The Ship & Anchor Pub Calgary
• 534 - 17 Ave SW | Calgary, AB | T2S 0B1
Average User Rating:
7.21/10
7.21/10
Recommended by:
76%
76%
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"Still Great"
Lauren
December 2010 — "The Ship has been one of my favourite pubs for as long as I can remember. It's always been a fun, unpretentious place to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
I haven't been in a while as I've been living overseas but was very happy to discover upon my return that the atmosphere of the pub hasn't changed much in the years I've been gone. They still have one of the city's best and busiest patios and they still play great music.
The menu has lots of options including a number of items that vegetarians can enjoy. The last time I went I had the veggie burger with salsa and pineapple which has been popular for years. It's still as delicious as always. They always offer some tasty specials, many of which are so good they sell out.
The pub features a tonne of beers on tap from all over the world and also has a pretty decent selection of wines. They regularly show Premier League football and host other fun events as well.
It's always been a great pub and I hope it always will be. "
User Rating
8.17/10
8.17/10
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"Always a Good Time at the Ship"
Jenny
April 2010 — "I met a couple of friends at The Ship and Anchor for dinner and a night of socializing over pints. We miraculously got a table (the only one that was empty) and settled in for a long night. For dinner I had the vegetarian pizza. This is what I usually get at the Ship, and when it came out it was not what I was expecting! They changed the pizza, but it was outstanding! I don't know what they do to it but the crust is very different from your typical pizza crust. I will be heading back there soon for that pizza. The burger is also very good and the menu offers all of your typical pub fare. The service was pretty great considering how packed it was (how the servers maneuver through those crowds with trays of drinks and food is beyond me!) The servers at the Ship are always friendly and I'm sure they are as attentive as they can be. As for the ambiance, it's a pub packed with drunk people spilling drinks on the floor. It is what it is, and I love it, but if you don't like pubs, don't go to the Ship. It was a great night and I'll be back soon for sure!"
User Rating
8.17/10
8.17/10
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"Always fun, always cheap!"
Melissa
December 2009 — "One of the best, and most popular (not always the same thing) bars in Calgary for a reason. The food is great, and unbelievably cheap. This and the music make it a great place for students to hang out. Although now that I'm no longer a student, I certainly haven't outgrown the Ship.
I confess, I liked the older menu better, but there is still plenty of deliciousness to be found. And I personally think the nachos are second to none, especially since the salsa is clearly hand made, and not just the chunky ketchup that you get in most places.
I love this bar!"
User Rating
8.33/10
8.33/10
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"Patios and Pints..."
Keith
September 2009 — "...and good food for good measure.
The last time I was here for a night of pints and patio action, I tried the Bombay Chicken wrap along with a pint of Velvet Fog. The wrap was surprisingly good. I wouldn't necessarily get it all the time, but in this instance it really hit the spot. The wrap contains rice with chicken, both of which are tossed in a nice light curry. Keep in mind this dish may be an acquired taste, as a friend of mine ordered it too and was not a fan.
The service at the ship on this night was outstanding. I'm guessing our server was taking care of anywhere between 8-10 tables, but was quick enough to have fresh pints on our table in a very timely fashion.
The patio as usual was bustling, and aside from the occasional panhandler asking us for cash, it was a good time.
"
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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"Casual meeting place"
Benny Lava
August 2009 — "I ate lunch at the ship and anchor yesterday and had decided on going with the lunch special. I enjoy the Ship's food generally and I like how they invent a new choice as their food special rather then having a "feature" where other establishments trick you into thinking its a special with a discounted price when really it is not. I ordered a fried egg and cheese sandwich with a side of fries. It was a simple choice and the price was decent (only $6.95). The food was good, no complaints. The service was okay, it is a layed back environment and the servers at times need to be aware if you require something but generally they are on top of things. I noticed a sign posted in the ladies washroom for the patrons indicating that due to the recent increase on liquor taxes by the Premiere, they have decreased the prices of domestic beers and such in order to keep the price points fair and affordable. The Ship is well known for having a great patio for the summer season and a wide variety of beer on tap. The crowd is very diverse with a wide variety of individuals ranging from the eccentric tattooed sort to the business folk enjoying bevy's after work. "
User Rating
7.67/10
7.67/10
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"Familiar and Comfortable"Tanya
January 2009 — "The Ship and Anchor pub is one of my favorite hang outs in Calgary. The pub is a bit dingy and well used but this only adds to the comfortable atmosphere. It is a busy place at any time of the week or day. They have a good variety of live music and DJ's that play there and a fantastic patio for the summer. It's a great place to sit and people watch.
