Dr. Bill sits at the bar of The Northern Lights Saloon in Polebridge, a commonality for the Polebridge resident. He orders his classic bun-less burger, which the restaurant has programmed into its system as the “Dr. Bill” meal.  

The new owners of the saloon, Austin Wallis and Katie Griffis, love the saloon for that reason: it cares for its people, both local and those visiting from afar.  

“They’re just kind, they treat their employees well, they treat us nice, they’re just a force of good,” Dr. Bill, whose full name is William Ferril, said.  

Wallis and Griffis, married business partners, took over the saloon officially this summer after former owner Heather Matthews sold the property. It was always on their radar, Wallis said, reflecting on the stretch of years that Griffis bartended at the saloon under Matthews’ ownership in years past.  

Griffis and Wallis were living in Whitefish before making the move to Polebridge. Wallis previously practiced law, and Griffis is a licensed massage therapist. Both had experience in the restaurant world throughout their lives, and The Northern Lights Saloon had always been a favorite destination for the pair.  

“I was pretty disillusioned with my law career and then this came up. It was magical timing,” Wallis said.  

Last year, Matthews brought Wallis and Griffis in as managers, entrusting them with running most aspects of the restaurant, bar and music venue in preparation for taking over this year. The pair redid the food menu, updated the bar and cocktail menu and implemented themed nights and events.  

The small venue, built in 1916, is located next to the acclaimed Polebridge Mercantile. While it has existed as The Northern Lights Saloon in some form or fashion since the 70s, it previously was the homestead of the original mercantile owner, William Adair. 

It has had a series of lives, from a sit-down, full-service restaurant to a self-service spot with a range of menus over the years. Wallis and Griffis focused their menu on burgers, barbeque and a fun array of healthy and hearty options.  

From beef and bison burgers to locally sourced pulled pork, the menu features classic lunch favorites. A newer, more unique item on the menu is the Rainbow Bowl, a mix of vegetables and greens served over quinoa, which has quickly become a favorite among patrons.  

“We really want to honor the spirit of this place by welcoming locals in as well as our visitors,” Wallis said. “Really cultivating community here is important to us.” 

To do so, the pair hosts a variety of summer events. From a flea market on the last Sunday of every month to a weekly Thursday night barbeque to a trash fashion show, the goal is to foster that community and bring people in with similar passions, especially through exploring the outdoors.  

One of Wallis’ favorite parts about the remote location of the saloon is hearing about the adventures people go on before they come grab a meal or a drink. From rafting the Middle Fork to peaking a mountain in Glacier National Park, there is never a shortage of experience, she said.  

Throughout the summer, the saloon features a list of concerts, occurring most Friday and Saturday nights, with a range of local artists including 20 Grand and Billy Billie. All music is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and updates are posted on the venue’s Facebook and Instagram. 

The off-grid spot can be found at 255 Polebridge Loop in Polebridge. The saloon itself is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to close, which is around 9 p.m. To learn more, visit thenorthernlightssaloon.com.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].

    William Ferril, right, a regular at the Northern Lights Saloon, finishes his "Dr. Bill" order on May 27. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)