Malemute Saloon

The feel

The Malemute is a historic 1906 saloon at Ester Gold Camp near Fairbanks. Its circa 1900 bar was barged down the Yukon from a Dawson hotel, and the saloon reopened in 2020.

Today it is a lively place to grab a drink and listen to live music. Local food trucks serve food, and you can eat on the deck. The camp around it was built in 1936 by the Fairbanks Exploration Company to support a gold dredge operation and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

What to expect

Setting

A historic saloon at Ester Gold Camp, with a circa 1900 bar from a Dawson hotel and a deck for eating.

Hours

Thu 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-midnight, Sun 2-8pm, closed Mon-Wed and closed July 4.

Food and drink

Cold drinks and local food trucks, with food eaten on the deck.

Music and events

Live music Thursday through Sunday all summer, a full schedule of touring and local musicians.

Season and access

Seasonal, mid May through early September. Closed entirely outside the summer season.

Mingo says

Go on a summer Thursday through Sunday, the nights the music plays. Sunday opens at 2pm, earlier than any other day.

Before you go

• Call (907) 590-9130 to confirm hours.
• Skip July 4, when the saloon is closed.
• Do not plan a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday visit; it is closed those days.

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