Clean, swank bar in SoHo with unbelievably creepy antler light fixtures.

(646) 719-0774

310 Spring Street (nr. Greenwich St.)
New York, NY 10013 40.725939 -74.008596

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

theanchornyc.com

Hours:

Thursday: 7:00pm-4:00am Fri-Sat: 10:00pm-4:00am

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Lounges, Bars & Pubs, Dive Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Dance Floor

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Specialty Cocktails, Live Music, Late-Night Scene, Private Parties

Editor's Tips

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What People Are Saying About The Anchor

The Owner

The Anchor

Owner

The Anchor is just what New York City's increasingly stale nightlife scene needed! Voted best new bar/lounge of 2007 by Paper Magazine, The Anchor was started by a team made up of: publicist Amanda Silverman, designers Chrissie Miller and James Cruickshank, and club manager Jason LaGarenne, and has been attracting celebrities and and a great clientele from day one. Regardless of the hype, the Anchor is open to anyone looking for a good time and ready to get down with some world-class DJ's. Stop in and see for yourself how a real party is thrown. Show some extra love and we just might name a…

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Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – What's in a name? The Anchor's nautical theme gets flexed with stretches of American eagle wallpaper and rope-wrapped poles, while the wood veneer and antler chandeliers suggest a woodsy neighborhood hangout. The bar's true identity, however, is amplified by DJs in the back who spin deafening rap, rock and '80s tunes while the jukebox sits silent. Likewise, the bartenders sling vodka tonics instead of draughts of PBR to buttoned-up young men, dolled-up young women and a handful of hipsters who haven't decamped to Williamsburg, yet.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Given the divey chic vibe, it's not surprising that Johnny Knoxville has been spotted here. He even recorded the Anchor's voicemail message (too bad it got erased!).
Specialty Cocktails:
The chalkboard behind the bar lists drinks and is good for a laugh, but unless you want a Weasel (two parts Bourbon, one part juice, one part angst, and dust) or a Hill Billy (Kool Aid and vodka), ask the bartender for a cocktail suggestion.
Know Before You Go:
Make note of the address, the graffiti-tagged door is unmarked except for a small anchor above it. But the lack of signage doesn't mean this place is exclusive. For once, the staff forgoes with shenanigans at the door. You and your friends don't have to be on the list (or be scantily clad models) to get in.
ambiance
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “good looking crowd, fun, music and great, great energy.”
  2. “Like the atmosphere, good music playing all night.”
  3. “The music was fantastic and the crowd was beautiful and fun.”
  4. “reasonable drink prices, for NYC, fun, fun, fun and alot of flesh rubbing.”
  5. “p.s. great place to view celebreties on the DL.”
  6. “This place had a great atmosphere and the staff were friendly and took care of party all night!”
  7. “great atmosphere”
  8. “Nice small spot, pretty good music and atmosphere”
  9. “They always have great musicians and a nice atmosphere to have a few drinks.”
  10. “Loved the nautical theme, and the music was some of the most fun I've heard in awhile.”
  11. “They played great music and it was a fun scene.”
  12. “Very B&T despite the sometimes cool decor.”
  13. “The outside is unremarkable, but once getting past the friendly and funny doormen, the awesome decor and music blew me away.”
  14. “music was hot; pretty crowd; lots of fun and energy.”
  15. “can't recommend this place enough for a fun party with all the perks of a club and the friendliness of a neighborhood bar.”
  16. “lotsof fun; great music”
  17. “We love the tables in the back you could cozy it up a bit.”
  18. “would tell everyone that this little spot is really cool, hip, fun with great music and pretty people; all with no BS.”
  19. “great friday play nite- killer music and fun!”
  20. “They took care of everything and when I got there I was pleasently suprised- the place has a cool nautical decor, like an old seaside resort town bar but with sick DJs and a hot crowd - the guy and the door was soooo nice and seated us in the back and mad”
  21. “once inside, i was amazed at the vibe of the place; really cool, fun, old school with killer music.”
  22. “loved everything from the decor to the music to the hot bartenders.”
  23. “Horn decorations on the lights don't make up for rude servers”
  24. “the line did move quick, as they did a good job of entry, once inside, this cosmic like energy took over ; the place was jumping, as you walk in to the rear, the space opens and you get to experince this great music spot; fun to dance and drink; totally u”
