Hands down one of the best local bars in downtown Anchorage. I never feel unsafe here even with the Gaslight down the way (and yes, we all know that place has its issues). The Pio just gives off the best bar energy downtown. The bartenders are absolutely amazing and always take such good care of you, which honestly makes all the difference. They bring in DJs throughout the week with different sets, and if you're there before the DJ starts, they've got a TouchTunes jukebox so you can play your own music. Inside, there's plenty to do: arcade-style games, pool tables, and air hockey, perfect if you're bouncing around downtown and want to actually hang out somewhere. They've done a few facelifts inside over the years, and it's only gotten better. This is easily one of our all-time favorite spots when we're downtown. And the best part? Sometimes on the weekends, if you're lucky, you step outside and there's a little hot dog stand set up right near the front door. Truly elite downtown behavior and one of my favorite things about being down there. read more

Definitely the best downtown bar. Cheap drinks and good bar tenders. Nice pool tables too. Love the food truck in the back ally.

Great workers. Great vibes. Feels like home! A place to bring your hot date to and then forget she existed cause the vibes were too high

This is a quaint little bar that has tables and bar seating available. There is a small tv over the bar. You can enter the bar either from the front or back. It gets packed on weekends (good luck finding a seat) and they are very strict about IDs. There is street parking available within a reasonable walking distance and there are also commercial lots available as well. It is kind of a hole in the war bar and is historic as well. The bar has pool tables and dart boars in the back and play some decent music. Their drinks are reasonably priced. I would say that service here was par, the middle of the road. They got the job done. Not rude, and not overly friendly. The bar hosts dart tournament, pool tournaments, NYE parties, Ugly Christmas Sweater parties, and Monday Night Football. I hear that they are know for their Irish coffee, even though I did not try it, I heard it is pretty good. They do not serve food, but on weekends you can find a hot cart vendor out front selling his dogs. This is one of the better bar/clubs on that strip and has a bit of an older clientele, mid 20s to mid 30s. Definitely worth a drop in if you are looking to get a quick drink or something to do on the weekends. read more

Pioneer Bar - the front of the restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Good vibes here. Bartenders were fast, friendly, and attentive. I liked the decor and they were playing good music. I saw they had pool and darts here too. Most of the patrons were locals, but everyone was welcoming of the tourists. Would definitely come here again during my next Alaskan adventure! And happy birthday to my new favorite anchorage bartender! Thank you! -two Iowa girls read more

One of the OG's. Even worked there in 90's. Went out of my way to visit. Bartender and 1, thats again 1. Person at bar watching chick flick and being snarky. If you wanna know why your bar sucks? read more

One of the bartenders is unnecessarily rude, you'd think they'd be a bit nicer in a small town like anchorage. Not like you've got an endless customer base. read more

We stopped in for a drink and the bartender was a b*#%h. Asked for recommendations for food and she said "wherever you can find a table." We've been in Alaska for 2 weeks and everywhere we have been we have gotten the best recommendations from local bartenders however apparently with the 12 other people in the bar she was too busy. Drinks were just ok. read more

The bar literally smells like feces. It is also humid in there from people's sweat evaporating.

I came to see if this was a bar that I would like to come back to and it was! The atmosphere was comfortable and there was a couple of guys playing guitar & a drum for our entertainment. The bartender, Chase, was very friendly and attentive. I sat at the bar and just people watched. I was comfortable, content & talked to some of the patrons getting off of work (traveling nurses). I had a good time watching them "play" shuffleboard ! I will return. Street parking is good (after 6 pm. read more

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Chill, relaxed vibe on a Monday evening. Got an actual Irish coffee. The bartender made a fresh pot of coffee just for me. It's a local bar, solid, don't expect them to treat tourists as better than the rest. We had a nice evening here. Ginger bartender and the Bronx native were fun, kind fuys. read more

Came here on a Tuesday around 4pm. Pretty quiet as the games on the bartender likes to joke around she's sweet. Beer is pretty good and bar is clean. read more

Pioneer Bar - Beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Typical Alaskan yoko loko dive bar where everyone else is treated like chit, 9/27 was no different. Ain't missing anything here anyway!

