[REMUDDLED} Anchor New Haven CT – Picture Perfect Vintage Bar Stop

I have had the Anchor on my list of vintage places to check out in the New Haven area for a long long time, but I wanted to wait until Retro Roadhusband was along with so he could accompany me. You see, being the sensible vintage gal that I am Mod Betty prefers not to go unescorted into cocktail lounges and other drinky establishments. But I’m so glad we finally made it there – it’s totally Retro Roadmap worthy!

I mean, look at that neon sign! And rounded window, and (what appears to be) vitrolite or porcelain enamel covering the facade! You can see how hard it would have been for me to resist the vintage charm of this place.

Located in downtown New Haven, The Anchor (you can tell I’m turning into an old lady, I’m putting “The” in front of everything) has been lighting up College Street since the 1940s, according to their website. Nowadays calling it a restaurant might be a bit of a stretch – to me it’s more of a bar that happens to serve some pub food -which hit the spot for us, as we were midway through our drive from PA to MA and feeling peckish.

Some online reviewers  have called “Anchor”  a dive, but I assume they meant that in the “charmingly unrestored and true to its roots” vibe. It certainly didn’t smell like a dive bar when we walked in (those of you who have been to dives know what I mean) and the jukebox was blaring out uncharacteristically cheery pop tunes from the 1980s. I have been to dive bars, and this sir, is no dive bar.

We sat ourselves at one of the rounded banquettes lining the left hand wall, and as usual, had no idea what the deal was. But that’s why we go though those awkward moments – so you don’t have to!

Here’s the scoop:

• They do serve food – until 10 during the week, 12 Fri and Sat.
• If you opt to sit at one of the tables or booths, instead of crowding around the small but fabulous bar in the back – a waitress/waiter will come to take your order.
• The bathrooms are downstairs and surprisingly modern for a place that has been around for so long.

I was absolutely smitten with the vintage details all around the interior as well, from the hairpin legs on the swivel bar stools, to the tufted bar itself, to the backlit wavy plastic/glass that lined the wall across from us. I know they say you can’t eat ambiance, but I’d choose this place to be my regular watering hole in a heartbeat if we lived here.

We were there at an awkward time on a  Thursday evening – too late for folks to have din, too early for many folks to get their drink on, but we liked having the dining area a bit to ourselves. If we’re ever in town at cocktail hour, I’d definitely like to check out the bar area proper.

As we were leaving they – thank heavens – changed the jukebox to something more atmospheric, which totally turned up the Retro Roadmap worthiness a notch or two. A couple met and ordered some martinis across from us, and the gent that seated himself behind us as we prepped to go asked for a Makers on the rocks.

Now THAT’S more like it! Mod Betty approves.