Chilkoot Charlie's

Anchorage

The feel

Koot's opened on January 1, 1970, and has grown into a sprawling Spenard compound of 10 bars with a total of 996 seats. Some of those seats are customized tree stumps.

The Bird House Bar re-creates a bar from Bird Creek that burned down, with a theme of Pickles, Poultry, Panties and Ptarmigan. The Ice Bar has a bar top of 25 feet of solid ice. Some rooms open only on certain nights, and a few do not open until 9 pm or later. There is always live music, and often comedy, open mic or karaoke.

What to expect

Setting: A rambling compound of 10 bars in Spenard with sawdust floors, tree-stump seats and themed rooms, at 2435 Spenard Rd.
Hours: Daily about 11am to 2:30am, and until 3am Friday and Saturday.
Food and drink: $2 beers until 9pm, and a $10 steak dinner on Wednesdays from 4pm to 10pm.
Music and events: Live bands and DJs nightly, and often comedy, open mic or karaoke.
Crowds and best time: Some rooms do not open until 9 pm or later.
Kids: Must be 21 or older to enter.
Season and access: Open daily, about 11am to 2:30am.

Mingo says

Come on a Wednesday for the steak, then stay for the bands. Arrive before 9pm to catch the cheap beer. Walk the rooms early, since several keep limited nights, then settle into the live music.