Hope and Anchor Tavern, Historic pub in Hobart, Australia

Hope and Anchor Tavern is a historic pub at 65 Macquarie Street in Hobart featuring Georgian architecture with preserved original structural elements from its early construction period. The building shows features typical of early 1800s design and continues to operate as a fully functioning establishment today.

The Hope and Anchor opened in 1807 and holds one of Australia's oldest pub licences. It was a favoured venue for sailors and traders arriving at Hobart's port, and in the 19th century it operated as the Whale Fishery, a name tied to the colonial whaling trade. It has since carried several names, including the Alexandra and simply the Hope, and periods of closure have led the Bush Inn in New Norfolk, licensed from 1815, to dispute its claim to be Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub.

The tavern serves as a social hub where locals and travelers gather to experience traditional Tasmanian drinks and food in an authentic setting. The way people use this space reflects the social habits of a historic port town.

The venue sits on Macquarie Street in central Hobart and is easy to reach on foot. It helps to check current opening hours in advance, as these can vary.

The tavern's claim to be Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub is contested by the Bush Inn in New Norfolk, established in 1815 and never closed, while the Hope and Anchor kept its licence through periods of closure. The building has been on the Tasmanian Heritage Register since 1998.