What makes a bar a great Alaska bar? The answer isn’t always the same for everyone, but almost everyone can agree on a few things. Cheap drinks, good vibes, a memorable atmosphere, and just enough grit to remind you you’re in the last frontier. We use these criteria to rank our favorite Alaska bars.
While the thought of a rough and tough Alaska bar can elicit images of crusty fishermen fist-fighting over the biggest fish story or gold miners drowning their bad luck in the bottom of unmarked whiskey bottles, that isn’t always the case. While you can certainly find those bars in places like Nome or Dutch Harbor (they’re on the list), plenty of places also serve up cold local beer with a smile.
The best bars in Alaska are made up of the people that sit on the stools, sip the whisky, and strum the guitar strings, where locals and tourists can co-mingle peacefully, sipping and swapping stories. Where wooden interiors with hunting and fishing paraphernalia are scattered about, and dollar bills or something dead usually hang on the wall. A place where innovative, hard-nosed, independent people come to gather, celebrate, elaborate, and inebriate.
We’ve filmed in every corner of Alaska over the past decade, and as a result, we’ve drank in every corner of the state. We’ve compiled a list of our 16 favorite Alaska bars for you. Cheers.
Quick Guide to the Best Alaska Bars
Best Bars in Anchorage & South-Central Alaska
Pioneer Bar – Anchorage (Best Anchorage Dive)
Pioneer Bar in Anchorage, Alaska, is “home of the almost perfect bartenders” as they claim proudly. And if you’re ordering anything here that would require a perfect bartender, you done be in the wrong spot cowboy! Order something wet and saddle up at this Alaska bar with locals and tourists alike.
This is my favorite bar in Anchorage, Alaska, as I’ve certainly spent the most time in, while in Anchorage. It’s always the place we go to after a long day of production meetings and “serious tv talk.” This is where the crew goes once the executives have left after having used up their word allowance, where everyone goes to forget about the impending next couple of weeks when we have to all live in a tent in subzero temperatures.
It’s just your perfect little Alaska dive bar. You never have to wait long to get a drink, but it does get busy enough to get you in trouble. There’s shuffleboard, a couple of pool tables, and usually something cooking in a crockpot at the end of the bar. My kinda place.
📍 739 W 4th Ave, Anchorage | (907) 276-7996 | Mon–Thu 12pm–2:30am, Fri–Sat 12pm–3am
If you’re staying put in Alaska’s big little city and need help finding the best place to drink in Anchorage, we got you covered with a more localized list! Check out Best Anchorage Bars: Breweries, Cocktails, and Dirty Dives
Salty Dawg Saloon – Homer (Most Iconic)
We’ve spent years living and working in Homer, Alaska. In those years, we also spent countless hours at my all-time favorite Alaska Bar, The Salty Dawg Saloon. Initially, due to its geography, it was a short walk from our housing on the far end of the spit and a safe stagger back at the end of the night.
It didn’t take long for the Dawg to become more than just another Alaska bar. After spending our first off-season in Homer, the Salty Dawg became our escape from work and our desperately needed sanctuary of familiarity. When crews work so many months away from their homes and loved ones, finding safe places for your found family can make or break you.
For years, this Alaska bar was that place for us; and easily one of my favorite places on this pale blue dot called Earth. I’m so grateful for the friendships and memories this dive created for all of us, as well as the killer jukebox that ate far too much of my money. We dominated the tiny billiards room most nights.
The Salty Dawg is a claustrophobic cave of a bar with shockingly low ceilings and walls covered in dollar bills. In the summer season, this Alaska bar is overflowing with cruise ship tourists buying overpriced hoodies. But that minor negative aspect doesn’t come close to eclipsing the remarkable humans that work there, creating and nurturing their small community.
Don’t cross them. They will fuck you up and 86 your ass! Bring cash for drinks and quarters for the pool table, and buy the damn hoodie. You’ll wear it for years.