drinks
77.01000213623047% positive
  1. “the music was great, plenty of cute girls and guys and the drinks are priced so you don't have to be a wall street wizard to enjoy.”
  2. “reasonable drink prices, for NYC, fun, fun, fun and alot of flesh rubbing.”
  3. “Besides this the bar was too expensive for what its worth and we were unable to move it was so crowded.”
  4. “Getting to the bar was a challenge the spot was rammed but the vibe was cool, bartenders are smokin and quite friendly and who ever they had behind that dj booth was AMAZING.”
  5. “They always have great musicians and a nice atmosphere to have a few drinks.”
  6. “last nite seemed a bit odd, the street was quiet, my friends met me there, albeit a bit early for a friday, hanging inside, cool vibe having drinks and enjoying the music.”
  7. “The music was superb and the drinks strong, and what was supposed to be a stopover on the way to a loft party turned into us dancing on the couches and drinking tequila like bandeleros until 4am.”
  8. “Can't comment on the drinks since I just ordered bottled beer that night, but the bartenders seemed fairly friendly and weren't giving anyone a hard time.”
  9. “the line did move quick, as they did a good job of entry, once inside, this cosmic like energy took over ; the place was jumping, as you walk in to the rear, the space opens and you get to experince this great music spot; fun to dance and drink; totally u”
  10. “We had some amazing cocktails and grabbed a comfy banquet in the back where we alternated between dancing and just chilling.”
  11. “There was no line for the coatcheck but the bathroom line was ridiculous so we pee'd at the irish bar next door.”
  12. “love the open bar package on Thursdays from 7-9.”
  13. “great drinks, amazing DJ, nice looking and nice crowd, mix it all up = perfection!”
  14. “We came last Friday and the friendly doormen immediately let us in and offered us an area near the bar to have drinks.”
  15. “2) the drinks were strong and it didn't take long to get served by the friendly bar staff who work at a feverish pace.”
  16. “Gunny who's the hot blonde with the great smile I saw you with at the end of the bar?”
  17. “the bartender her was SUPER rude, ignoring us all night long, talking nastily to us and actually at one point flipped her hand at me and snapped "calm down" when i was trying to explain i was paying for half the drinks and my friend was paying for the oth”
  18. “They took care of everything and when I got there I was pleasently suprised- the place has a cool nautical decor, like an old seaside resort town bar but with sick DJs and a hot crowd - the guy and the door was soooo nice and seated us in the back and mad”
  19. “This place has some great advantages and some small disadvantages, it is free to get in, very nice good looking bartender girls that aren't stuck up and treated me nice, the place has good music and decent prices for a free nyc bar, the bad parts are that”
  20. “The Anchor subtely toes the line between dive bar and nightclub, and does so to an amazing musical soundtrack.”
  21. “There was full-on bacchanalian madness, the likes of which hasn't been seen since Dionysius himself staged his famous orgies and tore young maidens limb from limb in a wine induced frenzy!”
  22. “It is a chill little spot that always has good music and of course the work paid for open bar does not hurt.”
  23. “The music was great, the drinks were strong, and the crowd was amazing.”
  24. “mid-sip of an overpriced and watered down drink?”
  25. “No door hassles, beautiful crowd, GREAT music and moderately priced drinks.”
  26. “Good drinks, nice people, great environment to people watch.”
  27. “Amazing- no hassle- great drinks- and we walked into a party where Q-Tip was spinning followed by Dj Premeire.”
  28. “can't recommend this place enough for a fun party with all the perks of a club and the friendliness of a neighborhood bar.”
  29. “The bar staff was rude and failed to explain the limit for using a credit card was a stiff $40.00!”
food quality
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “We paid $75 for tickets, weren't allowed to sit down, weren't served food (as promised on the ticket), and had to endure the rude bartenders all night.”
  2. “the music was wonderful, crowd pretty and even the food was good.”
  3. “Time for a fresh look.”
menu variety
0.0% positive
  1. “Not to mention their alcohol selection was minimal at best, and virtually every other person I talked to that night couldn't stop complaining about what an awful place it was.”
overall
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. “The music was great and the staff was very accommodating in getting us a table quickly and effortlessly despite the madness of the place.”
  2. “absolutely a great place for meeting friends and throwing back a few.”
