Anchor Inn — Restaurant in Anacortes

I've been a regular here for about 3 years. I love this place, it's staff, and it's prices. The drinks and bar food items are great. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable. The prices are cheaper than just about any other bar in town with an awesome selection. What really sets this place apart from everywhere else is the atmosphere. There is no other comfy dive bar in town with cheap pool and shuffleboard where you can just kick back and have a good time for hours. It is somewhere you WANT to stay and hang out. The long-time regulars are like a family. As a female, I am confident that I can feel safe here because the staff is always watching and making sure everyone is having a good time. Trouble-makers are cut-off and asked to leave. There is rarely drama here. I will continue to spend my time and money at the Anchor. There is no where else I'd rather go. PS, the kilt-wearing bartender is one of my favorites (they are all my favorites). Very friendly, funny, and kind. He has years of experience, so if he cut someone off, it was for their safety and the safety of others.. probably clear that that person had enough to drink and is just upset about being...

We wanted to play pool and decided to grab a bite to eat. From the start, the service was terrible! And there was only one other person in the place. The bartender barely acknowledged us. We ordered the fish & chips. They were under-cooked (Unsafe by food handling requirements) and greasy. We couldn’t eat them. The general indoor air was smoke filled from the fryer in the kitchen.

We stayed long enough to play 3 games of pool. We had to approach the bartender for drink refills each time. We even had to come to the bar to get our credit card slip. We only received merchant copy and no customer copy or itemized bill). She did however come over right as we were completing tip and signing credit card slip. Which we left on table with our empties. As we were walking out she asked where credit card slip was like we were running out wthout paying. Yes we made her go to the table and get the signed credit card slip. Emily is callous, rude and I have to say, lazy. We won’t be back....

I visited Anchor Inn after working an all-nighter and walking around to decompress. I ordered a martini, some wings, and then asked for a beer. Despite being calm, quiet, and clearly not slurring my words, the bartender cut me off—while patrons next to me were actively pounding shots and beers.

I understand that after 24 hours awake, I may have looked fatigued, but I wasn’t intoxicated. I even recorded myself afterward to verify I wasn’t slurring. What disappointed me most wasn’t being cut off—it was the lack of concern or basic human decency. No offer of water. No, “Hey man, you doing alright?”

Instead, the interaction felt like a public power move. If you’re from out of town and not fully adjusted to the time zone, think twice. And if you’re an attractive woman? I saw a visibly drunk regular grab a woman by the hips—no one said a word.

Maybe this place works for some locals, but between the selective enforcement and lack of care, I...