The Top Hat in Missoula is Expanding!
As someone who goes to a lot of shows around town, I've spent a lot of time at the Top Hat - probably more than any other venue in town, actually. The shows are usually a bit cheaper (and often free!), and some awesome artists have come through there since I've moved into town like Guster, AJJ, Magic Giant. Magic City Hippies, the Districts, Liz Cooper & The Stampede, Shooter Jennings, and more (a few upcoming ones I can't wait for: The Mountain Goats in August and The Melvins in September).
So I'm definitely excited to hear the news that The Top Hat is expanding! They recently purchased the law office building next door and they'll be converting it into an outdoor patio area... for now.
The eventual plan is to put a new building there that would include an outdoor patio on the second level, with a larger kitchen and living spaces, too. Getting a permanent outdoor space at The Top Hat sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm all for anything that gets more people there, because that means more great shows. It's the circle of life, and it moves us all.