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A bar with fifty years of stories
The Whale's Tail has occupied the Tower I lobby of the Hotel Captain Cook since 1965, built on the same Anchorage shoreline where Captain James Cook anchored in 1778. The fireplace, the stained glass, the warm wood — this room carries that history without making a fuss about it.
Drinks, small plates, and full entrées
The kitchen runs Wednesday through Saturday, 5–10 PM. Bar stays open until 2 AM on weekends. Korean BBQ wings, poke tacos, oysters, seafood entrées — the full menu is worth a read.
From the kitchen and bar
Nerdvana trivia, DJ nights, comedy open mic
Every Friday, Nerdvana Trivia runs 7–9 PM. DJ 3rdGeorge and DJ GRE hold weekend residencies through last call. Rubber Ptarmigan hosts a free comedy open mic the first Thursday of each month. No cover for any of it.
Part of a landmark since the beginning
The Hotel Captain Cook is Alaska's only member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and one of just 315 Historic Hotels of America. The Whale's Tail has been part of that story from the beginning.
Fifty years in the heart of Anchorage
The Whale's Tail was born inside one of Alaska's most storied buildings — and over half a century, it became something the hotel never quite expected: a genuine neighborhood institution.
What our guests are saying
A great bar to have drinks with friends. Plenty of tables and bar stools. The music is very loud, so you'll need to yell above the music at times. The drinks and food are good. If you're staying at the Captain Cook Hotel then Whale's Tail is a great choice instead of going out in the cold. If t
Ryan Stafford
I was skeptical waking in because it was a major holiday and all other restaurants were booked for large groups. There were very few people in the restaurant and we were able to be sat right away so my expectations were not very high. Some of the best bbq nachos I’ve ever had and four different pe
John
Whale Tail Restaurant was the perfect spot for celebrating a birthday. The steak was absolutely delicious. Will, our host, was exceptional, providing great service and making sure everything went smoothly. The atmosphere was just right for a special occasion, making the night truly memorable. Highly
K. Cook
This place is decorated beautifully. We were late getting into the hotel from the airport and they let us put in an order for food right as they were closing, we were very grateful. The food was delicious and the service was superb.
Barbara Thompson
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals do you serve?
We serve Dinner
Where are you located?
We are located in Anchorage, AK at 939 W 5th Ave
What areas do you serve?
We serve the following areas: Downtown, South Addition, Wilson Village, North Star, Fairview, Government Hill, Artesian Village, Bonibrook, Rogers Park, Tuomi, DeBarr Vista, Homesite Park, Midtown, Airport Heights, Mountain View, Tudor Area, Spenard, Russian Jack Park, University Area, and Turnagain.
Our location