  3. “The crowd was great; Jason the manager held our table for us; even though the place was packed.”
  4. “Before I left, I had booked my own party here and will be back every weekend- its nice to find a place that doesn't take itself too seriously while booking great DJs and remaining packed with a great crowd- see you guys soon!”
  5. “probably the best place downtown to have a birthday party event.”
  6. “the line did move quick, as they did a good job of entry, once inside, this cosmic like energy took over ; the place was jumping, as you walk in to the rear, the space opens and you get to experince this great music spot; fun to dance and drink; totally u”
  7. “This place has some great advantages and some small disadvantages, it is free to get in, very nice good looking bartender girls that aren't stuck up and treated me nice, the place has good music and decent prices for a free nyc bar, the bad parts are that”
  8. “Otherwise, a great place.”
  9. “The music was simply amazing, and the crowd was great- the ladies were all rocking chanel and balenciaga purses and I was amazed at the shoes (LV, YSL, Ferragamo) that were being soaked in tequila as the DJ had his way with us (on the dancefloor of course”
  10. “p.s. great place to view celebreties on the DL.”
  11. “Not to mention their alcohol selection was minimal at best, and virtually every other person I talked to that night couldn't stop complaining about what an awful place it was.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “my friends and i loved the vibe and will surely return.”
  2. “Overall, I would recommend Anchor to anyone looking to book a party or have a good time- Thanks guys, we will definitely be back!”
  3. “HIGHLY recommend this place and will be back every weekend for the rest of my life!”
  4. “Before I left, I had booked my own party here and will be back every weekend- its nice to find a place that doesn't take itself too seriously while booking great DJs and remaining packed with a great crowd- see you guys soon!”
  5. “We will definitely be back here sometime soon, and I will recommend this place to everyone.”
service
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. “Great looking crowd, staff was nice enough, and the door guys were friendly and even funny!”
  2. “the music was killer, the energy in the place DOPE and the people good looking(sorry babe.)”
  3. “great music; great deal and the staff was cool; great for after work happy hour scene; not too crowded.”
  4. “the staff did great at getting our group in; the real kicker was seeing LIL Wayne, tough to recognize, no body guards and no one made a big deal.”
  5. “Our waitress and the guys working with her took care of us extremely well, everyone on staff was awesome, and the doorman was quite literally the best.”
  6. “Good drinks, nice people, great environment to people watch.”
  7. “2) the drinks were strong and it didn't take long to get served by the friendly bar staff who work at a feverish pace.”
  8. “The music was great (mix of 80's, rock, hip-hop, etc.) and the bartenders and crowd were good looking.”
  9. “The music was simply amazing, and the crowd was great- the ladies were all rocking chanel and balenciaga purses and I was amazed at the shoes (LV, YSL, Ferragamo) that were being soaked in tequila as the DJ had his way with us (on the dancefloor of course”
  10. “This place has some great advantages and some small disadvantages, it is free to get in, very nice good looking bartender girls that aren't stuck up and treated me nice, the place has good music and decent prices for a free nyc bar, the bad parts are that”
  11. “We paid $75 for tickets, weren't allowed to sit down, weren't served food (as promised on the ticket), and had to endure the rude bartenders all night.”
  12. “fantastic manager; very acommodating”
  13. “Great people, good looking friendly staff and an owner who may be older then his crowd, but nothing more then perfectly accomidating.”
  14. “Can't comment on the drinks since I just ordered bottled beer that night, but the bartenders seemed fairly friendly and weren't giving anyone a hard time.”
  15. “Getting to the bar was a challenge the spot was rammed but the vibe was cool, bartenders are smokin and quite friendly and who ever they had behind that dj booth was AMAZING.”
  16. “the vibe is very cool; music incredible; and just a very hospitable staff.”
  17. “Upon arrival, we were whisked inside by the attentive door staff, brought to a table on the dancefloor, and they even gave us a complementary bottle of champagne!”
  18. “pretty people, music and more!”
  19. “would tell everyone that this little spot is really cool, hip, fun with great music and pretty people; all with no BS.”
  20. “(couldn't disagree more) no cover, no rude doormen, experienced nothing bad.”
  21. “The bartenders were friendly and efficient.”
  22. “The staff was cool and the hot bartender hooked it up all night.”