📍 4380 Homer Spit Rd, Homer | (907) 235-6718 | Mon–Sun 11am–12am
Kharactars Bar – Homer (Best Local Dive)
If you can get past the misspelling of their name, you’ll find a local bar with a loyal following and, at times, rowdy clientele. This small Alaska dive bar in downtown Homer has two pool tables, a U-shaped bar, and a tiny outdoor deck.
It’s one of the few bars that still allows smoking inside. This Alaska bar has the usual booze but is aptly served alongside many local characters. One of the more memorable moments I had in this Alaska bar was watching a man act out the ‘put the lotion in the basket’ scene from “Silence of the Lambs” while ordering a drink at the bar (if you know it, you know you can’t unsee it).
They have live music most weekends, and a cab is usually parked out front to get you home safe because you ain’t escaping this place sober.
📍 3851 Shelford St, Homer | (907) 235-1455 | Mon–Sun 10am–4am
Yukon Bar – Seward (Best Bar in a Cruise Town)
Being a major cruise ship port town, Seward, Alaska, is a big tourist hub. Lots of guided fishing and nice restaurants. Before the pandemic, almost half a million people would visit this little Alaskan town. Some locals don’t like that, but the smart ones don’t bite the hand that feeds them, or in the case of the Yukon Bar, they don’t bite too hard.
This bar in Seward, Alaska, is certainly more of a local bar, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at its decor. Dollar bills stapled to the ceiling dangle alongside donated bras, inflatable penises, and sharpie-signed life rings. Like the warm glow of a bug zapper, they call out to even the most innocent travelers.
There are only a few beers on tap, it’s cash only, and it can get crazy busy and hard to get a drink. But if you’re patient and don’t look like too much of a “Southerner,” you’ll eventually get your can of beer. Most nights, there’s live music.
📍 201 4th Ave, Seward
Best Bars in Alaska’s Interior
Midnite Mine – Fairbanks (Diviest Dive Bar)
One of the divest dive bars in Alaska is Fairbanks’s Midnite Mine. This Alaska bar has been cracking cans (only one beer on tap) and serving shots since the early 70s. This hole in the ground is a haven for those seeking a stiff drink in a dark bar.
There is a pool table, dart boards, foosball, and a touch-tunes jukebox for those that need more stimulation than simply shooting Jägermeister and fireball with the local riffraff. They don’t serve food, and it’s cash only. Use the back door.
📍 308 Wendell Ave, Fairbanks | (907) 456-5348 | Mon–Thu 10am–2am, Fri–Sat 10am–3:30am, Sun 10am–2am
Marlin – Fairbanks (Best Live Music)
After briefly closing during the covid pandemic, this beloved Alaska bar is back to its rock n’ roll ways. Located on college road close to the University of Fairbanks, this Alaskan punk bar attracts a younger crowd. It’s hands down the best place to see a live show in town.
Order a pizza to the bar, grab a pitcher of beer and enjoy the tunes with the rest of the eclectic bunch of Fairbanks folks. Big deck outside for those that need a reprieve from the loud music. Karaoke on Wednesdays.
📍 3412 College Rd, Fairbanks | (907) 479-4646 | Thu 6pm–1:30am, Fri–Sat 6pm–3am, closed Sun–Wed
The Big I -Fairbanks (Best Local Haunt)
The Big-I Pub and Lounge is another cash-only dive bar in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Irish-themed pub, mostly in name, is a familiar hole in the wall serving cold brews and heavy pours. The locals joint doesn’t cater to the tourists like other bars in Alaska that hang dollar bills and panties from the ceiling. It’s a simple haunt, serving simple drinks.
The food truck “Chinook Hotdogs” is in the parking lot, and a couple of corn hole sets are out back (if they aren’t two feet under snow). They host comedy nights and have live music on the weekends, often reggae-themed acts such as the sublime cover band “40oz to Freedom”.
