Anchor Spa

06/02/2026

Why Ten Years Matters

When the Anchor closed in 2015, New Haven made it clear this wasn't just another bar. More than 2,000 people signed a petition to save it!

In comes Yale alum Karl Franz Williams (https://www.instagram.com/mrkarlfranz/) , who reopened the space in 2016 (before the gray hair and three wonderful kids). But he wasn't simply opening a restaurant. He was helping preserve a piece of New Haven history. The original name stayed. The iconic façade stayed. The booths stayed. Most importantly, the spirit stayed.

Ten years later, the Anchor remains one of downtown New Haven's most distinctive gathering places, the city's only Black-owned bar downtown, and a place where students, neighbors, artists, hospitality workers, and visitors continue to gather under the same glowing sign.

In the coming days, we'll share more details about what we have planned to celebrate (you won't want to miss any of it so stay tuned here and on our socials). We'll also be sharing some candid stories that take you on a journey through the last ten years of Anchor Spa - one year at a time. We'll talk about the triumphs, challenges, unforgettable moments, and the people who helped shape this chapter.

But for now, as we prepare to celebrate this milestone, our first thought is simple:
THANK YOU!

Thank you to every guest who has shared a cocktail at our bar, celebrated a milestone, hosted an event, brought a friend, recommended us to a visitor, or simply chosen to spend an evening with us.

Thank you to our incredible staff—past and present—whose talent, hospitality, creativity, and hard work have shaped the Anchor into what it is today. From bartenders and servers to cooks, managers, DJs, musicians, and everyone in between, you have all helped write this chapter of the Anchor's story.

This anniversary belongs to all of you.

Click here for an update from The Anchor Spa!

05/27/2026

In town for the 2026 Innovation Summit? Make Anchor a part of your experience.

Surely you grabbed one of those Black Passport books given out by as you were taking in all those nuggets of wisdom!

If so, you'll see the Anchor is listed in there with a FREE Happy Hour cocktail with your purchase of any Entrée or Appetizer on our regular menu.

05/22/2026

Welcome back to campus
Yale Class of 96!

Thirty years later, the city may look a little different, but some things are still best experienced gathered around a great cocktail with old friends.

And what better way to celebrate your reunion weekend than at another Yale alum’s establishment? Sure, Karl is Class of ’97… but for this weekend only, we won’t hold that against him.

To celebrate the Class of ’96, we’re offering a few reunion weekend specials all weekend long at the Anchor.

This weekend feels especially meaningful to us because it’s a celebration of milestones all around. While the Yale Class of ’96 celebrates 30 years, we’re also approaching a major milestone of our own. It's been 10 years since Yale alum Karl Franz Williams took over the historic Anchor and restored it into the vibrant gathering space it is today.

What started as a vision to preserve an iconic New Haven institution has grown into something truly special for both the Yale and greater New Haven communities — a place where people from all walks of life come together over cocktails, music, food, culture, and conversation.

And if you’re local, or planning another trip back to town next month, stay tuned. We’re currently planning a very special 10 Year Anniversary celebration this summer and can’t wait to share more soon.

Specials available exclusively for Yale Reunion guests with reunion credentials.

Come raise a glass with us this weekend.

Click here for an update from The Anchor Spa!

05/16/2026

Congrats Yale Class of 2026 🥂!

For generations, students have passed through New Haven while the Anchor has remained part of the rhythm and spirit of this city, and we're deeply honored to help carry that legacy forward.

As we get closer to celebrating 10 years at the helm of Anchor, weekends like this remind us exactly what the Anchor is all about - community, celebration, culture, music, and of course cocktails!

Come make memories that stay with you long after you leave New Haven.

And tonight, enjoy the amazing sounds of starting at 10pm for a night you won't forget!

05/16/2026

Congrats to the Yale 2026 Grads!

After four years of late nights, big ideas, unforgettable friendships, and somehow surviving New Haven winters… the finish line is finally here. Congratulations to the Yale Class of 2026!

Tonight feels especially meaningful for us at the Anchor. Long before it became what it is today, Anchor's owner Karl Franz Williams (https://www.instagram.com/mrkarlfranz/) was walking these same streets as a Yale student himself — graduating back in 1997 (which somehow sounds both like yesterday and about 100 years ago at the same time). The Anchor has long been part of New Haven’s story, and being entrusted with continuing that legacy for a new generation of students and guests is something we never take lightly.

And now, as we get ready to celebrate our own milestone - 10 years of stewarding this historic space this summer - moments like graduation weekend remind us exactly why we do this. The Anchor has always been about people, memories, culture, music, community, and those nights you somehow never forget.

So before you pack up and leave New Haven behind, come spend one more night with us at this iconic institution. There are no private events tonight, just our amazing team, great cocktails, good food, and the kind of atmosphere that feels distinctly Anchor.

05/05/2026

Cinco de Mayo Tonight!

