The Anchored Inn

4.5 star rating
29 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Bars, American (Traditional)

57 Waterbury St
(between Scholes St & Meserole St)
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
(718) 576-3297
Nearest Transit:

Montrose Av (L)

Grand St (L)

Morgan Av (L)

Hours:

Mon-Sun 12 pm - 4 am

Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Music:
DJ, Background
Best Nights:
Tue, Fri, Wed
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Good For Dancing:
No
Ambience:
Hipster
Has TV:
Yes

Review Highlights   

  • user photo
    "Sick collection of black velvet paintings." In 2 reviews
  • user photo
    "Bartenders and owners are very cool." In 4 reviews
  • user photo
    "I will def return to relax and enjoy another bloody." In 3 reviews
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29 reviews in English

  • Review from Lotem B.

    Encino, CA

    5.0 star rating
    4/20/2012

    I remember Metal... I remember Punk.... Metal looking dudes and dudas.. I remember cheap booze.. And lots of it... I think I remember the funky decor and vibe... Scuba guy caught my brief attention lol
    Came here to see a band, didn't actually stayed for the thing, but there was a side room... That was odd, but this IS a dive bar so... Anything goes, really.
    Dodgy location, for what I can tell, of Brooklyn, but my friend and I managed to find the Subway whilst buzzed (well, drunk) by whiskey.
    The staff seemed polite.. Well, let's say that they were more and more polite the more and more we kept on drinking.
    There was so much drinking...
    If we could have smoked inside, it would have been the perfect dive... But hei, after all we have rules to follow. The outside is not all that bad.

    I did wanted to say that when I was reading the reviews I though... They serve food here??? Whaat?... Ehhh....Jeee, gonna have to check it out next time im in the time zone....!!!!

    Rockin

  • Review from Paola M.

    • 41 friends
    • 31 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    1.0 star rating
    4/22/2012

    I really wish I could give this place a better review but my overall experience was ruined by the super loud I can't hear anything but your music experience...:(.

    I ate there, the food was good and the drinks were good also but the whole experience was dampen by the blasting loud horrible music. I go to raves and listen to loud music but this was extreme.

  • Review from Sheena B.

    • 78 friends
    • 138 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    1/17/2012

    I've gotta say, the word "metal" being mentioned throughout a few reviews really brought my desire to stop by the Anchored Inn to a grinding halt. Rock & Roll bar, OK... great, even, but I really don't want screeching metal bands blasting while I am trying to relax. Alas, I finally bit the bullet & went in....

    Happy to report that it is way more of a rock & roll bar than a metal bar, and a good rock & roll bar, but that's not what makes it so great. Nope. They offer up an excellent choice of beers in bottles (Scrimshaw Pilsner is one of my kind), in cans & draft beers pouring from taps that certainly tasted clean to me. There's also a full liquor bar. Bartenders are all really nice, too. But wait, because it gets better.....

    Food! I don't know who is cooking back there, but this is some kinda next level bar food. That burger sincerely deserves an award. It was like 2 sliders piggy-backed on top of one another, and served on the perfect seeded bun with some kind of chipotle dressing. Calling it delicious kinda cheapens it, so my apologies to the chef, but really... it was probably the most enjoyable burger that I've tasted in years.  They serve it with a heaping amount of fries, too. On weekends there's a burger special that was running until 8pm. These are my kind of people. Not everyone can make brunch by 4pm, but the Anchored Inn has the answer for the late waking hangover clan. $12.00 got me a burger w/ fries & a choice of draft beer, or a Bloody Mary included in the price. You just can't beat that. Had to try the Bloody Mary.... Perfectly seasoned, rimmed glass & garnished with olives & spicy pickled beans. It was a little different than your regular Bloody Mary, a bit more smoky, or a tad of barbecue flavor, maybe, different, but great. All Bloody Marys are not created equal, and most bartenders around here don't know how to make a delicious Bloody Mary at all. These people have it down.

