Entertainment in Alaska
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A
Days of '98 Show with Soapy Smith
Skagway has Southeast Alaska's best and longest-running melodrama. The entertaining and lively Days of '98 Show with Soapy Smith covers the town's gold-rush days and the full story of Soapy and his gang. Four shows are offered daily in summer; the evening show is preceded by an hour of 'mock gambling.'
reviewed
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B
Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Who knew that chopping wood could be so entertaining? When the lumberjacks are at the peak of their axe-and-saw battles you can hear the crowd cheering all the way to the cruise-ship docks. One of the premier cruise ship-oriented attractions, the hourlong show features 'rugged woodsmen' using handsaws and axes, climbing poles, log rolling and engaging in other activities that real loggers haven't engaged in since the invention of the chainsaw.
Naturally there's also a gift shop where you can buy wide suspenders, red plaid woolies, frilly underwear and other lumberjack-themed necessities. There are three to four shows daily from May to September at the outdoor grandstand…
reviewed
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Malamute Saloon
Rowdy saloons that are throwbacks from the mining days are this area's specialty. The Malamute Saloon, 7mi west of Fairbanks in Ester, offers honky-tonk music, skits, vaudeville and a ritual reading of Robert Service poetry. The bar is a classic, and the show is perhaps one of the best locally produced acts in Alaska. They'll have you laughing in the sawdust by the end of the evening.
There's free bus transportation from Fairbanks that stops at major hotels, including the Bridgewater. Or you can make it an evening by booking a room or a tent site at Ester Gold Camp.
reviewed
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C
Board of Trade Saloon
Even by Alaskan standards, drinking in Nome is legendary. Among the early bar owners was Wyatt Earp, the noted gunslinger at the OK Corral. All but two of the bars are clustered around one another on Front St. The Board of Trade Saloon, dating back to 1900, claims to be the oldest bar on the Bering Sea and is certainly the most notorious. It's the place to go for late-night live music.
reviewed
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D
Pioneer Bar
- Sitka, USA
- Entertainment › Bar
Known locally as the 'P-Bar,' this is the most interesting place to have a beer in Sitka and one of Alaska's classic bars. The walls are covered with photos of fishing boats, their crews and big fish and a blackboard where occasionally a captain advertises for a crew. Don't ring the big brass ship's bell over the bar unless you're ready to buy a round.
reviewed
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E
Anchor Tavern
Even by Alaskan standards, drinking in Nome is legendary. Among the early bar owners was Wyatt Earp, the noted gunslinger at the OK Corral. All but two of the bars are clustered around one another on Front St. For a quiet hangout where you can sit and chat with locals, try Anchor Tavern, which has a good selection of beer on tap.
reviewed
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F
Pipeline Club
Valdez' favorite drinkery, this swanky lounge has occasional live music, plus karaoke, darts, pool and virtual golf. It's the watering hole where Captain Hazelwood had his famous scotch-on-the-rocks before running the Exxon Valdez aground. If only he'd played virtual golf instead…
reviewed
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G
Triangle Club
Friendly, and is a nicer place than its nondescript exterior might suggest. One row of barstools looks out onto the street through a big plate-glass window, making this a good place to chill out and people-watch. Or check your email; Seaport Cyber maintains an Internet terminal right on the bar.
reviewed
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H
Viking
In this classic tin-ceiling building are actually three bars. At street level is a sports pub with four giant TV screens and almost 20 beers on tap, while in the back is a cozy martini lounge complete with sofas and easy chairs. Upstairs is a billiards hall with 17 tables.
reviewed
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I
Harbor Bar
Dates back to the turn of the century when it opened in Skagway before being moved to Haines in the early 1900s. Doesn't look like it's been updated since. Still, this place is hopping when the band takes over Wednesday to Sunday and the dancefloor gets crowded.
reviewed
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J
Chilkoot Charlie's
'Koots,' as locals call this beloved landmark, is big and brash, with 10 bars, four dance floors and sawdust everywhere. There's live music every night and $2 pints until 10pm.
reviewed
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Alaska Motor Coaches
Several companies provide either a city tour of Kodiak or a daylong scenery-viewing tour that includes Baranov Museum, Pillar Mountain and Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park. Call Alaska Motor Coaches for full-day or half-day tours.
reviewed
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K
Imperial Saloon
This is where the local softball teams come after the game. Inside are pool tables, darts and a dancefloor with a DJ Thursday to Saturday. Some tables open up to busy Front St, making them prime pickings for people-watchers.
reviewed
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L
Sourdough Bar
On the northwest end of City Dock; the walls are covered with photos of fishing boats - most beached, wrecked, sunk, listing wildly or even aflame. A ship's bell, ring floats and other fishing paraphernalia add to the decor.
reviewed
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M
Perseverance Theater
Founded in 1979, this is Alaska's only genuine full-time professional theater company. Sadly the theatre season begins in September and ends in May: during the summer locals are too busy playing outside to attend plays.
reviewed
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N
Arctic Bar
Just past the tunnel on downtown's northwest side, this has a great back deck jutting out over the water. The deck is a sunny spot with great views of the Narrows if a cruise ship isn't tied up in front of it.
reviewed
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O
Marlintini's Lounge
Out in the Valley in the Airport Shopping Center is Juneau's sole entry as a happening dance bar. There's DJs Thursday to Saturday, Karaoke Sunday to Wednesday and live music on only the rarest occasions.
reviewed
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P
B'n'B Bar
Across from the harbor, B'n'B claims to be Alaska's oldest bar, having served its first beer in 1899. It's a fishermen's bar; and the giant wall-mounted king crab alone is worth the price of a beer.
reviewed
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Q
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse
Live music nightly from around 9pm, running the gamut from acoustic folk and ska to disco retrospective. All of it can be enjoyed with more than 40 drafts on tap, the most of any bar in Anchorage.
reviewed
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Pit Bar
Just past Exit Glacier Rd; this bar's interior has color to spare and good grub, as well as pool tables, a horseshoe pit and the second-oldest shuffleboard court in Alaska. Closing time is late.
reviewed
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R
Pier One Theater
Live drama and comedy is performed in a 'come-as-you-are' warehouse next to the Fishing Hole on the Spit. Performances start at 20:15 Friday and Saturday and 19:30 Sunday throughout the summer.
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S
Back Room Cinema
Located in the Silverbow Inn, it screens art films and classics one to three nights a week. The seating is at tables where you can enjoy a beer, dessert or even dinner while watching the movie.
reviewed
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T
Chart Room Lounge
In the Kodiak Inn, its 2nd-floor location allows you to sip a glass of wine with a nice view of the harbor and mountains. An acoustic guitarist on Fridays makes the setting even more mellow.
reviewed
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U
Eagles Club
For cheap beer without all the fixings, try this odd little oasis on touristy Creek St. On its narrow back deck that juts out over Ketchikan Creek is Halibut Hole for good fish-and-chips.
reviewed
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V
New Archangel Russian Dancers
Whenever a cruise ship is in port, this troupe of more than 30 dancers in Russian costumes takes the stage at Centennial Hall for a half-hour show. A schedule is posted at the hall.
reviewed