Juneau is a weird place. It’s a capital city you can't drive to, tucked between a massive icefield and the freezing waters of the Gastineau Channel. If you walk down South Franklin Street, past the cruise ship trinket shops and the generic jewelry stores, you’ll hit a building that feels like it’s holding the whole block together by sheer force of will. That’s the Alaskan Hotel and Bar Juneau Alaska.
It’s been there since 1913.
Most people see the Victorian facade and think "oh, how charming." Then they walk inside. The air changes. You smell decades of spilled beer, old wood, and maybe a hint of coal smoke from a century ago. It isn’t a polished boutique hotel. Thank god for that. It’s a living museum where the exhibits actually let you drink with them.
The Reality of Staying at the Alaskan Hotel and Bar Juneau Alaska
Look, if you want a pillow menu and a silent hallway, go to the Westmark or the Goldbelt. You come to the Alaskan Hotel because you want to feel the floorboards creak under your boots. This place was built during the mining boom by three brothers—John, James, and McCloskey—who wanted to give the "new" Juneau some class.
The rooms? They’re small. Some have shared bathrooms down the hall.
That’s a dealbreaker for some, but honestly, it’s part of the charm if you’re into the historical accuracy of the Pacific Northwest. You’ve got antique pull-chain toilets and radiators that hiss like a grumpy cat in the middle of the January freeze. The wallpaper looks like it’s seen things. Important things.
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The "Bar" part of the Alaskan Hotel and Bar Juneau Alaska is where the real soul of the city hides. It’s a dark, wood-heavy room with a stage that has hosted more folk singers and weary travelers than probably anywhere else in Southeast Alaska. The mirrored back-bar is an original piece from the early 20th century, and looking into it feels like staring back into the gold rush.
Is it Haunted? Everyone Asks
You can’t talk about this place without mentioning the ghosts. People love the spooky stuff. The most famous story involves a woman in Room 315. Local legend says a miner’s wife was left alone for too long while her husband was off in the hills, and things didn't end well.
Is it true?
Who knows. But I've talked to people who swear the air gets ten degrees colder near that door even when the heat is cranked. The staff usually just shrugs. When a building is over 110 years old, it’s going to have some echoes. Whether those echoes are spirits or just the wind off the Mendenhall Glacier hitting the old siding is up to you.
The Franklin Street Vibe
The location is everything. You are right in the middle of the historic district.
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You step out the front door and you're seconds away from the Red Dog Saloon, which is fun but way more "touristy." The Alaskan feels like the local's version. You’ll see fishermen with grease under their fingernails sitting next to legislative aides in suits. That’s Juneau in a nutshell. Everyone drinks at the same trough.
- The Beer: They usually have a solid rotation of Alaskan Brewing Co. taps. Drink the Amber. It’s the law.
- The Music: Check the board by the door. Open mic nights here are legendary. You might hear a world-class fiddler or a guy who just discovered a guitar in a dumpster. Both are treated with equal respect.
- The Decor: Look up. The light fixtures and the woodwork are authentic. They haven't "modernized" the soul out of the place.
Managing Your Expectations
Don't show up expecting an elevator that works at lightning speed or soundproof walls. You will hear your neighbor sneeze. You will hear the band playing "Wagon Wheel" downstairs until midnight.
Basically, the Alaskan Hotel is for people who like stories more than they like amenities. It’s for the traveler who wants to wake up and remember exactly which city they’re in. You won't wake up here and think you're in a Marriott in Des Moines.
The pricing is usually pretty fair for downtown Juneau, especially considering how expensive the city has gotten lately. It’s a basecamp. Use it to drop your bags, go hike Mount Roberts, come back, have a stiff drink, and sleep in a bed that has probably been slept in by a thousand gold seekers before you.
What to Actually Do When You Arrive
First, check in and drop your bags. Don't linger in the room; go straight to the bar. Sit at the end near the window so you can watch the rain—it’s probably raining—and the people walking toward the docks.
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Talk to the bartender. They usually know which trails are washed out or which spot is currently serving the best halibut fish and chips. If you’re there on a Thursday, stay for the music. It’s the heartbeat of the building.
If you need a quiet night, ask for a room on the top floor toward the back. It’s further from the street noise and the bar vibration. But honestly, if you’re staying at the Alaskan Hotel and Bar Juneau Alaska, you should probably just embrace the noise. It’s the sound of a city that refuses to be boring.
Planning Your Visit Right
Juneau’s peak season is May through September. That’s when the cruise ships are in, and Franklin Street is a zoo. If you want the "real" experience, try to visit in the shoulder season—late April or early October. The crowds are gone, the locals are more talkative, and you can actually get a seat at the bar without fighting for it.
The hotel is also a great spot if you’re in town for the Alaska Folk Festival in April. The whole place becomes a giant jam session.
Pro-tip: If you’re sensitive to smells or old-building dust, bring some allergy meds. It’s an old building. It smells like history, which occasionally includes a bit of mustiness. That’s not a critique; it’s just the reality of 100-year-old lath and plaster in a rainforest.
Actionable Steps for the Skeptical Traveler
- Book Directly: Use their website or call them. Third-party sites sometimes mess up the room types, and you want to be sure if you’re getting a private or shared bath.
- Pack Earplugs: Even if you love the vibe, you might want to sleep at 2 AM while the bar is still humming.
- Check the Event Calendar: Their social media or the physical board in the lobby tells you who is playing. Don't miss a local bluegrass set.
- Explore the Hallways: Take ten minutes to look at the old photos on the walls. It’s a better history lesson than most museums.
- Walk to The Rookery: It’s a short walk away for morning coffee and breakfast. The Alaskan doesn't do a big breakfast spread, so you'll want to head out.
The Alaskan Hotel and Bar isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a piece of the Yukon gold rush that forgot to die. It’s gritty, it’s loud, it’s beautiful, and it’s the most authentic experience you can have in downtown Juneau. If you want the gloss, go elsewhere. If you want the ghost stories and a double whiskey, you’re exactly where you need to be.