Mad Myrna's — Restaurant in Alaska

YOU GOTTA GO!!!! I been meaning to go to Mad Myrna’s because I hear about the spot so often from my friends in Anchorage. But their good words couldn’t prepare me for how fun that space is.

First, the food — usually I expect bar food to take a backseat to the drinks or performance, but their stuff is the real deal. Their team knows what they’re doing. I had a grilled cheese that just melted in my mouth, it was that luscious. I tried the skewers too, which were also good!

Second, the drinks — Not only do they look good (they have large glasses and decorate each drink according to their character) but they taste good too. The drinks were reasonable price, around $10, for something that’s both instaworthy and yummy. Mine lasted me the whole night, but I almost wished it didn’t just so I could try more — they have a hugeeee range of unique drinks with funny names.

Third — THE PERFORMANCES!! Every single performance was incredible and wow, THE RANGE!! Each diva was so different from the last, but they all stood out in their own way. I understand why this bar takes top 3 in the nation! Shoutout to host Hank for keeping us all on our toes, his improv always kept us rolling. A few of my fav. performers I saw were Athena Nuff (most athletic dance moves and yes I caught that voguing in the end hun!); Krustyna Clown (she started with TSwift just to shock us when she transitioned to Queen Bey, and she is soooo good at engaging with the crowd, I had a few moments where I got to sing with her); and Dela Rosa (who sings LIVEEEEE and WOWWWW her vocals are heavenly). But, they were all amazing. And it wasn’t just the drag performers — even the DJ had some hosting moments, and while I forget his name, the person collecting bills performed and OMG. That was our. fav. set, when he came out as Ash from Pokemon! We went crazy for that one.

Fourth - the atmosphere! I think that’s what made this place stand out the most. Everyone really went out of their way to make it feel like a community in there. And yet it also felt so effortless. You could tell everyone working there are just such good friends, and it translates to the entire bar. The host would make jokes or shoutout other folks in the bar, and they would have this great banter, and you could also tell there were people in the crowd who were good friends with some of the performers. They invite people with birthdays up to the stage too, and it’s clear how much the audience feels welcomed in there just by how comfortable they are on stage! Our friend got to twerk up there 🤣 even after the performance, the dance floor felt just as communal as during the performance.

I have so many words to say (clearly) about how much I adored my experience there, but I will just leave it as: GOOOO! If this is your scene, you will love it as much as I did. Everyone was so fun, friendly, welcoming, engaging, accepting, joyful…all the positive things! And don’t forget to get that tip money from their ATM — you will want to...

Some friends and I watched the Diva Variety show, which I definitely recommend to anyone looking for a wild night. None of us knew what to expect when we attended and we were really overwhelmed by how loud everything was. The venue did have earplugs when we asked but by the time we had them, I was so overwhelmed that it didn’t help. We ended up leaving early but I do want to give Myrna’s one more chance to see if I can handle it. Overall Mad Myrna’s has a lively atmosphere, a strong pour, and talented performers. I recommend the bar and shows only if you like loud bright places or prepare ahead of time with earplugs.

Edit 2 weeks later, change from 4 stars to 2: The more I recall my experience at Myrna’s the more violated I feel. I felt heckled for tips and it took me off guard that everything was so sexual. I just wish I had warning. I felt violated so many times. I also didn’t like that the costs weren’t upfront. As someone who has to budget outings, I wish the tips were just added into the table reservation. I was already weirded out that it was $20 for the table without taxes and fees, then $5 each to get in, then ofc we spent at least $30 each on drinks… not counting tips…. I also didn’t know the show was interactive and it made me feel uncomfortable because I even chose a table at the back. Although the security people seemed very nice, the bartenders were rude and didn’t even try to interact with anyone. Also the drag performers were encouraging people to drink and that made me uncomfortable because what about people practicing sobriety? I felt like this experience was closer to a strip club…. And I feel violated because that wasn’t advertised… also at one point the drag performers made fun of someone’s makeup and I didn’t like that. The audience and performers were also mostly white which felt weird. The drinks were also very over priced…. More club vibes than bar vibes,,. And so so loud. I don’t think I can’t handle going back… I feel uncomfortable just thinking about it… I was so excited to have a safe space in anchorage but mad Myrna’s...

TRASH!! GARBAGE!! AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!! It's so sad that this little blip on the map village only has 2 gay bars. Let me tell you why The Raven beats this dump by a very long shot... This place has $20 mocktales, they are super stingy with the alcohol but will not hesitate to overcharge you and they hate on their own community. LGBTQIA+ DOESNT EXIST HERE, EVERYTHING IS CENTERED AROUND THE SELF CENTERED DRAG SCENE!! That's why they look at you in disgust if you aren't dressed in drag. That right there should tell ya it's a place that's full of people that hate themselves and project that hate onto their patrons and others! Don't bother going to the weekly drag show. It's literally a tired, repetitive bore!! Just boys wrapped in hotel duvets literally BEGGING for tips on their hands and knees to a song of their choosing 🤣🤣. Quite sad honestly. It's almost like visiting the homeless encampment down the street. They also like to kick people out for no reason. I literally was halfway thru my second beer and just tipped the bartender $20, that's more than the 2 beers I paid for! I have a very high tolerance for alcohol but they insisted and said I was being "drunk and belligerent" but just keep in mind I went by myself for some drinks, hubby stood home. He wasnt feeling well and nobody in this village has been friendly or inviting toward us anyway since we got here. So how could I be drunk and belligerent if I have nobody to talk to??? I was floored!! Lol When I called them from home to ask why again, they couldn't answer me with a legit reason, just kept passing the phone around. So I gave them a reason to 86 me for good. I can't stand people that hate on everyone else because they hate themselves. All in all, you aren't missing anything here. Like at all! Just a sad dumpster fire they call an "everyone's welcome safe environment". I'm surprised they don't choke everytime they say that phrase being that...