An infamous Eagle, Idaho watering hole known for its hard-line conservative politics and provocative specials is officially on the market, opening the door for an unexpected transformation.
Mark Fitzpatrick, the owner of Old State Saloon, announced he is selling the establishment. Listed online for $2.4 million, with its liquor license available separately for $500,000, the bar has drawn national attention over the past two years. From hosting the “Heterosexual Awesomeness Festival” to offering free beer for tips leading to the deportation of undocumented immigrants, the venue built its brand around far-right political statements.
Now, Boise native Montgomery Kuykendall is raising funds to buy the business and turn it into a queer community hub named “The New State Saloon.”
A Tale of Two Saloons
Fitzpatrick cited a desire to consolidate his business portfolio when speaking to the Idaho Press about his decision to step away. While denying rumors of bankruptcy, he acknowledged that behind-the-scenes factors influenced the sale.
“I’ve got different people and groups that I’m responsible for, and I need to make the best decisions for those different people and groups,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s kind of a vague answer, but because I can’t at this time give a lot of details about what specifically has been going on.”
He added that he hopes to find a buyer who shares his traditional values. Upon hearing about Kuykendall’s plan to launch an LGBTQ+ venue in the space, Fitzpatrick expressed strong opposition.
“I stand with what the Bible says about sexuality and what’s written in God’s word about that,” Fitzpatrick told reporters. “I wouldn’t want to see a place that would glorify that type of behavior.”
Unfazed by the reaction, Kuykendall launched a GoFundMe campaign with an ambitious $3 million goal to secure the real estate and the liquor license. Within days of launching, the campaign began collecting donations from local residents and allies eager to see a drastic shift in the building’s purpose.
Flipping the Script in Treasure Valley
For Kuykendall, the effort goes beyond a viral stunt. Having grown up in the Treasure Valley area, he watched the local political climate grow increasingly hostile toward minority groups. He views purchasing the building as a direct way to reclaim space for marginalized residents.
“It’s like, ‘ha ha, that’s hilarious,’ but also, really, I do believe in this,” Kuykendall said. “It’s not a joke at all. When it comes down to it, I’m very serious.”
The proposed vision for The New State Saloon includes nighttime entertainment like drag performances, live music, and dance parties. During daylight hours, organizers plan to use the facility for art shows, educational workshops, and civic gatherings.
To ensure the business actively gives back to the area, organizers pledged to donate 2 to 5 percent of weekly proceeds to local civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Idaho and the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
Looking Toward the Future
Changing the narrative of a location previously marked by exclusion remains a key driver for the project. The venue made headlines last year when it staged “Hetero Awesome Fest” as a counter-program to Pride Month. Local reporting from KTVB noted that roughly 50 people attended the event. The bar also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Boise Mayor Lauren McLean.
Kuykendall believes local residents deserve a gathering spot free from political hostility.
“If you followed Mark over the last couple years, you know what kind of person he is, and you know what kind of community he’s fostering in the bar that he owns,” Kuykendall said. “You know there’s no one of different beliefs coming in there. And that doesn’t mean the people there right now are bad, but it just means that there’s not room for others.”
The campaign still has a significant financial hill to climb before reaching its target. If the purchase falls through or the building sells to another party, campaign managers confirmed that all raised funds will be redirected to non-profit organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights across Idaho.
