No more beers: 11 bars, breweries and taprooms that closed in the Boise area in 2024
Pour a little out for your homeys, Boise — bars, breweries and taprooms that closed in 2024.
The Buffalo Club
After more than two decades, the large nightclub at 10206 Fairview Ave. announced that it was closing. The news was delivered in an online message written “with sadness and a sense of changing times.” It was a definite blow to Boise’s country-music bar scene. In 2006, a high-school-age Taylor Swift even performed at the Buffalo Club during a promotional tour.
The Growler Guys
It was a different craft-beer era when The Growler Guys opened at 2020 E. Overland Road in Meridian. Filling a growler — a 64-ounce reusable beer vessel — to take home seemed like a fun idea. But the Oregon-based franchise chain’s Meridian location finally said goodbye in March. Nevertheless, the long row of taps is still flowing. A local beer-pouring business, Dusty Rose Reserve, took over the space.
The Backyard
Beloved to some, controversial to others, The Backyard was a public beer garden in the North End. It was behind Franklin House, a bed-and-breakfast at 1502 W. Franklin St. situated next to residential homes. After Franklin House was sold, the party was over. The Backyard ceased to exist.
Twisted District Brew Co.
A Garden City hangout for beer drinkers and fans of gourmet hot dogs, Twisted District Brew Co., 3840 W. Chinden Blvd., closed in March. The locally owned brewery and restaurant opened in 2020.
Edge Brewing Co.
After a decade of local pours, the West Boise brewery and restaurant shuttered at 525 N. Steelhead Way in July. But its beer, cider and canned cocktails live on. The Edge Brewing brand was purchased by Western Collective, a Garden City brewery at 111 W. 33rd St.
Clairvoyant Brewing (Garden City)
The Boise brewery’s flagship location remains open at 2800 W. Idaho St. But Clairvoyant closed its “west” taproom — located at 9115 W. Chinden Blvd. in Garden City — in October.
Idawild Brewing Co.
Idawild Brewing, 5270 W. Chinden Blvd., said goodbye to Garden City in May. But the space has been reborn as Brown Beard Barrel House, a fun hangout with creative, exceptional local beers.
Jumpin’ Janet’s
A quintessential dive bar on the Boise Bench for years, Jumpin’ Janet’s finally closed over the summer. A few months later, it reopened as Here’s How Public House, a craft-beer-fueled destination.
Spacebar Arcade
It’s game over for Spacebar Arcade. After a decade-plus in downtown Boise, the classic video-game bar at 620 W. Idaho St. shuttered permanently. Earlier in 2024, it had lost access to the liquor license it leased. Spacebar Arcade attempted to remain in business by selling beer, wine and canned cocktails before finally pulling the plug.
The Somewhere Bar
“Boise’s only gay owned LGBTQIA+ community bar” — as it called itself after opening in 2021 — shuttered in the fall. The Somewhere Bar, 3544 W. Chinden Blvd., was the latest concept for this familiar Garden City building A rearing stallion beckons from above it. Many Idahoans remember it as the Ranch Club.
Woodland Empire Ale Craft (taproom)
Longtime Boise brewery Woodland Empire Beer Co., 114 W. Front St., shut down its taproom in November. The local brand isn’t going away. The plan is to shift production next spring to Lost Grove Brewing, 1026 S. La Pointe St. “With our lease ending, we’ve made the decision to consolidate and focus on what we do best: crafting beer with purpose,” Woodland Empire wrote on social media.
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 4:00 AM.