This is the worst bar in Anchorage. Owner and bartenders are rude and inattentive to customers. Don't waste your time with this one, there are much better options with waitstaff that appreciate your business. Very disappointed with my visit here. read more

If you value being able to have a good time plus your safety do not go to this bar. The staff have seriously ego issues and are more concerned with being the cool guys in each others eyes than patrons safety. You can be attacked in the bar and they will side with the attacker. You can ask for help from staff only to be cursed at and called names by the staff. There are zero consequences for starting fights. This bar is concerned with making money and who's friends with staff nothing else. Someone is going to get seriously hurt here and they are going to get sued. read more

Pioneer Bar was super fun. Went in around 6:00 p.m and there wasn't too many people inside. They have pool tables, dart boards, and shuffleboard. All in good condition which was nice. Drinks were very reasonably priced and the decor includes many very old photos of downtown Anchorage, also cool. As it got later a younger crowd started to arrive en masse but weren't too rowdy. Those young whipper snappers were just tryin to have a good time, and by golly who am I to stop that?! WELL, WHO AM I?! Anyhow, great place read more

This is not the greatest bar in Anchorage nor does it need to be. As my go-to spot for a drink after work, the Pio fulfills every need of mine once 4:30 rolls around. They've got reasonably priced drinks. They've got free grub. Their bartenders are just friendly enough to where you feel welcome but don't necessarily feel obligated to strike up a conversation. The atmosphere is inviting and you really get the sense that everyone just wants to chill and unwind after a long day. However, everything changes once the weekend hits. This bar does a complete 180 as the resident old-timers give way to a massive deluge of college students and creepy old men who think they have a chance at college students. The music's pounding, the tiny corner by the windows is relegated to a shitty dance floor, and you're bound to encounter a pregnant mom celebrating her 21st birthday. All in all, this is one of my favorite places to get a drink, no matter what day of week. read more

Pioneer Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

My friends and I were in town for the Moose's Tooth Marathon. We stopped in here between lunch and dinner to grab some drinks. We sat at one of those tables that kind of looked like it was designed for playing cards. Nearby were darts, shuffleboard, and pool tables. As for the beers, they didn't have anything on tap that I liked, so I ordered a couple of cans of beer from two local breweries. Service was pretty good despite the regular bartender not being there. The only thing that I would complain about was the restroom. It had a bunch of flies. Pretty much your typical dive bar. *Alaskan Icy Bay IPA* It had a nice citrus taste without being overly hoppy. *Midnight Sun Pleasure Town IPA* Malty, also not overly hoppy. read more

Pioneer Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Went mid-day on a Saturday. Started a tab with my debit card, closed it and went on with my day. Days later I realized I had someone else's card! I called mid day on Wednesday to find out my card was still there... The women I spoke to was so rude to me, she treated me like it was my fault this happened. Get your shit together pioneer bar read more

Great service and drinks! Great prices for Anchorage. Hung out with friends here and played pool. They have a couple of pool tables and other patrons are also friendly and cool and didn't mind taking turns on the pool table. I'd come here again. read more

Pioneer Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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The Pioneer used to be such a cool, down home place. The last few times I've been there staff has been snotty and snide. I just chalked it up to a bad night but now that it's happened three times in a row (over a couple of months) I'm gonna give this place a pass. Last night I started out there, then came back a little later. The bouncer took my ID, examined it, smirked, and said he couldn't let me in because I was over served. Since I had had two drinks by that point I think it was more likely he was pulling a shitty power move. There's lots friendlier places downtown and that's where I'll spend my $$$ read more

Fun fun. Walked in for one drink. Ended up staying for about 2 hours. Bartenders very pleasant and chatted with other patrons who were locals and filled us in on a lot of Anchorage lore. read more

Great bartenders and even better whiskey. We came in looking for a nice drink and found they had both Blanton's and Caribou Crossing (if you can believe it!) read more

My husband, his cousin and I decided to check out the Pioneer Bar on April 21st. We walked in and were told my husband couldn't come in because he was a problem a year ago. The crazy thing is we haven't lived in AK for over two years, but the bouncer and bartender refused us entrance. My husband and I never frequented this bar while we lived in Alaska 10 years before, because it had a reputation of discriminating against minorities. We came once over ten years ago and couldn't get any service while everyone was served around us. The bartender and bouncer were so rude and wouldn't give us the name of the owner. It was insane! read more

Pioneer Bar - a person holding a sticker that says another beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

World's best bartender. Anchorage needs a guy from the Bronx. I will come here every I'm in town.

