Theoretical bar

TO DIVE FOR | DARWINS THEORY | ANCHORAGE | ALASKA

WORDS AND PHOTO BY JONAS LARSSON

I was at a different bar, you know, the kind where you can get food, too. Started chatting with a couple of properly blitzed locals - nice people. I casually asked if they had a favorite dive bar in town. “We just came from it. Darwin’s Theory, best in town!”

Done and done. A moment later, I manage to squeeze in at Darwin’s thoroughly packed bar. Anne Woolsey and Paris run around, furiously serving up drinks left and right. Despite the massive workload, their mood and speed are both admirable. These are not people to be messed with. Anne asks me something that I interpret as “How many drinks have you had?” I hold up two fingers. Wrong answer. Two ridiculously strong gin and tonics appear. I thank her politely and double check how to get back to my hotel.

Darwin’s Theory is a place you will immediately like if you’re into dive bars. Everyone talks to everyone, and the popcorn is free. My theory is that Anchorage in a strange way revolves around Darwin’s Theory. In various conversations in the days after, I keep hearing about the unpretentious and lovely little bar. Interesting.