    So they've won me & I've been back a few times now & will continue to eat my way through their menu. Have also tried the spicy peanuts, squash soup & the pickle plates (pickled, spiced veggies) a few times with no disappointments. They've got a few decent vegetarian items (veggie torta), so it's a safe bet for all.

  • Review from Richard T.

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    5/16/2012

    Folks in the know had been encouraging me to stop by this place, and I'm glad I finally made my way in. On first glance, the aesthetic was clever and unobtrusive (velvet paintings, hanging scuba-dude, etc.), the music was heavy but not overbearing, and the crowd looked like the kind of people you wouldn't want to cross - unless you were crossing arms for a arm-linked-stein-chug.

    There were several good beers on tap with a definite eye to mixing up heavy/light beers, wine on tap, and canned and bottled beer from PBR to world-class craft brews. I didn't get into the liquor that night, but I spied some good looking rye whiskey and Buho Mezcal on the shelf, which is all I really care about anyway. Cocktail list was enticing, including Michelada+Ancho Chile Mezcal for $9 (fuck ya), and the food menu was concise but solid, with mexican faves and a burger, which was mostly why I was there.

    All of this qualifies the place as five-star in my book, but the staff really made the place. My girlfriend and I each ordered a burger and fries: we ordered separately but only received one number, and when the runner brought out my food less than ten minute later, he took it with him. We thought that might be a problem, and sure enough, we waited for a good 15 minutes after my food arrived before we decided to mention it to the bartender.

    In too many places in New York, the bartender would get huffy about this situation,  get defensive, cop an attitude, etc. - unless you're a regular, and this was the first time I'd been to the place. This guy, however, listened to what happened and told the kitchen and actually apologized, sincerely even. This was great, all I could have hoped would happen. Even better, the cook/runner came out and apologized for the miscommunication - I insisted it was no problem, I understood, thanks loads.

    Five minutes later my lady's food came out (the burger is off the hook, btw. with a double patty and cheese melted into grilled onions, crispy fries) and I went to grab another beer. The bartender said, "Six Bucks" and grabbed the ten I had set on the bar, but then turned back and said, "Oh, actually its on me, for the whole burger thing," and a little later, he did the same thing for my girlfriend. Are you kidding me? Best bartender I've met to date (and I'm a bartender - this guy makes me look like crap).

    Point being, the place is cool, the booze is abundant and varied, the food is better than you'd hoped, and the staff is fucking awesome. Places like this are why I don't leave Bushwick anymore.

  • Review from Anon y.

    • 0 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Jersey City, NJ

    5.0 star rating
    5/9/2012

    Amazing location...  I mean it is smack dab in the middle of a warehouse district in East Williamsburg/Bushwick border.  Great black velvet paintings of Putin, Chavez, and Kim Jong Ill.  And a great $5 PBR and Whiskey shot special.

  • Review from Melanie B.

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here

    There are velvet paintings of Putin, Mao, and Chavez in this bar, along with its just-kitchy-enough-not-to-be-annoying nautical theme. I looooove it. I love the salty atomsphere (Anchored Inn, duh), the metal/punk musical selections, the fairly inexpensive beer ($4 for Yeungling draught), and the patrons who, at least last night when I went to see an oi show, were cool music-scene people and not vapid hipsters. There was even a true metalhead, and I have seen about two real metalheads in Brooklyn since I've been here (and no the bartenders at St. Vitus don't count). Long hair, leather vest, and all, this man was helicoptering and air-guitaring. Now that's what I'm talking about.

    Anyway, the bartenders are pretty, lanky girls in motorhead shirts, so that doesn't hurt either. They were a bit slow with the service, but then, it was fairly busy - they were still really nice, though. Small but not cramped, this bar is everything I've been looking for and more. I loved the blue lights on the ceiling - I spent a good amount of time staring at those. Great atmosphere, affect, music, people... I think I should probably move to Bushwick. Oh and I forgot to mention, the Acheron is right next door - teeny, tiny, dark and adorable music venue not listed on Yelp, and I'm not about to list it either... this industrial corridor of Bushwick is relatively untouched by tourists and traffic in general, and along with others, I'm sure, I'd like to keep it this way.

