Federal Cafe in Hartford closing????

[Hoophound]

Then there was BT II over by Westfarms Mall which later became Great American Cafe I believe, which was torn down and replaced by Red Robin. Brown Thomson, no p.

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It was Joe’s American Bar and Grill before they changed it to Great American. Joe’s was great. I was sad to see it go.

In 1997 I met a gorgeous blond girl at the Brickyard one night. We met at Joe’s on our first date. We got liquored up at the bar and started making out so aggressively the bartender was walking by and let out a noticeable, “Oh my God”. We stopped and I said, “I’m sorry”. He said, “Don’t be sorry, I’m just jealous”. So, we went right back to it. Fun couple of weeks.

 

[HCCForever]

simply Capital Fish House

That's it. Thank you.

 

[HCCForever]

Best pickles I've ever had.

I worked there for a few weeks in my early twenties. It was crowded before and after Whaler's games and on the weekends with many drunk people including me at times. I believe it was open 24 hours for a while and then replaced by Shelly's Deli. The one in Vernon is still open and good but a much different vibe then the Reins that existed in Hartford. I believe there was one in Bishops Corner as well.

 

[Hoophound]

Is No Fish Today still around?

 

[XLCenterFan]

The Fed was the last real bar in Hartford. A true dive. I have been there more times than I can count since 2003. Was there before a few XL games last season. My brother was a bouncer there for one night until he found out how little it paid. We used to close the place down and the owners would lock the doors and let us drink all night. We were in good enough with them that they let us order beers to go after close. Loved how they sold Hot Pockets. Front Street and snob joints ruined places like the Fed. Makes me want to cry.

 

[husky8273]

Is No Fish Today still around?

closed around 2007, great food in its day

 

[UconnMICK]

closed around 2007, great food in its day

So there’s no No Fish Today, today?

 

[Waquoit]

So there’s no No Fish Today, today?

No fish, no more.

 

[millertime7774]

Alright, I need help now with my memory. Either 94 or 95, less than a half hour after a big win, sports bar right next to the Civic Center. Donny and Rudy standing out on a small dance floor, Ollie holding court at the bar. Place was packed, I don't think it was the Russian Lady, think it had a sports type name, but maybe it was? Always thought it was strange that they'd be out right after the game, assuming the rest of the guys went back to campus...

 

[TRest]

Alright, I need help now with my memory. Either 94 or 95, less than a half hour after a big win, sports bar right next to the Civic Center. Donny and Rudy standing out on a small dance floor, Ollie holding court at the bar. Place was packed, I don't think it was the Russian Lady, think it had a sports type name, but maybe it was? Always thought it was strange that they'd be out right after the game, assuming the rest of the guys went back to campus...

Bleachers?

 

[alexd]

Alright, I need help now with my memory. Either 94 or 95, less than a half hour after a big win, sports bar right next to the Civic Center. Donny and Rudy standing out on a small dance floor, Ollie holding court at the bar. Place was packed, I don't think it was the Russian Lady, think it had a sports type name, but maybe it was? Always thought it was strange that they'd be out right after the game, assuming the rest of the guys went back to campus...

It was Challengers before it became Coach's. It's now The Tavern Downtown.

 

[HooperScooper]

It was Challengers before it became Coach's. It's now The Tavern Downtown.

Yup, I was going to say Challenges or Challengers. On the back side of the Civic Center on Ann Street. Spent lots of time there. When they opened I remember we thought it was so cool that each booth had its only little TV that you could watch whatever you wanted.

 

[mauconnfan]

Alright, I need help now with my memory. Either 94 or 95, less than a half hour after a big win, sports bar right next to the Civic Center. Donny and Rudy standing out on a small dance floor, Ollie holding court at the bar. Place was packed, I don't think it was the Russian Lady, think it had a sports type name, but maybe it was? Always thought it was strange that they'd be out right after the game, assuming the rest of the guys went back to campus...

Challengers?

 

[millertime7774]

Challengers?

Yeah, that's got to be it - kept thinking Champions, but that's Boston. Went away a few years after that, never realized that was Coach's Thanks

 

[TheChamps990411]

Downtown Hartford is becoming a graveyard as the shutdowns continue.

Was downtown yesterday (stopped by M&M for a gyro) and downtown is dead asf. Terrible.

 

[Chief00]

Challengers?

Alright, I need help now with my memory. Either 94 or 95, less than a half hour after a big win, sports bar right next to the Civic Center. Donny and Rudy standing out on a small dance floor, Ollie holding court at the bar. Place was packed, I don't think it was the Russian Lady, think it had a sports type name, but maybe it was? Always thought it was strange that they'd be out right after the game, assuming the rest of the guys went back to campus...

Jim was a student of Red Auerbach. Red believed players should celebrate wins because that way their brain would want to win even more the next time - to celebrate again. It was no different with the head coach. He would celebrate wins in Hartford and have a dinner and beverage with family and friends. George would take the lead going back to Storrs on the bus. It wasn’t unusual, especially for upper classmen, not to take the bus back. Calhoun worked the players hard but off the court did give them freedoms.