The 20-minute tour of the Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum proves that a quickie visit can still pack plenty of character and historical anecdotes delivered with playful confidence. From there, the tone was set: equal parts history lecture and wink-at-the-audience storytelling.
The museum itself is thoughtfully preserved, with original artifacts and period details that clearly show real care went into protecting this slice of Skagway’s past. The Saloon could’ve let patrons wander through and appreciate the objects alone, but the experience would lose all of its sparkle without the guides. Touring in full period character, they strike a perfect balance, informative without being stiff, humorous without turning Red Onion’s history into a joke. The double entendres land lightly, keeping things entertaining without overshadowing the facts or making it awkward.
At the time of our visit, it was $20 per person for 20 minutes which felt well worth it. It’s efficient, engaging, and surprisingly educational, especially considering how easily it could have leaned purely into novelty. And if you are a Legend-Tripper, there are plenty of ghostly tales during the tour. Note that you must take the tour to be able to see the museum.
If you’re building a Skagway itinerary, this is an easy yes. The Red Onion tour doesn’t overstay its welcome, teaches you something you didn’t know, and sends you back onto the street and/or back into the bar smiling, which is exactly what a good historical detour should do.
Fish DC
Delicious food, great drink selection and a lively atmosphere with staff serving up some tongue in cheek humor. Definitely stop in when you are in Alaska.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ana tavares
One of the funniest tours I have ever made. This was indeed a brothel back in the days of the Klondike Gold rush. So the tour is about the daily life of the women who entertained the men at that time and you will see part of their living ways, including their rooms (with original wall papers), clothes, objects. The tour leaders' narrative is super funny and educational at the same time. It will last around 20 minutes and costs 20 dollars (including a souvenir). The visit takes place at the upper floor. Downstairs it's the bar/restaurant.
Gary Mazur
Fantastic experience. Great atmosphere, must visit when in town for a cruise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zachary Casey
Anybody in the area definitely needs to stop by. The food was honestly absolutely amazing. Not to mention the cocktails that they make in the area are hilarious and delicious. Don't forget to come back to see the saloon tour that they offer, which is also a great piece of history.In the area of how the town thrived and honestly would not have made it without it. The staff here are super amazing and the character for the tours that they deliver are great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana E
Madam Purity provided an amazing tour! Highly recommend this!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
wayne mann
We were here on vacation and learned of this famous spot so we wanted to try it out. It was a old brothel so the teeming and history is awesome in this place as they have it set up like it was originally. We sat down to eat after about a hour wait because the inside is so small and there were so many ships that came into port. Unfortunately we weren't able to have any wraps or sandwiches because we were told that their freezers broke so we stuck to pizzas and a quesadilla. I got the pulled pork quesadilla and I couldn't believe how great it was. Big portion and definitely top of the lists of ones I've had. We were with friends so we got 3 pies and they were honestly some of the best pizza also, which I couldn't believe from a old saloon. The pies were big and loaded with ingredients. They cooked them perfectly. We got some of their specialty drinks that were very good also. I definitely recommend this place if your in town for the day for either drinks or food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle Moore (Wanderlustory Travel)
We jumped on the brothel tour and it was hands down the best tour I have been on. 10/10 recommend
Katie Ford
Loved learning about the brothel
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TheRobwhitton
We did the “quickie” tour and was not disappointed. Detailed script that informative and really funny, wife and I had a great time!
We had the brothel tour & Shirley was our tour guide. She was awesome!! So informative.
Service: 5
Robert Hansen
To begin with, the entire staff was very accommodating and friendly. It was a last second decision on my part but they were able to get me on the 12:30. I took the 2 hour tour with Madame Tilly. Her energy was infectious, her delivery with the jokes was fantastic, and her knowledge of the history was top-tier! It's clear she has a passion for the job and everything that it entails. I stayed for a quick bite. The quesadilla was so good! The bar staff was great and everyone was smiling. This experience is a must!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Hamell
Fast service and great food! Nice kids menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelli Bell
✨iconic✨ First, I started with a tour with my cruise ship. Madam Annie Thyme met us at the port and gave a good history tour on the way to town. We had GREAT jokes and stories. I loved this tour of Skagway and hearing the tales of the people of the gold rush. Second, I thought it was super important for them to cover the stories the way she did. Highlighting the women who built the town with their escapades, sin taxes and looking out for each other. It’s not always the easiest to talk about. We ended our tour with a walk through of the Red Onion Saloon. Lastly, it was such a good experience - we went back!! The next week when we were back in town we had lunch there. Five of us split two pizzas- The Shady Lady and The Spicy Spangler. We coupled it with some local brews and reindeer farts. So good! 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Santa Cruz
Fun place to have a brew and take the Madam's tour. Waitress told us to check out the salmon spawning nearby. We would have missed it, if she didn't mention it.
