Ah, the ship. Everyone in Calgary needs to know the Ship & Anchor. It's a collection of everybody from all walks of life, and here is why. 1) The food is damn good. Many a dinner has been had at the ship, so I've had the majority of the menu and the only bad thing I've had were the nachos. Not enough cheese and kinda burned, but that may have been a one time thing. I'm sure I'll attempt them again later with some friends. 2) They have a lot of good beer on tap. Unfortunately this no longer includes Hoegaarden, but there are many more to choose from, including a delicious Village Brewery beer. 3) Eclectic crowd = meeting random people. Who doesn't love meeting someone new that is completely different from you? It's a lot of fun and you may make a new friend out of it. If anybody ever wants to head down, let me know ;). read more

3 words: OH. MY. GOD. The Ship & Anchor is notorious around Calgary. No matter who you run into, no matter how long they've lived in calgary, and no matter which area they live in; Everyone has heard of The Ship. How do I describe The Ship & Anchor to you? Let's see. Picture what you would expect if you went to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland. Picture a bunch of drunken sailors, all at the same place, at the same time. Now picture The Ship & Anchor. When I go to The Ship, I feel like I've left Calgary. I feel like I'm aboard some tiny vessel (tiny because it is always packed to the point where you can barely move) filled with friendly pirates and sailors, who are all half-drunk, overly friendly, and wanting to get to know everyone on the boat. It's a complete shit show. It feels a lot like frosh week or like a frat party. But if you go in expecting it, then you're bound to have a good time. In the summers, the patio is PACKED. Like you *think* you've seen a packed patio, and then you walk by The Ship and you realize that you had NO idea so many people could happily fit in one place at one time. The Ship is definitely not my scene, but I can appreciate it. I don't necessarily like people so close to me that they don't require an excuse to touch my bum. I don't necessarily like drunken people in my space, being overly friendly and wanting to be my best pal. And I sure as heck don't like overcrowded patios that smell like beer and sweat. BUT there is something about The Ship that is quite charming. Everyone checks their egos at the door and it's the type of place you kick back, have some brew, and get to know everyone around you. read more

The patio here is awesome (bright and sunny during summer brunches) and its right on 17th avenue which makes for great people watching. One small draw back, like most Calgary roads, there is a huge bump (damage!) before the corner on 5th street which makes all the good ol' boys pickup trucks rattle loudly when driving past. The noise can easily be drowned out by good company and a steady flow of drinks. Since I don't live in Calgary I have only ever eaten brunch here while hungover on a Sunday. I really enjoy the Caesars and the staff have no problem loading you up with extra garnish. The Eggs Florentine is my favourite and its only like $9 and the fries are better than the hash browns if you are into substituting. I do not eat the beef, but all my close friends and lovers rave about the loaded Ship Burger and if you can't trust your friends then why have them right? The service is sometimes a little slow but its because the staff are friendly and chatting to tables. I'd rather wait a minute longer for a healthy pour than have to deal with someones attitude that is poor. I hope to one day get to enjoy a night of debauchery here! read more

We enjoyed the ambience, service was friendly and quick. This place was decorated nicely, almost felt as if we weren't in Calgary lol. This place is great if you want to have yummy pub food or even if it's for a few drinks. Will come again for sure. read more

So many great things about the Ship and Anchor! Great food, excellent beer selection, and often really good bands for no cover. I have seen Fishbone, You Say Party! and the Sharp Ends all for free on different occasions at the Ship. I think those opportunities alone make me feel it necessary to give the place a 5. For a pub, the food is creative and well-prepared, and if you order fries for your side, you are going to get a mountain of well-seasoned, fresh-cut deliciousness. Highly recommended. read more

I really wanted to go to The Ship & Anchor after seeing them win so many "Best of..." awards so maybe I had built up too much of an expectation when going. When we first got there and sat down, we had to wait a pretty long time for the waitress to bring us menus. When she brought them, we wanted to get our drinks right away but she told us she'd be right back and took another 10 minutes. She also did this to the table next to us who was more annoyed than we were. I ordered a burger and it was mediocre, definitely not good enough to place top 3 in "Best Burgers in Calgary". It was nothing special at all. I think if we had sat in the patio, we would have had a better experience people watching or enjoying the sun but it was very average - not good or bad - and definitely overrated by FFWD's ratings. read more

