‘Boise’s only gay owned LGBTQIA+ community bar’ opens in old Ranch Club site

A landmark nightclub in Garden City began a new era Tuesday.

The Somewhere Bar opened at 3544 W. Chinden Blvd., taking over a building that was home to the Ranch Club for seven decades.

Calling itself “Boise’s only gay owned LGBTQIA+ community bar,” the Somewhere is open daily: 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and noon to 2 a.m. Fridays through Sundays.

“Our community doesn’t really have a gay bar here,” co-owner Rob Covert told the Idaho Statesman in January. “And one thing that I have found through my life is that a community is really important for friendships and for networking and to be able to network with like-minded individuals, you might say.”

Although the Ranch Club is gone, its familiar horse will remain atop the building. For more than 70 years, a rearing stallion has caught the eyes of passing motorists. Famously — at least to Idaho film buffs — a scene in Clint Eastwood’s 1980 movie “Bronco Billy” was filmed in front of the bar. In recent times, the Ranch Club changed owners before finally closing permanently in 2020.

The Somewhere Bar plans to feature live entertainment, Covert said, ranging from drag shows to comedy. But that won’t happen until after COVID-19 is less of a threat in Idaho, he said this week.

The Somewhere’s current policy is that staff members wear masks, he said. Customers are expected to wear them when they are not seated.

“We’re really wanting people to be safe,” he said.

For more information, or details about future events, check out the bar’s Facebook page.

This story was originally published March 2, 2021 at 1:54 PM.