📍 122 N Turner St, Fairbanks | (907) 456-6437 | Mon–Wed 3pm–12am, Thu 3pm–2am, Fri–Sat 3pm–3:30am
Fairview Inn – Talkeetna (Best Small Town Bar)
The Fairview Inn in Talkeetna is one of the best bars in Alaska for many reasons. First and foremost is its lively and lovable staff and clientele. Being the jumping-off point for anyone that wants to climb or flight-see Denali, Talkeetna is where the crazy people are. And if you think climbing the tallest mountain in North America isn’t crazy, maybe we can agree that electing a cat as mayor is. Yes, they elected a cat mayor in the 90’s; and they may have killed president Warren Harding.
But pull up a stool at this quaint Alaska bar, and you’ll find it easy to forgive these fun and adventurous folks of their political shortcomings. The walls are lined with the town’s rich history and the inn itself. There’s usually live music, and it gets packed when there is.
I filmed at this bar on one of the first shows I ever worked on in Alaska. A real stinker of a show for MTV about drunken 20-year-olds doing stunts and breaking hearts. The Alaskan bar was not stoked about us being there, and that only endeared them to me.
📍 101 Main St, Talkeetna | (907) 733-2423 | Mon–Thu 8am–1:30am, Fri–Sat 8am–2:30am
49th State Brewing – Denali/Healy (Best Brewery Bar)
This massive Alaska bar is a destination for thirsty famished travelers exploring Alaska’s interior. Located in Healy, Alaska, near Denali National Park, over 100 miles from Fairbanks, this multi-purpose watering hole is an oasis in the Alaskan tundra.
It’s not just on the list for geographical reasons either, they brew some damn fine beer at this Alaska bar, and the food is excellent; especially considering its remote location. They have an extensive whiskey selection and make some decent cocktails.
Their massive outdoor seating area includes the magic bus from Into the Wild. This Alaska bar has picnic tables a plenty, disc golf, bocce ball, and corn hole. They’re always doing bingo, trivia, or hosting live music on their stage. They get some notable acts from time to time, but regardless of the act, sitting in the lap of the tallest mountain in North America with a beer in hand, all music sounds pretty damn good.
Check out their website for upcoming events.
📍 Mile 248 Parks Hwy, Healy | (907) 683-2729 | Summers only
Best Bars in South-East Alaska
Harbor Bar – Petersburg (Best Southeast Dive)
Like any good fishing town, Petersburg has its local watering holes. I often spend a few days in Petersburg between legs of filming on the Prince of Wales Island. The Harbor Bar on Main Street is a conveniently located dive bar in Petersburg, Alaska.
You get a steady stream of fishermen, deckhands, and cannery workers patronizing this saloon, with the harbor a short walk away. The Tides Inn, the local go-to hotel, is just behind the bar. When walking in off the street, you’ll enter a dark single-room bar with the strong lingering odor of Clorox.
Nothing fancy to order here, just the basics, local Alaska beer, and a full bar of booze. Two pool tables, a shuffleboard, and a trough urinal, make this place undeniably dive. A liquor store is also connected to this Alaska bar, and there is frequently a crockpot of food and free popcorn.
📍 310 N Nordic Dr, Petersburg | (907) 772-4526
Kito’s Kave – Petersburg
Kito’s Kave is one of two bars in Petersburg, Alaska. For years I only went to the Harbor Bar, a short walk away. But over the years, I’ve been drawn to Kito’s Kave, with their frequent live music, nice staff, and quickly replenished libations.
This Alaska bar is next to one of Petersburg’s best restaurants, The Salty Pantry. Grabbing food from next door and eating it at the bar is a common sight. Kito’s makes a great spicy Bloody Mary, and they occasionally have an in-house hot-wing restaurant.
