Butte Beat: Jackpot! A Unique Experience Inside a Bank Vault

BUTTE, MT - Based off the title, you either know exactly what I'm about to write about or you're very intrigued. Perhaps even both?

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One thing is for certain, and that is my love for going out and eating at different restaurants. No matter where I'm traveling, no matter where I live, and no matter where my dreams take me when I'm sleeping, I always end up at an awesome, unique dining experience. I remember being in hot and steamy Louisiana, hustling down the vacant streets of some small town I had never been in before, terrified that I would have to eat another gator-themed dish, before discovering an old, historic restaurant—once a popular and successful bank. The place was surprisingly packed, and made me wonder about other bank vault restaurants and what they were up to. Perhaps, this lonely Louisiana restaurant is one of a kind?

READ MORE: Butte Beat: An Exclusive Tour

Nope! How naive I was (and still am, if I'm being honest; it's better that way). When I got here to beautiful and banked Butte, Montana, I was at a loss for words for the history that was laid out in front of me. There were brick buildings, metal signs, and giant pits, all filled to the brim with historical record. On a walk that faithful day, I started to ask others what the spot is for some grub and some adult beverage. I was consistently told to go to one place.

I'm glad I did. The massive location has history dripping out onto the sidewalk and up through its rafters, which explains the smell of beer and hardiness. This next part is for Trivia Night frequenters. Cass Gilbert, a nationally recognized architect, designed the building back in 1906 for the doomed State Savings Bank, eventually being purchased in 2006 by a restoration-happy family. The Metals Sports Bar and Grill of Butte, MT was born.

Inside, you'll find a variety of ocular treats to satisfy your generous curiosity. No, that wasn't written by AI. Yes, I purposefully write like a whimsical idiot in these because I can. Anyway, yes, lots of stuff to look at. Architecture nerds will notice the original vaulted windows and the large, open interior. Sports nerds will notice the Montana sports jerseys and the jersey of someone who is presumably famous (I'm not a sports nerd). Eating nerds will notice the kitchen, and drinking nerds will notice the bar. There really is something for everyone here.

One thing that stands out to everyone is the massive vault door and the cute, surprisingly-spacious dining room that lies within the vault itself. I must admit, I was captivated by the dining room inside. I was aggressively thrown back into a time in my childhood where birthday parties were always featured inside a themed room of a random establishment, usually in the back, away from anyone and everyone else, as I sat in there wondering why no one showed up. Metals' vault dining area was much better than that, though, just like my childhood, I was alone when I was there.

Of course, the food lived up to the hype. I always have two measures of success when it comes to my judgment of the entire restaurant, and it's the same no matter where I go. The first is getting something basic but classic: usually—and in this case—a cheeseburger and fries. They were marvelous, and had a strange but welcomed tangy flavor to it. Perhaps the history is quite literally baked in. The second is a standard, two-ingredient drink: a Jack and Coke. It was perfectly proportioned and strong and cheap. I loved it. Both of these things are hard to mess up, but they're basic, and tell me if the establishment focuses on the little details. Metals certainly does.

The experience wrapped up for me with a pleasant experience with the bartender. He was a charming and unassuming chap, with a wicked sense of humor. He was chatting up the other locals at the bar and ripping jokes left and right, but at a respectable volume and demeanor. It was much appreciated since I'm one of those people who bring a book to read at the bar. That's right, Jenny Walkman in my second grade class, I told you I KNOW HOW TO READ!!!

All in all, Metals was an awesome spot to spend an afternoon at, and blended some of my favorite Butte-exclusive elements together: history, food, community, and strong drinks.