A Tiny South Dakota Town Has One Of The Best Bars In America

A South Dakota city of less than 2,500 people has managed to pull off something that no city in six of the country's 25 biggest states could - land a spot on a new list of the best bars in America.

The USA TODAY list of the 38 Bars of the Year 2026 comes from the recommendations of food writers from all across the nation looking for establishments that they say 'do more than just pour a stiff one. These are the places where locals and visitors alike gather for good conversation, warm vibes and a little slice of the city’s character.'

Missing from the list are any bars in six of the 25 most populated states (Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington) with a combined population of more than 60 million people.

The Smoking Mule - Chamberlain — YouTube Screenshot

South Dakota made the cut.

The Smoking Mule in Chamberlain sits on the American Creek Marina, along the Missouri River.

After originally opening in Kimball in 2018, the restaurant and bar moved to its current location a year later and is still owned buy the same family that started it all nearly a decade ago.

This isn't the first time The Smoking Mule has landed in the national spotlight.

Two years ago, their food was featured on an episode of America’s Best Restaurants, which highlighted the Smoked Chicken, Bayou Spicy Shrimp, and Lobster and Shrimp Po' Boy.

Get our free mobile app

Best Bars in Sioux Falls

There is always something different to try when you visit a local Sioux Falls bar or brewery. There could be a specialty drink at one bar and a new beer recipe at the next. It's kind of like a smorgasbord of drinks to taste test. The only problem is deciding which bars are the best bars in Sioux Falls to explore with your family or friends?

This is a difficult decision just because there are so many great local options. Luckily, our friends at Yelp identified the top ten bars in Sioux Falls thanks to numerous reviews on each establishment.

The next time it's your turn to select a bar for a night out on the town, be sure to visit one of these ten bars highly reviewed by Yelp.

Gallery Credit: Christine Manika

Check Out This 1962 Listing of Sioux Falls Bars and Restaurants - Do You Remember Any?

Check out this collection of Sioux Falls bars and restaurants. We have Giovanni's Steak House, The Rainbow Bar, Harry's Hamburgers, Eagle Bar and Lounge, Pancake House, Nickel Plate, and more. Do you remember any of them? Or how long any lasted?

The Oldest Bar in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota

Here's your chance to have a drink in the very same bar where Buffalo Bill Cody may have gone on a toot. Or have lunch in the same building that pioneers may have gotten in their cups ta before heading out to the Great Plaines. From South Dakota to Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska the Old West lives on in local taverns and bars.

The folks at Thrillist did some research and found the oldest bar in each state. Here are the closest, so you can plan your Old West bar crawl.

Filed Under: Chamberlain