  • Review from Janeen B.

    • 146 friends
    • 122 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    4.0 star rating
    9/5/2011

    When one is promised the golden fluffy deliciousness of pancakes, they will go thru extreme measures to get them...

    Let me rephrase that; When I'M promised the golden fluffy deliciousness of pancakes, I will go thru extreme measures to get them..

    Unfortunately, this trip from my humble abode of a crackhouse in Harlem to the industrial side of Brooklyn was in vein, as the lovely waitress that promised my drinking homey and I that Anchored Inn would serve pancakes the following weekend was incorrect, and I was left with a broken heart and a empty tummy.

    All was forgiven when we sat at the bar and had some very interesting girl talk with the totally awesome bartender and other patrons of the bar, including a sweet-as-can-be rescued pit bull that was so cute and kind, I
    would of gave her a big kiss if I didn't know the last thing in her mouth was her own doggy vag.

    The place is very hipster-nautical themed, but not in an annoying way. The velvet painting alone are worth stopping by and having a cheap beer (beers here are really reasonably priced, and the selection is awesome). There's upstairs seating as well as seating downstairs, and sometimes they have free food! (on this day they had free bagels), but as for now, no pancakes.

  • Review from Daniella C.

    • 20 friends
    • 52 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    7/11/2011

    I recently realized I didn't have a favorite bar in New York. There are bars I go to often, sure, but I don't necessarily care for those bars. Where's my Geary Club (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) of Brooklyn?

    The Anchored Inn has many things I look for  in a bar:

    1. Metal! Metal is usually good for a bar.

    2. A deep sea diving suit suspended from the ceiling.

    3. It is around the corner from my house.

    4. Trivia night.

    5. Excellent food.

    The Anchored Inn is basically my new favorite bar.

  • Review from Giovanni J.

    • 16 friends
    • 10 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    4.0 star rating
    9/25/2011

    Enjoyed my night. Good beer selection, good deals, and the bartenders are polite.

    Awesome metal/punk music and the decor is great. Happy to have a bar like this so close so bushwhick.

  • Review from Jenifer H.

    • 6 friends
    • 38 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    2.0 star rating
    2/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here

    I would have given this place five stars if I had received better customer service here. The environment is great. The food is excellent, and they have ginger flavored beer. I was hoping this spot would become one of my faves, but service is highest on my list of priorities, and the bar tender who was there the last time I visited was rude to me and my friends. She completely ruined my appetite, and I left without ordering anything.

  • Review from Sophia A.

    • 2 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/13/2011 4 Check-ins Here

    My first review was not-so-hot because I was overcharged accidentally by a new bartender and could not contact the bar later as their phone was not yet connected. I haven't received my refund (by the way - I will take accept that refund in the form of a drink next time I drop by!), but I am very grateful that both the bartender in question and an owner got in touch with me via Yelp as soon as the problem was made known here. I should also apologize for not editing this review sooner - my Yelp notifications are not reaching me for some reason.

    As such, the good points I mentioned in my first review still stand - fun crowd, not too busy on the off-nights, very quick (if a little brusque) service. I'm not very into white hipster havens normally, but when I show up with my crew I have a good time, and that can't be said for much the rest of this rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. Some reflection of the older inhabitants of the neighborhood might be fun - perhaps some hip hop and reggaeton from time to time? - but as it is, this bar is a relatively inexpensive and always energetic place to spend an evening.

    Thanks Anchored Inn for taking my concerns as a customer seriously. I'll be back soon!

    Was this review …?

