Best Neighbourhood Pub: Ship & Anchor Pub

photography by Neil Zeller

Ship & Anchor Pub

The Ship & Anchor has been a local watering hole for an eclectic group of customers who call it their “home away from home” since 1990. This pub is many things to many different people, whether you're stopping by for a beer, a meal, a live show or a seat on their much-loved sunny patio along 17th Avenue S.W. The staff here recognize this variance, so The Ship provides their customers with the opportunity to contribute to those in need with various community outreach initiatives throughout the year.

COVID-19 impacted the Ship & Anchor Pub greatly as they closed their doors and experienced a significant decrease in both sales and hours worked for their staff members. In addition, they implemented new protocols and systems in order to keep things afloat for when they were finally able to return to regular business. At the beginning of the city's shutdown, The Ship added curbside pickup as well as Uber Eats and DoorDash delivery systems so that they could continue to serve their community. The business will continue to offer these services now that they have reopened.

You can support your favourite local neighbourhood pub by ordering takeout and delivery during this time. There is now a reservation system available on the Ship & Anchor Pub website that allows you to book up to 50 per cent of the restaurant, while the other half is dedicated to walk-ins who will be added to a waitlist notification system if the tables are currently full. The Ship now has new menu items and reduced hours, but they are hoping to expand this soon, so for now, enjoy a sunny seat on the patio with a cold beer in hand.

FIRST RUNNER UP: KENSINGTON PUB

SECOND RUNNER UP: OAK TREE TAVERN