Arctic Bar in Ketchikan

Literally the most life-changing bloody Mary Ive ever had in my life.

Don’t let them say you rang the bell I feel so sorry for the last review the same thing had happened to me on a cruise here. The fact that the owners and bartenders are basically targeting the visitors and have no remorse is sickening.

STAY FAR AWAY ! ! ! Most definitely a scam these bars“ downtown “ are known to scam non locals if you were smart stick to the liquor stores, your room, and maybe a group friendly walk THROUGH downtown or the docks. The bar tenders have been know to over charge you especially a woman ( Bathshebanamed Josie O. This has happened to I including four other my co workers. I have video evidence of her coursing men out of money be careful my brothers.

This place is a blast! Home of the Happy bears! ✨

Such a friendly atmosphereLove you Paula!

The artic bar is as awesome as it has always been!I dont see how anyone could come to Ketchikan and not stop here.Just wonderful.

Love the staff, love the atmosphere!

This was a great place to visit esp as a Vietnam vet owner Paula Shan Weisel&Kara Jones were most gracious make the Arctic bar the stop to make

great atmosphere local brews

Convenient location. Good prices. Food is hard to come by. Could stand a good cleaning.

Fun bar decent prices

Not bad at all people having fun drinkin making new friends.

Always a great time at the “Home of the Happy Bears” Absolute Local bar who welcomes all sorts of travelers with open arms.

Nice deck overlooking the water and decent atmosphere

Cozy, friendly dive bar playing some blues! What a beautiful day 😌!

The Cruise was great but getting to go to the Arctic Bar made me want to stay in Ketchikan, best Bloody Marys we have ever had, this town was beyond friendly, we will definitely find our way back to the Arctic Bar

Great food right by the water and great atmosphere

A really awesome gay friendly bar in ketchikan. Strong drinks, friendly people, erotic bears all over the place. Definitely recommend.

You have to stand in line to get a drink. They had the slowest bartenders.She was taking shots with other patrons rather than taking orders. Who wants to get up and stand in line for a drink?

Still my favorite bar in the city. Its on the water and you cant beat the people there. Missed it last time I was here a few years ago, glad I didnt this time.

I stopped here on my way back to the cruse ship. I had heard about the "happy bears". Figured I would give the place a try. It is a very fun atmosphere. It was somewhat crowded due to the number of cruise ships in port that morning/afternoon; I am not sure its like in the evenings. I just had one of the local beers. I was told by a couple I sat next to at the bar that the food was good. You may hear some colorful language, so I wouldnt suggest going with kids.

Awesome quirky friendly bar! Hilarious happy bear carving & pretty darn good Happy Bear beer on tap!

A must visit. Fun place and the owner is awesome

Loved this bar...Paula makes a GREAT Bloody Mary!!

I love this place! Paula is down to earth and awesome. Yummy Bloody Marys made to your taste. Home of the Happy Bears.

Oldsest bar in Ketchikan with incredible views and a fun atmosphere! Paula and company are awesome. Nice beer selection, friendly service, and some gorgeous views on the outside deck (covered). Definitely a must-do if you’re in town.

Staff is super chill and atmosphere is fun. Most likely place to get a free drink because its a big place for locals to celebrate.

Grab a seat on the patio and enjoy the beautiful view of the harbor and mountains.

Just spent a week in Ketch., went to every bar in town...and this was our favorite hands down!!! Came back practically everyday most simply for the easy-going, fun...environment. We were treated like locals, the owner Paula is simply awesome. Regulars were awesome too (Lulu), drinks were strong, fantastic water view...Happy Bears, sailors mouths...this is what a bar should be. Picked up a shirt too to rep those Happy Bears back here in CO. Thanks for being an awesome part of our adventure!!

Great "historic" bar with a nice deck overlooking the water. Well poured drinks and cheap drafts. Friendly bartenders. Definitely on the divey side, but hey its Alaska... If it was smoke free throughout Id give it 5 stars.

Good local spot and the best bloody Marys. Yummm. Its a no frills spot so come for a good beer or bloody and enjoy the view.