Great atmosphere - I love this place. And I'm so glad after all these years it's still here - that makes me happy! Every time I've come here I've had an awesome time! This most recent time we came in for drinks and breakfast, and left satisfied. There are events happening all the time, just check out their chalkboard calendar near the back, so cool. I'd hang out here a lot more often if I lived in yyc! read more

The best bar, the best vibe, the best food, the best service - a staple of this city. Deep fried pickles! Sld Island! So many pals! Go there. read more

This is a favorite of mine, they always play the deeper cuts from an album, not the crappy pop stuff on the radio. But it's not just what is out now, sometimes they throw down some Ted Nugent just to see if you're paying attention, it's a hilarious place to hang out and get some fish and chips with friends and talk. It's never too loud to talk to your friends. For you youngens who think that I just said album and that it means record you is wrong, record is plastic circular thing, album is a collection of anything (every heard of a photo album?) They always carry good local brew like Big Rock, which is the original gangstah when it comes to Calgary home brews. Dude I was tasting beers at Big Rock when they were just wittow, I was 18, they still used pony kegs! Also I like my bar "just right" which means it's not pretentious, and people dress like normal people (not trying to out-do each other). It's also stumbling distance to wicked wedge, which I highly recommend heading to if the kitchen is way closed and it's 1:30am. All places in Calgary are full bar, (this is a shocking concept to a Canadian to only offer beer and wine, are you crazy?" read more

I'm not sure how this can be the first review of the Ship and Anchor, however I'm happy to oblige. Ship and Anchor is it absolutely institution in Calgary. Their happy hour on Friday seems so reasonable that you are almost certain they made a mistake on your bill. The food is very good, so it can be a good option for lunch any other time. The patio is large and in the summer it's a must stop. The Ship and Anchor has your typical bar fare beer whiskey Etc however a sphetmospherreputation makes this place I must stop in the summer. read more

I love the Ship burger with the works! Nice juicy patty. Lots of produce, bacon, cheddar, onions and a pickle plus a heaping side of fresh for less than $9.00! Don't care so much for their fries, but hey, I shouldn't be eating those anyway! The salad is very tasty too - balsamic dressing with shredded carrots and various fancy greens. Wasn't the hugest fan of the roasted veggie salad. They also have a great beer selection: Mill St. organic lager, Mill St. ice tea beer, Aprikat ale, and Moosehead lite. Great value and service. I love it how they don't try to kick you out when you start to wind down on the drinks/food. read more

I've been a regular at the Ship for several years so there is no question about giving this place 5 stars - I wouldn't keep coming back if I didn't love it. But let me get my minor complaints out of the way up front - I am getting a bit tired of the vegetarian options on the menu, & sometimes table service is a bit slower than you would want. There were some problems with the kitchen making mistakes about 18 months ago, but they have been resolved So why is this a 5 star? It's a REAL pub. The kind where people know each other & look out for each other, but where you can still have fabulous conversations with folks you have never seen before & will never see again. Especially if you are on the patio or sitting at the bar, the range of connections you can make is endless. I have spent the evening talking to ex-Navy guys, professors of education, actors, techies, people dressed as giant gingerbread men. I've spent the evening watching folks I have never met making pirate hats out of newspaper & passing them around. I've spent the evening with people I HAVE met, just chatting & having a exceptional night at the pub. And the bar staff are amazing! Mentioning the Ship at a bar I visited in Ottawa immediately elicited admiration from the bartender - he'd been here, he couldn't believe how speedy the bartenders were at pouring beer. Breakfast is good, & it is a great place to watch soccer, morning or otherwise. There is usually a knowledgeable crowd around enjoying the matches. The Ship is accessible, although on Friday & Saturday nights you will probably struggle with a wheelchair (yet I will say people usually move out of the way for me & my cane) because it is so crowded. & I wish they would do something about the leak/sweating in the women's accessible stall. If you have never been here, check it out. If you have been here & didn't like it, come back again because you just hit a bad night! read more

