Sail and Anchor

Right in the thick of it in the beating heart of central Freo is this relaxed pub with a warm & friendly atmosphere & plenty of room to gather all your mates together. Drop in for a drink or join weekly trivia for a good laugh & the chance to win your way to the bar. An easy go to venue

Service was none existent. Arrived and was told we could order but the restaurant section was closing in 15 mins. We were welcome to place out order there or we could order at the bar at any stage. 20 mins later we tried to order at the bar only to be told the meals had finished. Make up your mind. Came here last week as well and ordered chicken wings. They were inedible and grey. Will not be coming back here anytime soon

Sail&Anchor is one of my favourite pubs in Freo. From just getting a beer on the balcony to Wednesday night pub trivia to $ 5 comedy Thursday to daily activity/​food/​drink specials, there’s a lot going on there! I love the Custard scrumpy cider they have on the hand-​pump tap, great bang for your buck cider at over 6% ABV and tasty too! Yummy and hearty meals; I’ve loved their fish and chips, $ 18 on Wednesday. Dig the 5−6pm happy hour. Lots of different places to sit — inside, outside, upstairs, down, balcony, courtyard, etc. Solid pub and great place to check out overall.

A surprising venue — in a good way.
This is the second time here — I forgot to check in yesterday. It was very enjoyable to sit on the Victorian terrace which had a nice breeze reviving my overheated body.
The staff have been friendly and fast at serving you. The beer selection is absolutely excellent even if you didn’t take their own beers into account. The Feral White on tap was sensational.
There are 3 parts, the classic front bar, upstairs (didn’t see much except the balcony) and the Bistro which is really cosy with a side room filled with beer memorabilia.
Then the food (from the front bar) was the best I’ve had in Freo so far. Given it was only beer battered prawns but they were perfect. So nice we ordered another lot of them!

I was absolutely starving when we walked in as we were served in Zapfhall. Within half an hour we had ordered, received our food and N had finished eating his!
The service is great! The waitresses come over to give us our menus and water out straight away — this has happened both times we have been here in the last couple of months.
The food is quick, the servings generous and the taste excellent. It’s not a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ but I always leave satisfied :)

The Sail and Anchor is a Freo staple. Like the Norfolk Hotel, you just couldn’t imagine Freo without it.
It’s a great pub to grab a spot up on the balcony and kick back with a few beers with friends. It has a great beer list.
Food is standard pub grub. The evening we went we seemed to cop a series of mishaps — we ordered with what appeared to be a new staff person behind the bar, she got our table number wrong, waitress couldn’t find us and by the time she did, the food was cold and she had dropped two of the dishes! Things weren’t in our favour! We had ordered 4 dishes off the tapas menu — the ribs, calamari, sliders (two for $ 13 for measly looking burgers — see my photo) and the bruschetta.
So maybe stick to just the beer at the Sail and Anchor!

The beer paddle was a hit! I loved that we got to pick the beers we wanted! They were all quite tasty too.
We had the tasting platter with 4 choices.
We selected:
Chorizo– nothing special… Wouldn’t recommend it
Haloumi– ok
Calamari rings– Delish! Not greasy or overcooked
Pork riblets– awesome! The modern Asian sauce is amazing!
The major down fall was that we ordered the chicken wings and the jalapeño bread on the menu, but they were out of both. It’s unfortunate to be out of 1 item… But 2?! That’s a bit disappointing.
The atmosphere was nice and the staff were friendly.

I’m torn which way to go with this review. I do like the Sail & Anchor pub because of its location in Freo is walking distance from where I regularly stay on business trips. And there’s no doubt the beer selection is great. But on the other hand, it can attract a bogan crowd late at night and the service can be both excellent and terrible depending on the day or phase of the moon.
This last time I was there (early 2014) was a perfect example of my conflicted state of mind. I was having a drink with a friend, got a tasting paddle and enjoyed most of the beers selected. Ordered meals then settled into a pint or two. Before we knew it an hour had passed and no meals. When we enquired with the wait staff, it became apparent our order had disappeared into the ether. After another 15 minutes or so the wait staff approached with two meals, which were completely different to our order. The waiter was very apologetic, offered us one of the meals to snack on while getting the correct ones sorted and poured us the next two rounds for free.
So while the meal stuff-​up was annoying, the response from the staff was good and all round we had a good night.
Will I go back again? Most likely yes. it’s still a good watering hole (but to be honest, their standard range of bottled beers is average at best (e.g. Boa’s Bind, Monkey’s Fist, Cat’s Shank, Lark’s Foot)

The Sail and Anchor is a heritage listed pub in Fremantle serving craft beers on tap and a variety of wines. I have been there a couple of times before with friends and with my husband. It has a few TV screens showing Friday Night footy and a lot of Friday night clientele come by straight after work. I haven’t eaten there before but the food that was served was pretty substantial pub grub. The bar staff are friendly enough and hip. I much prefer Newport or a pop up bar when in Freo but it is good if you are in the area and the footy is on. Maybe it is the fact that it is the unofficial Freo Dockers pub that make it less appealing to me haha.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to sample the large selection of beers on tap in this equally large establishment. I was there on a particularly hot day, where Johnny Foreigner here just wanted some red bull with plenty of ice (see pic). I hope to return soon and promise to behave like a grown up, so until then, I will give it a 4 for potential.

This pub had the potential to get a 5 star rating from me. The food was great (although the portion sizes were ridiculously large), the bartender was friendly and the drinks were just right.
The only issue is that we came on the early end of lunchtime and we were hungry. Before deciding to stay we asked when the kitchen opened and were told about 20 mins. This made sense, as that would have been a more normal lunch time. A half hour goes by and we go back to order– no dice. What time does the kitchen open then? «Um… well… There’s no set time, they just kind of open when they’re ready»
Unfortunately for me, I was ready when I got there, and the kitchen wasn’t ready for another hour after that. How do you run a business like this? Unimpressed.

