The Red Onion is first come, first serve. Come see us!
A visit to Skagway is not complete without a stop at the historic
Red Onion Saloon. Located on the corner of 2nd & Broadway, it is a favorite with visitors and locals alike. Built in 1897 during the height of the Gold Rush, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one of the finest Bordellos in town, and while the times have changed, the spirit has not. Come see what Skagway’s favorite Saloon, restaurant & brothel museum has to offer!
~ Red Onion Saloon is the perfect
Skagway Excursion
to compliment your Alaskan cruise. ~
201 Broadway P.O. Box 271
Skagway, AK 99840
Bar: (907) 983-2222
Office: (907) 983-2414
redonion@redonion1898.com
Featured Red Onion Products
Enjoy our selection of delicious pizzas! Try local favorites such as the Madam Jan, Big Dessie, La Muchacha or Burnin' Love.
In addition to pizza, our menu includes meatball sandwiches, nachos, soups, salads & more!
Enjoy our large selection of Alaskan brewed beers!
Try one of our delicious house cocktails such as an Apple Shrub Manhattan, Switchel & Soda, Gold Rush Margarita or Red Light Bloody Mary.
“This Is A Must Do In Skagway!”
Skagway Alaska Excursions
"If you are ever wondering what it might be like to walk into a saloon/brothel back in the day, this is about as close as you can get. This place has been around since 1898. The atmosphere is great and the staff look the part. We decided to visit on our cruise stop in Skagway and glad we did. We did not eat, just sat at the bar, had a beer and enjoyed the atmosphere. I did notice the nachos someone ordered because they were huge. There is no charge to walk into the place, only if you want to tour the museum upstairs." Cruise Ship Shore Excursions at Local Prices!
What ourcustomers say:
customers say:
Alexis
"Western style bar, friendly staff, and good drinks! Great place for the cruise tourist to stop in while taking a break in Skagway. I have been here twice, while on our Alaskan Cruise, and love it!"
Wayne Clayton
"Awesome place with a brothel museum, great drinks . Add there delicious pizza and its the best place in Skagway. "
David Marzec
"One of THE BEST bar/restaurants we have EVER had the pleasure of experiencing. Our server Tamar was the best server we've had in a very long time. The nachos were to die for."
GT Stepp
"Spent the afternoon in town so we had to stop by the infamous brothel. Ordered one of the original drinks, "Reindeer Fart". It was actually just a shot. Still it was a pretty good shot! The beer was cold and the staff was fun to talk to and capture a pic or two with."
Lisa E
"Great spot to stop for a drink and enjoy the history this place has to offer. Do the museum tour upstairs, worth the price of admission for sure. Funny, entertaining, respectful and full of history."
Jackie & Charles
"Delightful commentary, knowledgeable guide & very different perspective of Alaska Gold Rush."
Rachel Strand
"We did the quickie tour for $10. Well worth the money, and you can have a drink in the saloon while waiting for the tour to start. The ladies were lovely and happy to pose for pictures. Lots of jokes and interesting stories told."
Holly Anne Pattie
"Great tour! Fun atmosphere! Wait staff is hilarious and awesome!"
TOUR INFORMATION
Ghosts and Goodtime Girls
A walking tour!
Join one of the fun-loving madams of the Red Onion Saloon
on a guided walking tour of Skagway’s historic streets and back alleys. Where women of the evening brushed shoulders with notorious characters such as Soapy Smith and Frank Reid. Stories of Klondike Kate, Cad Wilson and Diamond Lil depict the adventurous, lusty, and sometimes tragic lives of hundreds of women who stampeded north.
Your tour will visit several cribs and districts, culminating with a stop at the restored Brothel Museum, located above the world famous Red Onion Saloon. Here, join a champagne toast and explore the halls and bedrooms of this celebrated brothel, observing original relics and images of the ladies who worked there. And, if you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the resident ghost, Lydia!
Recommended age to participate is 14 years old and up. A parent or legal guardian must accompany participants under the age of 21 years old.
The “Quickie” Brothel Tour
Our in house brothel tour!
Stop in for a tour of our lovingly restored brothel museum! One of our charming madams will make an announcement from the back stairs and whisk you and the group up the “stairway to heaven”. Walk the same floors as yesteryear’s lonely miners & ladies of negotiable affection. Hear entertaining tales of women who worked here and see the many artifacts they left behind, including a priceless silver dress. We also invite all ghost hunters to bring their cameras and see if you can capture our resident ghost! Tour includes a Red Onion souvenir garter.
Tours times are posted daily in the front window and can be purchased in our gift shop or from your server, bartender or madam. The Red Onion Saloon opens daily at 10AM and brothel tours are generally on the hour, depending on the day. Tour is $20 per person and lasts 20 minutes. Parents and guardians should use their discretion as tour material is a tad risqué and museum has several painted nude portraits.
Other Red Onion tours available...
Best Skagway Tours & Excursions! The Red Onion partners with cruise lines and other tour vendors to create some of Skagway’s most enjoyable combination tours. Please contact your cruise line to ask about these excursions!
Ghosts & Goodtime Girls Walking Tour
- Join one of the fun-loving madams of Red Onion Saloon on a guided walking tour of Skagway’s historic streets and back alleys. 2 hrs.
Red Onion Saloon Breakfast & Historical City Tour
- Start your day in Skagway off right with a hearty breakfast at the Red Onion Saloon and a guided tour of our celebrated brothel museum. The tour the early morning streets and visit some of Skagway's unique attractions -- the Gold Rush Cemetery & the Skagway Museum. Only available as a package tour, please contact your cruise line directly to book the Red Onion Breakfast & Historical City Tour!
Best of Skagway
- This extravagant tour lets you experience the best Skagway has to offer. Take a stunning ride on the White Pass Yukon Route Railroad, one of North America’s two narrow gauge railroads, enjoy picture stops on the way down with your guide. At Liarsville enjoy a salmon bake feast, fun show and pan for gold, before making your way to the Red Onion Saloon for a tour of our celebrated brothel Museum. Only available as a package tour, please contact your cruise line directly to book the best of Skagway! 6.5 hours
BROTHEL MUSEUM
Visit the historical Brothel Museum located at Red Onion Saloon and get whisked away into history of the Gold Rush era. Step back in time with one of our “madams” and enjoy the many stories that she has to share.
The Red Onion Brothel Museum is filled with many antiques from the gold rush days. Many of the items on display were found in the brothel — others are part of the owner’s personal collection.
The Red Onion was once the classiest dance hall and saloon in the bustling gold rush town of Skagway, AK. Upstairs, the bordello consisted of 10 cribs (or rooms). Each crib was very small in size, but elaborately decorated. The cribs all had 2 or 3 doors for escape purposes and temperature control.
A weary miner could wander into the Red Onion for a taste of “liquid courage” and a dance or two with a beautiful lady. When the time came to cure his thirst for some love and affection, the anxious gentleman would choose his girl in a very unique way. Behind the bar were 10 dolls that represented the 10 girls upstairs. As each customer would choose a doll of his choice, the bartender would then lay the doll on her back, indicating that that girl was “busy”. Once the gentleman came back down the stairs, the doll was sat upright so every customer in the bar knew that she was once again available. Come get away and explore one of the most historic Skagway Excursions on your cruise.
A good time in the Red Onion Saloon today in not complete without a peek at the famous Red Onion Brothel. And maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of Lydia our resident ghost.
