Blue Anchor Pub Haunting: The True Ghost Story of Delray Beach’s British Bar

Address: 804 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, Florida 33483
Phone: (561) 272-7272
Website: theblueanchorpub.com

History and Paranormal Legend

The story of the Blue Anchor Pub begins long before its current location in Delray Beach. The original pub was constructed in London in the 1840s, during the era of Jack the Ripper, and operated as a traditional British tavern. When that building was razed to make way for modern development, the façade and rich wood interior were dismantled and shipped to the United States. In 1996, these historic elements were reassembled in Delray Beach, carrying with them more than just timber and brick—according to legend, they carried a spirit as well. 

The central figure in this haunted narrative is Bertha Starkey, a woman said to have lived at the original London pub. Local lore describes her as a wife who was caught in a love affair while her husband was away at sea. When he returned unexpectedly and discovered her with another man, he murdered her in a jealous rage. The exact details and historical records of this event are murky, but the story has become deeply entwined with the pub’s identity. 

Reported Paranormal Activity

Staff and visitors at the Blue Anchor Pub have shared a variety of unexplained experiences that have contributed to its haunted reputation:

• Footsteps and Wails After Closing: Many reports describe hearing footsteps walking across the ceiling and spine-chilling wails in the quiet hours after the pub has closed. These sounds are often linked to the time of Bertha’s supposed death around 10 p.m. 
• Objects Moving or Falling: Employees have claimed that items such as pots, pans, and even heavy kitchen equipment occasionally fall from shelves or hooks without any human cause. In one instance, a glass shelf reportedly shattered on its own around the anniversary of Bertha’s murder. 
• Lights and Candles Acting Strange: Some lights have flickered or turned on and off without explanation, and candles have been seen extinguishing themselves and then relighting shortly afterward. 
• Ceiling Fan Turning in Darkness: On at least one occasion reported by ownership, a ceiling fan continued spinning even after all power had been shut off, an event that unsettled those present. 

Current and former owners and employees have learned to incorporate certain rituals meant to appease or manage the alleged spirit. One such custom is ringing the ship’s bell each night before closing, which is believed to keep Bertha’s more disruptive actions to a minimum. 

Interpreting the Encounters

Whether interpreted as genuine paranormal phenomena, atmospheric pub folklore, or a blend of both, the tales of the Blue Anchor Pub’s ghost have become part of its cultural fabric. The pub’s authentic 19th-century wood interior and historic relocation story give the setting a naturally eerie ambiance, and when paired with ghost stories, that ambiance intensifies for visitors. 

The pub’s haunted status has attracted television crews and paranormal show features over the years, including appearances on Travel Channel specials such as Ghost Hunters International and America’s Most Haunted Pubs. This media exposure has only deepened interest in the Blue Anchor’s spectral reputation. 

Visiting Today

Today, the Blue Anchor Pub operates as a lively social destination known for traditional British pub food like fish and chips and a broad selection of beers, along with its ghostly associations. Visitors often enjoy a meal or pint while swapping stories about unexplained phenomena they’ve witnessed or heard about.

Important: The pub is a legitimate business with regular operating hours. If you plan to visit specifically to experience the hauntings, check the current hours before you go and always follow the pub’s rules and guidelines.

Sources

• “Ten Most Haunted Places in Broward County,” Broward Palm Beach New Times (includes Blue Anchor Pub lore). 
• “Blue Anchor Pub in Delray Beach is haunted by a ghost named Bertha Starkey,” WPTV (details on reported paranormal events). 
• Blue Anchor Pub listing on FloridaHauntedHouses.com (summary of haunting reports). 
• “13 Creepy Florida Bars That Are Supposedly Haunted,” Ranker (legend overview). 
• Downtown Delray Beach business directory details for address and general info. 

Before you go ghost hunting, never trespass on property that isn’t yours without permission. Ghost hunting can be dangerous and unpredictable, so always exercise caution and respect local rules and opening hours.