After a few of my friends told me how ‘rough’ the Sail and Anchor is, I was hesitant to step foot in here. However, my Perth friends clearly have no idea what a rough pub actually looks like.
Came here for meal on our way to a event and everyone raved about it. I love pub food. Anyone who doesn’t like pub food is a fool. It’s so big and satisfying and depending on the pub, a damn quality meal.
The chicken parmigiana at this place is redonk. If you order it be prepared to unbutton AND unzip your pants. It’s intense.
I naturally got the chicken burger because I can’t pass up diving face first into anything chicken dripping with garlic aioli. What can I say? It’s a problem. And surprise, surprise, it was delicious!
Did I mention they have like 40 beers on tap? SAY WHAT? You think I’m joking but I’m totally not.
I personally endorse the Sail and Anchor. Definitely will be back anytime I’m in Fremantle.

Great food!
We ordered the bruschetta which was amazing… I had the scotch fillet which was good but a bit chewy, my partner had the mega Parma which he enjoyed.
Friendly service & prices were average

When you grow tired of sinking tinnies of green demons (VB) this place will suit you nicely. Excellent local, regional and international beers served up in an unpretentious and fairly homely setting. Relaxing and welcoming if not buzzing. Feel free to bring a large group of mates because quite likely there’ll be plenty of room for a good long sit down.

Good beer and ok service.
Over the years I have found this place has become increasingly expensive, now I’m not sure if its worth it anymore.
Sure the balcony in the summer draws the crowds in. It’s an awesome place to watch the street performers especially the bag pipe guy.
But for a general meeting and few beers there’s better options.

Great beer and terrible service.
I went with a group of friends and ordered a food platter to line everyone’s stomachs. It took over an hour to come out!!! Unfortunately, by the time the food arrived many had lost their appetite or were too intoxicated to stay because the food didn’t come out soon enough.
Crap Service, and arrogant ungentlemanly bouncers that would prefer to incite violence than to help facilitate the subtle exit of a social suicidal intoxicated friend. Attitudinally appalling with little regard for duty of care.
Not a fan.

If the «Hotel California» was a place in Freo– the Sail and anchor would be it.
Positioned right on the corner of freo markets and the main drag this is a prime vantage point to people spot while allowing the street performers to entertain you from below as you enjoy a cold beer.
Every time I have been here, both inside and walking passed, there is always wind in the pubs sales.
The service is friendly and fast and the girls are great– sometimes you’ll score a free softie if you smile extra nicely, I always tip BIG for that.

While it’s still known for its’ nightlife, many of Fremantle’s best pubs have been bought out in the last decade. The Sail And Anchor seems immovable; always attracting a steady flow of drinkers to its’ three service areas, it’s the rare pub that almost anyone will find a place to feel comfortable in.
The upstairs area features a cocktail bar, with well-​trained staff who know how to combine spirits in infinite combinations. My wife and I enjoy the odd gin martini, and they were able to cater to our dry tastes, which we find is very rare in WA. Their other cocktails are equally smashing, but if you are planning on a night full of these, prepare your wallet in advance; you’re going to be looking at fifteen bucks per cocktail.
Downstairs has been one of the most chilled out public bars in town for a long time and continues that way. Now hosting an array of beers, including some choice brews by the Sail themselves, this is a great place to meet up with friends in a relaxed environment. It’s also my preferred hangout if I need to get out of the house for a quiet midweek brew, as it’s pleasantly quiet but still has a great atmosphere.
At the rear of the building is a restaurant-​style setup that includes both interior and outdoor tables; I have it on authority that the food here is great, but as I find myself a bit spoiled for choice on the Cappuccino Strip, I’ve yet to eat here myself. It shares the same casual feel as the public bar.
In addition to these areas, there is a handy bottle shop at the front of the building that has some great premium wines, which is convenient to remember if you are heading to a local restauraunt with a BYO licence. They are generally open when the pub is open, so it’s also the best place to head if you run out of alcohol at a party at 10:30pm.
It’s important to note that despite its’ relaxed feel, the Sail does have a dress code («neat and casual atire, no singlets, work boots or thongs after 7»), so make sure you’re wearing appropriate clobber. The requirements are pretty minimal though and once you’re inside you’re sure to have a chilled out night with good drinks and decent service.

I really love the atmosphere and general laid back Freo vibes in the Sail and Anchor. Not only have they managed to score the best location on Market Street they also have open windows and upstairs verandahs to help you out with your people watching.
If you become overwhelmed by the sheer option of beers and ciders on tap here, opt for the tasting paddle at $ 14. It is a great treat and you may find some beers yuo never thuoght you would have enjoyed.
The bar snacks are also pretty good but its always interesting to watch the staff wander the bar area looking for the owner of the bowl of wedges.
There always seems to be LOADS of staff behind the bar here but for some reason it is never easy to get a drink. Regardless, one of my favourite bars in Freo and always reliable for showing the sport.

I think this a beautiful looking pub and certainly a Freo icon but I dropped in the other day to quench my first after a big day of Unilocal scouting, and found the stench of beer (I presumed glugged into the carpet) overwhelming. It’s all good and well to boast 43 taps of quality brew but when these are constantly spilled and start blending into the décor, it’s not much fun on the ol’ olfactory sense.
Please steam-​clean this joint and keep it as charming as it’s been for decades. We don’t want the tourist to think we’re a bunch of beer-​swigging piggies…