  23. “loved everything from the decor to the music to the hot bartenders.”
  24. “The energy in this place is amazing and from the point of booking the party to the actual night, the staff was helpful and cool - and the party itself was one of the best I've thrown.”
  25. “Anyway, the place itself surpassed all of our expectations- the dj was great- I mean really great- kept us dancing all night and the staff was attractive and super nice- very refreshing from all the people who think they can talk down to people and act ru”
  26. “We got a rable with no problem, and the staff was super nice even the bouncers.”
  27. “The doorman was a gentleman and the service was decent.”
  28. “can't stand crowds, primarily because they're usually comprised of people, and the anchor's one of the only places in New York that's good enough to stay at even when it's too crowded to think.”
  29. “This place had a great atmosphere and the staff were friendly and took care of party all night!”
  30. “staff was friendly, tight room, alot of flesh rubbing around.”
  31. “DJ was spinning great tunes, it was not too too crowded, bartenders were pouring pretty heavy.”
  32. “The owner treats his staff with respect and Bobby the bouncer is awesome.”
  33. “Even the staff and security were friendly and we danced all night and probably drank more than we should have.”
  34. “the bartender her was SUPER rude, ignoring us all night long, talking nastily to us and actually at one point flipped her hand at me and snapped "calm down" when i was trying to explain i was paying for half the drinks and my friend was paying for the oth”
  35. “met my girls at this spot friday nite; party started slow, but, after about 1130, wow; amazing music; good looking people.”
  36. “The bar staff was rude and failed to explain the limit for using a credit card was a stiff $40.00!”
  37. “Horn decorations on the lights don't make up for rude servers”
  38. “The good: no cover, no line, good music, we were able to sit at the tables w/out getting table service even though it was really crowded (that was probably just luck, since apparently no one had reservations).”
  39. “The crowd was great; Jason the manager held our table for us; even though the place was packed.”
  40. “prices reasonable and service good; considering being busy.”
  41. “We came last Friday and the friendly doormen immediately let us in and offered us an area near the bar to have drinks.”
  42. “Once the crowd started rolling in, the night got even better- mostly girls, 80% of them smoking hot, and just a really cool vibe throughout- people came here to party and have a good time.”
  43. “The outside is unremarkable, but once getting past the friendly and funny doormen, the awesome decor and music blew me away.”
  44. “thanks Anchor for an incredible evening, and a special thanks to Kaci the bartender.”
  45. “The music was great and the staff was very accommodating in getting us a table quickly and effortlessly despite the madness of the place.”
value
57.14000225067139% positive
  1. “prices reasonable and service good; considering being busy.”
  2. “there's nothing of note nearby except a typically overpriced deli and some wide bag of sweat called don hill's.”
  3. “Besides this the bar was too expensive for what its worth and we were unable to move it was so crowded.”
  4. “reasonable drink prices, for NYC, fun, fun, fun and alot of flesh rubbing.”
  5. “This place has some great advantages and some small disadvantages, it is free to get in, very nice good looking bartender girls that aren't stuck up and treated me nice, the place has good music and decent prices for a free nyc bar, the bad parts are that”
  6. “great music, cheap booze and celebs like that.”
  7. “mid-sip of an overpriced and watered down drink?”
wait time
80.0% positive
  1. “met my girls at this spot friday nite; party started slow, but, after about 1130, wow; amazing music; good looking people.”
  2. “the line did move quick, as they did a good job of entry, once inside, this cosmic like energy took over ; the place was jumping, as you walk in to the rear, the space opens and you get to experince this great music spot; fun to dance and drink; totally u”
  3. “So after booking my party a MONTH in advance at another place, I was told last minute that they were overbooked and couldn't accommodate our party- freaking out, I called my friend who recommended I call anchor- this ended up being a blessing in disguise-”
  4. “the bartender her was SUPER rude, ignoring us all night long, talking nastily to us and actually at one point flipped her hand at me and snapped "calm down" when i was trying to explain i was paying for half the drinks and my friend was paying for the oth”
  5. “2) the drinks were strong and it didn't take long to get served by the friendly bar staff who work at a feverish pace.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

