The Anchored Inn

BUSHWICK, NEW YORK –

The term “watering hole” has special significance when it comes to The Anchored Inn, a dive that drips with more nautical paraphernalia than the average sea-faring vessel.

Model ships, paintings of giant squid, mermaids, and even a full-body vintage diving suit suspended from the high ceiling make up much of the décor, albeit inexplicably juxtaposed with a chaotic mishmash of cow skulls, horror movie habiliments, and velvet portraits of Vladimir Putin and Hugo Chavez.

Weathered musicians and laid-back hipsters post up around the rough bar to shoot the breeze over barebones drafts and specialty cocktails named after local metal bands, some of whom might still be caught at The Acheron live metal venue right next door.

Weeknights see the booths and tables taken over by tattooed couples looking to wolf down Mexican-inspired grub like “borracho” beans and bacon-wrapped hot dogs, while a revolving cast of leather-clad heshers settle in with their pints at the tiny sidewalk seating area as DJs set up in a balcony booth and shake the walls with a mix of metal, crust, and grindcore.

Those hanging around for the weekend scene can top it off with Bloody Mary and mimosa deals, or go truly hardcore with a few wine spritzers (Yeah. Spritzers. Deal with it).

Genuine and good-natured in its relaxed dirtiness, The Anchored Inn is a necessary stop for rockers near and far who like it loud and drenched in oceanic kitsch.