18 Best Bars in Juneau, the Inside Passage, and Southeast Alaska, Alaska

A sign frequently placed outside this historic bar reads: "Have an Alaskan with an Alaskan at the Alaskan," referring to the locally made beer, the clientele, and the bar itself. And it's true that this triple convergence can be found here any night of the week—the bar always has at least one type of Alaskan Brewing Company beer on tap, and the crowd is primarily local, even in summer. On the ground floor of the Alaskan Hotel, this is Juneau's most historically authentic watering hole, with flocked-velvet walls, antique chandeliers, and vintage frontier-brothel decor. Just keep in mind that in recent years the vintage charm has begun to look decidedly worn out, but it's still worth visiting just the same.

The company's tasty, award-winning beers—including Alaskan Amber, Icy Bay IPA, White, and Freeride Pale Ale—are brewed and bottled in Juneau. This is no designer brewery—it's in Juneau's industrial area (5 miles from downtown), and there's no upscale café-bar attached—but in the friendly tasting room visitors can choose from more than 20 varieties of Alaskan beer, including hard-to-find "rough drafts," and food trucks encourage lingering. A retail shop downtown sells Alaskan-branded clothing and other items.

In the tasting room at the Amalga Distillery, you can sample small-batch gin (up to two drinks per visit) while seated next to the brass and copper still in which the gin was made. If your timing is right, single-malt whiskey will also be on offer. A magnet for locals, the well-designed space includes high ceilings and huge windows perfect for people-watching.

With 30 beers on tap, including many regional varieties, this downtown favorite has four indoor and outdoor spaces and free Wi-Fi. Hungry patrons can order food from the Burger Queen and have it delivered to their table.

Beer lovers will want to check out the brewery's taproom, open daily from 2 to 8 pm. Under state law, patrons can only consume up to 36 ounces in one visit (that's for breweries only).

In addition to its selection of Alaska and Pacific Northwest craft beers, "The Pub" serves burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and fish-and-chips. There's a stage for live music; nonmusical diversions include two pool tables, a dart area, and plenty of wide-screen TVs—and there's a great view.

A former theater on the uphill end of Franklin Street now houses a spacious, high-ceilinged brewpub with an interesting selection of well-produced beverages, including an Alaska Beer Award–winning IPA, a black lager, and a house cider, along with several types of hard seltzer. Stop in on a Wednesday for pizza night, or choose from a selection of snacks and sandwiches, including vegetarian options.

Young locals pack into lively, informal Fat Stan's, a cute spot with a decent selection of beers, wines, and spirits. You can snack on pizza as you sip.

A friendly spot to grab a beer and a snack while checking email—or visiting with the locals—the Fogcutter epitomizes the laid-back, unpretentious vibe for which Alaskans are known.

This downtown microbrewery sells beer by the sample glass or pint glass and in liter growlers to go. Captain Cook's Spruce Tip Ale is a good choice, best enjoyed on the back deck if the weather complies. Just note that the brewery is cash only. In recent years Haines has become known as a hub for the craft beer movement; in May, the town hosts the Great Alaska Craft Beer & Home Brew Festival, a wildly popular event.

With ships' wheels, nautical pictures, and a mounted red snapper, the Harbor Bar's decor stays true to Petersburg's seafaring spirit. The bar's liquor store has a separate entrance.

This gem is about a 20-minute walk from town and well worth the effort. In addition to a rotating selection of small-batch IPAs, lagers, stouts, and more unusual offerings, Harbor Mountain makes their own root beer and cream soda. There's a pizzeria in the same building.

A remodeled former dive where locals like to drink, shoot pool, and meet singles, the Imperial retains mounted moose and bison heads and other vestiges of its divey decor. Other noteworthy features include the original pressed-tin ceiling and what is reputed to be the longest bar in Alaska. The Imperial Grill, located within the bar, serves food until 11 pm on weekends.

An upscale alternative to Juneau's somewhat rowdy bar scene, The Narrows is the best place in the city to enjoy a quiet, carefully prepared craft cocktail. In addition to its association with Southeast waterways, the bar's name reflects the shape of the space—long and skinny—and its exposed brick walls, fireplace, and leather couches in back add to the intimate vibe.

Named one of the best bars in America by Esquire in 2006, this no-frills establishment on the main drag in Hoonah is the place to come if you want to enjoy a cold beer and some lively local banter. In Dungeness season, you can treat yourself to fresh crab as well.

As far as the locals are concerned, the few green-and-white-vinyl booths at this bar across from the harbor make a fine destination. The Pioneer is vintage Alaska, with pool tables, rough-hewn locals clad in Carhartts and XtraTuf boots, hundreds of pictures of local fishing boats, and occasional live music.

Skagway was once host to dozens upon dozens of watering holes in its gold-rush days, but the Red Onion is pretty much the sole survivor. The upstairs was Skagway's first bordello, and you'll find a convivial crowd of Skagway locals and visitors among the scantily clad ladies who represent the building's former illustrious tenants. A ragtime pianist tickles the keys in the afternoons, and local musicians strut their stuff on Thursday night. Pizza and nachos are available in the bar. The saloon closes up shop for winter.

Craft distilleries are popular in Southeast, and Ketchikan's—housed in a former firehouse near the docks—highlights everything good about the enterprise. It's locally owned, distinctive, and welcoming, and the drinks featuring several varieties of gin and vodka are superb. As with all of Alaska's distilleries, there's a two-drink limit.