Alaska Spotlight: Bear Tooth Theatrepub

The Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Anchorage, Alaska, offers a unique blend of movie theater, live music venue, and pub dining, making it a beloved local institution.

What Makes it Unique

• Dinner and a Movie Concept: The core appeal is the ability to enjoy freshly prepared food, pizza, craft beer from Broken Tooth Brewing, wine, and margaritas, all while watching a film in a comfortable theater setting with tables at most seats.
• The Theatrepub and The Grill: Located in the same building, the Theatrepub is the movie and event space, while the Bear Tooth Grill offers a separate, slightly more upscale, café-style dining area with an emphasis on Alaskan and Southwestern-inspired cuisine and an extensive craft beverage selection.
• Community Hub: It’s more than just a cinema. It serves as a second-run movie house, a destination for documentaries and art-house films, and a significant venue for live music, comedy, film festivals, debates, and other community events.
• Locally Sourced: The establishment is committed to supporting the local community by sourcing high-quality produce and seafood from Alaskan farmers and fisheries.

History

• The Bear Tooth Theatrepub emerged from the site of the former Denali Theatre and several small shops in the Spenard area of Anchorage.
• It is owned by the same people behind the renowned Moose’s Tooth Pizza, and both are named after mountains in the Alaska Range.
• The Theatrepub was developed by a community effort, with the first movie screened being Strange Brew.
• The Bear Tooth Grill was later opened in August 2001, expanding the culinary offerings with a distinct atmosphere and Latin-inspired fare.
• It became the indoor spot for the monthly concerts that originated at Moose’s Tooth, coinciding with the “First Tap” event.

Highlight Menu Items

While the full menu is extensive, some of the most highlighted items are:

• Moose’s Tooth Pizzas: Patrons can enjoy the famous pizzas from their sister restaurant.
• Latin-Inspired Dishes: The Bear Tooth Grill focuses on Alaskan ingredients combined with Southwestern influences, including items like burritos and tacos.
• Alaskan Seafood: Fresh-off-the-grill Alaskan seafood is a specialty at the Grill.
• Broken Tooth Brewing Draft Beer: A wide selection of craft beers brewed locally by Broken Tooth Brewing.
• House-Made Margaritas: A major draw, particularly at the Bear Tooth Grill.

Significant Events

The venue is a major host for cultural events in Anchorage:

• First Tap: Historically a highly anticipated monthly event where Broken Tooth Brewing releases a new beer, often paired with live music from local and national bands.
• Film Festivals: It regularly hosts events like the Warren Miller Film Tour, the Northern Aspects Film Festival, and adventure/sports film screenings.
• Live Performances: The venue has hosted a diverse range of artists and personalities, including The Melvins, Gangsta Grass, Nora Jones, Imagine Dragons, and Joe Rogan.
• Trivia Night: A popular weekly event, often hosted by “Geeks Who Drink,” which has seen very high team turnouts, driving business on otherwise slower nights.
• Community and Academic Events: It has served as a venue for events like the UAA’s “Arguing Alaska” debate series and film screenings with post-show Q&As, highlighting its role as a space for public discourse.

Customer Feedback (General Sentiment)

Customer feedback generally praises the establishment for:

• Atmosphere: Described as a fun, unique, and quirky environment.
• Quality: High marks for the quality of the food, especially the pizza and the craft beer.
• Service: While service can sometimes be slower due to the complexity of the “dinner and a movie” model, staff are generally noted for handling issues well and comping orders when mistakes happen.
• Family-Friendly: The earlier movie showings are often noted as being family-friendly, with the theater design accommodating children.

Location and Contact Information