Chilkoot Charlie’s

Super fun
Great atmosphere and a fun venue.
I’d recommend it to anyone
It’s owned by the workers which is cool.

My favorite bar in Anchorage! The bartenders pour great drinks and Charlotte does the best karaōke! Super fun place to hang out any night of the week.

This place is fantastic. Its like 5 bars inside of a bar. Lots of entertainment to be had. They have comedians, local music, national acts, AFC weight ins and the list just keeps growing.

Crowded and messy. A young bar for sure. Come for a few (or too many like a lot of patrons like to do) drinks and play some pool. The DJ’s are usually good and the bands they have come in are really the only reason worth coming. If you are visiting, this is definitely worth checking out at least once, for that grungy alaskan type.

It always shocks me when I see such poor reviews of Koots. I’ve never had a bad experience that involves the staff, only with the patrons that don’t know when enough is enough. People don’t realize that the staff (security especially) is incredibly protective of those patrons/​guests/​regulars who treat them well. You will be taken care of. I’ve gotten the privilege to get know a few of the staff members. They’re regular people who deal really well with the feisty drunks.
The bar itself is a local loved tradition, they are very community involved, extremely active in local and popular music, and they’re always throwing fun events. There’s so much history in Koots. (Be sure to check out the hallway upstairs that leads to the Russian Room. Super neat!) In the summer time, it’s that much busier. They hold a market every weekend in their parking lot, and it’s small but always pleasant to attend. They also get big name bands to come play for us. I actually got to go see Buckcherry when they were here a few summers ago. SO FUN!
The prices are pretty fair, especially if you go get a a beer or a pitcher before 9 o’clock. There’s several different areas to get a drink from on the weekends/​summertime, so if you prefer one bartender over another, you can just go find them… If I remember correctly, there’s 10 different bars to get a drink from. I’m usually sitting near the house band and I can’t complain about my drinks I’ve had.
I love coming to this bar, and I’ll always love it. My ONLY negative with this place… I got cut off after only 3 beers the last weekend I was out (for Delmag) because I was with a group of friends and was not acting like my usual quiet conservative self that the staff knows me to be. I get they have a lot of people to watch out for, but I’ve never caused any issues. I’d like to step out of my comfort zone without getting in «trouble» for it.
The bouncers are not bullies, they’ve ALWAYS made me feel safe and comfortable. This is a well ran bar. Gotta check it out!

The new rebranded «Koots» is doing a good job bringing in a new young crowd and keeping alive or better said, reinvigorating their reputation of some of the best live music in Anchorage. With one of the best venues for live music and the ability to showcase multiple bands at once, they have the ability to be the best music venue in the city. They still have a ways to to to overcome their reputation as a «meat market» but hopefully they can do that and keep bringing in the comedy shows and great live music. Keep up the good work Koots.

Koots is an awesome bar. Ive been going here for almost 10 years (when im in town) and it never really changes. My dad used to go here when he was younger haha. The bar is hige and seperated into different sections, the birdcake with the hanging underwear and crooked bar, the ice bar is pretty cool and usually where the hip hop music plays. They always have live bands performing and the food in the little kitchen is actually really good. My favorite was always the steak bites, not sure if they still have those. There is a cover at the door but I thibk ive only paid once in my life to get in lol. My ex used to be a bar-​back here and the Thursday Night Fights used to put on the after-​fight party/​ring-​girl contest here which I would partake in every week. I have a lot of memories in this bar over the years, the biggest being when I won a fur bikini contest here. Not only is it a chill place to hang (with the occasional skirmish outside, I wouldnt reccomend hanging in the parking lot) but its also a great tourist attraction.

Ahhh, Chilkoot Charlie’s.
More commonly known as «Chilkoot’s» and even more commonly known simply as «Koot’s»,
It is quite possibly the most polarizing place in all of Anchorage.
I’ll admit; I avoided going here for almost a year, based on the infamous reputation this place has with some folks.
Having gone here twice, I can say this: you’ll probably have a wildly different experience depending on what your expectations are and what night of the week it is.
I’ve never been here really late on a weekend, when I’ve heard it gets crazy or «cray cray» as they say in California, I mean «Cali».
I’ve been here on a Monday night when it was tame. It was just I and a couple friends chilling in a booth, walking around to the different bars to take it all in, it was great. (Metallica has apparently played here in the distant past? WUT?)
I’ve also been here on a Saturday night, but for a burlesque show. I was shocked at how well done it was. We need more events like this in Anchorage! The bartenders were friendly, fast, and efficient. I also thought this would be a place with a poor beer selection: again, I was impressed. They’ve got quite a decent selection. Some of the many «bars» have better beer than others though. (protip: the one with all the bras has pretty crappy beer on tap, but awesome pint-​cans of King Street IPA!)
After the show, we left. I still haven’t experienced the wild-​n-​crazy «nightlife» here.
Side note: the whole «ID checks and metal detectors» thing really weirds me out. Surely there’s got to be a better way?