There is a great selection of beer on tap at the Ship and generally friendly bar staff to help you out. The beer is still a good price and they have daily early evening happy hours. I love the food at the Ship. They have an excellent veggie burger and some great pasta and pizza dishes. Fish and chips is another good option at the Ship. The menu is priced very well ($8.95 for a loaded veggie burger) and you can get half fries, half salad at no extra cost. The portions are big and there are daily specials that are really economical.
I would recommend eating at the Ship or just stopping by on a sunny day for a beer on the patio."
User Rating
8.67/10
8.67/10
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"Good times at Drama Central "molly
September 2008 — "Calgary's legendary pub on 17th has been the stage for many a drama over the years. From the colourful staff to the seasoned regulars, the little pub that could never disappoints and there's always someone performing their final act of passion with great flourish.
The regulars party has become the stuff of lore and this year's booze laced afternoon was no exception. With rock bottom prices and kimono clad staff, (the party was Japanese-themed) the prime real estate in front of the bar soon became a gauntlet of slurring patrons hoisting their pints and woozily greeting passersby.
The karaoke stage rocked with a raw rendition of the Beastie Boys classic Hey Ladies. Meanwhile, random hug festivals broke out throughout the pub as friends greeted prodigal pals and old flames.
Outside on the patio, the tables were crammed with an assortment of humanity, all in various stages of impairment and conversation in the afternoon sunshine.
The Ship burger hasn't changed a stitch over the years and at the same price as a pint, it's still a whale of a deal. Despite the shenanigans surrounding our table, the food arrived within minutes, and piping hot. The beer selection is good, and the friendly bartenders can whip up shots and cocktails on the fly. During peak times, the wait for a beverage can be annoying, but it's a small price to pay for an afternoon people watching at drama central.
"
User Rating
8.17/10
8.17/10
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"Good Old Reliable"Chinface
April 2008 — "I guess the Ship is everything a neighborhood pub is supposed to be.
The service is amiable. The drink prices are more than reasonable, and the food is never less than descent.
Recently, the Ship overhauled their menu, and now offer what has always been missing...
...curry fries.
I can now safely say that as long as I have a pint of Velvet Fog and a plate of the Ship and Anchor's curry fries in front of me, there can be no doubt that life is good."
User Rating
6.17/10
6.17/10
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"Some good points made..."
Lauren
May 2007 — "I left a review earlier singing The Ship's praises and while I do still enjoying heading over to sit on the patio on a beautiful day, as well as some of the very friendly patrons and the still-tasty food, I think some of the other reviewers have made very valid points.
Part of the pub's charm used to be it's fabulous staff and mellow, but still-efficient door people. The last two times I've been at the Ship, neither were great. I was there for my sister's birthday a few weeks ago and waited half an hour (and I'm not exaggerating) for a pint and the patio was far from full. At one point, the server brought out a tray of drinks and the table next to us started to cheer (obviously they'd been waiting a while too)... until the server went to drop the drinks off at another table and the cheers turned to an audible "awwwwww" of disappointment. Maybe the server was overworked, in which case I feel badly for her and I think the management needs to take notice and try to get some extra staff working.
A couple of weeks later, we went for my birthday and the patio was packed! We got decent service this time, which was nice, but the guys on the door/the bouncers acted like total 'roid monkeys (pardon the expression). We got told off for standing up to take a group picture because, apparently if you want to be on the patio, you've got to remain seated at ALL times. It was ridiculous.
Also, while most of the time the other patrons there are great, some very drunk, middle-aged woman spilled a drink on my sister and apologised... at first. When my sister told her not to worry about it, the woman replied about how she HADN'T actually spilled the pint on her (even though she had just admitted she had and apologised) and she and her friend proceeded to call my sister a few nasty words including one that rhymes with "witch" and another than rhymes with "hunt". Not cool "ladies". I know that the pub can't control how patrons speak to each other, but a few years ago when the clientelle was a lot more mellow, I don't remember that sort of thing happening.
