CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for drinking places in Billings, MT
Drinking places in the Billings, MT metro area: 63 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 12-person team.
- Establishments
- 63CBP 2023
- Employees
- 732mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 32.7U.S. 12.0
- Rank
- 109th of 740areas by count
The bar market in Billings, MT
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 63 establishments classified as Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (NAICS 722410) in the Billings, MT metro area. They employed 732 people in mid-March and paid $15.8 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 109th out of 740 areas with published figures for drinking places.
Measured against its 193,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 32.7 drinking places per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 12.0, so Billings, MT is 172.5% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 11.6 employees, compared with 10.6 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $21,642, 15.5% below the national $25,612.
| Measure | Billings, MT | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 63 | 541 | 40,835 |
| Mid-March employees | 732 | 4,969 | 432,542 |
| Annual payroll | $15,842,000 | $101,580,000 | $11,078,437,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 11.6 | 9.2 | 10.6 |
| Payroll per employee | $21,642 | $20,443 | $25,612 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 32.7 | 47.6 | 12.0 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: drinking places in Billings, MT
Of the drinking places in Billings, MT that had employees in March 2023, 21.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 38.7%). 53.2% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 13 | 21.0% | 38.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 20 | 32.3% | 27.4% |
| 10–19 employees | 21 | 33.9% | 20.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 8 | 12.9% | 11.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for drinking places in Billings, MT
Bars and taverns take calls about events, private parties and hours, often when the room is too loud to hear the phone. Capturing those calls helps book parties.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for drinking places in Billings, MT:
- A customer calls about trivia night.
- The bar calls a vendor about a delivery.
- A band calls about booking a gig.
Texting guests
Bars text event reminders and party confirmations.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a bar in Billings, MT
The average bar in Billings, MT has 11.6 employees, so a 12-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $360.00 a month and 12 on Ooma Office Pro cost $299.40. Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for a bar in Billings, MT of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for drinking places in Billings, MT
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 406 (98 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets guests in Billings, MT call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 98 | Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a bar in Billings, MT
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Billings, MT is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many drinking places are there in Billings, MT?
Census County Business Patterns counted 63 drinking places in the Billings, MT metro area in 2023. They employed 732 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 12-person bar?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users cost $360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $239.00.
What area code should a bar in Billings, MT use?
Area code 406 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a bar?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.