The Anchor

Sometimes, its all about context.
Whilst The Anchor is not the usual place I’d find myself going for a drink, thats not to say it isn’t worth going to. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
The Anchor is a large sports pub, the sort of place where you see large groups of friends together for daytime drinking seasons, watching sports and generally having a good time. Its the sort of place where the usual noise from large groups of lads (and girls) isn’t a problem. You aren’t going to spoil someones night out by talking too loudly.
The décor is decent enough, there’s plenty of space, plenty of seats and plenty of tv’s. Its not really the sort of place you’d want to take your partner for a candle lit glass of wine.
The thing that really lets it down is the food, The menu is very standard chain-​pub-​grub. Curry, chilli, fish and chips, 2 meals for xxx type of affair. When we’ve eaten there before in the name of convenience the food was so bad we had to send it back. The barman looked equally as shocked as us at the state of the food we were given and in fairness they refunded us without quibbling.
I really wish they would just concentrate on one thing and get that right. Maybe a well crafted burger menu, keep it simple and do that one thing really well.
In the meantime if you’re not fussed with the food and want to watch sports with your mates you could do a lot worse than the Anchor.

If you like to follow your sport you are in the right place. We don’t, so we didn’t stay long enough to review, just the coffee, wich was ok.

The Anchor is a very student friendly pub, situated towards the top end of Gloucester Road. Large, leery and covered in blue and gold paint, this pub is busy most nights of the week, particularly on Mondays as it’s ‘pound a pint’ night. There are also plenty of meal deals on cheap pub food too. Split over two levels there is at least plenty of space and lots of outside seating too, located at the front of the pub.
While there is nothing wrong with this pub and it is certainly great for a cheap drink, it can get very loud, very busy, and feel a bit like a student union at times. My friends and I have out grown it but if you’re a student living on Gloucester Road then check this place out if you haven’t already.

The Anchor is in many ways your typical English pub — it is a welcoming and friendly place and the interior is well decorated giving a warm atmosphere. However it not a particularly family orientated place and you don’t see many young children here.
This pub is fairly large when you compare it to others, which makes it good if you are desperate for a seat as there are plenty! There are also a few pool tables at the back, as well as a typical fruit machine, and it is a popular place for both adults and students alike to relax in at any time of the day.
Every Monday this pub puts on a pound a pint night, which for one night a week attracts a much more studenty crowd — and with cheap prices what can you expect! Also to cater for students, they offer a cheap menu with deals such as ‘two meals for £5.50′, making it an easy option to eat in! Students and the general public who are 18+ are catered for well.
I personally find going to this pub a pleasurable and enjoyable experience, and on a Monday night it is great fun if you and your friends are out and fancy a more sociable environment.

The Anchor is alright; I love to go occasionally but for the pure purposes of getting drunk. It’s not the sort of place to go for a catch-​up with friends, a meal or a quiet drink or two. Students and locals abound, and it is often hard to hear yourself think. I realise I sound like a miserable old woman, but the place is just a little bit lifeless and loud. The cheap drinks are obviously a great attraction so I recommend the Anchor if you want a messy night, but avoid at all costs if you want somewhere to go with the family or a partner as there are plenty of nicer places around.

Low-​cost, but a little bit wrong, is how I would describe this pub. It’s a kind of like a Wetherspoons, with cheap alcohol, cheap food and tacky décor. This inevitably brings in the cheap punters, so expect students galore if you venture in during the evening. The food’s not great, to be honest (it’s the microwaved from frozen kind of stuff) and despite the low price tag, is probably best avoided. However, if you’re after a cheap pint mid-​week and live in the area then the Anchor isn’t too bad a bet. There are plenty of more civilized places around, though, if you’d prefer a little more ambience.

The Anchor is a large modern pub aimed at the student market. It’s perfectly located for this mid-​way up Gloucester Road and is surrounded by the student’s housing. This means for those who wish to have a civilised quiet evening, avoid at all costs on weekdays. Having said that, on Saturdays the locals are out and the same rowdy crowd is probably found. In fact, best avoided at all!
If you like the liveliness and the cheapness (£1 pints) then make a beeline for The Anchor. It has lots and lots of seats and tables and a huge upstairs space too. Staff are most probably all students but are efficient and friendly.

Very popular with the students as is cheap for both food and drink. More of a sports bar than anything, football, boxing, rugby and cricket always being shown on the Big Screen. Full of younger people and very clicky!

This recently renovated pub on the well known Gloucester Road is a must on a Monday night for students. With £1 a pint with a valid NUS card Monday’s always guarantee a short wait at the bar. With a well sized outside seating area, an abundance of sports screens, and modern well kept interior, The Anchor is worth a visit if you’re going past.