“B”- the oldest licensed bar in Alaska 30 | 2026 KODIAK, AK VISITORS GUIDE Photos on pages 30 & 31 by B and B Bar, Amber Bach Affectionately known by locals as the “B,” this historic bar overlooks St. Paul Harbor, where fishing vessels, seals, otters, and the occasional orca can often be spotted. On any given day at the B, local fishermen might be found enjoying a beer and telling tales of survival on the Bering Sea, surrounded by an assortment of local characters including hunters, rocket scientists, tradesmen and women, judges, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and sometimes even the occasional Navy SEAL. Rumor has it that a ghost or two may also frequent the place. Just ask any bartender to tell you more. The B and B first opened its doors in the 1890s and was named for its original owners, Jess Blinn, born in 1862, and Harry Blodgett, born in 1855. The historic bar still features its original wooden floor and paneled walls and proudly displays its liquor license, which was purchased for five hundred dollars in 1906 when licensing became standardized and officially recorded in Alaska. Over the years, the B and B has been moved twice. Its first location was across from the ferry terminal, next door to the Kodiak History Museum. The second location was closer to downtown, on one of Kodiak’s main streets, before the mall existed. In those early days, the bar was moved by pulling it over large rolling logs with a team of horses. The bar itself was much longer then. Seventeen feet of the rear portion became stuck in the mud, and a decision was made to leave it behind. On March 27, 1964, a massive earthquake struck Alaska, triggering a tsunami with thirty foot waves that devastated downtown Kodiak. Cleanup took several years, and during that time ownership of the bar was transferred to Jess Blinn’s granddaughter, Marylss, and her husband, Jim Eggemeyer. In 1969, they relocated the B and B to its current home. Today, the B and B is located at 326 Shelikof Street and is open seven days a week from 4 PM until closing, usually between 4:30 and 4:45 AM. Alaska state law requires that bars close by 5 AM. To confirm hours, call 907-486-3575, as the B frequently opens at noon when a cruise ship comes to town. Come enjoy a delicious beverage and a moment in history. B & B ON Kodiak Island
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