Anchorage's Popular Theater-Pub
If you live in Anchorage then you have heard about or eaten at the unique restaurant, Bear Tooth. This local Theater-Pub has tasty food with cheap movies and concerts, however it has a hectic environment and some expensive prices. To the left of the theater-pub they have a small dining area called the Café, where you can eat lunch or dinner. Next to the dining area there is concessions where you can purchase anything off the café menu; in addition to popcorn and candy. It is a dine-in theater with built in tables, so not only can you watch a movie but you can eat as well. The theater opened thirteen years ago on April 14th, 2000 and is located off of Spenard at 1230 West 27th Avenue. It is owned by fellow rock climbers Rod Hancock and Matt Jones who got the theater-pub idea from their previous home Portland, Oregon.
Bear Tooth is ultimately known for its theater but you can not have a successful theater-pub without good food. What is on the menu you ask? Bear tooth has a wide variety of foods but it is mainly a pizzeria and a good one at that. They have thirty-one unique kinds of pizza, from veggie to meat. Not only do they have all those tasty pizzas but they also have: cheesy nachos, burritos/tacos, sandwiches/wraps, and fresh salads. Big or small, old or young, there is literally something for everyone. Last but not least, their desserts. From chocolate shakes and tap root-beer floats to my personal favorite, baked chocolate chip cookie a la mode.
In addition to there good food, Bear Tooth has super cheap movies and concerts. A single admission ticket is only $3.50. Perhaps you want to go with friends? You can easily reserve a 4 seated booth for $5 per person. Occasionally they have 3D movies which are $5 per person as well. A comparable theater in town charges $10.50 a seat, so you end up saving $6 or more. The concerts are $10 and up, depending on the event. You also do not want to miss the local bands they host and their different film festivals though out the year. The movies at the theater come out a few months after their release date, but it is worth the wait to save money and eat good food.
As a result of their good food, and movies, their popularity has increased; which results in Bear Tooth's environment becoming hectic and busy. There is very minimal parking after 5pm and you have to show up early if you want a good seat for the movie. Beware of those long lines that form for the movie and concessions though. Most of the time it is so hectic that when your in the lobby you have to watch out for people like: employees, customers, the elderly, and children or you will get ran over. One way to avoid the rush is to eat in the café, whereas there is only a small waiting list every once in awhile. In short, if you're going to Bear Tooth plan ahead and come early.
Regardless of the tasty food at Bear Tooth, it is a little bit on the expensive side. A pizza is $10-28 depending on the size, and almost every meal is $10 or more. Shakes and desserts are the worst, stating at $5 a shake and higher. This would not be such an issue if the portions were a bit bigger. This place has restaurant prices but not theater prices. It is not the place to be if your on a budget or a college student trying to save money. Granted it is a little bit pricey, their good service more than makes up for it. The waiters and waitresses are respectable and well groomed. Most of which are pure breed Alaskans that will tell you anything you need to know about there home town.
All in all, Bear Tooth is a local Café and dine-in theater for families, friends and more. It is a great place to go out to lunch, on a date or for a movie night. Not exactly the place for someone on a budget or in a rush, but the food, movies, and concerts make this Alaskan restaurant warm and welcoming. Do not miss there famous "Avalanche" a barbecue chicken pizza and savory salmon tacos. They also offer 9 of their own award winning draft beer that all adults should try. Their hippie and friendly environment will draw you in closer and closer with every visit.
Bear Tooth website: http://beartooththeatre.net
Bear Tooth Menu: http://beartooththeatre.net/menus/ read more