"True Dive Bar Vibes in Anchorage" October 2023 - Van's Dive Bar really puts the dive in dive bar -- and I mean that in the best (and sometimes worst) way possible. It's small, dark, and a little sketchy, with writing covering nearly every wall and a tiny stage where local bands play -- some decent, some not so much. The drinks are very reasonably priced, and the service is friendly and quick, which goes a long way here. You'll find regulars who clearly know each other, and the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect from a true neighborhood watering hole. If you're looking for something polished or upscale, this isn't it. But if you want a no-frills local spot in Anchorage with cheap drinks, good service, and a ton of character, Van's Dive Bar is absolutely your place. read more

Van's Dive Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Trivia: What brass instrument is unique due to its slide feature? The parking might be the first thing that stumps you. If you don't park in the front, you might wonder, like I did, whether the side of the building is an okay place to park. Then you'll wonder if you should park sideways, angles, or straight on. By then you'll be to the back of the place and down a short hill and trying to figure out where to park or where to turn around. You may even decide to just leave. But don't. Vans is a cozy spot. Due to the hum of the ice machine, and the friendly conversations, you'll not be able to hear any of the street noise so close to the entrance. Five beers on tap, and probably 30-40 cans and bottles in the cooler. Plenty of liquor, though they didn't have any scotch I would want to drink. Maybe four bottles? As advertised, a dive bar. Both in look and smell (which wasn't bad, per se). There was a blue grass group starting to jam a little after I got there. The patron next to me said they were part entertainment, part jam session. Which sounded pretty darn cool to me. Basically everyone in the place was there to hang and/or play. I was asked if I was a musician. Not since high school. When I played it was the answer to the trivia question. read more

Van's Dive Bar - The liquor section - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Horrible server. Immediately very rude to my friend's father, unprovoked ? She also screamed at us after we stepped outside with water. Understandably that is against the rules. Yet the way she chose to address it was screaming/cussing at full volume. Felt like we were a bother to her, other than her everything else was pleasant. read more

Free to be yourself...good music...atmosphere good people...location is good....parking a available

This is a small dive bar but I had a great time. Although they did not have the beer I like to drink, I tried some new ones. The bartender was nice. They had a popcorn maker that made me happy! read more

Van's Dive Bar - My new Van's bar buddies! - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

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Best in show in dive bars! Great pours and a wide selection of spirits. We went before the music started and had a great time laughing with the bartender and other patrons. I'd love to go back on our next trip to listen to the entertainment. read more

WUT?! How am I the first to get this first? You've probably driven by Van's a bunch of times and not even noticed it. It's the small bar next to Lucky Wishbone. It used to be called something else. The name is pretty straight-forward: this is a dive bar. Not the kind that has been in Anchorage for years, the site of stabbings and seedy dealings. Nope, this place just opened and was remodeled to look...exactly like one of those places. It looks like it's been here for a long time. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's not dirty. It just has the look of an Alaskan bar that's been sitting here since before I was born. We stopped in for a drink to check the place out. They have a few taps, mostly domestics. (they had an IPA though, so don't worry) My friends got margaritas which are apparently one of their specialties. Definitely check 'em out if you're in the neighborhood! read more

Van's Dive Bar - Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Only been here once, but I thought it was pretty cool: nice vibe, friendly people, great service, decent prices, surprisingly good sound for small place. read more

I loved the friendly environment and the place. Staff is super nice and we had a lot of fun listening to live music of some pretty cool bands! There is parking spaces around them so you can easily park. You can get all kinds of drinks and beer on tap. There is a pool table and free popcorn too. Nice place to have fun with friends and meet new people. read more

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Went here for live Rock music and was not disappointed. It's loud and crowded but a fun place, even for a "mature" couple.

I really love the live music here. It's a fun place to grab a couple of drinks (a bit cheaper than a lot of places in town), and hang out. Always a friendly environment :) read more

Five star dive bar! Not only does this place have cool events like live music, it's just an awesome, relaxed place to hang out. When I was in last night, the owner even came over to say hello - sweet older gentleman who you can tell really cares about his customers. Turned out it was a wake for someone who had passed away... but the owner still made us feel welcome -- even bringing us over some food to share! The place has the hole in the wall, divey gem feel, a pool table AND an awesome owner... what more could you ask for?! Definitely stop by! read more

I have never been to Kings X but I imagine it's like this place except now there's more Grateful Dead stuff, and instead of older tatted women slinging drinks it's younger tatted women slinging drinks. Came in to watch some music and I swear it was Muse knock-offs. Made for fun people watching. Really dug the guy who used a cello bow to play some guitar. Very interesting music. But not half as interesting as hearing the bartender describe the amount of blow she did the night before and how cranked she was. Could come again. read more

This bar has the CLEANEST BATHROOM in all the world, including Anchorage Alaska! Aurora is awesome and so is curling. GO HERE! You will not be disappointed. read more

Been here twice only to find the cold shoulder. Rude bartenders, the older blonde lady and the dark short haired lady completely ignored us. No recognition, cash in hand and we were easily dismissed. Disappointing, to say the least. read more

We came here on a recommendation from Yelp, and so glad that we did. Bartender Ash and bouncer Angelo made us tourists feel welcome. Great drink specials, the cleanest bathroom we've ever seen in a bar, and the best fried chicken from wishbone, right next-door. Live music from Cory rounded out a perfect evening. Can't wait to come back again. read more

Great place to see live bands. Fri/ Saturday local anchorage music. They don't charge a cover, cheaper drinks than most of downtown and free popcorn. With the closure of the Taproot, I'd call this my new favorite place to watch music in anchorage and I've seen a similar crowd that taproot used to cater too. read more

Been exploring anchorage all week with my girls and stumbled across this gem randomly on I-maps. Had to see if the reviews were on point and WOW! Five stars all the way, amazing service and hospitality the second we walked in the door (WE LOVE YOU AURORA). Amazing music, staff and drinks priced wayyy right. I'm never leaving read more