Signature since downtown
The Windmill Prawns
House battered, blackened & grilled, BBQ or scampi with mushrooms.
A tradition since the 1930s
Steak, Seafood & Famous Prawns in Billings' West End
The Windmill & Bar 51 is a locally owned supper club serving slow-roasted prime rib, hand-cut steaks, local S Ranch beef and the Windmill Prawns Billings has loved for generations, with Bar 51 happy hour.
Sunday Brunch Series
R&B Friends “Giving” Brunch
Celebrate the season with R&B from DJ Nikita, brunch, and a little giving back.
- Sunday, Nov 22
- 10 AM–2 PMR&B from DJ Nikita
Holiday drive for Family Promise of Yellowstone ValleyBring a donation for a free raffle ticket
- Lunch
- Mon–Fri · 11 AM–4 PM
- Dinner
- Daily · 4–9 PM
- Happy Hour
- Mon–Fri · 4–6:30 PM in the Lounge
- Find us
- 3429 Transtech Way, Billings MT 59102
406.252.8100
Free, ample off-street parking
The Windmill classics
The plates people cross Billings for
Prawns, wild halibut, salmon and cold-water lobster alongside slow-roasted prime rib and hand-cut steaks, right here in Billings' West End.
A supper club staple
Prime Rib & Hand-Cut Steaks
Prime rib slow-roasted every day, plus a 16 oz ribeye, a 7 oz filet and more, all hand cut in-house.
Seafood
Halibut, Salmon & Lobster
Walnut Crusted Halibut, Sunflower Dill Salmon, Fisherman's Bounty and cold-water lobster.
Local beef
S Ranch Beef from Hardin, MT
Our burgers and Windmill Fried Steak start with beef from the local S Ranch.
Heritage · The prawns
The same prawns, from the downtown supper club to the West End
Prawns are the dish The Windmill has always called its signature. The Novasio family kept "the Windmill tradition of tasty prawns" going downtown, and in 2006 the recipes moved with us to Transtech Way, virtually unchanged.
"One last chance at a plate of prawns." That's why guests lined up before the downtown Windmill closed on December 24, 2005.
- 1930s–1940s · Downtown
The Windmill Club opens on 1st Avenue South
Toots Maybell opens a dance club serving beer and wine. Louis and Muggs Eastman buy it in 1940 and start serving a full menu in 1947.
- The Novasio era
"The Windmill tradition of tasty prawns"
John and Scottie Novasio carry on the supper club, known for prawns, big lobsters, wonderful ribs and red-and-white checkered tablecloths.
- December 24, 2005
One last plate of prawns downtown
When the Novasios retire, waiting lists outgrow the reservation book. Guests come until the final night for one last chance at a plate of prawns.
- 2006 · West End
The recipes move to Transtech Way
Longtime customer Don Bottrell works with the Novasios to reopen by the pond in the West End as The Windmill & Bar 51. The prawns stay virtually unchanged.
- Every week, today
Two prawn nights
Wednesday Prawn Basket ($22) and Sunday Prawn Dinner ($28), plus prawns on the lunch and dinner menus.
Every week
Daily specials & happy hour
Happy hour runs Monday–Friday, 4–6:30 PM in the Lounge: $4 domestic pints, $5 select micro pints, $6 house wine, $4 well drinks.
Sunday
Prawn Dinner
28Our signature Windmill Prawns as a full dinner, every Sunday.
Wednesday
Prawn Basket
22Six prawns, traditionally battered, with your choice of dipping sauce. 4–9 PM.
Thursday
Smash Burger & a Pint
20Smash Burger, fries and a pint of local craft beer. Dine-in only; no substitutions.
Bar 51 · Open inside
Bar 51 is open; the patio is closed for the season
Our pondside patio is closed for the season. Bar 51 inside is open, pouring Montana craft beer, an extensive wine list and signature cocktails, with happy hour Monday–Friday, 4–6:30 PM, and the full menu available at the bar.
Inside, enjoy a park-like view of the pond, trees and walking trails, and cozy up to one of our two fireplaces on a cold Montana evening.
Bar 51 & the patioPrivate dining
Private rooms for 8 to 60 guests
Birthdays, rehearsal dinners, holiday parties, business dinners and celebrations of life. Order from the regular menu or a custom limited menu, with flat-screen TVs and HDMI.
Small room
8–15guests
Great for small family anniversaries and birthday dinners.
Medium room
17–36guests
Great for birthdays or a casual appetizer party.
Large room
40–60guests
Seats 40–60 for a sit-down dinner. Great for bigger holiday parties.
Sunday Brunch Series · 10 AM–2 PM
Brunch in Billings, one Sunday a month
Prime rib & eggs, chicken & waffles and classic eggs Benedict, with $5 mimosas, Bloody Marys and Caesars. Tables fill quickly, so book about two weeks ahead.
- Nov 22 · R&B Friends “Giving” Brunch
- Dec 20 · Brunch with Big Sky Santa
- Jan 24, 2027 · Bingo Fundraiser Brunch
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What are The Windmill & Bar 51's hours?
Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM, and dinner is served daily from 4 PM to 9 PM. Sunday Brunch runs once a month from 10 AM to 2 PM. We close on some holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas; see the holiday hours on our Hours & Location page.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are recommended but not required. They're for the main dining room and can be made on OpenTable or by calling 406.252.8100. The bar is first come, first served, and the full menu is available there. The patio is closed for the season.
When is happy hour?
Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 6:30 PM in our Lounge: $4 domestic pints, $5 select micro pints, $6 house wine and $4 well drinks. Bar 51 inside is open as usual; the patio is closed for the season.
Which nights are prawn nights?
Two nights a week. Wednesday is the Prawn Basket: six traditionally battered prawns with a dipping sauce for $22, 4–9 PM. Sunday is the Prawn Dinner for $28. The Windmill Prawns are also on the dinner menu every day ($33) and the weekday lunch menu ($21).
Can you host a private event or party?
Yes. We have private dining rooms for groups of 8 to 60: a small room for 8–15, a medium room for 17–36 and a large room for 40–60. They're available for lunch, dinner, or appetizers and cocktails, with flat-screen TVs and HDMI. Call 406.252.8100 to reserve. We also offer buffet-style catering and off-site bar catering.
Where do I park?
Parking is free, with ample off-street parking at 3429 Transtech Way in Billings' West End.
Is the patio open?
The patio is closed for the season, and Bar 51 inside is open. Inside, guests enjoy a park-like view of the pond, trees and walking trails and can cozy up to one of our two fireplaces. When the patio is open, it overlooks a two-acre pond, has a 10-foot fire pit, is pet friendly, and is first come, first served.
Where does your beef come from?
Our burgers and chicken fried steak are made with beef from the local S Ranch in Hardin, Montana. We also feature local S Ranch beef cuts and a Local Cut of the Day from Montana.
Visit
3429 Transtech Way, West End Billings
Locally owned, with free, ample off-street parking. Call 406.252.8100 or reserve online.
| Lunch | Mon–Fri · 11 AM–4 PM |
|---|---|
| Dinner | Daily · 4–9 PM |
| Happy Hour | Mon–Fri · 4–6:30 PM |
| Sunday Brunch | Monthly · 10 AM–2 PM |
| Parking | Free, ample off-street parking |