Stopped in to Fat Sam's for a drink because we were killing some time in downtown Ketchikan. We thought we were classin' it up by going in to what looks like he nicest bar in town, and although the ambiance was decent, the service was HORRIBLE.
The woman behind the bar probably just assumed we were off a cruise ship and wouldn't be back, because she was beyond rude. She was unfriendly, inattentive and had a really sour attitude. she was happy to serve the people she obviously knew (locals) but the rest of us were completely ignored. We had a glass of wine and she poured it like it was a big inconvenience to her. I asked to borrow a pen and a napkin and she tossed the pen at me and said "we're out of napkins". Thank you to the man at the bar eating his dinner who very graciously gave me one of his.
I love wine and coming up here to Ketchikan on business. This place would be a great little find if it weren't for the big ol' C word working at the bar. Won't be back! The barmaid has ZERO class!
Fat Stan's is probably the best bar in Ketchikan. Â That might not be saying much, but they probably make a lot of money from tourists (due to proximity to the main drag) and locals (thanks to the decent beer selection) alike. Â They sponsor a pretty sweet promotion offered through the lumberjack show across the street. Â The printed show program includes a coupon for a free pint glass with the purchase of a beer. Â Hell yes, I will take a free souvenir glass; I wanted to try the beer anyway.
My only criticism would be that they carry too few beers on tap--only two! Â They lured me in with the pint glass offer, but I was keen to try some local beers and would have bought more than one if they had them on draft. Â They do have a nice selection of bottled beers, but I prefer to order draft whenever possible. Â As it was, my only choices were Alaskan Summer and Sierra Nevada something-or-other. Â Of course I went with the Alaskan (local microbreweries represent!) and was not disappointed.
So: Â tourists--go check them out; locals--pester the owners to install more taps.
Incidentally, the pint glass depicts Alaskan Brewing Company, not Fat Stan's. Â The very handsome one that I received is for their Summer Ale.
As of my visit, most bars in Alaska still allowed smoking INSIDE; this place doesn't, which is the sole reason we wound up here. It's a cute place to hang out and have a beer. If you go across the parking lot, you can get a program/flyer from the lumberjack show that gives a coupon for a free Alaska Brewing pint glass if you get that beer. The coupon is also in the walking tour brochure that you can pick up at diff places.
They also have a small market attached to this store that has a good selection of liquor & wine if you want to take a bottle for your travels (we did!).
Fat Stan's doesn't serve food but, the Alaska Fish House next door does. Â The bartender recommended we order some fish and chips from there to wash down our beer.
The bar is clean and cozy even though it looks like a last frontier saloon from the outside. Â It's also right next door to a wine and beer shop. Â The bartenders were friendly - so were the lumberjacks that hang out here after their lumberjack show. Â They offered a good selection of local beers and they'll even give you a souvenir beer glass if you order a local beer from the tap.
Bf and I felt very welcome here. Â This was the place that felt truly genuine in a tourist destination city that's trying too hard to earn their tourist revenue.
This was a fine bar to have a drink while waiting for Alaska Fish House to deliver my food. The beer was reasonably priced, but they were charging $11 for a Bloody Mary. It is a little small too, but the bartender was very friendly. If you end up eating at Alaska Fish House, definately have them deliver your food here. It beats the hell out of picnic tables and screaming children.
Review Source:TOURISTS BEWARE!!! Â Count your change very carefully. Â Fat Stan's WILL rip you off!!
I was on an Alaskan cruise this summer and there were several coupons floating around for Fat Stan's near the cruise dock - buy a beer and keep the glass. Â I went in to the bar to enjoy a beer and my free glass before hopping back on my ship. Â The place was packed. Â
I ordered my beer and gave the bartender, CHAD, a $20. Â He quickly shoved my money in the till and gave me back $4. Â When I told him I had given him a $20, he said, no, I had given him a $10. Â When I asked him if he was sure, he responded, "If you don't believe me, you can take it our of my tip jar." Â Since I wasn't positive, I demured (being a polite, professional 35 year old woman). Â I sat at the bar drinking my beer and, within 5 minutes, saw him do the same thing to another couple. Â They paid for their $12 drinks with a $20 and he gave them $4 in change. Â When they called it to his attention, he said, "oops," and gave them the correct change. Â I asked him again if he was sure I gave him a $10, not a $20. He said he was. Â The guy to my left was a local and was chatting with Chad in between customers. Â At one point, the other guy working in the adjoining liquor store (owner?) came over and the guy to my left whispered to him, "Did you hear what she said? Â She said she paid with a $20." Â The other employee responded, "That's not good." Â
When I got back to my ship I immediately went to my stateroom and counted my money. Â Indeed, I had given CHAD a $20 to pay for my $6 beer. Â Like most of the ships, mine was only in town for a half day. Â That is a whole lot of tourists coming in to Fat Stan's for a beer and a glass in the brief time before boarding the ship at 12:30pm. Â I am confident they make a significant portion of their profts from short-changing preoccupied toursits in a hurry to catch their ship.
DO NOT go here unless you want to get ripped off!!!
Of course, YMMV.
We headed to Fat Stan's because we were looking for a good local beer to enjoy with our lunch. Â Since Alaska Fish House doesn't serve beer, they offered to deliver our lunch to Fat Stan's.
From the outside it looks like a dive, but it is actually nice, with a lodge type of ambiance. Â Once we sat down, we noticed that it is actually part of a restaurant, but blocked off from the inside.
They have a good variety of local beers and micro brews from around the country. Â I was also intrigued by the homemade pepper vodka they were making behind the bar. Â If only I were in the mood for a bloody mary.
I was impressed that they allowed my food to be delivered. Â I will definitely be back the next time around. Â Great beers, friendly people and a great escape from the cruise insanity.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
