in Historic Downtown Livingston, Montana
Gil’s Goods is a locally-loved American café serving great coffee, delicious burgers, and hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas. Watch the trains pass by, enjoy the bright ambiance and get your fill on the fresh dishes that Gil’s has to offer in the heart
of historic Livingston.
EAT
The world famous Second Street Bistro is a workshop where for nearly twenty years we have practiced the craft of blending classical French technique with locally available products. All of us would like to avoid here the merest suggestion that there is anything wrong with our food and wine obsession.
DRINK
The Murray Bar is a popular spot for locals, visiting celebrities, and travelers. A friendly bar staff, house-infused cocktails, 16 beers on tap, and fantastic food menus served up by Gil’s Goods make the Murray Bar a full-service establishment that delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. For over 100 years, the Murray Bar has remained the mainstay of the downtown Livingston bar scene. With live music and an authentic atmosphere, bands from all over the country have made the Murray Bar the epicenter for music in southwest Montana.​
Every room has its own style to make each more inviting and memorable. Each accommodation has its own bathroom, modern heating/cooling amenities, and access to the hotel's WiFi network. Suites have more space, the majority having a sitting area for relaxing and a kitchenette for sharing a coffee in the morning or some wine at night. We take great pride in the decor which focuses on providing warmth and comfort for those who stay here but still maintains a nod to Livingston's heydays of the easy-going cowboys in the Wild Wild West.
PLAY
Livingston, Montana's destination fly shop and outdoor store. Known as a destination for everything you might need, from flies, rods, reels, waders, leaders and tackle -- not to mention expert advice, fishing conditions reports, and trips with some of the best guides in the state. Local gear store Timber Trails combined with the fly shop to form Dan Bailey's Outdoor Company in the spring of 2020. Today, we offer the best fly fishing, hike, bike, and ski equipment and knowledge to ensure you have the best experience you can outdoors.
“I wake up in a lot of hotels, so I am fiercely loyal to the ones I love,” Bourdain said in a Facebook post. “A hotel where I know immediately where I am when I open my eyes in the morning is a rare joy. Here are some of my favorites.”
In the accompanying list of his 10 favorite hotels in the world that included notable establishments like the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, Le Continental in Saigon, and the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, the historic and iconic Murray Hotel in Livingston was also named.
​
Bourdain, a chef, bestselling author and winner of multiple mEmy awards, traveled the world and spent about 200 nights a year in hotels. So finding a good one was important.
​
"We're flattered and excited that we made the list," Murray co-owner Dan Kaul said. "Anthony and his crew are always great guests and we're happy to host them."
​
Kaul and his wife Kathleen bought the 110-year-old year old Murray in 1991 and have painstakingly and lovingly restored and improved the building. It features 30 suites, including one named for Hollywood director Sam Peckinpah, a place specifically recommended by Bourdain. "You want the Peckinpah Suite," Bourdain wrote.
Chef Brian Menges also operates the award-winning Second Street Bistro for fine dining, the Murray Bar for music and libations, and Gil's Goods for casual fare, all on the Murray's main floor.
​
The Murray is an anchor in Livingston's eclectic downtown historic district, a place filled with art galleries, fine dining, theater and nightlife. It's just an hour from Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone River is a short walk away. While proud of its railroad heritage, Livingston has busily reshaped itself as a creative center that is home to numerous artists, writers and film makers. And the fishing's pretty good, too.
​
"We're proud to be a part of downtown Livingston," said Kathleen Kaul. "We like that Livingston is a real town, one that embraces the best of the old west and the new west. That's what we do, too. Even cowboys like big fluffy pillows."
​
The Murray Hotel and the Murray Bar were featured in an episode of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown.