as well, and The Rendezvous has seized the opportunity to bring live music to the neighborhood. There’s a stage at The Rendezvous, and every Thursday through Saturday, free, live music performances from local musicians take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Rendezvous will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays for NFL ticket games.
With its blend of high-end cocktails, live music, and a welcoming vibe, the architects behind The Rendezvous say they’ve set it up to become a staple in the community, offering a great taste of something familiar with every visit.
“We want to be a good addition to Columbia Falls,” Kirk Gentry, cofounder of Sacred Waters Brewing, said. “If we can help make Columbia Falls a better place, we’ve done our job.”
To learn more about The Rendezvous, including updates, specials and events, follow its Instagram page.
Correction: An earlier version of this article contained several inaccuracies, including the incorrect hours of operation and live music schedule. It also contained an incomplete quote and inaccuracies about the food menu. While those errors have been corrected in the online version of the story, they appear in print in Flathead Living Magazine. We regret the errors.