Bambi Inn in Butte Meadows is not all that welcoming. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Have you ever walked into one of those places where you think you should know more than one way out and you shouldn’t put your back to the door or anyone?

OK, so the Bambi Inn in Butte Meadows wasn’t quite that bad. But it was so far from welcoming that I doubt I’ll be going back.

I like dive bars. They have character. They have regulars. They have stories. They have a vibe that is usually positive.

Maybe I should have known this experience was going to be different based on two rifles made out of metal across the front door with the words “We Don’t Dial 911.”

I drive by this bar every time I go mountain biking, hiking and most recently snowshoeing in the greater Butte Meadows area. New Year’s Day was my first time to stop in.

Like most bars of this variety the lighting is low and the preponderance of customers were bellied up to the bar. I joined them.

Having a drink at the Bambi Inn is an experience. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Dollar bills lined the walls and ceiling; signed presumably by the person who left it as décor. Then there was the bumper sticker with a picture of Joe Biden and the words: B.I.D.E.N. Biggest Idiot Democrats Every Nominated. Someone had drawn a target on his forehead.

I barely could understand the bartender. Not sure why. He was a scruffy fellow. Maybe missing a few teeth. Definitely failed the basics of friendliness when it came to customer service.

I got my NA beer (was trying to do Dry January again), paid for it, got my change and that’s the last the dude and I communicated.

It wasn’t just me. He was a minimalist with the other patrons too.

I wish he talked. I was curious about the moonshine on the bottom shelf. Not that I wanted any, but the liquid filled Mason jars made me curious. A search online at home (because there is no WiFi at the bar) told me the concoction is from North Carolina.

Still, I’m curious about who drinks it locally. Not curious enough to go back.