I visited this venue for a free TV show screening. It's a great location on the water, with a great view of the skyline at sunset. There isn't too much parking available, only some street spots a couple blocks away. They were selling food and drinks but the service was very slow, lines were long. There was a lot of seating offered, a mix of comfy couches and high barstools/tables. They were also giving out small free bags of popcorn which was nice. There were only porty potties for restrooms, that's the big negative. read more

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Nice seating but the drinks are pretty mid. They basically use Minute Maid alcohol mix and blend that with ice. The quality varies based on how long the employee wants to leave the blender running for. read more

The Anchor - Hard slushy cocktail - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

If I could give a lower review I would. Expensive drinks that were not that great, rude staff, food seemed slow so we didn't get any, but also expensive and rather loud music with no one really in the place, maybe 4 others while I was there. Was a nice day out, but really seemed like a residential place so felt odd to sit in this park that took up the public pathway and people kept having to walk around. Plenty of other restaurants in the area, we ended up getting food from a little deli nearby and that was excellent- The Goose! read more

I went to The Anchor for the first time yesterday for their weekly Bachata and Salsa night. I was really excited to check it out--the music and setup were great, and it was a beautiful outdoor space. That said, I had a disappointing encounter with one of the staff members that made the experience less enjoyable. It was a super hot evening, so I brought a water bottle filled with just ice and water. I didn't know ahead of time that outside water bottles weren't allowed, which is understandable if that's their policy. But instead of calmly explaining it, a staff member came up to me about 30 minutes into the event, confirmed the bottle was mine, and very rudely snapped that I had to check it in downstairs at the tent. I wasn't sure if I could even keep the bottle at all, so I offered to dump it out, but he still refused and continued speaking to me in an aggressive, unwelcoming tone. I agreed to take it downstairs, and while I took just a moment to let my friend know where I was going, he came back again and rushed me a second time. The tone and approach felt unnecessarily hostile and left me feeling embarrassed and unwelcome. This was my first time at The Anchor, and I was genuinely excited to join the community and dance. I don't want to assume intent, but the energy and demeanor of the staff member made the space feel uninviting and possibly even tinged with microaggression. Also, considering how hot it was and how active everyone is while dancing, it really made me concerned for other attendees. I'm not sure if The Anchor provides free water, but I really hope they do--because hydration is so important, especially on nights like that. I hope they can work on clearer communication about their policies up front, and ensure staff are trained to approach guests with courtesy and respect. I'd love to give it another chance in the future, but I hope the environment feels more welcoming next time. read more

The Anchor deserves five stars if you're looking for a vast outdoor beer garden/playground for adults on the Boston waterfront with stunning views of the north end and downtown. We came on a sunny September afternoon and insinuated ourselves into a mellow crowd vibing on 90s rock, corn hole games, and a bewildering array of seating options--all colored turquoise and spread around a large plaza with a wading pools and fountains. Beer-wise, I told the bartender that I like IPAs but not too bitter and he recommended The Town, billed as a "session India Pale Ale" and just right, 4% ABV, some mangoey notes. My wife, a lager fan, got the Bent Water premium lager which she liked. We didn't order any victuals so I can't comment on the quality of their pub food. But I can't imagine a better spot to while away a couple of hours on a sunny Boston afternoon. read more

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Horrible service, far too pricey for the small drinks you get. Paying for the view which you can walk 5 ft away and sit on a bench for free. This "establishment" is very much a black mark on the neighborhood. Blasting music late into the night, this business are the definition of poor neighbors, lacking respect for the people who live and work in this area. Please walk by this place and do not waste your money but also support the locals who are attached to this location and desperate to get their quiet park back! Have also see rats and mice in abundance around The Anchor. To the management of The Anchor, please be respectful to the people who live here. We don't sit outside your homes and blast music alienating your peaceful nights after long work days. Lower the music and enforce these standards with all the guest DJs or special events you have. Should be ashamed of your behavior and lack of respect you have for the location and people that live and work here. Close Shop and MOVE read more

Very fun outdoor spot in Charlestown. I started coming here during the pandemic because it's all outdoor seating and it felt like one of the safest places in town. You can enjoy a drink and snack while watching the boats on the harbor. They offer a handful of wines, beers, and mixed drinks. They also offer several different snack options. Definitely worth stopping by on a beautiful day! read more

