Stopped in here briefly for a beer and some pull tabs. Was immediately warmly welcomed by Tanice the bartender. She was very sweet and apparently lucky - my friend hit a jackpot and we both had quite a few winnings on our pull tabs. We felt like a regular and the vibe was pretty awesome - truly an Alaskan experience. Hoping next time to come later and stay longer to really get a true night out experience, but in the interim I'm very grateful for what we had. Thanks Mecca and Tanice! read more

Mecca Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

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Fun local dive bar. Owner is wonderful person and makes a great Bloody Mary! Fun, experiencing local culture :)

Someone was following me around the bar, felt very uncomfortable and the bartender was amazing! Felt like I was going to be dragged out the back door. Maybe I went at the wrong time? Who knows but I don't recommend it if you're visiting. The bartender did kick alot of people out that were unruly and vile. Just don't go alone and watch your pockets! read more

Stopped in for a beer. One customer was a bit over the limit and caused a small ruckus. Otherwise same great place that I stopped in last year. It's a hole in the wall. Be a hole in the wall those patron and all will go well and you will have a good time. If you don't know how to act in a hole in the wall this is not a place to try on your training wheels. read more

Open till the wee hours of the morning. Used to have a juke box close to the front door always playing 'North To Alaska', 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain' or something 10-20 years old. Mostly regulars and you were sure to know someone. Cheap drinks, good bartenders, no one really bothered you (mostly). 2nd Ave was one big party venue back then; Nevada, Flame, Cottage, Tiki Cove...never any shortages of a place to tip a few (or dozen). Some burned down, some torn down. read more

I hate leaving a bad review but this bar is raunchy. A lot and I mean a lot of homeless hang outside of this bar and occasionally they would sneak in and try to bum a free drink or make you feel awkward as heck by hanging out close to you. The drink prices vs size of glass isn't worth it for a simple cocktail. This place is super super divey. It's definitely a locals bar with the same people that show up everyday ( I'm assuming) because they all know each other and their life stories and their daily routines. The only plus was the bartender. She was friendly. She served us one drink and then she disappeared, all good though..we barely had enough in us to even stay for that one drink. Lesson learned, never again. read more

Great dive locals kine bar! Friendly people, good drinks. Shots. Beers. 2 ingredient cocktails. Old time juke box.

We are from out of town and they were friendly people. The woman at the bar also gave me a few extra coasters as souvenirs read more

Mecca Bar - a row of liquor bottles on the counter - Dive Bars Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

This is a very "divey" dive bar, though the bartender (with some spacers in his ears and a baseball cap) was pretty good at controlling some of the more difficult customers. One guy had to be yelled at "You can't be here" four times after he tried to come back in. I love the curvy bar and the mirrors at odd angles on the back bar and they had a decent selection of very good beers (Alaskan White Ale! Alaskan Free Ride APA!). But I have to say that the clientele here had me watching my back too much. I'm almost surprised that I did not get stabbed or shot. As well, that Alaska allows people to smoke indoors really put a damper on my enjoyment. Bonus: They don't have wifi but there are a couple of places nearby that reach. Cash only. They have an ATM with a $3 charge. read more

Mecca Bar - Alaskan Free Ride. Great beer, on tap. - Dive Bars Near Me - Fairbanks, Alaska

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Nice local dive bar walking distance from one hotel. Super friendly bartenders. You'll definitely get looked at when you walk in, but everyone was friendly enough. My main complaint was there was a roast crawling on the bar next to us while we were ordering our drinks - I switched to a bottle beer after that. read more

We were told by an Uber this was a local dive bar with lots of natives. Fast forward that to NYE when three cold Californians walked into the Mecca. We had the initial stop and stare moment by the locals that turned into bartender Kelly taking us in showing us the ropes and introducing to some of the locals who initially may have starred at us. A semi intimidating, dare of a bar to venture in, turned into our favorite part of Fairbanks. We later came back to hangout with Kelly and Serena, who both are the best Fairbanks has to offer. This experience has made our experience to Fairbanks go from good to great. It has proven to never judge a book by its cover and to go give it a try, meet the state's with smiles and by the end of it we have met some quality friends. Now, go give it a try. Smile back! And enjoy a drink at a quality bar. read more

This is a very "locals only" kind of bar. I felt very unwelcome and wound up getting harassed by a patron who didn't like my hair when I stepped out to take a phone call. The bartender was nice and was obviously doing her best as the only person working a busy bar, but the drinks were tiny and the environment wasn't welcoming to outsiders. I'd recommend going down the street to The Big I instead, they were much nicer and more generous with their pours. read more

Yes, it's a dive bar. Yes they knew we weren't local the minute we walked in. Yes, we met Elvis and the UFC current belt holder. Yes, Kelly kept everyone in check. Yes, it was perfect! read more