Lots of space for large groups, delicious food and drinks nand service is on point. looking forward to patio weather in the spring and summer as its great for people watching too. read more

This is a great place for college/university students to congregate in. The place is really popular in Calgary; the patio is packed during warm, sunny days, and it's difficult to get a table in the late evenings. Ironically, I didn't visit here much in my undergraduate days; I only really discovered it once I joined the working world when a friend took me to lunch and made me try the veggie burger (best in the city, he called it; he was right). Many come for the live music or entertainment that happens often. For me, I usually use it to hold meetings with groups or colleagues, often getting a booth or staking out the tables in the back by the kitchen and dart board. The staff are very respectful of allowing patrons to take as much time as they need; it's a very casual atmosphere. The food menu is very reasonable in terms of price. Many dishes are $10 or less, and the portion sizes are filling. My favourite item on the menu is the Ship Burger; made in-house and only $8 with fries. If you're looking for some reasonably priced food options on 17th Ave, The Ship & Anchor is a great place to be. read more

When I said the Ship tends to grow on you in my review last year, I wasn't kidding. Another year gone by and now I just can't say no when somebody says, "Hey Wendy! Wanna join us for a pint at The Ship?" What tipped it over into that 5th star? The Ship didn't change any, I just experienced MORE of it. Like, brunch (there's breakfast poutine here too!). And more patio time. And beer. And being able to show up on my own and still find a table full of people I know. But mostly the patio. It'll be open on any nice warm day of the year. You can count on that. I still dig the deep fried pickles too. read more

"The Ship" was "OK" about 8 - 10 years ago. Now it's a trendoid destination, and a victim of its own success in a lot of ways. There is a 15 - 30 person lineup just to get in on a weekend. I cant imagine why, the beer is not cheap and the food is not spectacular. Mainly "yuppie" and college / university types frequent The Ship. There is certainly no theme with regard to the music or general atmosphere. Lots of soccer memorabilia, but this isn't a British pub in any way. I was told there's an ATM when I went to pay with interac, even though they totally take interac (???). There were a few (but not lots) of reasonably attractive college type girls here, but they all looked unapproachable -- involved in conversations with their friends about politics or their midterm next week. I'm not sure who they are trying to appeal to here. Generally this place is unfortunately a "fail" which is a shame because it used to be an allright, if only predictable, place to go. read more

I have to put a bit of a disclaimer on my 5 star review, as it ONLY applies to the patio. I actually would give the inside bar only a 3 star as I find it too dark and dingy for my taste, but "The Ship" definitely has the best patio in the city on a summers day. I guarantee you this patio fills up before any other patio in the city. Something about the vibe of being crammed in with a bunch of very eclectic strangers this makes going to the ship an adventure. Their food menu is just your average pub menu. Pretty reliable with some solid appys and burgers! You can't go wrong if your expectations are that you are going to "The Ship". The term should be branded! You can wear whatever you want because the clientele are literally from all walks of life.... It's a mishmash of professionals from downtown, biker guys/gals, gays, straights, hipsters, students, and of course the lovely hippies! I love this place! read more

Been here twice which is surprising since I've lived in Calgary for over 12 years. Both times were in the last 6 months. Once was in the summer and we sat out on the patio and the second time was in November so we sat inside. The first time was only for drinks on the patio so that speaks for itself. It was a busy warm day so the service was slow and we had to track down our waitress to pay so we could leave. She took forever to bring us our bill when asked and even longer once she brought the bill as I previously mentioned. The second time I went for supper with a girlfriend and it was yummy! I got the chicken breast burger and a salad with a balsamic dressing. It was tasty! Our server was not very friendly, but she was efficient. We didn't wait long for anything, but it also was not a busy sunny day on the patio. It was a Tuesday evening. The clientele is my kind of people and I feel very at home there. It's an interesting mix of people and I enjoyed my time. read more

