Visiting Alasa by cruise with a friend, of course we wanted to see Alaska’s wildlife and enjoy as many adventurous excursions as we could. Yes, we went dog sledding, whale watching, panning for gold, to a lumberjack show, hiking, kayaking near glaciers and visiting a totem park.
However, we had a few additional hours and decided we would get to know the locals by bar hopping in Skagway. This became our inside joke, because in Skagway, there are just a handful of pubs to experience in just a few blocks from the port.
Red Onion Saloon
This is the must-visit tourist saloon because it has such a rich history. Built in 1897, this saloon was Skagway’s top bordello and today pokes fun at itself with bedpans as wall decor and barmaids in bustiers and period costumes. Kitschy? Of course. But stop in and grab a drink and say you’ve visited when you talk about Skagway travels years later. (You can visit the saloon’s small bordello museum, as well.) As a tourist hub, you won’t find locals hanging out here, so grab a drink and then move on.
Bonanza Bar & Grill
Part of the Skagway Inn, the Bonanza is a large bar where you can grab a burger and a drink, and where locals frequent. During our stop, we sat at the bar to meet people and spoke to locals who had moved to Alaska from “Mainland” and told tales about life in Alaska. They told us you have to be a little crazy to live in Alaska, and told tales about surviving winters or how the hospital is an hour away and pregnant women often spend their last month in the town with the hospital, just in case roads are closed due to snow.
Happy Endings Saloon
As the only full-service saloon open year-round, Happy Endings is a popular local hangout. It’s also the home to summer events, live music and a corn hole arena, so it’s easy to meet people. Located off of 4th Street, you’ll have to leave the main drag to visit, which I always prefer when visiting a cruise port.
Gold Digger Mine and Dine
This bright yellow historical building on 5th Street looks like it came from an Old Western set, but is the real deal. It’s a pleasant stop and also features a full-service kitchen, so it’s a nice stop for a snack on your bar hopping tour. When bellying up to the bar at Gold Digger, you’re most likely going to meet the owner of the joint, who is friendly and has plenty of stories to share.
The Station Bar & Grill
More than a bar, this is an all-day restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Locals eat at this 4th Street restaurant, and if time allows, stop for a drink. We were running out of time before having to be back on the ship, so admittedly we skipped this joint in favor of hitting one more bar.
Skagway Brewing Co.
Craft breweries are popping up all over the country, so of course you’re going to find a brewery in port these days. Skagway Brewing’s pub has its own brews, along with other Alaska labels, so be sure to sample something you cannot get at home. Located on Broadway at 7th, this stop is the furthest you’ll be from the ship, so you may want to start your tour in reverse to ensure you make it here; it’s a quaint and friendly stop filled with locals.
–Lissa Poirot