So while, for the most part, I still enjoy going to the ship on occasion, it is no longer the place that I, or my friends, make sure to go to on a regular basis because it's just not the same. "
User Rating
7.17/10
7.17/10
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"The smoking ship"
Phil
April 2007 — "This pub was at one time our local. There was never any doubt when we or anyone we knew wanted a pint that it was the Ship we were heading to. We were regular members of the invitation only "locals night" That was then.
That was when the servers were very efficient. You never had an empty glass and now you sometimes wait for ten minuites before you even see staff. All the good servers are gone and replaced with mindless manequins.
I know some people like the dingy look but it has gone so far down that the smell inside the pub is wretched.
The ship is where the smokers are. The famous split patio that we used to love sitting on any time it was open is now impossible to enjoy as there is always two dozen people (including the management) sucking for life on thier cigarettes with the result of the people on the patio getting smoked out. If you can guess the direction of the wind you might be okay. Last time we just left because we could not stand the smoke.
The time before that we were asked for ID (I'm 43) by a guy who I doubt has even opened a book in his life and then he sternly lectured me about not having any with me. Perhaps manditory eye exams?
The food is still decent but only just.
It is time to pull this Ship out of the water and clean the barnacles off or she's going to sink!"
User Rating
3.50/10
3.50/10
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"Ahhh The Ship!"Lauren
August 2006 — "While it's true that the Ship is a bit dingy (I think in a good way) and it doesn't exactly look like a quintessential English pub (but it does have the fun and friendly attitude), there is a reason it's been one of the most popular pubs in the city for several years. The patio is a great place to sit in the sunshine during the summer (and even in the fall and winter on unusually warm days) and it is generally full of very friendly people willing to share their table when space is in short supply. There are at least 25 local and imported beers on tap and the menu is great. Very cheap and tasty with both meat and veggie options. They've got live music on Sunday afternoons and play a lot of major sporting events (including premiership soccer/football) on a big screen. While it may not be for everyone, the clientele is one of the most eclectic in the city with patrons of different ages, races and sexual orientations packing themselves in and all getting along and having a good time. "
User Rating
8.83/10
8.83/10
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"Wish it would sail away"Lee
August 2006 — "The Ship and Anchor's problem is it doesn't really know what it is, and doesn't do any of the things it attempts very well. Is it a Pub? Well it certainly smells like one. Inside, it lacks any kind of atmosphere and can be best described as dingy. It's not even dingy in an endearing way, it's just depressing to be in. The infamous patio is a rhapsody in concrete and I suspect this is a deliberate ploy to make you turn to more drink to help blot out the staccato in the service, the traffic haring past on 17th and the whole battery hen experience of it all when it's busy.
They do food, styled on hearty pub grub, it's actually unimaginative stodge. The selection of beers is ok but there are places in Calgary with a wider range of fantastic drinks you can't pronounce. As an overall experience, the Ship offers a pretty poor night out compared to other up-and-comers on 17th Avenue and its reputation is starting to go the same way as the Titanic post-iceberg."
User Rating
3.67/10
3.67/10
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"Chill out"Michael
March 2006 — "The Ship has an image, rightly deserved, of being grotty and smoke filled. Well, it's true. However, it's a great place to meet up with friends, share a table with someone you've never met or just chill on the patio. Service is generally slow, but that's part of the charm. Each night brings a different atmosphere to the place. One of the surprises is the menu. If there is a special, that's always the best place to start (they regularly serve trout and shark on their special menu). But, the regular pub faves are also great. The Ship Burger is a classic. I've been here more than once (I've only just lost my regular status, but that's what getting a family and other committments does) and it has been consistently good."
User Rating
7.33/10
7.33/10
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DescriptionLocated on Calgary's bustling 17th Avenue, the Ship & Anchor Pub regularly hosts mid-week live events including bands and DJs. On Saturdays, relax or take part in the Open Stage Jam, hosted by local and regional musical acts. Regular Show Up & Ship Out events take patrons to events around Calgary. The Ship bus makes weekly trips to local independent movie houses and theatre companies.
Location Information534 - 17 Ave SW
Calgary
AB
T2S 0B1