This place is really awesome and I live hole in the wall local hangouts like this. The bartender was funny and the atmosphere is what you make of it. Out of everywhere there is to get a beer in a small radius, this joint was the most expensive. It's not crazy but I was surprised by $13 for a local draft when the 49th state brewery up the street has a vast selection of great beer at a fraction of that. It was filled with locals known by name so perhaps we got the tourist price. In any case keep walking. read more

I have had the best of times and I have had the worst of times at the Pioneer Bar. For some reason the Pioneer Bar has decided to brand itself as the asshole bartenders who don't need your money kind of place. This bar is great if you are in college and just got your 21+ drivers license, but, as often happens as we grow up, I have outgrown this place. I still like to check it out if a group of friends and I happen to be out on a week day. During the weekends it's totally packed and crazy! read more

This bar located in downtown Anchorage is a sad representation of the cities night life. The bar is a small, narrow, & rectangular in shape making it challenging to maneuver when it's crowded. The dance floor is the size of my bathroom and you can hardly move by 12am. The main DJ is mediocre and everyone complains how terrible he is - I've been here three times and one time his replacement was way better. But because one is limited in options of other places to go, one must settle. The bartenders are indeed fast, but most have an attitude and look like they hate their jobs, unless your blond and wearing a skirt. If you are looking for a crazy adventure of the drunken chaotic variety, the PIO (as its affectionally called) is your place. Proceed with caution! read more

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El Diebo your the best. This is a no nonsense bar. Had a wonderful talk about old school beer and everyday in Alaska. read more

Pioneer Bar - Pioneer bar, met a guy from the Bronx. - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

One of the best old school dive bars in Anchorage! The bartenders are great and drinks are reasonably priced. Great place to grab a drink after work or watch a football game. Beware of the weekend night crowd! Once the clock strikes 9pm... this bar transforms into a night club style atmosphere. read more

Decent dive bar... looks a lot like the Panhandle inside, but slightly smaller. It's not quite as rough a crowd as the Pandhandle and they have a lot more liquour choices at the Pioneer. There's some cool vintage photos and posters on the wall. Couple pool tables and darts. Good average man's bar, nice mix of people from different age groups. read more

Great local place- nothing fancy- extremely well stocked bottle selection- better than fancy places! Bar tender top notch. Stop in for a drink. read more

Went in here for an Irish Coffee and ended up with one of the best experiences of my life. 5 stars.

I walked in right before closing not expecting much but the staff were awesome nonetheless. If you're the social type and dive bars are your thing, you'll have a great time! read more

What a terrible experience at an otherwise cool looking little bar. Just popped in walking by, and the bartender was an absolute a-hole. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. read more

Service horrible, better chance catching syphilis then getting a decent drink don't tip server.

If you are looking for a Dive Bar in Anchorage, you gotta visit the Pioneer Bar! It's all you would expect with patrons that imbibe all that is Alaska. read more

Just don't come here. It's a waste of time. The poor treatment from the bartenders and owner is enough. You just can't come in and relax. The bartender stays at one end of the bar with the owner and other regulars openly talking about my partner and I. The place is dead and yet I need to tip you every drink to even get shoddy service? And for the love of Pete please don't EVER play anything on the jukebox that isn't classic rock during the day! EVER! No thanks. It was also brought to my attention that there was some racist things being said on Craigslist from employees of this place. I read them and it made better sense to me. read more

This place is pretty nice to hang out with friends and have a drink. It's not the most amazing place and its a bit divey but a good time was had by all. When we first got here there was no music for a while but it got better. There are pool tables and shuffle board :-) read more

I have a mild form of Cerebral Paly so I have difficulty walking.I went to this bar last night and the bouncer told me that I was drunk. I informed him about my disability and he proceeded to basically call me a liar and refused to let me in. I called the business this morning to report the issue and the women who answered was extremely rude, she refused to let me speak to a manager, when I asked her name she hung up on me. read more