Bird Creek, Alaska: The Bird House

The Bird House had one of the most infamous destinctions in all of Alaskas bars. They packed the place with somewhere close to 100 people NAKED. This was in the '70s. I had lived in Alaska or many years throughout the '70s and '90s and know this to be true. I wish I could have been there at the time. I too have played the "call of the wild Ptarmigan" trick on every visitor from the states who would go with me there. Part of my life burned down there. I had many different items stapled on the walls. I worked in Girdwood and lived in Anchorage and made the trip almost every day except the occasional avalanche. Great memories. [John M. Dobis, 07/24/2011]

The Bird House, unfortunately but not surprisingly burned to the ground a couple of years ago. It was an infamous landmark of Alaskana. A replica of the place is being built behind Chilkoot Charlie's Bar in Anchorage as I type, but it won't be the same. [Greg Silvey, 12/26/2001]

[RA: George Westfall sent a few pictures of it before it burnt to the ground. George wrote: "It's no wonder it burned down, with all the underwear and other things hanging all over the inside of the place. They had a selections of obscene songs in the jukebox and lots of off color humor performed by the bartenders. Tourists were encouraged to blow the ptarmigan horn."]

This was the best bar in Alaska! My buddy J.D. and I went a few times while we were stationed there, mostly on our way to the Russian River to go salmon fishing. I remember the goofy music they played on their jukebox, the stuff people hung all over (panties, drivers licenses, etc.). If a girl took off her panties, she drank for free. Also, the nasty pickle jar, the "whistle" and the way the whole bar was on a slant! You sat on these stumps that were uncomfortable as anything, but you got your money's worth there. The drinks were strong! Because the place was so small, it made for a very informal atmosphere. And a very cold one in the winter because it wasn't insulated. It had been around since the early 1900s and was established as a place for travelers to stop and get warm (there was a wood-burning stove). The Birdhouse was a fire waiting to happen and it finally did burn down in 1996 or so, but for those of us who got a chance to stop and have a few there, they'll always be enjoyable memories. [Mike Saltzman, 11/27/2000]

The Birdhouse in Bird Creek, Alaska burned down due to an electrical fire about three or four years ago. I did manage to go there one Spring Break before it burned down. A couple of things that weren't mentioned were the famous ptarmigan whistle and moose trap, both items not found outside Alaska. Heck, I've had a hard time finding them *inside* Alaska. Also omitted was mention of the unique angle of the entire building. Bird Creek felt the effects of the Good Friday Earthquake, as did most of the state (Good Friday, 1964; largest magnitude earthquake on record in North America, if not the world). As a result of that and/or permafrost, the entire building sloped at about 10 degrees. Don't worry if you feel like you're falling over. You aren't drunk. The bar is drunk! The rest of the account was true. But sadly, the Birdhouse is no longer around and it is sorely missed. [Ivan Heffner, 11/07/1999]

The Bird House is located right off of Seward Hwy, south of Anchorage, AK, before you get to Girdwood. It is in the town of Bird and next to Bird Creek, but this place is so tiny it isn't on every map.

What is it? This is an old cabin turned into a bar. It has one door and one window (which has no glass, it is just a wood shutter propped open). It is decorated inside and out with undergarments, bumper stickers, business cards, and more undergarments. The largest bra I have ever seen is tacked on the outside, above the door. The floor is sawdust - new floor every week! On the outside is a large blue bird attached under the eaves, as if the whole building were a Bird House. The bathroom doors have hinges and handles on the same side -- "Ha Ha, look at the tourists trying to open the door". This was a fun, friendly stop on my mini tour of Alaska and I recommend it to all. (Despite the decor, this wasn't a sleazy bar). [kmriege, 08/30/1999]