Ranch Club’s Fate Decided; Will Iconic Bar Reopen?

The Ranch Club was actually one of the first landmarks in the Treasure Valley I could remember when I moved to Boise.  My first remote with 103.5 KISS FM was at the Pawn 1 just down Chinden from the iconic dive bar (most famous for it’s giant horse on the roof.)

Years later, I ended up getting a chance to go inside when we hosted one of our Boise Music Festival ticket stops there.  Ranch Club has always been one of the Treasure Valley's favorite dive bars and was one of the only remaining clubs that allowed patrons to smoke indoors. But after February 12th, no one really knew what happened to Ranch Club.  It quietly closed it's doors and posted a "back soon" sign outside a few weeks later.

Now we know what the cryptic sign means!  According to the Idaho Statesman, Tom Grainey's owner, Jason Kovac, bought the building to add to his bar empire.  In addition to Grainey's, Kovac also owns The Silly Birch, Whiskey Bar and The Shed (formerly The Lift 2.)

Kovac wants the building to return to it's roots as a country bar.  He also plans to add a stage so there can be live music like the sign outside the building advertises.  Another major change?  When the bar re-opens it will be smoke-free.

Kovac's target opening is April 15th, but will push it back if the first round of improvements aren't complete yet.

My fiance and I love to country swing dance, so I'm excited to see another country bar open so close to Downtown Boise!