    Comment from adrienne d. of The Anchored Inn 6/23/2011   
    Hi Sophia, I am one of the owners. Yelp is finally updating… More »
  • Review from Ira B.

    • 23 friends
    • 14 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    4.0 star rating
    3/21/2011

    Sick collection of black velvet paintings.  Built-in ATM.   No foot traffic in this Bushwick industrial zone means no tourists strolling by means you came out here to go here.  Good draft selections (hello Six Point Brownstone).

    Walking down the street en route, we had The Melvins cranked on my phone which would normally be a situation I'd be reluctant to change but if upon entering, something seemed to be cut at 45 RPM yet seemed to be playing at 33 RPM, and you intentionally liked it, you'll dig it here.

    Bartenders and owners are very cool.

    One complaint: there's a TV (not something I have much tolerance for).  OK, another: for some reason someone had their dog and I was told it was a French bulldog.  I couldn't tell its ass from its face but beyond that, dogs don't belong in bars.

  • Review from anni b.

    • 13 friends
    • 351 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    5/5/2011

    Yep.  Might be my new favorite bar in the area.  Dangerously close to my apartment.  Yay.

    What's cool about it mostly is the wide variety of purposes it serves for me and my group of friends.  We all have varying drink tastes and this bar seems to cover all the bases and stock our favorites.  An awesome bloody mary (for one friend), Guinness on tap (for another), beer and shot special (for another), growlers (for everyone), and a specialty cocktail menu (for me!)  And the specialty cocktails are slightly cheaper than at other places.  Very cool indeed.

    I also hear they'll be getting food in there soon too - Mexican Cantina stuff.  The management is really listening to the needs and wants of the clientele.  Good business!

    The decor is dark, the music is rough, and there's a vague nautical theme going on.  Bartenders are tough-looking but friendly.  

    Basically, I love you, Anchored Inn.  You will see me again soon.

  • Review from Matt C.

    • 16 friends
    • 42 reviews

    Freehold, NJ

    5.0 star rating
    11/22/2011 7 Check-ins Here

    Hate Brooklyn,like this place cool spot to hang out after the Acheron , grab a HD and some drinks

  • Review from Sammy F.

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Chappaqua, NY

    5.0 star rating
    12/18/2011

    My favourite bar, hands down.

    One of the finest burgers I've ever eaten, Double Meat, Wicked Crazy Pink Sauce, and perfect thick cut fries.

    Great drink specials, like a burger and a beer, pbr and shot, bloody mary + food.

    Wild drinks like hot tamale shots with real hot tamale candy.

    A haven for the roller derby community.

    Met a lot of neat characters to Watch the Giants, Talk Literature, and trade Jokes with.

    Really goofy velvet painting of Putin staring down on the whole room. Real skulls up by the cash register, giant diving suit by the front.

    The graffiti on the street is spectacular as well.

  • Review from Doreen M.

    • 6 friends
    • 54 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    4.0 star rating
    4/19/2011

    So my first time at the bar. Man, does this bar have a killer bloody mary. I loved the atmosphere too. The bartender was really mellow and nice.

    I will def return to relax and enjoy another bloody.

  • Review from Manish M.

    • 2 friends
    • 5 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    7/2/2011

    I have a half sleeve tattoo, and I was the person with the least ink at this bar. True story.

    Anyway, I had biked by this place every day and been intrigued by the mannequin diving bell hanging from the ceiling, so I finally went in. Great beer, surprisingly good food, chill vibe. The bartender gave me free beer when i closed my tab.

    Also, awesome paintings (huge oil painting of squid fighting whale as well as portraits of Machiavelli, Kim Jong Il, and others).

    Epic win.

  • Review from Sean D.

    • 2 friends
    • 1 review

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    4/19/2011

    Sophia. Babe It was a mistake! Come back and we'll talk it out over some beers.

    Yours truly

    Powdered Toast Man

  • Review from John C.

