Anchorage has its share of hyped cocktail spots. Bars with glacier views flooding Instagram. Overexposed classics your cousin in Fairbanks visited seasons ago. Places you keep hearing about. Again. And again. And… again. Some craft magic, some miss the mark, and some pour such fun it barely matters. Before you brave the cold or book that coveted stool, consult this guide.
Polar Bar
$ | (907) 279-0869 | WEBSITE
Polar Bar is the dive bar that never forgot how to be a dive bar. There’s the friendly bartender Danny who makes you feel like a regular from the first hello, the lovable bar dog who patrols the floor on some shifts, and the never-ending popcorn that’s always fresh and salty.
The Anchorage spot serves as the stage and everything—the tasty ciders on tap, the sports games playing on multiple TVs, the music box where you can pick your own tunes, the unpretentious wooden stools—is aggressively un-fancy. This is comfort: dive bar edition.
Trophy Lounge
$ | (907) 334-9575 | WEBSITE
This Anchorage mainstay opened as a neighborhood watering hole when Sarah Palin was still calling the shots. Since then, little has changed. The drinks are still straightforward and everything is either watered down, overpriced, served warm, swimming in cheap mixers, or in desperate need of flavor CPR. But we don’t care and once you’re popcorn-deep in nostalgia, you won’t either.
Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar
$$$ | (907) 865-9198 | WEBSITE
Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar in Anchorage serves the best upscale Alaskan dining in town. The quiet, relaxed atmosphere might sound a little understated for a special occasion, but when you taste the halibut with miso cream, you’ll understand why it’s so highly recommended. The perfectly cooked roasted duck, the creative salmon rillette, and the full-flavored Crush salmon are all smothered with thoughtful preparation and presented with impressive style.
They’ve got an impressive wine selection with a rare French Malbec too, so expect the memorable experience to continue.
The Gaslight Bar
$ | (907) 277-0722 | WEBSITE
This Anchorage bar is anchored by Kayla, an alarmingly friendly bartender, and maybe that’s why everything in this Gaslight establishment feels so welcoming. Pool balls click, glasses of local brews glow, but the heart of the entertainment (namely, a mechanical bull) disappoints. The Gaslight wants to be laidback, but also wants you up and dancing later so the next person can come in to ride their wobbly bull.
Time Out Lounge
$ | (907) 562-2532 | WEBSITE
The line to get into this lively, no-reservations spot in Anchorage tends to be long and full of people watching karaoke singers belt out classic rock anthems. The bad news is: the pool tables are a bit of a nightmare to get a turn on. There’s the odd knock-out hit, like the affordable drink options, and the friendly staff could pass a hospitality test. But there are plenty of other (better) places in downtown Anchorage where you can marvel at the quiet sophistication of some cocktail bars.
UMAMI BBQ (#1 Vietnamese BBQ & Hot pot in Alaska)
$$ | (907) 743-7599 | WEBSITE
The Verdict: The welcoming decor, attentive robot drink deliveries, and hot stone fried rice bursting with pineapple and veggies—we’re obsessed with this place, and you should be too.
Alaskan Spirits Distillery
$$ | (907) 243-7468 | WEBSITE
Alaskan Spirits Distillery proves that Anchorage still knows how to have fun. The cozy distillery-cum-tasting room is a hidden gem in the city and, like the best local spots, has a rustic-meets-innovative spirit that feels refreshingly authentic in Alaska. Here, you can sip fireweed alpenglow and sample blueberry naughty from tasting glasses while playing cornhole or Jenga without a hint of pretension.
Crossroads Lounge
$ | (907) 279-7218 | WEBSITE
Crossroads Lounge is one of Anchorage’s most beloved neighborhood bars, for very good reason. It was the first place to really do casual drinking as it should be done, in a local hangout that was welcoming in the ’80s and now is unique to itself. The fact it’s a popular spot for sports games makes this institution special during game nights but it has an aura all week long. The prices are low, the free hot dogs are satisfying, and its cold-as-ice PBR is one of Anchorage’s most reliable drinks.
The Blue Fox
$ | (907) 561-9054 | WEBSITE
Once celebrated for its lively atmosphere and reasonable drink prices, The Blue Fox now coasts on past popularity. The cozy, welcoming dining room remains consistently filled with regulars who have a taste for casual comfort. But the food has become disappointingly ordinary and the service, while still friendly, feels routine. You might linger for your check or repeatedly signal for another round, even though you’re still haunted by the entirely forgettable, unremarkable BLT.
Pancho’s Villa Mexican Restaurant
$ | (907) 274-5353 | WEBSITE
Pancho’s Villa is everything we all want in a Mexican restaurant. It’s warm, it’s welcoming, and it serves exceptional carne asada steak burritos. The restaurant is located in Anchorage, and we’d come day or night for the authentic atmosphere alone. The food can be outstanding when you order generously, and we’ve found some dishes have been consistently praised across different visits.
