Every local in Cody has a story about their first time walking into the Occidental. Mine was a Tuesday in October, almost no one there, and the bartender slid me a rye whiskey without me even finishing my sentence. That’s the kind of place it is.
The Occidental sits on Sheridan Avenue, the main drag, which means tourists walk past it constantly — but somehow it doesn’t feel touristy inside. The tin ceiling is original. The long wooden bar is original. The taxidermy on the walls has been there longer than most of us have been alive. When you sit down, you’re not in a recreation of an old Wyoming saloon; you’re actually in one.
The drink selection is serious. They carry a solid range of Wyoming-made spirits — expect to see products from Wyoming Whiskey and a few craft gin and vodka outfits — alongside a full bar of the usual stuff. I always order the rye neat, maybe a local beer on the side. Prices are honest: most cocktails run $8–$12, beer is cheaper, and nobody’s going to make you feel bad for nursing a drink for an hour while you read the historical photos on the wall.
Speaking of those photos: they’re worth your time. The Occidental has genuine historical weight in Cody. Buffalo Bill Cody himself is woven into the town’s whole identity, and the saloon has records and memorabilia going back to the late 1800s. The staff actually knows the history — ask them, and they’ll tell you about it without sounding like they’re reciting a brochure.
The Occidental also books live music on weekend evenings, usually country or Americana, nothing too loud. Local acts, mostly. The kind of music that fits the room. If you’re in Cody on a Friday or Saturday night and you want somewhere to be that doesn’t feel forced or themed, this is a reliable call. Show up around 8 p.m. and grab a seat at the bar before it fills in.
Daytime hours are mellower — a good option if you want to sit and cool down after walking the shops on Sheridan, or if you need somewhere quiet to wait out the afternoon heat before heading toward Yellowstone. The bar opens early enough that it’s not just a night destination.
Parking on Sheridan can be tight in peak summer, but there’s usually room one block off the main strip. No cover charge for the music. No dress code. No attitude about what you order.
I’ve been to plenty of Western-themed bars in Wyoming that work hard to look authentic. The Occidental doesn’t have to work at anything. It just is what it is, and that’s exactly why it’s worth your evening.