    • 23 friends
    • 48 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    4.0 star rating
    8/21/2011

    GREAT BAR!! I would have given it 5 except there's a television.

  • Review from Meg G.

    • 38 friends
    • 69 reviews

    Paris

    France
    5.0 star rating
    8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Fun atmosphere and great decor. Delicious beer on draft. Can't wait to stop by for dinner there!

  • Review from Chintamani K.

    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    2.0 star rating
    10/28/2011

    friendly staff, cute kitch, lots of long beards, heavy metal, $3.00 PBRs, I can't say it was without charm, but the BURGER WAS DISGUSTING.  I asked for it well done and the bartender--friendly as can be--said "it only comes one way."  I asked what way was that?  He said they serve 2 thin patties stacked on top of each other.  He promised they were delicious, though.  I almost walked out but he looked SO sincere.  I thought, well, if they're thin patties they will probably be at least medium.  WRONG.  Fried on the outside, bloody and cold on the inside.  Really vile if you don't like that sort of thing.  I will say, though, the place was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time so if you don't feel like drinking at home, it is a viable option.  Just eat first.

  • Review from Nicole S.

    • 4 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    5.0 star rating
    6/25/2011

    Always a great time!  Food and drink menus are creative, happy hour prices are excellent! It may get loud but you can probably ask the bartender real nicely about bringing it down a notch or two.  And now you can take your drink to the little outdoor area.  AND if it's still too loud, you're too old.

  • Review from Martin O.

    • 21 friends
    • 20 reviews

    ROOSEVELT ISL, NY

    5.0 star rating
    5/9/2011

    Super loud. Unpretentious. Love the owners and love that it's off the beaten path.

  • Review from molly c.

    Brooklyn, NY

    4.0 star rating
    3/8/2011

    i don't think i'm exactly what one would call an early adopter. maybe in some ways, but despite all my awesome cred, i am rarely the first one to try a new place.

    not true with the anchored inn.

    down the industrial side of meserole street, past a basement music store and some dark lofts, lays little waterbury street. and down waterbury street is the anchored inn.

    nautically themed, but not over the top, the bar was pleasantly hopping on an early saturday evening. a nice beer selection, but nothing to crazy along with a well stocked bar and interesting food-centric specials, can pretty much assure that i'll be back.

    the bartender told us that there will be pancakes there next week. who doesn't love pancakes?! i'm bringing my own syrup.

  • Review from Angelica K.

    • 21 friends
    • 136 reviews

    East Elmhurst, NY

    4.0 star rating
    6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here

    first off- this place is LOUD. if you aren't into that you will have a bad time.

    the drink specials are GREAT, as are the drinks. the vibe is pretty neat with a lot of pictures all around the bar area. looked like there was an upstairs but i didn't investigate.

    they have "pickle backs" (a shot of pickle juice) and it's delicious. spicy, salty & refreshing!

  • Review from Stephen H.

    • 29 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    5.0 star rating
    5/17/2011

    Great atmosphere,  bar staff is cool as hell and they just started serving food. Favorite spot in Bushwick by a longshot!

  • Review from Adam A.

    • 8 friends
    • 11 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    5/17/2011

    Feels like its been there forever even though its less than a year old. New bars usually feel awkward, not here. Also they just stared serving food. The burger was awesome.

  • Review from maia a.

    • 3 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Westchester County, NY

    5.0 star rating
    6/7/2011 2 photos

    vanilla mint whiskey. pickled green beans. kelso nut brown. hell or high watermelon beer. chili lime peanuts. love the owners. love the ambiance. best bartenders. metal music & every so often oldies. so laid back.

  • Review from what w.

    • 0 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Brooklyn, NY

    2.0 star rating
    3/25/2011

    Good deals but SO FREAKING LOUD.  Im not a bitch and I enjoy loud music but damn dude.  and its all metal.  I live real close and was happy it opened but man its loud.  so loud it distorts and stresses their speakers.  DAMN!!

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