06/08/11

Don't understand why people think this place is so good..

by AmandaW529 at Citysearch

I don't know what the hype is about this place but the service was HORRIBLE. I just had my birthday here last weekend and ordered two bottles with about 10 people. First of all, the old guy whos the bouncer at the door is a TOTAL DICKHEAD. I went out to get my boyfriend because he came in later and he wouldnt even let him in. He said something along the lines of "I will let him in when it's time for him to get in" While on the other hand, the manager who I talked to the bottles about said that my guests didnt HAVE TO WAIT ON LINE AT ALL. The place isn't even worth it for a wait, it's a small bar with way too many people. THe only thing I enjoyed was the music. I would go back here again just for the music, but I wouldnt waste my time with bottle service because even if you spend a bunch of money you wont get good service. The bouncer ruined the whole mood for the night... he needs to retire anyway, HES TOO OLD AND GRUMPY.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/15/11

Good things come in small packages!

by christycocktail at Citysearch

Haven't been to the Anchor in six months, and truth be told, when I go out in Manhattan nowadays, I really am not expecting much. After much debate, I made my triumphant return to the Anchor last Friday with a gaggle of girls and a couple of friends visiting from LA. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to find the place packed with the same beautiful crowd I remember, and one of my favorite's Mick Boogie crushing it in the DJ booth. Seriously? A national DJ playing to a 1000 square foot room? F**k the haters, this spot is what its all about- The Anchor is truly one of NYC's hidden gems, and they have figured out the formula for a good time- the drinks are great, the crowd is great, blah blah blah, but really- at The Anchor, its all about the music. For a place this small to book some of the top DJs in the country is truly remarkable. Even more remarkable is that they don't charge a cover for it!!! They are located all the way on the west side of spring street (well worth the trip from the east side) you manage to get music, hot crowd, and a good time without the hordes of B & T and without all the Meatpacking District bullsh*t. Love it, for real- good things really do come in small packages! Get your sorry ass here immediately!!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/28/11

epic birthday party

by IzyBaron at Citysearch

This is such a great place. I celebrated my birthday here 2 weeks ago and we all had an awesome time. The party planner we used really hooked us up, definitely use Josh from JSNProductions. com to plan your next party. We skipped the line and walked right in, didn't have to pay cover and got a free bottle of vodka. The staff there was very nice and classy, most places kick you off the table after you've finished your bottle but they didn't do that here. Awesome music, solid crowd and great ambiance. I highly recommend the anchor!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/13/11

Perfect New Years Eve

by Thefirstandlastword at Citysearch

Wow...I was super surprised by this place! Went for their New Years Eve party, expecting the usual mess, even after they told me they were not on any of the new years booking sites and were limiting the tickets, and they didn't lie. The party was great, with a great crowd, and the music was amazing. I went back the following weekend and found it to be a refreshing place- no BS, great music, fun crowd, and a top-notch staff. The anchor has become one of my new favorite places, looking forward to good times in '11!!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

01/11/11

Will never go back

by phbk at Citysearch

I was there in November (2010), and was treated very rudely by one of the bartenders. I was apparently in her way to get behind the bar, so instead of asking me to move, she shoved me aside and then told the other bartender not to serve me. When I asked to close out my tab, she threw the book at me so that my credit card went flying somewhere behind the bar, and none of the staff would help locate it. I had decided to just cancel it, but when a friend and I asked to speak to a manager, he was holding my credit card. My friend told him that his staff had been very rude, and he kind of shrugged, so she repeated what she had said. He looked around the crowded bar, then looked back at us and said, "It looks like I don't really need to worry about that, does it?"

The Details on The Anchor

Place Categories:

  • great incredible music
  • great place
  • great crowd
  • great music spot
  • great solid dj
  • best friday party
  • pretty people
  • rude bartenders
  • cool vibe
  • great atmosphere
  • great energy
  • reasonable drink prices
  • friendly doormen
  • recommend work anchor
  • best experiences
  • cool decor
  • great friday play nite
  • great tunes
  • bad nothing
  • overpriced down drink
  • like celebs
  • cool night
  • love joint
  • friendly door staff
  • great priced drinks

Message from The Anchor

  • Reviving nightlife in NYC
  • BEST NEW LOUNGE-PAPER MAGAZINE
  • No Hassle Birthdays

The Anchor is just what New York City's increasingly stale nightlife scene needed! Voted best new bar/lounge of 2007 by Paper Magazine, The Anchor was started by a team made up of: publicist Amanda Silverman, designers Chrissie Miller and James Cruickshank, and club manager Jason LaGarenne, and has been attracting celebrities and and a great clientele from day one. Regardless of the hype, the Anchor is open to anyone looking for a good time and ready to get down with some world-class DJ's. Stop in and see for yourself how a real party is thrown. Show some extra love and we just might name a drink after you!

Don't miss the best deal in NYC: Recession Thursdays at Anchor!

Special Birthday Packages available on Friday Nights - contact us to book your next party without all the hassle and nonsense,

For reservations and information:

events@theanchornyc.com

The Anchor