The Anchor - Outdoor drinks - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

This place was so cute and we had such a great experience. I came with a large party of ten and they accommodated us perfectly. The waterfront patio was so nice and overall we had a great experience. read more

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD I wondered why it was a Friday and this place was almost empty. Great views and ambiance but DONT come here for the food! The chicken tacos ($6) was a single flour tortilla with a little bit of iceberg lettuce and a SINGLE strip of cold chicken, no sauce. Mac and cheese bites reminded me of the ones you get from the frozen isle of the grocery store and was also cold, and their "gourmet" hot dogs was a plain normal hot dog with your choice of mustard, ketchup, or ranch.. lol Place has lots of potential though... Lots of cute swings and sitting area to view the sunset and hangout with friends. Just wish they would up their food game! They could make a loooot of money here!! read more

The Anchor - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

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The concept of The Anchor, a sprawling outdoor bar with views of the marina, really appealed to me, and we decided to take the ferry out there. There was live music from a great guitarist, and the venue offered tons of comfortable seating, but we were otherwise unimpressed. The menu mainly included beers, wine, and frozen or canned cocktails. I ordered the Ohza Classic Bellini in a can, which was supposed to include 100% real peach juice, but was overly sweet and not enjoyable. It might have been because the place was rather empty when we were there, but we just did not find it worth the trip. read more

The Anchor - a brick patio with tables and umbrellas - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Great outdoor space for live music to enjoy the view and chill. Friendly helpful staff will help you relax on hopefully sunny but not too hot day. I came here during a Sunday brunch and there was plenty of space and not crowded at all. Local park nearby also provides a kid friendly space while being able to drink and chill outside. There is food offered and their offerings is one step up from a concert hall concessions. Sufficient drink options for an outdoor pop up, from frozen margaritas, wine, and beer! read more

I stumbled upon this beer garden while walking along the harbor in Charlestown. There's a limited beer and wine selection with some food (hot dogs, pretzels, etc.). Water costs $2 per bottle. The seating area itself is gorgeous. There are turquoise chairs and couches, and options to sit by the water, on the first floor, and on the second floor. This is such a dreamy place to watch the sunset and gaze at the city. Expect fairy lights, music, and a relaxed vibe. I definitely prefer this spacious beer garden to others in Boston. read more

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The anchor is the perfect spot to hit this Summer! I came by here on a week day and had a great time! There are a ton of seating optionals available, you just walk right in and seat yourself. I recommend sitting upstairs where you have a great view of the city of Boston! I ordered the peach lemonade slushy and it was delicious, light, and refreshing. This is their only non alcoholic drink! The food and drinks are self serve, so go up to the booth when you're ready. They also seemed to have a pretty extensive wine and beer selection. In terms of COVID, the tables were spaced out nicely, and the staff was wearing masks and gloves. Not all of the seating options have shading so choose wisely. This is a hidden gem in Charlestown that is worth checking out! read more

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What a cute little spot in Charlestown! Great place to grab a beer or glass of wine with friends and enjoy a great view. The Anchor opened up last year but this was my first time visiting. Upon arrival they had seats everywhere and it was a seat yourself style (in groups of 6 or less of-course). We found a shady table and sat down. They had some small bites that you could order like sandwiches as well as beer/wine/non-alcoholic drinks from different vendors in the area. It seemed that they focused on staying local with options like Bent Water, and Downeast. They also had a Frozen Peach Lemonade which I highly recommend. It was super refreshing on a hot summer day. read more

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They have a decent set up and location being all outdoors and right off the water. We tried to make a pit stop there after our bike. Decent amount of people there but still had a lot of empty tables at 3pm on a Saturday - there's just a lot of seating space. Decorated nicely for Halloween as well, and dog friendly which is a plus. The only downside is that we were informed EACH person had to buy an entree in order to be served drinks. Fries and small sides don't count (which ok fair) but each person would have to get an entree. I understand what they're trying to do with COVID but I feel like enforcing that each person has to get food is a lot, especially as no other restaurant does that. read more