Chilkoot Charlie’s (also known as ‘Koots’). Infamous in Alaska. Celebrity appearances galore. This place is crazy and purely Alaskan. Some people love it. Some people hate it. I’m going to write a neutral and honest review– but this place is getting a 5 star rating from me, because I’m in the group that just genuinely adore this place.
So– let’s start with the bad. This place is crazy; and by crazy, I mean there have been shootings here. Fights break out. Drinks get spilled. People get sloppy. Heck– there have been random hook-​ups taking place in the parking lot on more than one occasion. This place gets crazy and it’s fully of crazy people. It’s the biggest bar in the ‘Spenard’ part of Anchorage and it’s actually quite a ways away from the usual bar scene found in downtown. It’s kind of its own little drinking area, and typically the people who go here are not bar-​hopping, but rather coming to spend the entire night here.
This is one big bar with many smaller bars within it. No matter the feel you’re going for– you’ll find a part of this bar that fits the bill. There’s a country area with ambiance lighting, booth seating, and country music playing. There’s a rap area with strobe lights, loud bass, and weirdly dark corners that I wouldn’t dare go into. There’s a hip-​hop/​pop music corner with what I like to call ‘white girl dancing music’ (with songs by Kesha, Drake, and other similar hit artists). There’s a live-​music area where typically they play rock music, but when a DJ is there it’s usually more of a techno vibe. There is seating everywhere and a large outdoor smoking area. There are multiple bars so you can be served a drink in many parts of the establishment. There’s a pool table area and a pizza place.
They have such a wide array of alcohol. Something for everyone. Cocktails, hard liquor, beer, wine– you name it, they have it. Customize it. The bartenders are okay. The female bartenders don’t typically want to serve females (because they think they’ll get tipped less), so it’s frustrating as a female to try and get a drink. Opt for getting a male bartender’s attention instead– they’re usually a bit better about serving females and males efficiently. I know a few of the female bartenders that work here– so don’t get me wrong. Some of them are sweethearts, but they’re smart– they want a big tip– and that typically comes from male customers.
This place has everything from a ‘wall of bras’ to pictures of celebrities who’ve been there to a floor covered in sawdust (probably to hide the stickiness of the drinks that are spilled every night). They sometimes have comedy shows and have featured some VERY funny people. They also have a ton of events such as ‘Spenardy Gras’ (similar to Mardi Gras) and a ‘Pirate’s Pub Crawl After Party’ (a continuation of the fun of the infamous Pirate Pub Crawl). The place can get a bit dirty and the people can get a bit too drunk. But if you want to dance (and I LOVE dancing) this is the place to go. You have three dance floors to choose from and three different DJs. They play great music and are always full of talent.
If you want to dance the night away (and probably get hit on by a few too-​drunk dudes) this is the place to go. It can get a bit wild, but it’s never dull and the music is amazing. I’m a dancer– it’s what I love to do, so that’s why I’m a fan of Koots. With that being said, my boyfriend (who’s a drinker) hates this place because it’s loud and crowded and dirty. So it just depends on your taste. Go in with caution. If you want something crazy, this is it. If not– try looking downtown for your scene.

Adam saves the day! Went to Chilkoots last night and lost wallet with money, Id, and my only set of car keys. Adam found them today and reached out to me to return everything! He really saved me!

Hahah the MOST unprofessional staff. I would rather drink with a group of homeless locals then these turds. The security told my friend to leave and told his girlfriend to shut the FUCK UP cause she asked what happened. If I could give them no stars I would.

Ah, Chilkoot Charlie’s… A Spenard institution for so many years and THE place to go for fun on the weekends… not really. I went here for Monday Night Football on Monday and there was a sparse crowd in the bar area where it was being aired on a large projection screen. The bartender was not very friendly. He was more interested in talking with one of the drunken regulars than making a drink. Sal’s Grill across from the bar has some decent pizza but the garlic knots were stale and doughy. The atmosphere was down and depressing. It was my first time back in 12 years. I’ll probably come back in another 12 years.

I always have fun when i go to coots.
I was however very dissapointed with their comedy show. The headliner was funny but nobody else that got on stage was and i found the emcee very annoying. Not only was she not funny but she kept pointing out how people in the audience were rude and annoying for talking. My friends and i all agreed that the only annoying person was her. They really need a new emcee who is actually funny and doesn’t do the same jokes every show

I used to work here. (Emphasis on used!)
I love this bar. Basically, if you cant act like an adult, you wont be treated like one.
Dont go to this bar expecting a classic experience. Its Koots.
I recommend this place because there is a little something for everyone.
People also need to understand that the food place is a separate business.
Its huge with 10 bars inside. If you’re a history buff, check out the russian room and secret hallway.
Its a great bar and very much a «home» for many Alaskans.