Love this bar . The bartender is amazing. She was very organized and kind. Stopped in before dinner for a drink. The drinks are perfect. The locals were very welcoming. I ordered a round for the bar. Happy we stopped in . I love the size of the bar it's spread out so you're not all up on somebody else and in their business. I definitely will stop in again. read more

Alrighty! I finally made it back to Mecca! This time it wasn't in the dead of winter, but in the heat of summer! It was chock full of people from the Midnight Sun Festival, and was by far the smokiest bar I've ever been too...ever! :P I like it better in January ;) read more

I love dive bars. I'm a true dive-bar afficianto. I love em old, smelly, rude, and cheap - and I'm not talking about the women! This place has all that. It's got the crappy pool tables, the jukebox, a cool, twisty bar, and of course it's cash only. But unlike other dive bars in town, this one gives me a bad vibe. Just not too comfortable there. I'm used to getting the stare-down walking in to new dives, so it's not that. I might give it a second chance at a different time, but my gut says don't. read more

I can't believe the reviews to this point. A dive bar that's too much of a dive?! WTF? The Mecca is the gold standard of dive bars in a town with some serious dive bar competition in a state with the world's foremost dive bars. This is where chronic inebriates go to find people who make them think, "hey, I don't have much of a problem compared to that dude!" The Mecca doesn't have some crappy San Francisco stance on dive bars like "We serve Pabst!" The patrons here don't gel their hair to try to look like they didn't wash it, they really didn't. Like for weeks and weeks. You are very likely to get punched in this bar. You will also meet a guy named Moses or Job or Sam David and his grandparents will have likely killed grizzly bears with stone tools. Think about that for a pint and see if that don't bring your ego down a notch. If you want to drink and forget that your culture is gone and no one gives a rolled over Chevy, this is as 5 star an experience as I can recommend. And it's pronounced "me KUH" so get it right. read more

Never again!! Too bad there isn't 0 stars! If you like a total DIVE bar with a bunch of local drunks....This place is for you! Very small, dirty, stinky. Came here for a drink to get out of my hotel room. I was in there a matter of 5 minutes. A drunk by the man of Carlos came up to me and started trying to hit on me. He kept repeated himself and trying to kiss me. No one even tried to help me. I became scared and left. I do NOT recommend this place. Next day... Found out by my driver....if you are a stranger...you are disliked...that is why all the locals allowed the drunk to grope me until I was almost in tears. read more

In town for a short visit and stumbled on this local bar, so glad we did! The bartender, Kelley, was so nice, and she can make drinks that'll knock you on your butt while also tasting so good! Also was served by Justin, super cool dude. Very much a locals bar, everyone's super friendly! Had such a good time and can't wait to go back. read more

Dodgiest place I have ever been to. This is a place for Natives. If you are not, you don't feel like you are welcome at all. All locals look at you strangely. Most of them were drunk and/or high. A pretty sad social picture to be honest... The place is also dirty, and seriously ugly. read more

I wound up here because it was walking distance from the hotel I was staying in Fairbanks. And I am glad I did. Serena was the bartender that night and she was by far the nicest bartender, that I met during my trip to Akaska. They had a drink special for pint of a local beer. I also had some cocktails which were great. If you like visiting dive bars, on your travels, this is the place for you.... read more

Ok so my friend and I went to this local bar. We got carded at the door which is normal, then we got carded again at the bar for attempting to buy two beers. My friend pulled out his none Alaskan drivers license and was told that he cannot purchase any alcohol with a none Alaskan ID, which is just garbage. It was filled with a lot of local natives who were just plain rude. We will definitely not return to this cesspool of a bar. I don't write reviews unless they really strike my fancy or the business just plains sucks. So if your not a local native you best go to a different bar. read more

Chris was prompt with a drink, Female bartender was cool. Other than that I wouldn't recommend. Local stare down , don't like outsiders , shady locals that have already been kicked out trying to sneak back in . It probably was a good bar back in the day but, but a local trying to start shit , and saying things to see if I bite , not worth the time. Sorry guys !! read more

Bartender was nice, but too many drunk Natives. That sound so politically incorrect, but these are the nasty Natives who just use their money on alcohol and are not productive members of society. They are very rude to women, they cat call, make dirty comments, etc., you won't find a gentlemen there, lol. When my girlfriends and I went there, we felt very uncomfortable and my husband even was getting pissed from the lack of respect. One guy even asked to smell us...just strange drunks. I was warned and everything the locals told me about this place was true :/ An old, drunk Native woman was outside and talking gibberish too, like a schizophrenic and followed us to our truck. read more

A decent dive bar. Older crowd and smoking allowed inside. Atmosphere casual but not very comfortable. Does not make you want to stay for second drink. Modern juke box helps but only one pool table. Our female bartender was an absolute sweetheart but the off shift worker sitting next to us was a jerk. Be warned! They will literally push you out the door for being too drunk. read more

A fun bar w/ Kelley the bartender! Just happened upon it. Was fun mingling w/ some locals & learning their history and also winning w/ the pull tabs!! read more