The Anchor - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Tons of potential for this cozy park along the Charlestown Navy Yard. There's plenty of seating options, including shady tables with umbrellas, swinging chairs, comfy bean bags, or relaxed couches. It's a nice ambiance being along or overlooking the water if you're on the second floor. There's a little bar set up serving beer, Frosé and yummy non-alcoholic drinks, as well as some food stands to nosh on. The area was surprisingly empty for the beautiful day that I went, but I think it will grow more popular and be more of a scene as more people hear about it. read more

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It's hard to describe how bad this restaurant is. The service was wonderful! The environment was beautiful. The food would embarrass a carnival. On the 4th of July I paid $90 for a fourth of July BBQ package for two. I did not expect a sumptuous spread. I expected fourth of July food. I got: What should have been a $1.50 hotdog in a slightly stale bun. A "BBQ" sandwich that would have embarrassed McDonald's, a small scoop of cheap potato salad, one popsicle still in the plastic wrapper, and THE WORST, weirdest 4% alcohol seltzers it has ever been my misfortune to taste. Altogether, far less than $5 worth of food and drink. My wife said it was the worst meal she'd ever had. If you give them your money, you're a fool Go at your own risk. read more

Pros: - beautiful outdoor views of the harbor & skyline - one of the best venues to social distance outside in Boston - plenty of seating for all different types of groups - hard working staff Cons: - the food. Right now with MA COVID restrictions, food has to be ordered with drinks. The last two times we have gone, they had sold out of our first food choice. This time, we opted for the "mezze plate" for $8.99 and we were served 2 slices of cucumber, a half a flimsy pita pocket and shards of celery (with a scoop of hummus and scoop of tzatziki maybe ??). I've attached a picture of what we were served. We asked the server at the counter if this is all we are supposed to get and she didn't respond (I can imagine she may get this question a lot). I understand the Anchor has to adapt to MA restrictions during the pandemic but this is their second season in this situation and I can't believe they'd stand by serving this! - very limited non-alcoholic beverage options (water, orange juice & energy drinks) read more

The Anchor - Mezze plate for $8.99 (note the shards of celery we were served) - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

The atmosphere was really nice but paying $12 for a beer that is not cold, is unacceptable. In addition, they give you very little meat on their sliders for $17 and the meat was overcooked and tasted poorly. read more

Tried this spot recently and was pleasantly surprised with their new food additions, especially all of their in-house smoked meats! Very friendly atmosphere with plenty of lovely staff. Will definitely be making a return read more

The Anchor - Outdoor Patio - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Stopped at this place during a bike ride and I wish I didn't. This is a place that's more for the scenic view and insta post ; aside from that, the pure lack of respect for people's money here is a true essence of Cambridge's up and coming hanging out spots. What we got: Fries 6.99 Potato salad ( recommended by our waitress as the " best thing on the menu") 8.99 2 beers Overall taste: Fries: pale cold chewy fries think leftover fries from 3 days ago with no salt or pepper one of the most bland thing I've tasted yet their menu describes it as " golden crispy " MIND BLOWING Potato salad: per the menu this is "farm fresh" more like cold deli aisle from stop and shop, honestly I was shocked. They could've at least tried. The only thing worthy of my time and money if I were to be at this place it's the stand that sells empanadas and Italian sausage close by, which is a complete different vibe, flavor and warmth from the food and personnel working the stand. This is white washed overly priced bland cold food joint! A hard NO! read more

A convenient spot if you are walking along the harbor or visiting the USS Constitution in Boston. We went on a Saturday afternoon and did not have to wait for a seat. You are required to order one food item in order to order drinks. Chicken tenders were eh, but we honestly were just there for the drinks. The white sangria was extremely sweet but yummy. My boyfriend had one of their IPA's which was good and cold. Definitely a spot to hit if you want to kick back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery Boston has to offer! read more

The Anchor - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

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Awesome views for Boston having almost no real rooftop bars , but great view of the city. Great beers. Food ? Disgusting. Service ? Also bad - we ordered gross food and asked for waters and we only received our food , no water , and no napkins for our tacos filled with nacho cheese and canned chicken. Is it that difficult to make decent bar food ? read more

