20 Years in the West End, and a Story That Began in the 1930s
From a downtown dance club on 1st Avenue South, to a supper club famous for prawns, to a pondside home on Transtech Way since 2006.
Our history
In the 1930s, Toots Maybell opened the Windmill Club on 1st Avenue South in downtown Billings. It was primarily a dance club serving beer and wine. Toots sold the business to Ralph Studer, who sold it to Louis and Muggs Eastman in 1940. The Eastmans redesigned the interior and began serving a full menu in 1947, seating up to 65 guests at a time.
After more than 40 years, the Eastmans sold the supper club to John and Scottie Novasio, who carried on the Windmill tradition of tasty prawns, big lobsters and wonderful ribs. The Windmill Supper Club was known for its red-and-white checkered tablecloths, red candles and the famous, but not-so-popular, ladies' room.
In the fall of 2005 the Novasios announced they would retire. Waiting lists grew longer than the reservation book could handle, and until the final night, December 24, 2005, guests came for one last plate of prawns, a pile of King Crab or a final wearing of the Windmill bib.
One of those faithful customers, Don Bottrell, decided the traditions and recipes were too good to retire. He worked with John and Scottie to bring them to a beautiful new waterside setting in the West End, and The Windmill & Bar 51 opened on Transtech Way in 2006. Don has since passed away; Jim Bennett and our hard-working staff carry on his commitment to great food and great service.
We support local business too, with craft beer from Montana breweries and local beef cuts from the S Ranch in Hardin.