*********************A Love Poem for The Ship******************* Sometimes I call you The Whip 'n' Spanker. I *heart* you. You always bring me smiles, since I found you in '95. Your music entertains & brings the mood alive. If I drank beer, you'd let me choose from infinite possibilities. Instead, you prepare my pint 'o' Caesar oh so tenderly. Your patio is the hub that you let me watch others curiously. You let me prefer 'The Channel' across from the bar where your patrons come to flirt & chat in the evening's ebb and flow. You are home to me when I'm not at home, where everyone is friendly, where the love is what we know. The Ship. I *heart* you. read more

The Ship and I have been through a lot together. We have so many memories, many of which I don't recall due to the fact that it's just so damn easy to drink there. Despite my somewhat hazy memories, the Ship is like an old friend that's always glad to see you no matter what happened the last time you hung out. Even if the last time you hung out you made a bad decision and decided to do shots before making out with some hottie you met playing darts, the Ship does not judge. Let's face it, everyone there has done the exact same thing before. If you decide that a balanced and nutritious dinner consists of an order of deep friend pickles and a half order of nachos (Total - $15), the Ship does not judge. (Helloooo, pickles are healthy and the nachos come with...wait for it...salsa.) When you need a place to go for breakfast at 3pm because you were out at the Ship til 2 o'clock on a weeknight and now you're too hungover to go into work, the Ship has your back. (Breakfast served til 5pm, brunch on the weekends.) It's also possible you got drunk with your boss or even his boss...the Ship is loved by old and young alike. When it seems as though every other Calgary establishment has turned into a gastro/craft/resto/lounge/brewpub with a high douchebag quotient, the Ship remains true to it's non-pretentious roots and eclectic mix of cool people. Though you may start a visit to the Ship sitting next to strangers at picnic tables on the patio, by the end of your visit you'll inevitably have a bunch of new friends, and also some hazy memories. 4/30 read more

Everyone in Calgary goes to the Ship. Everyone. Every night I've spent there has involved running into friendly faces from high school, from my classes, from work - even from other cities! I even ran into my teacher from High School there once. Haha, talk about traumatic. The reason it's such a favourite? It boasts one of the best locations in Calgary. The patio is ideal for people-watching, and inside the rather dingy interior they have a little something for everyone. The Ship features some basic pub booths, a wonderful selection of beers, and a full menu of shots and pub grub if you feel like something a little different. I tried my first Krispy Kreme (shot) at that bar. The service is so-so, but that is because the ship is often packed full! Passing by on a Friday or Saturday it is not unusual to see a long lineup. The music is usually pretty interesting, and loud enough to hear but not to drown out your conversation. The biggest issue is usually finding enough space to seat your group. The door guys are usually pretty sweet and try to keep the line moving, but don't climb on the tree in front or they get a little nasty! Saturday mornings often boast early early morning soccer games, and little british-isms invade the bar. If you have lived in Calgary for more than six months and haven't been to the Ship yet, shame! read more

Ship & Anchor Pub - credit: http://flickr.com think_calgary - Pubs Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

It's all about Tuesday nights. Punk Rock Bingo! Kind of the greatest idea of all time... "What is Punk Rock Bingo?" you ask. In a nutshell, it's a night where a selection of punk rock tunes rip from the speakers while Steve, the host, keeps everyone entertained with his banter, mediating of random games for prizes, and calling out variations of BINGO letters and numbers. You can win big, and thus are beckoned to the stage to grab a prize from a selection of yard sale junk, as well as items donated by local businesses (you can win tattoo shop gift cards too!). There are opportunities for random prizes as I mentioned, and people will be chosen to go up on the stage to play such games as "Bear, Hunter, Ninja." It's not just regular straight vertical or horizontal line to win bingo here, there are different rounds where you have to get an "X" or "kite." Just, go on Tuesday and you'll see what I mean! The way my buddies and I handle Tuesdays at the Ship is to get a spot near ish to the stage, arriving around 7 or 7:30pm to secure a table so that we will be in the midst of the madness to ensue later on. There's nothing better than the patio here in the summertime, and you can still participate in bingo if you nab a table near the windows. Order your beer right away, they get super backed up/busy and it takes forever for drinks to arrive later into the night. This place gets crazy packed, which makes for a great time meeting people and sharing tables on occasion. Ship & Anchor is also a music venue, in all its dingy charming glory. Not the scene for everyone, but those who dig it here REALLY dig it, and are loyal regulars. read more