But whether you come for a celebration or a casual dinner with someone you haven’t seen in a while, you’re guaranteed to have a very, very satisfying meal.
Spenard Roadhouse
$$ | (907) 770-7623 | WEBSITE
Some things are inevitable, and locals in Anchorage wanting to head to Spenard Roadhouse for massive portions and whiskey are one of them. Fortunately, Spenard Roadhouse is just one of those places. It’s got the impressive whiskey wall, it’s got the standout brunch menu, it’s got the wallet-friendly prices. You should eat brunch or dinner here. And if you want to get a ghost pepper Bloody Mary and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, we can’t stop you.
Sweet Cheeks Cabaret at The Cheeky Room
$$ | (907) 306-7956 | WEBSITE
A night at Sweet Cheeks Cabaret probably ranks highly on any introvert’s list of greatest fears. This legendary downtown Anchorage spot is wildly entertaining—a single burlesque show is around $15—but if you can look past the inevitable crowd-related heavy breathing and its abundantly inclusive reputation, you’ll find some of the best fun in the city. Trying to get a seat during karaoke will probably make you want to cry. We encourage patience and perseverance. It’s worth it.
Williwaw Social
$$ | (907) 868-2000 | WEBSITE
The party bar of all party bars, Williwaw Social’s reputation reaches far beyond this neighborhood. You don’t come to this Anchorage spot looking for value for money, or in search of Alaska’s best burger. This is an OTT, rooftop gas fire pit-lit venue with friendly staff who look like they’ve had a permanent buzz since their first shift. Probably thanks to the DJ whose job it is to make any conversation about how overpriced the food is impossible to hear.
The Broken Blender
$ | (907) 865-8858 | WEBSITE
Scoring a seat at The Broken Blender’s downtown patio is done the old-fashioned way: showing up early while whispering “please please please please”. The legendary Anchorage bar’s lively atmosphere and affordable prices make it our highest-rated spot in Alaska. While more relaxed, and with a different vibe, The Broken Blender is instantly the coolest drink in town and the smooth-smooth-smooth flavor bomb of the Old Fashioned alone makes getting strategic for a stool worth it.
Darwin’s Theory
$ | (907) 277-5322 | WEBSITE
Darwin’s Theory has a welcoming hum that you can feel from across the street. Whether you’re walking, driving, or just glancing out a window as you pass by, the glow of those two TVs and the sound of laughter will draw you in. And you should follow that pull. We’ve watched regulars share stories so engaging we’ve nearly pulled up a stool to join them, cheered along with strangers for a game on the screen, and felt a genuine pang when we finished our last handful of that free, salty popcorn.
It’s the kind of place where a cheap, well-made drink and a friendly chat with Chayce or Cindy feel like exactly what you needed, without any pretense. Just a perfect, cozy spot in the heart of downtown to unwind.
Carousel Lounge
$$ | (907) 206-6001 | WEBSITE
Finding a seat at Carousel Lounge on a Friday night requires some advance planning, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. The argyle-patterned carpet and dive bar feel are this Anchorage neighborhood spot’s signature style. And they’re perfect: worn enough to feel lived-in and welcoming, but clean enough to host the best karaoke in Alaska with its top-notch digital sound system.
The live music on weekends—with great tunes, friendly regulars, and the cozy warmth of the outdoor patio—is the highlight of the experience.
Ginger
$$ | (907) 929-3680 | WEBSITE
Ginger is the kind of place that has our wallets nervously eyeing the exit, pleading with us not to drop $75 on the most artfully arranged Tuna Tower and a flight of their signature cocktails.
This neighborhood gem, cocktail bar, and poster child for Anchorage’s eclectic dining scene has dishes so beautifully presented we’ve caught ourselves gazing, mesmerized, at the scallops mac n cheese and murmuring, “it’s perfection.” But stay focused—the flawless General Tso’s chicken and homemade ginger ale have always seen us right.
Anchorage Distillery
$$ | (907) 561-2100 | WEBSITE
A while back, Anchorage Distillery moved to its current spot in what can only be described as slightly industrial surroundings. That left some regulars wary but, if they’re honest, the vibe at this cocktail bar on Dowling Road has been solid for a while. The spectacular space—an outdoorsy, plant-filled speakeasy—still charms (especially if you’re sitting near the bar). But the drinks are just fine. Stick with the old-fashioned and you’re good or, even better, come by for a tour.
Avenue Bar
$ | (907) 272-6124 | WEBSITE
With its cozy neighborhood entrance and craft cocktail menu, Avenue Bar knows what it’s doing. And guess what? It works. A lively dining room where delectable BBQ wings are paired with exceptional gin and tonics, this isn’t so much a love letter to Anchorage nightlife as it is a warm 10pm chat. It’s a genuine way to have one too many and nothing about the limited menu will challenge you. Nor will it disappoint.