The perfect Dive Bar. Servers are very good. Beer is cold...juke box is cranking good, pool table has plenty of action. Wish it was not so smoky, but we will have to leave that for some state legislation. If Ron or Jodi are serving you make sure to ask for the Double Deuce! read more

Great local dive bar with good specials. Colorful characters enjoying their beers. Ambiance a bit dicey but folks are great. Left my Patagonia backpack there overnight. Called the next am. The bar not only kept it for me but opened early so I could retrieve. Everything in the back pack was there. What more can you want! read more

Drunk native lady peddlin her beadwork in the bar, after I told her no, she knocks my drink over and walks out. Bartender refilled my drink though for free, he watchin read more

Had some free time today and visited for a beer with one of my neighbors. Very nice barista named Darlene, cool little new age juke box, and pleasant characters in the bar too. LOL... read more

Wow. We were stabbed thirty times by the daggers in their eyes. Locals only. Awesome native hospitality. Barkeep moved us to other end of bar due to "problem". Closer to the door. Best 7 minutes I've spent in a bar. read more

You two have it all wrong. I went here and had a great time. The bartender was nothing but welcoming, and my beer never was empty. There was a few other people in there and we spent our time swapping stories of random things. Its a bar so yes people smoke get over it. i personally don't smoke but it was not to bad. I highly recommend this place to everyone. read more

Convenient "locals bar," that was very nice to us non-locals. Wife, S-i-L and I went in w Doug, a local who pointed me to where natives hang. Great cash-only dive bar, clean and well lit, plus locals were mixing in some Tommy Petty tunes on the juke, both out of respect (RiP) and enjoyment. Been to bars and karaoke around the world, and walking through those talking out front (as other reviewed) has never been a problem for me. Same for this place -- I'm usually solo, this time it was with my wife & guest. We got some friendly? "welcomes" headed in. Once inside, a couple of locals graciously gave up their end seats at the bar, so we could sit together -- seating at the end of the curved bar does take a nice pic that you'll want to save. Struck up some chat with David, another local who was also friendly. Doug checked in with us a couple of times, including advising on some of the local scene for our visit. It's why I go to local watering holes, he gave us the value spots where locals would hang or take their own visitors! Farina was the bartender - honest pours of Jameson. She offered the wife & s-i-l generous samples of the draft beers, before they ordered their pints of choice. Very cordial service, with no hint of out-of-towner rip-off (ref: Savannah review). I hit the Jamo w/ water chaser more than once, and Farina stayed on top of my water chasers - passing a BIG TEST for me! She serves as some of us neat drinkers like it - honest pours, with a water chaser between pops. read more

We were told by some local people that we had to go to the Mecca if we wanted to experience a real local bar. It was Saturday night, June 4th. Mecca was on our walk back to our hotel so we figured we would stop in for one beer. We walked into the place around 10PM. There were two open bar stools close to the door. We were a little apprehensive when we sat down. Definitely got some long looks from the locals. Ordered a couple of beers and started talking to the people sitting around us. We ended up having the best time! Gooch behind the bar was incredible! Working the entire bar until someone else showed up to work. He had the best personality and was as cute as hell! Music was loud and great! Not a smoker but the smoke made it feel like a real bar. We met Lucy, Ray and Eileen and talked for hours. Lucy and Ray bought us drinks and Lucy gave me a drink chip for the next time I visit Fairbanks...I have a free beer waiting for me in Fairbanks. Don't stop at Mecca if you think you are better than a dive bar. Stop in and talk to some real people. Yes there were some rough looking sports in the place but laughter and beer break down a lot of barriers! Saturday night in Ohio and wish I was going to the Mecca tonight! read more

The Mecca. What more can I say. It's where we know one another. It's where you go to see people. And, please don't think it is some fancy upscale place, it ain't. So don't get your panties in a twist. Geez....also, show some heart don't be scared. Drink an Oly pop. Have a cheap shot. read more

growing up in fairbanks you're given the impression that the mecca is a scary bar that the local natives will kick you out of if you try to enter. but then you get drunk enough one night and stumble in. the place is so ridiculously local. every time i go i see the same people and they're all so kind. the juke box is rockin' the local native people are so cool and friendly buyin shots and takin pictures. beware: the shots are full of monarch and STRONG but thats part of the experience. last time i was there the sweet man in the wheelchair gave me a handmade alaskan necklace with ivory. so sweet!! i love dropping in here before a wild night out. as long as you're respectful and not obnoxious the local natives will love having you! read more

I'm pretty easy going and gave and gave this bar a shot while in town even though it has poor reviews. Bunch of locals clearly high on meth, couple hookers looking for guys, after a little bit I went to the bathroom and found someone shooting up. At this point decided to call it a night. Stay away!! read more

Owner of Mecca bar in Fairbanks she hate deaf people and kick deaf people out of her bar . Because I have friends who go into bar . I just wanted to visit my friends at bar. There no reason to kick me because I had to write what I want to order something to drink read more