8 Best Bars in Downtown, Anchorage

The rustic interior here is all stone, wood, and antlers, but the real attraction is the sun-soaked two-story rooftop deck where, on clear days, you can see Denali hovering over the northern horizon. The menu of pizzas and hearty bar bites emphasizes all things Alaska, including giant burgers appropriately named for noteworthy peaks. Beers are brewed on-site using local ingredients like Sitka spruce tips and Talkeetna birch syrup. The restaurant also hosts a range of events in its on-site theater, including improv comedy and trivia nights.

This low-key lounge provides an urban oasis behind its tall fence. Surrounded by Downtown towers and parking garages, Bernie's operates out of a little white house with a surprisingly mighty kitchen. Outside, an expansive patio pulls in a crowd, especially on long summer evenings. On weekends you'll occasionally find a good local DJ upstairs and a mediocre live band outside.

Lots of old-timers favor the dark bar of Club Paris. This is your spot if you like a stiff, no-nonsense drink.

One of Anchorage's biggest bars, Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse serves up rock, blues, and folk several nights a week, along with dozens of microbrews (more than 40 beers are on tap) and tasty pub grub. Check the website calendar for the full spread of bands, open mics, and trivia nights. You can grab one of Humpy's delicious halibut burgers on your way out of town—the company has a satellite restaurant in Terminal B of the Anchorage airport.

The city's bigger bands get the summer spotlight at Town Square Park. Designed for the after-work crowd, these Thursday evening shows start at 5:30 pm and feature a beer garden.

Alaska's premier LGBTQIA+ bar offers dozens of community events. Though housed in an unassuming building, the glittery interior offers weekly karaoke, DJ sets on the dance floor, lounge-y couches, a cozy patio, and a kitchen menu only overshadowed by the cocktail list. The main event is the all-inclusive drag show every Friday and Saturday night that rivals anything in the Lower 48. The entrance for Myrna's is in the alley between 5th and 6th Avenues.

A trendy place for the dressy crowd, the bar at Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill has stunning views of Cook Inlet, a special single-malt-Scotch menu, and tempting cocktails. The lavender martini is a highlight. Take advantage of the happy hour food menu in the late afternoon.

This central three-story entertainment hub tries to be everything for everybody, and mostly succeeds. With a rooftop bar, not-so-secret speakeasy, lively restaurant, and live concert venue, there's always something going on here. Check the online schedule for events like movie nights, DJs, trivia, and dance parties.