We’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo the Anchor way🍹

Krafty Wun (https://www.instagram.com/kraftywun/) behind the stick, vibes all the way up, All Night Long!
Flavored Margaritas — $10
Margarita + Empanadas — $15

The weather’s right, the energy is high, and after everything we’ve pushed through these past couple weeks, it feels really good to be right here, right now.

If you know, you know… there’s just something about the Anchor.
That warm, Caribbean sunshine feeling — right in the middle of New Haven.

Pull up tonight and let’s celebrate. ✨

A Special Late Show This Thursday

If you've been to the Late Show at the Anchor, you know it's a whole damn movie!!! They're usually every second and fourth Thursday, but...this Thursday, May 7th, we have something special for you. The Late Show returns for a special birthday edition celebrating our beloved friend Frank E. Brady (https://www.instagram.com/frankebrady/) , along with his crew, Tea Montgomery (https://www.instagram.com/teamontgomery/) and DJ Dooley-O (https://www.instagram.com/dooleyo/) . To know Frank is to love him. He's one of the brightest pillars in the New Haven Community (and beyond) and we are so honored to have him celebrate with us this week.

Join us from 10pm–1am for music, drinks, food, and a few special surprises as we celebrate Ta**us season and some very special people in the Anchor community.

Sounds by DJ Dooley-O
Thursday, May 7th | 10pm–1am
The Anchor Spa | 265 College Street, New Haven

A Few May Event Spots Are Still Available

May is one of our busiest seasons at The Anchor, with graduations, Yale reunions, birthday celebrations, private dinners, and spring gatherings filling the calendar quickly.

We still have a few spots available for private and semi-private events this month. We offer flexible, customizable packages including drink tickets, open bar, cash bar options, appetizer platters, passed bites, buffet-style food, and prix fixe menus upon request.

No room rental fee is required when your event meets the food & beverage minimum.

To inquire about dates, pricing, and availability, email [email protected] and we’ll help you plan the details.

Click here for an update from The Anchor Spa!

05/05/2026

It's Cinco de Mayo and it's 80 degrees out, is behind the stick - that means a party at The Anchor! Come celebrate with us tonight and enjoy $10 Margaritas ALL NIGHT, or just $15 for a Margarita and an order of Empanadas!

Because we're Anchor, we got some great Margarita Flavors for you - Coconut, Blood Orange, Passion Fruit, Blackberry, Strawberry, or Jalapeño!

We'll see you soon!

05/01/2026

We Just Had to Share!

If you’ve ever had Uncle Waithley’s at the Anchor, you’ve been part of something bigger than you might realize.

What started right here, being made in-house at the Anchor, has grown into a brand now reaching shelves, bars, and communities beyond New Haven. A true full-circle moment - and one we built with you.

Uncle Waithley’s isn’t just a beverage. It’s a reflection of family, heritage, and culture. It’s about honoring the grandfather of Anchor Spa owner Karl Williams (https://www.instagram.com/mrkarlfranz/) , carrying forward the spirit of St. Vincent, and building something that represents where we come from and what we believe in.

We’re now in the final hours of our investment round, and you can learn more here: wefunder.com/uncle.waithleys.beverage.company

If this story, this mission, or this journey has ever meant something to you, we’d truly love to have you in.

Click here for an update from The Anchor Spa!

04/23/2026

Thanks for your support!

After a challenging stretch, we’re happy to share that the repair on our gas lines is complete and our kitchen is back up and running!

Not going to lie… that one tested us. But you truly carried us through.

We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who showed up, had a drink, and supported us while we were operating on a limited menu. And of course, a huge thank you to our incredible staff, who stepped up, stayed flexible, and kept the Anchor spirit alive through it all.

Since 1939, The Anchor has been part of New Haven’s story. For the past 10 years, we’ve been proud to continue that legacy—and moments like this remind us just how strong this community is.

While the repair is complete, the kitchen is still getting fully reset. Tonight’s menu may not be 100% back just yet, but we’ll have more available than we have in the past few weeks—and we expect to be fully up and running by the weekend.

As you can imagine, repairs like this hit hard for a small, independent business. So if you’ve been thinking about coming by, now’s the time.

Join us for dinner, grab a cocktail, bring your people, and help us get all the way back.

We’re officially counting down to our 10-year anniversary this summer—no small feat in this industry, especially these days. We’re committed to keeping the legacy of The Anchor alive, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you.

04/18/2026

Join us today as we partner with one of the best things that's come to New Haven, , for a day of community and celebration!

While we wanted to provide food as well, due to an unforeseen emergency maintenance issue, we aren't able to. But...we will still have our famous Anchor Rum Punch on deck along with some and other beverages served by none other than our superstar .

So please stop by, buy some records (and of course bring those records to play on our Vinyl Nights every Monday), enjoy some beverages and this beautiful Spring day. Then come to the Anchor after to finish the night off with and for a special Saturday Night Edition of the Late Show!