The 20-minute tour of the Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum proves that a quickie visit can still pack plenty of character and historical anecdotes delivered with playful confidence. From there, the tone was set: equal parts history lecture and wink-at-the-audience storytelling.
The museum itself is thoughtfully preserved, with original artifacts and period details that clearly show real care went into protecting this slice of Skagway’s past. The Saloon could’ve let patrons wander through and appreciate the objects alone, but the experience would lose all of its sparkle without the guides. Touring in full period character, they strike a perfect balance, informative without being stiff, humorous without turning Red Onion’s history into a joke. The double entendres land lightly, keeping things entertaining without overshadowing the facts or making it awkward.
At the time of our visit, it was $20 per person for 20 minutes which felt well worth it. It’s efficient, engaging, and surprisingly educational, especially considering how easily it could have leaned purely into novelty. And if you are a Legend-Tripper, there are plenty of ghostly tales during the tour. Note that you must take the tour to be able to see the museum.
If you’re building a Skagway itinerary, this is an easy yes. The Red Onion tour doesn’t overstay its welcome, teaches you something you didn’t know, and sends you back onto the street and/or back into the bar smiling, which is exactly what a good historical detour should do.
Delicious food, great drink selection and a lively atmosphere with staff serving up some tongue in cheek humor. Definitely stop in when you are in Alaska.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the funniest tours I have ever made. This was indeed a brothel back in the days of the Klondike Gold rush. So the tour is about the daily life of the women who entertained the men at that time and you will see part of their living ways, including their rooms (with original wall papers), clothes, objects. The tour leaders' narrative is super funny and educational at the same time. It will last around 20 minutes and costs 20 dollars (including a souvenir). The visit takes place at the upper floor. Downstairs it's the bar/restaurant.
Fantastic experience. Great atmosphere, must visit when in town for a cruise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anybody in the area definitely needs to stop by. The food was honestly absolutely amazing. Not to mention the cocktails that they make in the area are hilarious and delicious. Don't forget to come back to see the saloon tour that they offer, which is also a great piece of history.In the area of how the town thrived and honestly would not have made it without it. The staff here are super amazing and the character for the tours that they deliver are great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Madam Purity provided an amazing tour! Highly recommend this!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We were here on vacation and learned of this famous spot so we wanted to try it out. It was a old brothel so the teeming and history is awesome in this place as they have it set up like it was originally. We sat down to eat after about a hour wait because the inside is so small and there were so many ships that came into port. Unfortunately we weren't able to have any wraps or sandwiches because we were told that their freezers broke so we stuck to pizzas and a quesadilla. I got the pulled pork quesadilla and I couldn't believe how great it was. Big portion and definitely top of the lists of ones I've had. We were with friends so we got 3 pies and they were honestly some of the best pizza also, which I couldn't believe from a old saloon. The pies were big and loaded with ingredients. They cooked them perfectly. We got some of their specialty drinks that were very good also. I definitely recommend this place if your in town for the day for either drinks or food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We jumped on the brothel tour and it was hands down the best tour I have been on. 10/10 recommend
Loved learning about the brothel
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We did the “quickie” tour and was not disappointed. Detailed script that informative and really funny, wife and I had a great time!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We had the brothel tour & Shirley was our tour guide. She was awesome!! So informative.
Service: 5
To begin with, the entire staff was very accommodating and friendly. It was a last second decision on my part but they were able to get me on the 12:30. I took the 2 hour tour with Madame Tilly. Her energy was infectious, her delivery with the jokes was fantastic, and her knowledge of the history was top-tier! It's clear she has a passion for the job and everything that it entails. I stayed for a quick bite. The quesadilla was so good! The bar staff was great and everyone was smiling. This experience is a must!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fast service and great food! Nice kids menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
✨iconic✨
First, I started with a tour with my cruise ship. Madam Annie Thyme met us at the port and gave a good history tour on the way to town. We had GREAT jokes and stories. I loved this tour of Skagway and hearing the tales of the people of the gold rush.
Second, I thought it was super important for them to cover the stories the way she did. Highlighting the women who built the town with their escapades, sin taxes and looking out for each other. It’s not always the easiest to talk about.
We ended our tour with a walk through of the Red Onion Saloon.
Lastly, it was such a good experience - we went back!! The next week when we were back in town we had lunch there. Five of us split two pizzas- The Shady Lady and The Spicy Spangler.
We coupled it with some local brews and reindeer farts. So good! 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun place to have a brew and take the Madam's tour. Waitress told us to check out the salmon spawning nearby. We would have missed it, if she didn't mention it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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