Where To Dance In Alaska

The Swing Bar at Chilkoot Charlie's
Nine years ago, it was pretty much the only place in town where you could find swing dancing on a regular basis. They had free two hour swing lessons Thursday through Friday and dancing until closing. Several people were introduced to swing dancing (as well as partner dancing in general) from this very location due to Chilkoot's being a high profile, highly attended bar in Anchorage. A few years ago, Chilkoot's discontinued the lessons and a few months after that, they ended swing dancing altogether.
This month on Thursday July 19th Chilkoot's will have a trial run at a swing night. Dancing will start at 6 PM and continue until 10 PM. There will be music for Lindy, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing dancing. If there is a good turn out, the swing nights may again become a regular event.
[SDA Swing Bar Page]     [Map of the Swing Bar]     [Location Map]

Pioneer School House
Dancing on each Saturday of the month by various hosts. The 3rd, 4th and 5th (when applicable) Saturdays of the month are upbeat swing dancing with a few variations mixed in, hosted by SDA. The 1st Saturday of the month is a mostly waltz dance hosted by Paul Arneson. The 2nd Saturday is modern dance. Located at the intersection of 3rd Ave. and Eagle St (downtown Anchorage area). Additional parking is also available across 3rd Ave.
[Map]

Eddie's Sportsbar
Live jazz band, Mike James Jazz, performs on Sundays. WCS-AK frequently holds swing dancing lessons here, as well.
[Map]

Club Soraya
Primariliy a latin club, it currently plays swing music early on Sunday nights from 8PM until 10PM. Swing dance lessons are held on Tuesday and Sunday from 7PM until 8PM. Club Soraya is located downtown above the Post Office at the corner of 3rd and C street. The Sunday swing dance with a live band has a $5 cover charge.
[Map]

Starlight Ballroom
Located at the Anchorage Senior Center. Various ballroom dances with some swing dancing mixed in. Friday dance 8:30PM until 11:30PM. Friday dance lesson 7:00PM until 8:00PM Live band, $8 cover, no alcohol, 600 square foot floor. 258-7823
[Map]

The Golden Lion
Various dance lessons held Monday through Thursday from 7PM to 8:30PM. Open dancing on Wednesday and Thursdays with live music by Don Walker from 8:30PM onward. Various styles of music mixed in for East and West Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Waltz, etc.
[Map]

The Square and Round Dance Center
Many of the Dancing Bears' contra dances are held here as well as some other dances. From 3rd Avenue, proceed North on A street onto Government Hill. Turn left at the light at Harvard Avenue. Turn left at the first "Y", then immediately left into the parking lot for the Center.