📍 200 Chief John Lott Dr, Petersburg | (907) 772-3207 | Mon–Fri 10am–2am, Sat 10am–3am, Sun 12pm–2am
Arctic Bar – Ketchikan (Most Entertaining)
A bit of a tourist hotspot but with good reason. The Arctic bar in Ketchikan, Alaska, is the only bar that sits on the water, and it does so while proudly flaunting its fornicating bear statue. They taunt cruise ship passengers to come in for a drink with shirts that read “Ahoy F*ckers.” How could you not be charmed?
The vibe is undeniably family fun, with jello shots and bloody Marys on the bar menu and events like wet t-shirt contests. It’s the spring break bar Alaska didn’t know it needed. Buy a souvenir, a t-shirt or a miniature statue of the humping bears, it’ll go great on the mantle back home!
📍 509 Water St, Ketchikan | (907) 225-4709 | Mon–Sun 8am–2am
Alaskan Brewing Public House – Juneau (Best View)
Not to be confused with its namesake tasting room down the road. This Alaska bar is located in downtown Juneau and sits on the pier. It has a ton of covered outdoor seating where you can eat solid food and sip on the best craft beer in Alaska; while watching cruise ships and sea otters swim by.
The sleek interior is not your typical Alaskan bar vibe. It’s trendy and modern with brick, black table tops, hanging plants, and streetlights; yes, like street light street lights. It’s probably the most touristy Alaska bar on this list, but they sell this iconic beer out of an outhouse, and we’d still have to put it on the list. The Amber is one of my all-time favorite beers.
📍 406 S Franklin St, Ste 102, Juneau | (907) 723-5286 | Mon–Sun 11am–9:30pm
Best Southwest Alaska Bars
Norwegian Rat Saloon – Dutch Harbor (Raunchiest)
The Norwegian Rat Saloon, or simply The Rat as our crew would call it, is one of only three bars on the Alaska island of Unalaska. A windy, barren wasteland of crab pots, bald eagles, and Russian Orthodox churches. Outside of crab fishing and maybe getting a drink here, there isn’t much to do in Dutch Harbor, so if you find yourself on the island, come here.
The Rat is one of those Alaska bars the entire town communes at. Where boat captains and deckhands swap stories of overflowing crab pots and 60-foot waves, there are some of the most competitive pools in the state here, and shuffleboard or pull tabs for those less inclined. However, the folks take pull tabs very seriously here, and there’s a system and an unspoken edict to the game.
This Alaska bar boasts a huge back porch area that overlooks the Bering Sea, where a crab pot has been converted into a fire pit. A smoking shed has been constructed to offer shelter from the incessant wind of Unalaska. Cigarette smokers light their American Spirits, and some of the state’s most talented artist doodle on the plywood walls. Be warned, this exhibit is not for the easily offended. The raunchy artwork has a theme reminiscent of the opening credits of the movie Superbad, for those of y’all that know, you know.
📍 1906 Airport Beach Rd, Dutch Harbor | Hours: Mon 11:30am–2am, Tue–Thu 11am–2am, Fri–Sat 11am–3am, Sun 12pm–10pm
Kodiak Island Brewing – Kodiak
The first and only brewery on the second largest island in America, Kodiak Island Brewing, has slowly evolved into a thriving community outpost. Strange restrictive laws surrounding breweries and tap houses have burdened the Alaska brewing industry, but the folks at KIB have been making it work since 2003.
There’s no food at this Alaska bar, but you can bring your own or hit the food truck that’s normally parked outside. Friendly staff and a bar dog make you feel at home in this open space that.. (cough cough) doesn’t have enough seating options.
But the beer is good, and the vibes are too. Their sour beers and the spruce tip IPA are worth standing for.