The porch... Im sold! You can smoke out there. Definately a locals bar with a good flow of seasonals and tourists in the summer. Dogs allowed, and you can often find one in there when its light out. 2 pool tables. A golf game I still dont know how to play and the punching bag. You can order food and eat it here, but no food is served here. Burger Queen is right across the street. Prices are fair. Service is generally quite good. Bartenders know thier drinks, pours, and customers. It is salty of the earth crew thats rough around the edges. No social distancing, mask-wearing, or COVID mitigation measures taken, even amidst a massive outbreak. Still my favorite bar.

This is a fun place to stop in. Super friendly and right on the ocean.

Friendly place right by the cruise docks. Good beer, good price. Colorful characters lol...had a good time

A great bar right on the water. Paula the owner is great and or bartender Willie was awesome. Great prices on their drinks and a good selection of beer. The burger place across the street delivers as well.

I love this place! Waitresses Aron and Susan are wonderful! Paula is a wonderful and thoughtful owner that will go to no end to make your experience a wonderful one. I come here every year for 8 years and I always have a wonderful time!! I recomend this place!!

Nice views right on the water (thats the one star)but owner needs to learn manners when she is dealing with tourists who support her establishment... confronted by two locals who were probably trying to pull something on my husband and myself we got up to leave but wanted a souvenir shirt and had to deal with her and her unsightly mouth!!! Better places just a few steps down the pier!!

Great bar, right near the port, got lucky and had live entertainment, band called The Compass Roses!

Bar next to the port, which is pretty much everything. The staff treated us like we were regulars. Reasonably priced, and we had fun. Bought a tee shirt or two, and some neat decals. If you see the bears in front, go inside and see the backside.

Great time. Wonderful atmosphere. Prices around the same as the other bars in town. Paid around $7 for a Jameson on the rocks. Not bad for Ketchikan. Loved the company. They have a pool table and and deck right over the water.

Amazing experience. After 5 days in a remote wilderness cabin I felt as though I was at home here. Good people good beer amazing place to spend my 23rd birthday. This will be the top for the rest of my years. Cant recommend this place enough, working in the bar industry Ive never came to an on the path off the path bar better than this. The owners are amazing, service better than any place Ive stayed in my life. Please visit this place on your visit to the most majestic part of this country Ive ever had the pleasure to visit. You wont regret it.

Really cool hangout with a deck right on the water. Lots of good local beers and fun local flavor in the staff! Home of the Happy Bears is a must stop for a beer if you’re in town.

Awesome dive bar, good number of taps and amazing view of the water from the back area. Good mixture of locals and tourists, not so close or visible to the cruise ships that everyone comes but close enough to walk to it if you know its there

Happy atmosphere right next to cruise port. Good prices, free wifi.

Food and the beers were great. Service was good and the atmosphere good but I bought a T shirt there which looked really good with the statue of the bears on it. The drawing fell apart after the first wash and we use a front end loading machine with only warm water. The quality was appalling. My suggestion is go there for the food drink and atmosphere but dont buy any merchandise.Ed

Great place, warm reception from the owner who was more than willing to share her Bloody Mary recipe. Be sure to look for the bears inside.

Paula is the sweetest and most honest bar owner Ive met in the entire world. Been to 18 countries. She and her staff accommodated our visits with great hospitality. Well miss this place. Love you Paula!

Paula, the owner, is the sweetest woman I have ever met and she knows how to have a good time. The arctic is a good place to gather with friends and relax while enjoying the beautiful view on the deck. Prices are fair and service is always with a good attitude and a smile.

Nothing fancy but every time we have visited we felt welcome by the owners and regular patrons who shared a lot of good local tips on things to do. When it comes to drinks if you can spell it they have it: Beer; Wine & Booze! Paula is one of the owners and is actively involved with the operations and they have their recognizable Happy Bears merchandise that can bring a smile.

Fun! Great selection of beer on tap! Paula and Randy very cool people. Arctic gear is awesome, the seal skin caps 2 thumbs up! Cant beat this place for an amazing cruise stop!