The Bergmann Bar is in the basement of the landmark Bergmann Hotel. The bar has almost a cult-like following. People rarely come once. This quiet hole-in the wall is one of the oldest in Juneau. It was built in the early 1890s as a large rooming house for miners. It was remodeled to its current configuration in 1913. The founder of the hotel, Mary Bergmann, was a German immigrant.

Bergmann came to Juneau in its early days, and she ran other Juneau hotels. After a fire at one of them, she decided to enlarge her rooming house to have a full-service hotel. The location of the hotel at Third and Harris streets was a key ingredient in her success, as it was the first stop into town when the miners returned home from work. Today the hotel is almost in the same configuration as it was when it was completed. The owner has tried to maintain the hotel's historical attributes but still have the amenities of a modern establishment.

The original bar opened in 1933 as the Bergmann Bar and Cafeteria. Now just called the Bergmann Bar, or the Portal Lounge (if you're an old timer), the bar boasts one of the most extensive collections of premium libations in Juneau. If you are looking for something specific and top shelf, this is probably your best bet. With more than 100 types of liquor on the shelf, chances are you can find what you're looking for. Plus, just ask the staff for specialties hidden away.

If you're looking for wine, there are extensive choices ranging from wonderfully drinkable to divine. The list is always changing, so just ask. If it wasn't enough for the bar to have lots of choices in wine and spirits. The champagne and cognac lists include high roller brands as Cristal, Bollinger and Louis XII - some of the finest products available in the world.

One of the beautiful things about the Bergmann is the lack of flavors of the week - bad, poorly thought-out products usually found at the dance-type clubs. I saw nothing but quality at the Bergmann. Not to mention, where else in Alaska can one get a '96 Bollinger Grand Annee?

With a mellow, quiet atmosphere, it's my bar of choice for relaxing after work or as a nice place to start one's night out on the town.

No, the restaurant known as the Grub Steak isn't currently open, but the owner does keep it in mind and plans on opening it in the next few years. The restaurant in the past was a favorite with locals and people still come in looking for Juneau's best steak.

• Keith Crocker can be contacted at kpcrocker@gmail.com.