📍 117 Lower Mill Bay Rd, Kodiak | (907) 486-2537 | Mon–Wed 12pm–8pm, Thu–Sat 12pm–9pm, Sun 12pm–8pm
Best Arctic Bars in Alaska
Board of Trade Saloon — Nome (Oldest Bar in Alaska)
Open since 1898, the Board of Trade Saloon, the BOT to locals, has been through more of Nome’s history than any other building still standing on Front Street. Early owners included Wyatt Earp, Jack Dempsey, and Tex Rickard. You can walk through and see newspapers dating back to 1901 alongside photos and artifacts that tell the story of a gold rush town that never quite stopped rushing.
The BOT is Nome’s nightlife hub, pool tables, a large dance floor and stage, bean bag toss boards, a full bar, poker nights, karaoke, pool tournaments, and mid-week dance parties. It’s a real saloon in the way that word used to mean something. The mandatory first-time visitor activities in Nome, per local lore: drink a beer at the Board of Trade, and pee in the Bering Sea.
For more on Nome, see our Nome Alaska Restaurants guide.
📍 211 Front St, Nome | (907) 443-2611 | Mon–Thu 10am–2am, Fri–Sat 10am–3am, Sun closed
Breakers Bar – Nome (Permanently Closed — A Tribute)
*Update: Breakers Bar burned down in a storm in September 2022 and is permanently closed. We’re leaving the entry here as a tribute — it was one of the great Alaska bars and deserves to be remembered.*
Breakers Bar was just as weathered and salty on the inside as it is was on the outside. This Alaska bar matched itself perfectly with the town. Seasoned barmaids served stiff drinks to the locals lining the long wooden bar discussing the highs and lows of gold mining and whether it’s worth it. Old-school vintage beer decor hung on the wall as an example to all hipsters on how to be cool. Don’t try so hard. Just be yourself.
I used to frequent this Alaska bar with fellow camera crew. The gold miners we were filming with are local celebrity, which helped us get drinks faster on a busy Friday night, or to buy goodwill for a turn on the competitive pool table. RIP Breakers, you legend.
Map of the Best Alaska Bars
Here’s a map of the best Alaska bars.
Best Bars in Alaska FAQs
What is the best bar in Alaska?
Depends what you’re after. My personal favorite is The Salty Dawg Saloon in Homer. Its certainly the most iconic, a claustrophobic cave of dollar bills and genuine Alaska character that’s been running for decades.
What are Alaska bars like?
Most of the best ones are dive bars. Dark, cash only, pool tables, shuffleboard, something dead or a dollar bill on the wall.
Are Alaska bars cash only?
Several of the best ones are. The Yukon Bar in Seward, Midnite Mine in Fairbanks, and the Big I in Fairbanks are all cash only. Bring cash if you’re bar hopping in smaller towns.
What is the Salty Dawg Saloon?
A legendary dive bar on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. Low ceilings, walls covered in dollar bills, a competitive pool table, and a killer jukebox. One of the most recognizable bars in Alaska. We spent years drinking here while filming Alaska: The Last Frontier. Buy the hoodie.
Is the Norwegian Rat Saloon in Dutch Harbor worth visiting?
Yes, if you find yourself in Dutch Harbor. Which is remote enough that nobody goes there by accident. One of only three bars on the island of Unalaska, with a back porch overlooking the Bering Sea and a converted crab pot fire pit. Not for the easily offended.
What happened to Breakers Bar in Nome?
Breakers Bar burned down in a storm in September 2022 and is permanently closed. It was one of the great Alaska dive bars and a proper Nome institution. R.I.P.
More Alaska Articles
If you liked this article about the Best Alaska Bars, check out our other articles on where to eat, drink, and sleep while in Alaska.
- Best Bars in Anchorage, Alaska: Breweries, Lounges & Dirty Dives
- 10 BEST Restaurants in Talkeetna, Alaska (Worth the Stop)
- Best Restaurants in Petersburg Alaska
- Top 5 BEST Restaurants in Nome, Alaska (Honest Guide)
- Summer in Alaska, Land of the Midnight Sun: (FULL GUIDE)
- Where to Stay in Rugged Nome, Alaska: Hotels, B&B’s, + Camping