Howling Dog Saloon

The feel

This is a roadhouse dive bar on the Old Steese Highway in Fox, about 10 miles north of Fairbanks and 500 miles south of Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay. It calls itself Alaska's base camp for fun under the midnight sun.

It first opened in Ester in the late 1960s and moved to Fox after 1971, taking over the old Fox Store. Inside is a long bar with a diverse crowd, and the ceiling is covered with items patrons have hung or stuck there.

What to expect

Setting

A long bar in the old Fox Store at 2160 Old Steese Highway North, with a ceiling covered in items patrons have left.

Hours

Seasonal, summer only. The venue posts no hours. Listings report roughly 4pm to as late as 3:30am on Friday and Saturday when it is open, but that is not confirmed.

Music and events

Live music some nights in season, not on a fixed schedule.

Season and access

Open summers only, with a Google rating of 4.5 from 140 reviews.

Mingo says

Come in summer, the only season it advertises. Plan a Friday or Saturday night if you want the late hours reported by listings.

Before you go

• Call (907) 456-4695 before driving out, since no hours are posted and the schedule may be stale.
• Ask about live music when you call, since it is not on a fixed schedule.
• The address is 2160 Old Steese Highway North in Fox.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.