ANCHOR BAR
The Anchor Bar Portstewart:
An Authentic Traditional Irish Pub Since 1898
Step back in time and experience the heart of Portstewart’s social life. Established in 1898, The Anchor Bar is a multi-award-winning traditional Irish pub that has meticulously preserved its original Victorian charm and character.
Whether you’re a local regular or a visitor exploring the North Coast, you’ll find a warm welcome, a roaring fire, and the finest hospitality in the area.
The Home of Great Food &
The Perfect Pint
At The Anchor Bar, we believe in doing the classics right. We are famous across the North Coast for serving the best traditional Guinness, poured with patience and pride.
Pub Dining at Its Best Looking for a spot for lunch or dinner? Our bar menu features hearty, high-quality pub classics served in a relaxed, homely environment.
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Lunch: Served daily
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Dinner: Served daily
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Atmosphere: Relax by our original Victorian fireplace, the perfect spot to unwind after a walk on the Portstewart Strand.
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Live Music & Entertainment in Portstewart
When the weekend arrives, the Anchor Bar truly comes alive. We are the premier destination for live music in Portstewart, hosting the best local talent every week.
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Friday Nights: Live acoustic sets and local legends from 8:00 PM.
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Saturday Nights: A double-bill of live bands and entertainment starting from 8:00 PM.
The North Coast’s Hub for Live Sports
Never miss a moment of the action. The Anchor Bar is equipped with multiple high-definition screens, making us the top choice for sports fans. We show all major events in a vibrant, stadium-like atmosphere:
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Football: All Premier League, Champions League, and International fixtures.
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Rugby: Full coverage of the Six Nations, Champions Cup, and Internationals.
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Golf: The perfect 19th hole for fans following the PGA and European Tours.
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Formula 1: Catch every Grand Prix from lights out to the checkered flag.
The History of The Anchor
The impressive anchor displayed outside The Anchor Bar has a fascinating connection to Portstewart’s wartime history.
Dating back to 1940, the anchor was originally used during the Second World War to secure target buoys to the seabed off the coast. RAF aircraft from nearby Ballykelly Airbase used these floating targets for training exercises, while spotters stationed at Black Rock monitored their accuracy.
The area became known locally as “The Targets.” In 1992, fisherman Mervyn Collins caught the long-lost anchor in his new fishing nets while aboard his boat, Ballyagherton.
With the help of several friends, he raised the enormous anchor from the seabed for the first time in more than 50 years.
Today, it proudly stands outside The Anchor Bar—a lasting reminder of Portstewart’s maritime and wartime heritage, and the inspiration behind our name.
