Great Falls · Drink
Sip 'n Dip Lounge
Tiki lounge inside downtown Great Falls' O'Haire Motor Inn since 1962, with mermaids swimming behind the glass most evenings.
At a glance
Bar in Great Falls, Montana, established 1962. Open.
- Status
- Open
- Address
- 17 7th St. S., Great Falls, MT, 59401
- Town
- Great Falls
- Region
- North Central Montana
- Established
- 1962
- Phone
- 406-454-2141
- Why it's still old school
- A 1962 motor inn lounge that never stopped being a 1962 motor inn lounge. Swimmers first, mermaids later, same window behind the bar.
- Page updated
The Sip ‘n Dip sits inside the O’Haire Motor Inn on 7th Street South in downtown Great Falls. KPAX called it a landmark since 1962, and the motel’s own page still says it opens at 11 a.m. every day and usually closes after midnight.
The trick is the pool. A window behind the bar looks into it, and according to KPAX the lounge started with swimmers and moved on to mermaids over the years. Foodie dates the mermaids to the mid-’90s. The motel is careful to say it is not a show. They just swim, usually from 6 to 10 p.m., and you should call ahead if you are driving a long way to see them.
In 2025 owner and manager Sandra Thares told KPAX the place was never meant to be a tourist attraction. It happened anyway. The recent work there has been what she called putting things back: original windows uncovered, new carpet, the pool behind the glass redone, the mid-century bones left alone.
No reservations. It is a small room, so you may stand a while. If you’re nearby, stop in and keep them busy.
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Related memories
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