Red Dog Saloon (Juneau, AK)

You must try this place. It’s a hoot.

First visit: June 7, 2012

Red Dog Saloon

Originating during the heyday of Juneau’s glorious mining era, this world famous saloon has provided

hospitality and fellowship to weary travelers and local patrons alike. Early day proprietors, Earl and Thelma (Pederson) Forsythe provided dancing and long time entertainer “Ragtime Hattie” played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top. During territorial days, during his tenure of over twenty years as owner, Gordie Kanouse would meet tour boats with his mule that wore a sign saying “follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon.” In the early seventies the Harris family bought the saloon and continued to grow and protect the priceless collection of furs, guns and antiques.

Behind the bar

The Red Dog Saloon has had several different locations in town. Originally the saloon was located about 2 blocks up Franklin street and later across the street next to the Alaskan Hotel. In 1988 the saloon was moved, intact, to this site. Great care was given to replacing most everything to its original place within the room. The Kanouse family, back in the late 40’s began luring the tourist customers from the arriving steamships. Some old timers tell us the Red Dog Saloon used to be just a tent on the beach during the mining heydays.

Red Dog Ragtime Professor pounds the keys

In 2008, the saloon was purchased by Eric and Tracy Forst and a group of local Juneauites who continue the tradition of providing hospitality, fellowship and entertainment to weary travelers and local patrons alike. In 2012 the saloon was expanded slightly and connected to the new larger Red Dog Mercantile which carries a wide variety of Red Dog souvenirs and apparel. Today the local owners of the Red Dog Saloon continue to work to improve and enhance the experience behind those swinging doors and above those sawdust floors and hope to see you soon at the world famous Red Dog Saloon.

This is a loud and raucous place. Filled with tourists and locals. The servers are in old-time costumes and provide spot-on service. The booze is good (Alaska has some fine beers) and the food is good, too.

The Food

Burgers, brats, chicken, fish (salmon and halibut) and other saloon food items fill the menu.

Red Dog with chips and kraut

Beer bratwurst

Served with a generous helping of tangy sauerkraut on top.

Very good, nicely spiced, and tender brat. Goes great with a dark brew (like Alaska Amber), but my friend Bill Shoup prefers bourbon Manhattans. Perfectly prepared without that sickeningly sweet cherry juice. A classic drink.

Red Dog Pulled Pork

Mckinley Bbq Pork Sandwich

Served with a delicious cole slaw.

This pulled pork is as good as nearly any that I have run across in the lower 48. (Gary West’s pulled pork at the Smokehouse in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is my favorite.)

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

With Lettuce, tomato, onion.

Very good. Served with a delicious and crispy salad with saved Parmesan on top.

Beer Battered Halibut

When you go to Alaska, if you don’t have the halibut, you have probably wasted your money. This is absolutely fresh and has a fantastic taste. Perfectly fried.

Beer Battered Halibut

Straight up martini

This classic Martini was absolutely perfect.

Red Dog Martini

So, friends, the Red Dog is for sure touristy. But the food, while not your gourmet stuff, is uniformly very good, and everything is prepared as well as it can be.

Relax and enjoy this fun place. Sing along with the Professor. Buy a hat in the gift shop. I did.