ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO:
Interior of a saloon in Wrangell, circa 1898. Photo by Otto D. Goetze. Used by permission of the Washington State Historical Society: 1969.8.2.7
This is possibly the Red Light Club Room, which was at 516 Front Street.
All saloons were illegal in Alaska until July 1, 1899.
A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska
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Revised Third Edition!
Available September 9, 2025​
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The third edition of the most definitive guide to the historic bars of Alaska is finally here! The pandemic of 2020-2023 was brutal to bars and restaurants worldwide, but fortunately many of the notorious bars of Alaska have survived and are waiting for you to visit.
A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska details the rich history and atmosphere of remarkable, one-of-a-kind Alaskan bars, some of which have been around since the end of Prohibition in 1933. These historic establishments have become legendary in their communities and beyond as places to socialize, meet friends, come in from the cold, and in some cases, provide a temporary escape from dangerous occupations such as commercial fishing, logging, and mining.
Despite strict laws regarding sale and consumption, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska’s bars have survived, remained in operation and are notorious as ever.
Second Edition: October 2017
Epicenter Press has released the revised second edition to this
unique guidebook. Since A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska was first published in 2014, eight of the bars that were described in the first edition have closed their doors forever. The revised second edition includes five additional bars that meet the criteria. Also added to the second edition are regional maps, and more historic photos and advertisements.
First Edition: October 2014
ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO:
Group portrait of men at a saloon in Douglas, Alaska, in 1908.
Photo by William Howard Case.
Alaska State Library Collection: Case and Draper Photographs, 1898-1920.
Identifier: ASL-P39-0802
The tone is as it should be--light and irreverant. Made me thirsty for travel to Alaska and a good stiff drink at a dive saloon. If I went to Alaska I'd take a copy and stop into a few places.
Randy Roberts, Distinguished Professor of History, Purdue University
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As our nation’s largest and coldest state, Alaska has a mind-boggling assortment of drinking establishments. Doug Vandegraft’s lively descriptions of those with the most history is a boon to traveling consumers and would-be connoisseurs.
Lael Morgan, author of Good Time Girls of the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush
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A light dose of history enlivens the atmosphere of any old-time bar. Doug Vandegraft pours the perfect
jigger to help us understand why a bar can be notorious. A toast to the author!
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Patricia Roppel, Alaskan author
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When visiting a good bar, Vandegraft always asks the following questions: 'How long has the bar been
here? Has it always been in the same location? Is the name of the bar famous for something or
someone?' Little did he know, Vandegraft was applying the National Historic Preservation Act's
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criteria for historic evaluation!
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Katherine Ringsmuth, PhD, Alaska State Historian
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Once again, Doug Vandegraft provides a time machine of sorts that allows readers to step back into the past and visit the most colorful watering holes in Alaska’s history.
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Ross Coen, Professor of History, University of Washington
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