Entry No. 46 — the Anchorage file — filed under: arcade-play
The Raven
Anchorage's longest-running neighborhood gay bar, open since 1982 and welcoming to everyone. Alongside the pool table, dartboards, jukebox, and big outdoor patio sits a Ghostbusters pinball machine for between-rounds play. It's an unpretentious, regulars-heavy dive where the games are an excuse to linger.
The story
If you’re hunting for flashing neon strobes or high-energy weekend drag spectacles, you’ve picked the wrong block on East 4th Avenue. Anchorage’s longest-running neighborhood gay bar doesn’t bother with performance. Operating quietly in Downtown Anchorage since 1982, The Raven is an unpretentious institution that has outlasted decades of local nightlife trends simply by keeping things grounded: cold drinks, reliable games, and a stool for whoever wanders in.
Tucked inside alongside the pool table, dartboards, and jukebox sits a single Ghostbusters pinball machine. You didn't hear it from us, but the pinball setup isn't meant for serious arcade chasers—it’s an excuse to linger. In a town where winter nights run brutal and summer solstice light refuses to die down, this regulars-heavy dive gives you a sanctuary to trade turns on the flippers, step out onto the big outdoor patio, and take your time.
What it's like
Walk in shortly after doors open at 3 p.m. and you'll find a relaxed, unpretentious dive dominated by friendly regulars and neighborhood locals. The ambient noise stays cozy: jukebox tunes, the drop of pool balls, and the rattle of the solitary Ghostbusters pinball machine tucked into the corner. Since there is only one pinball table on site, plan to sip a drink and share turns rather than sessioning games back-to-back. When the weather holds, head out to the spacious back patio to catch some air.
The move: Post up at the bar with a pool game and trade turns on the Ghostbusters pinball while the jukebox runs.
📍 Before you go 21+ bar that opens at 3pm; just one pinball machine, so this is a hang-and-play vibe, not a dedicated arcade.
- 📍 Downtown
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 708 E 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Source Metaphysical Book Store — Browse occult shelves and spiritual titles three blocks west on 4th Avenue before ducking into the bar for an afternoon beer.
- Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery (the unmarked-graves Pioneer Cemetery) — Take a quiet stroll through the historic 1915 Pioneer Cemetery down the street before pulling up a stool at 3 p.m.
- Thomas Planetarium at the Anchorage Museum — Catch a full-dome astronomy or laser show half a mile away at the Anchorage Museum, then walk down 4th Avenue for pinball.
Good to know
What games are available at The Raven?
The bar features one Ghostbusters pinball machine, alongside a pool table, dartboards, and a jukebox.
What are the age restrictions and opening hours?
It is a strict 21+ bar that opens daily at 3:00 p.m. (confirm current closing hours before visiting).
Is The Raven a full arcade bar or dance club?
Neither—it is a casual neighborhood dive bar with a single pinball machine and traditional pub games rather than a dedicated arcade floor or dance venue.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, The Raven features a large outdoor patio area.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: travelgay.com · pinballmap.com · Yelp · Facebook · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23