Pregame in Hartford

[ToolzieFan]

I haven’t been out before an XL Center game in ages, largely due to our frequent noon starts. What are the best spots to grab lunch and a drink within walking distance of the XL Center? Thanks in advance.

 

[Waquoit]

Vaughn's on Pratt is nice. The Tavern on Ann is a bit more boisterous. If food is the concern I like Agave (BBQ Pork taco) and Vaughn's.

 

[Magic32]

I haven’t been out before an XL Center game in ages, largely due to our frequent noon starts. What are the best spots to grab lunch and a drink within walking distance of the XL Center? Thanks in advance.

Agave Grill is a fun place for drinks and food if you like Mexican. Parking on street or lots nearby and right next to XL

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

City Steam

 

[Waquoit]

City Steam

Opens at 3, tho.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Thanks. Another friend also suggested Vaughan’s, so that looks like the plan.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Opens at 3, tho.

did you call?

sometimes they open early on gamedays's

 

[alexd]

Opens at 3, tho.

Seriously??? A sold out XL for a 3pm game and City Steam isn't opening til 3:00???

 

[Waquoit]

did you call?
sometimes they open early on gamedays's

I checked their Facebook figuring that would be updated. They've been closed before in recent years so we've learned not to count on them.

 

[8893]

Remember the days when Chuck’s, Margaritaville, Russian Lady, Civic Pub and the Federal were ALL packed before games?

 

[alexd]

Remember the days when Chuck’s, Margaritaville, Russian Lady, Civic Pub and the Federal were ALL packed before games?

Civic Pub.....Belly up for pizza and cheap beer. Life was good.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Opens at 3, tho.

La-aaaaammme. Classic Hartford

 

[Durks07]

I like dish for brunch if you dont mind spending a little but extra. The crab cake Benedict is awesome.

 

[WrenchFan69]

City Steam is opening at 1pm today
@Dream Jobbed 2.0

 

[ucp990411]

Remember the days when Chuck’s, Margaritaville, Russian Lady, Civic Pub and the Federal were ALL packed before games?

Yup. Before Whaler games as well.

 

[bendm]

Thanks. Another friend also suggested Vaughan’s, so that looks like the plan.

it's the only legit bar on pratt street and it's small so get there early. there's also Trumbull Kitchen. slim pickins overall tho.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

It’s kind of amazing there’s not a restaurant or two inside the XL complex but not necessarily in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum .

 

[alexd]

It’s kind of amazing there’s not a restaurant or two inside the XL complex but not necessarily in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum .

There used to be when it was a mall.

 

[Deepster]

Remember the days when Chuck’s, Margaritaville, Russian Lady, Civic Pub and the Federal were ALL packed before games?

The free chips on the bar at Margaritaville were my dinner many a night back then.

 

[Dove]

Yup. Before Whaler games as well.

Scarlet O'Hara's!!!

 

[bigknight3]

it's the only legit bar on pratt street and it's small so get there early. there's also Trumbull Kitchen. slim pickins overall tho.

Vaughn's
The Russell
Trumbull kitchen
Dish
V's Trattoria
City Steam (confirmed open at 1pm)
Agave
The Tavern Downtown
Russian Lady
Artichoke Bassille

Slim pickings? How many bars do you need?

I think the new addition, Artichoke Bassille, you guys are missing out on. Just took over the old McKinnon's. Pizza slices and drinks. During the week happy hour goes till 7pm and they have $5 Toto's or rum cocktails.

 

[Waquoit]

I think the new addition, Artichoke Bassille, you guys are missing out on. Just took over the old McKinnon's. Pizza slices and drinks. During the week happy hour goes till 7pm and they have $5 Toto's or rum cocktails.

Thanks, I was going to ask about them. Haven't been yet. BTW, you can get a nice meal at V's Trattoria. We went a few weeks ago. But for me it's more a pre-show than pre-game place.

 

[beerfan]

There used to be when it was a mall.

Ahh.... the run to Wendy's after Lord Jims to get a burger before the game.

 

[HooperScooper]

Ahh.... the run to Wendy's after Lord Jims to get a burger before the game.

Our home away from home when I worked at 242 Trumbull. I could go from work to Lord Jim's to the Uconn game without ever having to step outside.

 

[Towney007]

Vaughn's
The Russell
Trumbull kitchen
Dish
V's Trattoria
City Steam (confirmed open at 1pm)
Agave
The Tavern Downtown
Russian Lady
Artichoke Bassille

Slim pickings? How many bars do you need?

I think the new addition, Artichoke Bassille, you guys are missing out on. Just took over the old McKinnon's. Pizza slices and drinks. During the week happy hour goes till 7pm and they have $5 Toto's or rum cocktails.

There's tons of places to go out around the arena. I was at Artichoke's tonight and it was sensational.

 

[alexd]

Our home away from home when I worked at 242 Trumbull. I could go from work to Lord Jim's to the Uconn game without ever having to step outside.

Hooper..... that was before I finally met you in like 2000..... we must have drank together a lot at Lord Jim's without knowing it. LOL Beer fan and I and his brother had the timing down to a science. Drink at LJ's and just enough time to get burgers at Wendy's and get into the game.
I remember Mayor Mike being at Lord Jim's before games all the time.

 

[EROCK CONN]

i like the bbq joint down on street ...little walk but very good food and good bar ...a little less crowded

 

[HooperScooper]

Hooper..... that was before I finally met you in like 2000..... we must have drank together a lot at Lord Jim's without knowing it. LOL Beer fan and I and his brother had the timing down to a science. Drink at LJ's and just enough time to get burgers at Wendy's and get into the game.
I remember Mayor Mike being at Lord Jim's before games all the time.

I worked there 1993-1996, so yeah before I met you.

I remember seeing Ray Allen getting a manicure at the nails place in the mall during the middle of the day before a game and thinking that was weird. But he was Ray Allen, I figured maybe it helped him shoot better.

 

[bendm]

Slim pickings? How many bars do you need?

A real city should have More than a dozen bars... Ive been to the new basilles it barely resembles the locations in California and NYC.

 

[mauconnfan]

Remember the days when Chuck’s, Margaritaville, Russian Lady, Civic Pub and the Federal were ALL packed before games?

And the sports bar next to the Lady, was it Challengers or Champions?

There was also a bar up the street from McKinnons which you took a few stairs down to go in JP’s I think always packed. A lot of Meriden fellow fans met after games for sure there.