The doors at 127 W. Alder St. are open again, and there are tacos behind them.

Atomic Tacos, which started in Kalispell, has opened in the former James Bar space downtown, KYSS FM reported this month. The station, citing the restaurant's opening post on social media, said the hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We could not find a Missoula menu, phone number or official page for the location, so treat those hours as reported rather than confirmed, and check before a long drive.

What was there before

James Bar closed July 25 after nearly two decades on West Alder, and its owners announced the closure in a Facebook post thanking the community, NBC Montana reported at the time.

In that post, the owners pointed at exactly this: “These doors will reopen to the next chapter with new stories and life experiences that the Missoula community can continue to share in.”

They also said then that Kalispell-based Atomic Tacos would take the space over. No opening date was announced at the time. Three months later, it has one.

What we don't know yet

A few things we'd normally tell you, and can't yet:

• The menu. No Missoula menu has been posted. Listings for the Kalispell original are a different location and shouldn't be read as this one's prices or hours.
• The bar. Whether the space keeps a full bar, and what happens with the liquor license the room has long been associated with, hasn't been published.
• The room. How much of James Bar's layout survived the changeover is something we'll go look at.

If you've been in, we'd like to hear what's actually on the board: info@zootownlowdown.com.

Before you go

• Where: the former James Bar, 127 W. Alder St., downtown Missoula
• Hours: reported as Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Origin: Kalispell; this is the second location

Related on Zootown Lowdown

• What’s New on Missoula’s Food Scene This Fall — the fall's other openings and closings.
• Missoula Eats & Treats: Great Burn Brewing Is Moving — more downtown churn.

Graphic: Zootown Lowdown

Sources

• KYSS FM, “Atomic Tacos Is Now Open in This Former Missoula Hangout” (October 2026), citing the restaurant's opening post: kyssfm.com
• NBC Montana, “Missoula's James Bar to close July 25 after nearly 20 years” (July 2026), including the owners' Facebook statement: nbcmontana.com
• Address (127 W. Alder St.) confirmed against two independent business directory listings, checked Oct. 27, 2026