The Pump House Restaurant & Saloon

The feel

The Pump House is a historic riverside restaurant and saloon on the Chena River west of downtown Fairbanks, on the National Register of Historic Places. It began as a pumping station built from 1931 to 1933 by the Fairbanks Exploration Company, which pumped Chena River water over Chena Ridge for dredging near Cripple Creek.

The building was originally 20 feet wide and 108 feet long, with a gable roof, five skylights and corrugated metal siding. Bill and Vivian Bubbel bought it in 1976, and the restaurant opened after renovations in 1978. The original metal roofing is still visible inside, and a large deck sits between the restaurant and the river.

What to expect

Hours

Monday to Thursday 4 to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 4 to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm.

Season and access

Closed each year roughly January 1 through February 8, reopening in February.

Mingo says

Pick a seat outside if you want to be by the water, since seating is indoor and outdoor. Sunday is the only day you can come before 4pm, and it closes at 2pm.

Before you go

• Call (907) 479-8452 to confirm hours.
• Plan around the split schedule: weekdays and Saturday open at 4pm, while Sunday runs 10am to 2pm.
• Skip the first weeks of the year, since the closure runs roughly January 1 through February 8.

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