Koot's (Chilkoot Charlie's)

History

Chilkoot Charlie’s, called Koot’s, opened January 1, 1970, in the former Alibi Club on Spenard Road. Mike Gordon and a partner bought the bar and named it, with a handwritten agreement, for a character created by Anchorage radio personality Ruben Gaines. It began as the room now called the South Long Bar and grew by annexing neighboring space into a multi-room complex (the house site describes eight bars) at 2435 Spenard Road, with live bands on the North Long Bar stage. Sources: Independent Venue Week US venue page; koots.com FAQ; Alaska.org.