Really cool local spot up in the hills of Fox, an unincorporated area outside of Fairbanks. I've heard it called a "biker bar", but I'm not so sure that's accurate. They have live music and a huge outside area with a big "beach" volley ball. Taps are respectable and it's a great space, much bigger than it looks from the outside. *pssst* they have secret cabins out back that you can rent if you drink too much. *keep it secret though, thanks* read more

Howling Dog Saloon - one of the cabins out back - Bars Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

The reviews listed here are not even close to the experience you're in for. Howling moon was recommended by one of the staff at the place we were staying at. This establishment is at best a dive bar. We actually sat, unknowingly, under a cast iron circle with signed bras and underwear hanging from it. The crowd did not represent any Alaskans that we encountered. This is a biker bar filled with Harley's, chaps, leather jackets, bandanas and cigarette smoke. Some interesting memorabilia on the walls... I'll leave it at that. So why two stars? The drinks are cheap and honestly my girlfriend's Svedka cucumber drink was pretty good and refreshing. Overall, it wasn't what we were expecting, interesting nonetheless and was a one time experience. read more

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I liked the band. The food was good. Slow, but friendly food service. The band was also really nice and lots of people danced. They had this blueberry Meade that was absolutely delightful. The barn smelled a bit moldy otherwise a good time was had by all. With seeing the odd bra display. Worth a trip for sure. read more

I didn't have any food or drinks here but the blues music on Thursday nights are amazing. It sounds like the jazzy blues of New Orleans. The Raines Brothers are a must see in Fairbanks. Lots of people having a good time dancing the west coast swing on the floor. The only thing that I would change about the place is to make it smoke free. read more

Note that this place is in Fox, AK, a few miles north of Fairbanks. Based on one atypical visit, I liked the atmosphere (very Alaskan). They offer a large variety of beer, both bottled and draft. There is a limited selection of food available, but I saw people buying food from a mobile vendor just outside the back stage. My wife had chicken wings with ranch dressing on the side. I had the basic burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, and of course meat and buns. This one came with fries and do it yourself mustard, ketchup, or Sriracha sauce. The fries were not sliced potatoes. They were the kind made of shaped mashed potatoes. Atypical means we were there for Foodstock, a three day fund raising party featuring 52 live bands, some inside, some under a large awning with the bands playing from a flatbed truck made into a covered stage. The party goes until 3 am. When we left around 8:30, it was beginning to fill up. The Dawg (ok, Dog) is very popular, especially with the hippie crowd. Music was good but really loud. If you want to hear the next day, take some earplugs. I think prices are a bit high for what you get. Draft beer is $5-10, depending on brand and comes in a generous plastic cup. Hamburgers are $11 to 19. Chicken wings were $8. Credit cards OK for food. For drinks, there is a $10 minimum order to use a credit card. There is a sand court for volleyball. Hackey sack is popular. Some parts of the place allow smoking. If you want to see local Alaskans at play, this is a good place to do it. read more

This is my favorite bar in Fairbanks and I'm not even really a bar person. I love the layout of the place, you can get food in the back left side until way late, hangout at the main bar in the middle, or sit at a table in the big room on the very right where the stage is, which connects to an outdoor deck. Good food, good music, and cold beers all wrapped up in an awesome "you in Alaska now" atmosphere. read more

Best bar ever..from the bartenders Lollipop and Bubbles to the Rebel Blues and Blues night on thurs... Best phillys made by jilly and cabins if you get to drunk to drive... Most amazing summer experience ever read more

The burgers and fries are fantastic, the servings are not small at all, worth the $8 ! The atmosphere is similar to many other Alaskan bars I've been to, the tables are carved into with names and such, the walls are covered in... everything (airplane doors, flags, signed dollar bills). I like the atmosphere, food and drink selection. read more

The bar itself is ok... the service is slow... unfriendly... very few people in the bar and yet could not get a drink... disappointed overall... read more

I was thrilled to hear about this place and end up there on a Friday night while traveling alone in Alaska. The atmosphere is great - chill, friendly, at ease. The music was exceptional and the dancing was a good time. Folks were perfectly friendly and it's a spot where anyone could fit in and feel welcome. read more

This iconic Alaska bar is just three miles from my house. I've been going to the Dog regularly for most of the 28 years I've lived in Fairbanks. I even provide swinging blues dance music to play during the bands' breaks on Blues Night, every Wednesday. i am an avid swing dancer and the Howling Dog is the place we Fairbanks swing dancers gather every Wednesday for Blues Night. (Dog is closed in the winter.) The rather small dance floor is made of well-worn, uneven 2X6 painted planks with 1/4-inch gaps between some of them. So it's not a good idea for women to wear high heels if they plan on swing dancing. I've also drawn blood twice over the years when hitting my head (by accident!) on the 4X4 posts that impinge on the dance floor. So swing dancing there can be an adventure, in more ways than one. And when it's very crowded on the dance floor, swing dancing is virtually impossible. Blues NIght is smoke-free, which we dancers really appreciate, plus there is no cover charge on Wednesdays. Bands on weekends sometimes are good for swinging, too. Current good blues swing bands that play there are Marc Brown & the Blues Crew, and Rif and The Rumblers. Also great for swing dancing, but more oriented to classic rock and weekend scheduling, is Burnt Orange. The Mighty Untouchables featuring the Raines brothers on guitars, a fine Blues band, used to be the house band on Blues Night. But they've stopped doing that for an indefinite time. Rif Rafson of Rif and The Rumblers is/was the bass guitarist for the Untouchables. I love the French fries from the cafe located inside the bar. Patrons come from all adult age groups and walks of life, with a relatively high percentage of Baby Boomers, and tourists lucky enough to have discovered the Howling Dog. Most people dress very casually, but I have been there a couple times wearing a tuxedo after attending formal dances in town, and no one threw me out. Just about anything goes, dress-wise, at the Howling Dog Saloon. read more

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