One of the best pubs on 17th. I took a friend from Halifax there one night and he grew confused, suggesting that while he knew Calgary was the nautical capital of the Prairies, he could go to a pub like this in Halifax. Which is true, but that's why it works here. It's always packed and on weekend afternoons, they usually have an acoustic open mic/jam thing happening. Not all of them are real musicians, but it gives the pub a nice feel on a Saturday afternoon. The patio is large and always full, too. Great selection of beer and it does remind me of a Maritime pub -- in the best way possible. read more

Ok, here's a review from a Californian. I'm trying to talk more about the pub than I am about the beer. First off, we stayed in Calgary befoire we headed off for Banff and Lake Louise. As Sharks fans, we were obliged to visit 17th ave (Red Mile!!!) and roust it with teal jerseys and shenanigans. Here's how I found the bar, and the problem with the beer. I kept asking around for Craft Beer. Yes, I know, I was drinking at hotel bars... but after failing miserably trying to find a good, strong, hoppy beer, it was recommended that I go to the Ship and Anchor. After trying a Keith's India Pale Ale at another bar, and finding it to have a taste similar to Budweiser, I realized that instead of asking for "craft" beer, I should ask for a "Microbrewery" beer. Big Rock and Wild Rose are what I found. I drank the Big Rock Traditional Ale for most of the trip FYI. Still not impressed. That being said, I LOVED the pub. People were friendly, they didn't drop the f-bomb every other word, and people were all awesome and accommodating. Unlike California. I would change my citizenship in a SECOND. Ordered the burger, poutine, and tried my folks' food, all of which was really good. I read a few grumbling reviews about this bar, and I implore you haters to never take for granted friendly people. Try visiting some Cali pubs, and after all the crude, moronic, drunk 25-going-on-12 year olds you find, you'll wish you had it as good as you did at the Ship and Anchor. Oh, I did find good beer a Grizzly Paw brewery on the way home. Here's the beer that I love... http://www.stonebrew.com/ If anyone has recommendations on where to find great, hoppy IPA's in Canada, let me know. read more

The major things that distinguish the Ship & Anchor from other watering holes is live and tape delayed showing of English Premiere League Soccer (rivalled only maybe by The Pint further down 17th Ave SW), and that the South-facing patio is always open (making it my go to spot for Chinook days in winter). While most reviewers here love the unpretentiousness, and I appreciate it, this doesn't garner stars for me since almost every neighbour pub in town is unpretentious too. What you will get at the Ship & Anchor more often than not is live music, a reasonably priced selection of 20 or so beers, okay food (the Ploughman's Lunch is the best menu item IMHO), and lots of people in tuques. If you hang out here with friends regularly, it's likely a 5-star atmosphere. If it's your first time, or you go alone, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. read more

When in doubt, go to the Ship. Any time of the day. It's dingy and beautiful! Just some examples of an excellent time: - Brunch: Breakfast poutine - Other meals: The ship burger - Tuesday evenings: punk rock bingo The Ship is great place to start, end, or spend your evening. read more

Oh the wonders of Stampede patio. Ship & Anchor is definitely a great place to be for the festivities. The people are friendly, the drinks are plentiful and the food gets the job done. Even in the off-season, the patio is a great place to relax with a brew and a few friends. Ship & Anchor definitely has a split personality. The patio is warm, relaxed and fun. The bar area is dark, a little dank and seems to be inhabited by yuppie types. I guess there is something to be said for variety even if it does make it feel like you are entering a different world when you go inside. Either way give Ship & Anchor a shot, you might meet some new friends and even if you dont, the sunshine and drinks cant hurt. 8/30 read more

You will either love it or hate it. Extremely dedicated regulars. Tends to be very busy and can be difficult to get in, but if your in it is a great bar. read more

Cool spot. They had a band playing so the place was pretty packed. Good bar selection.