Went during day time on a beautiful day around election time. The service lady was quite friendly but stretched thin. Food (breakfast- pancakes and sandwiches) was mediocre. Tasted like microwaved food. Beers were pretty disappointing and overpriced (10-12 bucks for a bottle). The ambience and open space was great. Guess it's all about the location. read more

DO NOT COME HERE! The views and location are NOT worth the prices and quality!l of food / drinks! Way too overpriced for pathetically small drinks. I ordered a 15$ 'Margarita' that was make with an ounce of a 10% wine based margarita mix and ice... I looked it up and the whole bottle of the mix is 9$ and a serving size is a whole glass! Why is this drink called a margarita when there isn't a drop of tequila? How deceiving! Paying customers are ordering a margarita and getting watered down wine. When I complained to management they were nice enough to let me get a glass of wine instead. So now I had a 15$ sippy cup sized amount of wine..... this place is actually a joke!!! read more

The Anchor - Wine the size of my pinky... pathetic! - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Was curious about the venue as I wanted to see how such an amazing location was receiving some poor reviews.....I visited recently and was informed of a revamped menu as well as a very nice selection of beer and wine, not to mention the view of the harbor and downtown Boston! Service was great and the pork belly tacos were amazing! My girlfriend had the lobster roll which was prepared nicely with not too much mayo. The food is not what you would expect from a small concession space, yet my dining experience is something I would definitely recommend for someone looking for a more unique experience. Those that may have written unsatisfactory reviews in the past may wanna revisit to see how the space has evolved. read more

The view was amazing, but the service was terrible. I don't know how this place got on the best of Boston list for 2021 with its incredibly limited beer and wine menu. There were five servers working who did nothing other than shoot the shit and practice hanging upside down on the ropes for the hanging chairs. There were signs up saying that they were hiring. For what? More people to do nothing? There were only two people working: the bartender and the guy running the food window. Speaking of, the "food" is overpriced and horrible. You can get better food as a frozen meal at the supermarket. Eat before you go for sure. Go for the view and drinks, but don't expect decent food or any service. read more

The venue and view is so cute and you know they have an average selection of drinks. The food is TERRIBLE. Highly recommend not eating here. The jalapeño poppers are not cooked and tacos are disgusting. The wait for food is super long and they run out of things every few minutes. read more

The Anchor - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Is my go to spot for the delicious frozen margaritas and tasty lobster rolls. Free events are hosted weekly and the friendly staff ensure that you'll always have a great night read more

Location is nice, since it is outside, but you can find that anywhere in Boston these days. The problem is, they are using the pandemic to fleece their customers. Aside from the high prices for beer, their "interpretation" of the COVID ordinance requiring food purchase is beyond conservative. They require each person to purchase an entree, which basically entails a pre-wrapped ham and cheese sandwich for $12. While other restaurants in Boston allow patrons to split an entree or order snacks (the server said fries aren't expensive enough to meet the ordinance), this place makes no effort to appease the casual resident or tourist just passing through. Which, by the way, is 90% of the foot traffic in that area. It's definitely not the type of place you'd go for a sit-down dinner, so why pretend to be one? Especially at 3 in the afternoon. And if you want to pretend, then pick up your food game. You can get the sandwiches and chips you're slinging at 7-11 for 1/3 the price. And that draft beer should be no more than $4 given the brewery and size of the plastic cups. Shame on you... So take a little pride in your business, step up your game, and realize who you are. Know your location and audience. People aren't going to your outdoor bar for a meal, they are looking for a quick snack and drinks. If they wanted an overpriced glass of wine and crappy meal, they'd go to Hanover street. It's like some of these places aren't even trying anymore.... read more

I was really looking forward to anchor opening again this spring. its never had the most amazing food or drinks- but to be outside with neighbors while kids played and dogs laid at our feet was amazing. Apparently this year- no dogs even though it's outdoors and spread out. it was fun while it lasted, anchor. headed to the city's pet friendly spots Next weekend. read more

Foods terrible. Overpriced drinks. Only thing that's nice is the view and it's a public park so you can see that anywhere.

