The Anchor Bar

This place is nothing more than a Davis Island bar attempting to be a dive bar. The atmosphere of a dive bar begins outside and that usually includes an economically depressed location with some homeless guys standing around bothering patrons. It’s hard to achieve that same effect on Davis Island, but inside is an admirable attempt to transform the small space into something that looks like a dive bar. Unfortunately, drink prices don’t reflect it well.
The bartender was great. I ordered hot wings with a friend to start off with. They were average in taste and spiciness. I’ve had worse, I’ve had better, although I liked the blue cheese dressing. I also ordered the Anchor burger with fries. The honey bbq sauce on the burger was absolutely delicious, but I can’t say much about the burger and bun besides the fact that it was warm. I wasn’t expecting five star dining, but I have had more savory meals at other bars in this area and elsewhere.
The icing on the cake came when I received my bill. I ordered gin on the rocks with my meal and was disappointed to find a $ 1.50 «On the rocks» charge. Places that do this grind my gears to no end, especially self-​titled «dive bars.» If you aren’t going to standardize your pour amounts or build «on the rocks» into the price of the actual drink, you could at least have the decency to tell me in person or on the menu that there will be an extra charge.
The next time someone wants to go to a dive bar in the Tampa area, I won’t be taking them to the Anchor Bar.

I laugh when I read people super angry because the food here isn’t amazing. It is so obviously a hole in the wall bar that is not a place one should expect food to blew you away. I’ve never eaten here, but every time I’ve stopped by for a drink, I’ve been very happy. Even if the place is crowded, I am able to get a drink quickly. The prices are reasonable and I love the divey feel. Glad Davis Islands had s cool place like this. I have to add a comment about their fish tacos. They are surprisingly delicious!
Bottom line: great place with great energy to watch football or catch up with friends.

Awesome fish and chips! Great crowd, love the ambiance! Good for football games or hockey, entertaining fans!

4 stars because of the super friendly service and the ambiance
This is a cute bar on Davis Island. It doesn’t seat many but it’s a great place to watch a game. Multiple tv’s and seating where you can see all of the screens make this bar a hit. Pretty decent drink prices and the pretzel bites we had were… ehh, ok. When we go back we’ll try more of the food but something tells me people go to this bar for the sports games and drinks. Fun place.

If you want that old school hometown bar, do it! Good people, regular beer options, and I’ll tell you they had some chilly cheese fries there that hit the spot when I needed some help after going out for drinks earlier that night.

Best bar ever. Davis islands seems kind of slow and older at times but this place is a refreshing younger change of pace. The bartendress Jenna was very open to making us any drink we requested. Wish they had a 6^th star to rate the music, staff and ambiance. Definitely will be back.

This is the best locals dive bar in this part of Tampa. It includes both inside and outside seating! I hesitate to categorize it as a dive bar since its spotlessly clean and the HDTV’s are all in focus. But, it is dark and cool, they play a eclectic mix of music including Lynyrd Skynyrd and the patrons are a fun, friendly and occasionally inebriated mix so categorize it as you choose!
Outside, the front porch is definitely dog friendly as there were several pooches in residence. I’m not sure about bringing a poodle though since the local dogs may eat ‘em.
Finally, the drinks are cheap and strong and the food is really very tasty. Our burgers and wings and loaded fries were delicious! We look forward to returning!

We visit here regularly. The anchor sauce is SO YUMMY!!! Get it on anything you order!
There’s usually only one bartender working, and while they’re all great, it’s just hard for them to keep up with the volume of patrons often crowding this gem of a restaurant. I would give this place five stars if they staffed two bartenders more regularly. But I think most of the regular patrons are there to chill, and don’t mind getting up from the table to go to the bar to place your orders.
We also like the downtown location! The bartenders switch and work at both locations so you can’t go wrong regardless of the location you choose!

Love this place! They have amazing wings (I usually get mild and chipotle mixed), great beers on tap (they also have a full liquor bar and wine) and great service. Jenna and Rich are awesome! They are constantly adding to their menu (both food and beer wise) so there is always something to look forward to. I’m obsessed with their philly cheesestake egg rolls right now. The atmosphere is very casual, usually a lot of Davis Island locals. They have darts, video golf, and touchscreen video games.

Last weekend I had their garlic parmesan wings and classic burger. What a combo. The burger was so juicy and their wings… the best I had so far.

Jenna greated us with a friendly smile. We ordered food and Jenna guided us on our menu selections. All was good. I am definitely making this place a must stop when I am in the area. We ordered the Flatbread pizza and it was awesome. The drinks were great and the liquor selection is impressive!

Ok, once again much pondering on this review. Stopped by for a quick bite, that just didn’t happen.
Service was friendly, but not very attentive, but they could not rust the kitchen into getting food out in a timely fashion.
I had the fish & chips. What a joke I can buy Mrs. ??? @ the supermarket everyday. The fries were enemic, limpless & totally unappetizing. Our server did not care, so I am not going to bother going into the other meal.
Do yourself a favor & just stay away. It’s that easy, stay away.
What’s a girl to do? Look for good food that is not worth getting sick over.

Went this past Monday on a business trip.
Good local beer, great service, and the wings were really good.
Need to come back to Tampa more often!

Love Love Love this place.
Great atmosphere, Wings are the best I’ve had in Tampa.
Local Hang Out for those wanting something different in the South Tampa area, Sports Bar & Clean, Way better than average «bar food» Thumbs up!!!

Ok… updating my review. I lurve Jenna! Yes, I spelled that right… well…at least in my world. Had the wings tonight and they were good!
Jenna is a sweetheart! She is ALWAYS so warm and cordial when we come to see her.
Love this bar and adding it to my seasoned social drinker weekly rotation.

Freaking damn good wings and plenty of beers on tap! This place is perfect for Davis Island residents, but it’s worth the drive from anywhere in Tampa for the food, beer and service.

Absolutely fantastic little spot!
It’s the perfect place to «pregame» before a hockey game, and an almost better spot to grab a night cap on the way home from work or an evening out.
The staff is beyond friendly, and the service has always been impeccable. The pricing is always beyond fair with multiple specials tbt light the week, and the menu is always evolving.
If you’re going to grab a cocktail anywhere on Davis Island, this is the spot to do so! You won’t regret it!

Nice place to hang out at after work on the island! Pretty good choice of beers & the food was good bar food. Cool atmosphere, & friendly staff. A little small, but nice. Heard there’s a hospital employee night… I’ll have to check it out!

Nice place on the Island. Great atmosphere.
The beer selection was good, and the food came in plentiful heaps complimenting my beer consumption.

Bacon Burger: Meh
Anchor Fries: AMAZING, Fat girl’s dream. Yum, num.
Pretzel bites… not worth $ 6.
Mozz Sticks: Crunchy Goodness