Delicious cocktails I have had in The Birdhouse at Koots, created by the Genius Mat Becker:
— Ladyboy With an Alibi
— Horny Pilgrim
— Liquid Marijuana
— Buffalo Bill
— Captain and Tennille
— Hopes and Dreams
— Pot Brownie
— Molly Ringwald’s Butthole
— Tundra Wookie
— and «Gay Porn» by Autumn — it’s got Triple X and it’s fruity!

Beautiful 10 themed bar definitely check out the Russian room. People are very friendly, make sure you meet wicked Wanda. I wish you were here for Karaōke Sunday through Thursday.

Horrible awful place, save your time and money… go to any other bar. Bad attitude by bar staff and door security. Worse than tsa… warning…a bar with a metal detector is not a good sign!

Drunken Shenanigans Again! Had a blast, got drunk and got kicked out. Successful Evening at Koots!

Watch out if you are tall. Plenty of low rafters in the old building. Very comfortable but get moving a little later in the night. A good adventure if you. are working on the road.

This is a must stop attraction while in anchorage! There is something for everyone at this one of a kind hole in the wall place! The service is awesome, and the atmosphere is calming and entertaining! I would gladly recommend this to anyone who is in the area!!!

Haha what a crazy place! It’s a super fun concept. Tons of bars inside and a weird Russian mob feely area upstairs. Just go look. It’s awesome. 5 stars for concept, something different, and weirdness.
I’m seeing bad reviews on the bouncers, but they’ve always been really nice and funny when I’ve been there.
I take a little bit off for higher than necessary prices, and a lot off because I’ve never once been there without having to argue with the bartenders for trying to charge me for drinks I didn’t order. I get it, bartending is a hard job and there’s lots of people to keep track of, but if I only had 1 beer, I only had one beer.
It’s worth a visit, but it’s not somewhere you need to go more than once or twice.
And pay up front. Never open a tab.

Let me start off by saying Chilkoot Charlie’s has been one of the bars I’ve appreciated most in the past couple of years. Though I am in no way a regular, I have gone a good many times and have never once had a problem. On this particular occasion, I went with some friends to go see comedian Brian Posehn do his standup routine. Opening up my very first tab (yes, ever), I asked the bartender, Michelle, if there was anything I needed to know. She was a little annoyed at the question because business was picking up and she had others to get to, so she answered it hastily (but professionally), wrote some information down, and sent me on my way with three drinks. The show was great, had a good crowd, and everybody enjoyed themselves. Before closing out I had ordered three more drinks, simply asking for more Long island iced teas. Upon asking to close out I was told my bill was slightly over $ 73. Knowing that doubles of this particular drink were about 12 bucks, I knew I was being charged for those instead of what I had asked for. Not a big deal, I thought, the drinks were good and I don’t mind the few extra dollars to have them made strong. When I looked up and asked if I was being given doubles (no intention to be rude or protest, simply a little confused with the bill and making sure I had gotten what I paid for) she made a face, almost as if I had said something in another language, and informed me, in what I can only assume was her best valley girl impression, «uhhh, yeah, that’s what you’ve been asking me for the whole night.» (At this point I’d like to clear up the fact that not once did the word «double» come out of my mouth, nor was extra liquor implied in any way.)
I was a little more than offended at her attitude. The charged tone felt like a slap in the face, the sting highlighted by the fact I was neither inebriated or being rude, so I signed off on the receipt with a zero as the tip.
A few days later I’m online paying bills and see a bank statement indicating a charge from Koots of $ 80 flat. (An extra 6 dollars and some change is not the issue here, it’s the way it’s [not] being handled, as I’ll explain in a second). I immediately think back to the exchange with the bartender and knew what had happened. The same day I see the fraudulent charge, I go to ‘koots slightly after 10:30am, the bar’s opening time. The doors are locked, so I go back out to my car to give them a call. A man going by the name «Brandon» answers and confirms 10:30 as the time they open. After telling him the doors were locked, he said, «Oh maybe they’re cleaning or something, they’ll probably get to opening it soon,» and left it at that. I said «oh, okay well I’m here for a kind of odd reason, who do I talk to about being overcharged on my credit card?» After explaining my situation to him, he informs me that really the only thing I could do was to contact the bank as he did «not have time to look into any receipts today,» and if I went inside, the staff would only redirect me to him, and he would tell me the same thing again. He was very indifferent, offered no solutions, and didn’t sound the least bit surprised that one of his employees/​coworkers (who is a manager/​supervisor!) took the liberty of taking money out of my bank account.
I have just contacted the bank about the charges, and will update this at the point of resolve.