I went there for brunch and catch the Saturday morning soccer game. I ddi not expect anything from the food. But the eggs benedict were a great surprise with some nice saute potatoes. Our waitress was really nice at 9 am. great service.. I will go back to catch some English premiere games and tale a brunch... You can also grab a beer instead of your coffee.. that is up to you? G read more

This is a classic pub located on 17th Ave. They have a huge patio in the summer that is always full and inside is a rustic Irish feel. Line ups usually start by 10 on a weekend! Probably the best pub food I have had. Anything from borscht to pizza to veggie burgers, I've never had a bad meal there. Prices are extremely reasonable too. There is also a couple of dart boards at the back of the bar to keep you entertained. read more

I have been past the ship and anchor many times and have never eaten here. The main reason is I get seasick and have an extreme fear of large metal objects. read more

The kind of place where you could hang out all day. Good food, nice and friendly service, and tons o' booze! nice old fashioned decor. Was only sorry I couldn't stick around for punk Rock Bingo night! Go there for a nosh, nurse a beer, read a book for hours on end, or to write the great American novel. Or just to get smashed with your crazy friends! read more

LETS GO TO THE SHIP!! awesome staff and atmosphere! Great food and beer! BEST venue to see an up close intimate show! What are you waiting for? See you at the ship! read more

How can one not love the Ship? Great for beers during the week nights, a fab pub lunch and great last beer of the night kind of place. The atmosphere changes on different nights as do the ages of the patrons but it is always welcoming and fun. The food is also always consistently good pub grub with a few surprises. I had one of the best spaghetti carbonara ever here. Who knew? If a pub could drunkenly hug you this one would. read more

Surprisingly good food for a bar, er, pub. I've been to Calgary twice and to the Ship as many times. I have no complaints about this place, only warm, fuzzy memories of good food and Crown floats (that's Guinness and hard cider - name starts with an S and escape me now). read more

The worst service my friends and I have ever had... everyone working there appeared to hate their life. I don't know if it was because my friends are young and they thought we wouldn't tip. The friends I was with leave larger tips than anyone I've met before... but we couldn't bring ourselves to after being treated like an inconvenience the whole time we were there. The bathrooms were cool but gross and smelled like an outhouse. The nachos were some of the best ones we've ever had though. Unfortunately food isn't a good enough reason to return. read more

Ship & Anchor is one of the more happening places on 17th Ave with lots to offer. They are located on a stretch of 17th Ave where there are lots of other pubs and restaurants to go to, yet they are usually crowded and bustling with people! You can bet on their service and quality, so you know your night will be enjoyable. read more

I am all about the ship when I come to Calgary. I love punk rock bingo, and their patio is a great place to just sit and chill during the summer. The crowd is usually really relaxed and positive too. My only gripe is the fact that the service is SO SLOW. It doesn't matter if it is busy, or there is one other table in the bar - you're going to be waiting a long time for your server. They need to pick up the pace. One menu item that I really enjoy is the steak salad. read more

It's like Cheers, except nobody knows your name. What can I say about the Ship that hasn't already been said? All the cool kids hang out there. Everyone and their dog (and probably their grandma) likes it. Pros: Nice variety of patrons, good pub grub, nice patio, guaranteed fun weekend night. Cons: Sometimes it can feel like a Calgary hipster contest: "I've been coming to the Ship since before it got popular", "I get invited to the regulars party", etc. Also, when it gets packed, the layout is pretty awkward and you're often left randomly standing. Don't expect your Norm stool and do expect a line-up on weekends! As for fun? I suspect you will most likely have a good time ;) read more