Beautiful area but the service was abysmal. I was in line waiting to order, then I noticed a sign saying that if you could see this sign, that means there are too many people in line. A staff member then came up to us and said that the line was too long and that we can either wait and come back when the line was shorter or have a seat and wait for a waitress to come by. We decided to take a seat and wait for the waitress who never came by. A waitress acknowledged other groups who were already settled in (apparently these groups were friends of that waitress), but unfortunately no one ever came to our table even though we were clearly waiting to be helped. After 20 minutes of waiting, we decided to go elsewhere. Very disappointing, will not be back. Please pay attention to your customers! read more

Didn't try the food, but great atmosphere for a nice evening in Boston! Live music was fun, we sat upstairs with a nice view of the city. I had Sangria and it was good, nothing amazing. Definitely a fun way to spend a nice fall evening! read more

The Anchor - Beer Gardens Near Me - Charlestown, Massachusetts

Absolutely disgusting food! Drinks over 10 bucks for a can and the seltzer was gross (54 bucks for 4 cans of drinks)!!! Food is inedible and our waiter was terrible at his job. When asked for plates, was told" I'm sure I can find some". Got pork sliders, Mac and cheese bites, and chicken tacos. Be warned, do not spend your hard earned money here. I don't leave reviews often, but felt compelled to tell others, STAY AWAY!!! read more

We were excited to visit especially since I used take my sons to the water park that serves as your back drop. Sadly the excitement faded quite quickly after our arrival. We were told the line was getting too long and our options were to either wait til the que died down and get back in line or take a seat and wait for a waitress. We waited 20 minutes while we watched a waitress who's name I think is Sara service the tables around us as they were personal friends of hers from the conversations and interactions she had repeatedly with those two particular tables. The line didn't seem to diminish and the waitress clearly left us feeling overlooked and unappreciated so we had no choice but to walk out and take our business elsewhere. That's no way to treat customers! read more

We were so excited to try this place for the first time. It has so much potential. Every time we go for a run and pass by, we comment on how fantastic the set-up here is. Great views, cool area, unique set-up. This place legitimately has the potential to be the best beer garden in the city. So why the 3 star review? I genuinely want this place to succeed, and think there are a few key areas for improvement. If addressed, the sky is the limit. 1) I understand with COVID there are limitations to beer gardens and one of those is that food is required to be served. On the one hand: I think this place does a good job of having interesting items on the menu. On the other hand: I paid $12 for a cold, soggy tofu wrap that had clearly been sitting in a cooler for several hours. The only other option being a hot dog that wasn't even listed on the menu. First bite of the wrap put a damper on the entire experience. Literally. 2) Prices. I ordered 2 beers, a wrap, a hot dog, and 2 waters. Total cost was $52. I know in large part you're paying for the view and the experience - but holy cow. I guess cups of water aren't an option, and you can only BUY bottled water here. In general I think it's poor form to charge for water at a bar/restaurant. BUT if you're gonna do it, you should at least inform people. I think if someone could look into these issues and figure out some sort of solution I'd be here every week. But as it currently stands, I don't think I can justify going back. read more

Boy was this a flop and a half. I genuinely don't understand how it got such a high rating in other places. I went with my partner, and our friends for a get together and everything was terrible. The small selection of beer was underwhelming and forgettable. The cost was way too expensive for something to be called an establishment. I understand people don't go to a beer garden for the food but it was also some of the worst food I've ever had. We got the mezze plate that had dry old cucumbers, celery, red peppers, and stale pita. At first I thought the cucumber was moldy but it was just old. The bites were Kraft Mac and cheese shaped like chicken nuggets and were limp and bland. The one star review feels far too generous for what it is but the view was gorgeous. Oh and last thing, the live music was an annoyance with a terrible guitarist that was purely just a nuisance more than anything fun. read more

Desperately in need of new management or owners or both. The area has SO much potential and it's sad to see it squandered by an establishment who I think genuinely believes this is the best they can offer. Boston deserves spots like this that are waterfront, proximal to do much history and generate great taxes for the community they serve. If I were a restauranteur, this would be a great investment for a total overhaul. Start with the food, increase your drink selection and highlight local offerings! read more

Fully outdoors. Food is not worth the trip. Don't allow dogs, even though fully outdoors with no kitchen.