Full Throttle Saloon | Sturgis

The Full Throttle Saloon, located on the outskirts of Sturgis, South Dakota, is one of the most famous biker bars in the world - a sprawling, adrenaline-fueled entertainment complex that embodies the wild, untamed energy of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Known as “The World’s Largest Biker Bar,” it’s far more than a saloon: it’s a cultural landmark, a concert venue, a campground, and a living symbol of freedom on two wheels.

Origins and Legacy

The Full Throttle Saloon was founded in 1999 by Michael Ballard, a biker entrepreneur who envisioned creating the ultimate rally destination - a place where riders could let loose, listen to live music, and feel completely at home among fellow enthusiasts. Over the years, it grew into a legend, attracting riders from every corner of the world and even inspiring its own reality TV series, “Full Throttle Saloon” (aired on truTV and later on Reelz), which captured the chaos and camaraderie of running such an enormous operation.

In 2015, tragedy struck when the original bar - a massive wooden structure filled with irreplaceable memorabilia - was destroyed by fire. But true to the rally spirit, Ballard rebuilt it bigger and stronger at a new location along Highway 34, just east of Sturgis. The reborn Full Throttle became even more impressive: a 50-acre entertainment complex with a stage large enough for national acts, multiple themed bars, food courts, and campgrounds capable of hosting thousands.

The Atmosphere

Stepping into the Full Throttle during rally week feels like entering a world built entirely for bikers. The air hums with engines, classic rock riffs, and the smell of grilled meat and exhaust. Giant metal sculptures - including fire-breathing bikes and steel eagles - tower over the grounds, lit by spotlights and flames as the night deepens. The crowd is a mix of leather vests, denim, tattoos, and laughter; everyone’s part of the same roaring, dust-swirled celebration.

During the day, the atmosphere is festival-like. Vendors line the pathways selling bike gear, rally shirts, and handmade crafts. Custom motorcycle builders show off their work, while bartenders pour cold beer from makeshift bars built into converted vehicles. At night, the complex transforms into a massive open-air concert ground, with pyrotechnics and floodlights pulsing to the beat of rock and country headliners.

Music and Events

Music is the lifeblood of the Full Throttle. Over the years, its stage has hosted Kid Rock, Jackyl, Drowning Pool, Hinder, and many others, turning the prairie into a wall of sound. Beyond concerts, the saloon features stunt shows, bike burnouts, cage fights, zip lines, and burlesque performances, ensuring that there’s always something happening on every corner of the property.

One of its most distinctive features is the Burnout Pit, where riders rev their engines until smoke fills the air, cheered on by a roaring crowd. Another is the Throttle’s rooftop deck, offering panoramic views of the Black Hills and the rally lights stretching toward Sturgis at night.

The Grounds and Campground

The new Full Throttle site combines the bar and the Pappy Hoel Campground, named after the founder of the original Sturgis Rally. The campground offers everything from primitive tent sites to full RV hookups, with amenities like showers, food stalls, and a swimming pool - all just steps from the main stage. The open landscape around it allows thousands of bikes to park beneath the South Dakota sky, creating a vast sea of chrome and headlights after sunset.

The Spirit of the Throttle

The Full Throttle Saloon isn’t just a place - it’s an experience, a living symbol of rebellion, resilience, and community. It captures the unfiltered heart of biker culture: freedom, noise, friendship, and a little chaos. Even outside of rally week, it stands as a monument to the Sturgis spirit, where travelers stop for a drink, a photo, or a moment to take in the legend.

When the music stops and the dust settles, the echo of engines still hangs over the prairie - a reminder that in this corner of South Dakota, the Full Throttle Saloon is more than the world’s largest biker bar. It’s the living pulse of the open road itself.