Gone, but forever notorious:
bars of Interior Alaska
CENTRAL
Arctic Circle Hot Springs Resort: 1933 – 2002. The bar was in a log cabin next door to the three-story hotel. The resort re-opened briefly in 2004. See photos at the Circle District Historical Society web site http://www.cdhs.us/Fset.htm
DELTA JUNCTION
Buffalo Lodge: Mile 266 Richardson Highway, 1948 - 2012
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Tom’s Inn: Mile 273 Richardson Highway, 1956 – 1999.
ESTER
Malemute Saloon: Ester Gold Camp, 1958 – 2008. Shows based on the writings of Robert Service were the main attraction. The bar counter top came from Dawson City.
FAIRBANKS
Chena Bar: 701 First Avenue (First and Barnette), 1941 -1945 and 407 Second Avenue, 1953 – 1978
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Comet Club: 208 Gaffney Road, 1957 - 2015. Included in the first edition of Notorious Bars of Alaska.
Cottage Bar: 504 Second Avenue, 1942 - 1950 and 501 Second Avenue, 1951 – 2007. A favorite of millionaire businessman Cap Lathrop and Irene Sherman, the famous Fairbanks “bag lady.”
Dreamland: 537 First Avenue, 1944 – 1960. Became the Gold Rush Saloon.
Fairbanks Bar: 542 Second Avenue, 1954 – 1981. Wildlife trophies on the walls
Flame Lounge: 5XX Second Avenue, 197X – 198X. Notorious 'Two Street' bar duing the pipeline years. Strippers, prostitutes, and
all of the usual vices were found in abundance here.
Flame Room: 505 1/2 Second Avenue, 1948 - 1970. One of the first bars in town to have a TV.
Gold Rush Saloon: 537 First Avenue. 1960 – 1983. Modeled after the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau, featuring a rinky-tink piano and Can-Can girls. Moved to Peger Road and became a sports bar.
Hideaway: 731 Second Avenue, 1955 – 2008. One of the first places in Fairbanks to serve Mexican food. Moved to 107 Wickersham
Street in 2002 and to 651 Eighth Street in 2004.
Leprechaun Room: 1100 Cushman, 1960 -1964 and 419 Second Avenue, 1965 – 1975.
Nevada Bar: 605 First Avenue, 1938 – 1971. The interior was decorated with photos, news clippings and antiques of early Alaska. Built in 1909, the building was condemned by the Fairbanks City Council. A two-day wake was held and the Governors of Alaska and Nevada both sent letters of condolence.
Northward Lounge: 455 Third Avenue (Third Avenue and Lacey Street) 1952 – 2007. Inside the Northward Apartment building.
Pasttime: 101 Cushman (First Avenue and Cushman), 1943 - 1983
Pioneer Hotel Bar: 715 First Avenue, 1903 – 1917 and 1933 – 1952. The actual bar was shipped from France to Skagway to Dawson City in 1898. Destroyed by fire.
Polaris Lounge: First Avenue and Lacey Street, 1953 – 1986 and 416 Second Avenue, 1974 - 1997.
Savoy Bar: 414 Second Avenue, 1938 – 1968 and 423 Second Avenue, 1968 - 1993. Built in 1906, the original log building was first located on First Avenue. The building was condemned by the Fairbanks City Council and torn down in 1968. The bar
re-opened across the street at the corner of Second and Lacey.
Tommy’s Elbow Room: 410 Second Avenue, 1946 – 2003. Owned by Tommy Paskvan Jr., the bar was frequented by Native organizer Howard Rock, who worked on the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act at a table here.
Washington Saloon: First Avenue and Lacey Street, 1904 – 1917. Owned by Bill McPhee, who had also owned a saloon in Dawson City. In 1927, workers found $8,500 in twenty dollar gold pieces in the walls of the old saloon.
GULKANA
Sourdough Roadhouse: Mile 148 Richardson Highway, 1933 – 1992. Built in 1902, one of the most visited roadhouses in Alaska. Rooms, meals, and liquor could be found here. Destroyed by fire. Re-built in 1994 as a restaurant.
LIVENGOOD
Livengood Inn: 1938 – 1970.
MILLER ROADHOUSE
Mile 115 Steese Highway, 1933 – 1970. Built in 1896, an outpost for the gold miners in the area. First time visitors to the bar received a free drink.
NENANA
Corner Bar (aka Chuck’s Corner Bar), Front and A Street, 1951 - 2003
NORTHWAY
Miller’s Cave: Northway Airport, 1961 – 2012.
RUBY
George Carl’s Saloon, 1900 – 1917.
SALCHA
Boon Dox Bar, Mile 33 Richardson Highway, 1957 - 1977
TANANA
Tower House: 1909 – 1917 and 1934 – XXXX. Decorated with ornate scrolls and massive paintings.
TOK
Tok Lodge: 1950 – 2004.