You’re driving through the vast, windswept plains of Central Montana, miles from anything resembling a tropical coast, and suddenly you're told there are mermaids nearby. It sounds like a heat hallucination. Or a prank locals play on tourists. But the Sip and Dip Montana—officially the Sip 'n Dip Lounge in Great Falls—is very real, and honestly, it’s weirder than you’ve heard.
Most people think it’s just a kitschy theme bar. They expect a Disney-style show with high-tech effects.
That’s mistake number one.
The Sip 'n Dip is a 1962 time capsule located inside the O’Haire Motor Inn. It isn't a "show." It’s a vibe. You’re sitting on a vinyl barstool, nursing a drink that’s probably too blue, and through a thick glass window behind the bar, a human being in a shimmering tail swims past. They aren’t doing a choreographed performance for a stadium. They’re just... swimming. In the hotel pool.
The "Retrovation" and Why It Still Exists
A lot of these mid-century tiki bars died out in the 80s, but this place survived by leaning into its own absurdity. In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the lounge underwent what the owners called a "retrovation." Basically, they fixed the bones of the place without killing the soul. They kept the bamboo ceilings, the shag-carpet energy, and the flickering lights that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Technicolor movie from sixty years ago.
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It’s one of the few places left where the "tiki" isn't an ironic hipster remake. It's the original stuff.
People always ask: "Is it still worth the trip?"
GQ famously called it the "#1 bar on earth worth flying for" back in 2003. Decades later, that reputation still holds, but for different reasons. In a world of polished, corporate-owned "experiences," the Sip and Dip is endearingly low-tech. The mermaids are local folks—teachers, students, neighbors—who put on a tail and hop into the deep end.
What to Expect When You Actually Get There
Don't show up expecting a quiet cocktail lounge.
It gets loud. It gets crowded.
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- The Mermaids: They usually appear from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on most nights. It isn't a stage performance; they are literally in the hotel's swimming pool.
- The Age Limit: This is a bar. While they do "Mermaid Brunches" on the first and third Sundays of the month for families, the lounge itself is 21+ after 7:00 pm.
- The Food: Don't go there for a five-course meal. It's appetizers and drinks. If you want a full dinner, you eat at Clark & Lewies downstairs and then head up to the lounge for the atmosphere.
You’ve got to try the Fishbowl. It’s the signature move. It’s 64 ounces of several different rums, fruit juices, and sheer sugary chaos. It’s meant to be shared, but in Montana, "shared" is a loose term.
The Ghost of Piano Pat
You can't talk about Sip and Dip Montana without mentioning Patricia "Piano Pat" Sponheim. She was the heart of the place for nearly 60 years. She started playing there in 1963 and didn't stop until she passed away in 2021.
She was a legend.
She played a low-key, jazzy style that anchored the whole room. Today, the music is handled by performers like Joel Corda, who keep that "piano bar" spirit alive. It’s a specific kind of magic—singing along to "Sweet Caroline" while a mermaid waves at you through a window. It shouldn't work. It should be too much. But somehow, in Great Falls, it feels exactly right.
Tips for the First-Timer
If you're planning a trek to the O’Haire Motor Inn, keep a few things in mind. First, they don't take reservations. If it's a Friday night, you’re going to be standing. Just accept it. Grab a drink and find a spot near the glass.
The hotel itself is part of the draw. If you stay at the O'Haire, your room is literally down the hall from the bar. It’s mid-century modern in the most authentic way—not the "expensive West Elm" way, but the "this has been here since JFK was in office" way.
Why People Keep Coming Back
It’s about escapism. Montana winters are brutal. They are long, gray, and freezing. Stepping into a room with bamboo walls and tropical drinks while someone swims in blue water is a necessary hallucination for the locals. For travelers, it's a reminder that the world is still weird.
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Actually, that’s the real value. In 2026, everything is so "content-optimized" and "Instagrammable." The Sip and Dip didn't try to be Instagrammable; it just was weird long before the internet cared.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the O'Haire Motor Inn's official site or call their front desk at 406-454-2141 before you drive across the state. Mermaids sometimes go "out to sea" (maintenance or scheduling), and you don't want to stare at an empty pool. Plan to arrive by 5:30 pm to snag a seat near the window before the 6:00 pm swim begins.