Connecticut - 5

LGBTQ+ Connecticut

Hartford offers a wide variety of music, theatre, art, sports and dining, with a part big city, part small New England town atmosphere. While Hartford might seem straight-laced at first glance, it is also home to an active gay community. Dance parties, theme nights and drag shows define Hartford’s gay nightlife. Most of the bars are conveniently located within a couple of miles from downtown. Hartford ranks among the places with the highest percentage of adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to a Gallup Poll study of the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas.

A total of 4.6 percent of residents in Hartford identify as LGBTQ+, putting the Connecticut capital in a tie with Denver and Los Angeles. For the purposes of the study, Hartford includes West Hartford and East Hartford. Connecticut cities and towns also score higher than average when it comes to laws and policies supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

The quaint East Coast town of New Haven is home to one of the best universities in the country, not to mention one of the gayest. Yale University boasts a rather large number of LGBTQ+ students, faculty and organizations, which spreads its intellectual influence across the globe and its social life onto the college town in the form of bars, restaurants and shops.

Black-Eyed Sally’s

Southern fare & BBQ in a roadhouse with live blues, jazz & soul music.

350 Asylum St, Hartford, CT

Brazi’s Italian Restaurant

Traditional Italian fare in a columned setting, located in the same complex as Long Wharf Theatre.

201 Food Terminal Plaza, New Haven, CT

Dockside

Seafood & Grill

Seasonal marina-side spot for fresh seafood, outdoor dining & sunsets, plus live summer events.

145 Block Island Rd, Branford, CT

Finalmente Trattoria

This snug bistro draws theatergoers & locals with creative Italian cuisine & a warm ambiance.

165 Post Road E, Westport, CT

Home

American comfort food & local beers offered in an inviting setting styled like a living room.

1114 Main St, Branford, CT

Jalapeño Heaven

A familiar Mexican menu & a few inventive meals are offered in a coralcolored space with a bar.

40 N Main St, Branford, CT

Kawa Ni

Inventive Japanese & Pan-Asian plates to share plus sake & cocktails served in cozy surroundings.

19A Bridge Square, Westport, CT

Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

Homestyle Ethiopian cuisine, with some vegetarian dishes, served in a spare, homey setting.

176 Temple Street, New Haven, CT

Lenny’s Indian Head Inn

Bustling American eatery with simple decor offering a varied seafood menu, lively bar & creek views.

205 S Montowese St, Branford, CT

L’Orcio

Modern Italian cuisine, including fresh pasta, served in a townhouse with a trellis-covered patio.

806 State St, New Haven, CT

Max Downtown

Upscale spot with prime cuts & seafood, extensive wine list, cocktails for expense account crowd.

185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT

Republican at the Linden

New American plates & signature cocktails served up in a dimly lit, vintage-chic dining room. 10 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT

Salute

Trendy Italian restaurant with an upscale menu of pastas (gluten-free available) & grilled dishes.

100 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill

Seafood eatery perched on New Haven Harbor offering steaks, water views & a seasonal deck.

100 S Water St, New Haven, CT

Siam Orchids

Informal curry house & takeaway turning out elevated Thai specialties in a modest location.

899 W Main St, Branford, CT

Sorella

Relaxed, upscale restaurant serving housemade pasta, brick-oven pizza & other Italian standards.

901 Main St, Hartford, CT

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Tarantino Restaurant & Bar

High-end, family-owned Italian mainstay turning out traditional entrees in a buzzing space.

30 Railroad Place, Westport, CT

The Capital Grille Outpost of the upscale steakhouse chain offers classic American fare & a clubby, refined setting. 44 Front St, Hartford, CT

The Cottage Seasonal New American plates and signature cocktails are served in a cozy, elegant dining room. 256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT

The Whelk

Upmarket choice featuring sustainable seafood & local produce in an airy room with outdoor seating. 575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT

Trumbull Kitchen

Seafood headlines the eclectic menu at this casual, industrial-chic eatery with a lively bar scene. 150 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT

Union League Cafe

Elevated brasserie from chef Jean-Pierre Vuillermet in an elegant setting. 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT

ZINC New Haven New American farm-to-table cuisine with a slight Asian slant in sleek, chic decor with a bar. 964 Chapel St, New Haven, CT

EVENTS SCHEDULE

For more info visit: glowgardens.com/hartford-christmas

JANUARY

JAN 21

WINTERFEST

Join us for Winterfest 2023 at Ski Sundown – a festival of winter fun! Put on your favorite winter costume, funny hat or helmet cover and celebrate the winter season with us! This event is free to anyone with a Ski Sundown lift ticket or pass!

For more info visit: skisundown.com/event/winterfest

JAN 26-29

SUN WINE & FOOD FEST

Wine connoisseurs and food aficionados rejoice! Sun Wine & Food Fest is back at Mohegan Sun. Don’t miss your chance to sip and sample your way through endless vintages and signature dishes, incredible showcases and tastings during a four-day affair

FEB 17-18

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

An electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Aretha Franklin. The concert features all your favorite hits in one evening, including “Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” and many more. You’ll be out of your seat and dancing in the aisles as you lose yourself in the music that inspired a generation.

For more info visit: bit.ly/3UfnrVi

MARCH

MAR 3-4 CATS

Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater — “Memory.” Winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Cats tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its

EVENTS SCHEDULE

For more info visit: bit.ly/3FbFG9A

MAR 17

ANIME MUSIC FESTIVAL

The 2023 International Anime Music Festival is an immersive live concert experience starring the world’s leading anime pop stars, together on stage for the first time. A live DJ-led multimedia concert rave, featuring state-of-the-art LED and high-

MAY MAY 21

NEW ENGLAND VEGFEST

The New England VegFest (NEVF) is a free festival that brings the local community together to celebrate vegetarianism: an animal-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and healthy lifestyle.

For more info visit: nevegfest.org

168 York Street Cafe

Laid-back gay bar & American eatery in the basement of a townhouse, featuring theme nights & brunch. 168 York St, New Haven, CT

BAR

Buzzing bar & dance club with indie rock shows staged in industrial-chic environs with cozy nooks. 254 Crown St, New Haven, CT

Cafe Nine

Live music from many genres (rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, hip-hop) in a compact corner bar. 250 State St, New Haven, CT

Chez Est

Gay bar & nightclub with cocktails, a patio & lively vibe, featuring drag queens, DJs & karaoke. 458 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT

Terminal 110

Sprawling, industrial nightlife complex with bar food, Latin dancing nights & a dueling-piano bar. 240 Sargent Dr, New Haven, CT

Toad’s Place

Toad’s Place is a concert venue and nightclub located in New Haven, Connecticut. Wikipedia 300 York St, New Haven, CT

Trevi Lounge

Gay hangout with a laid-back atmosphere & daily drink specials, plus pool, DJs & karaoke nights. 548 Kings Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield, CT

Troupe429

A neighborhood bar for people of all identities, sexual orientations, genders, races/ethnicity, & spiritual beliefs. 3 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT

LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS

CLARO

Connecticut Latinas/os Achieving Rights and Opportunities is dedicated to promoting Latinos LGTBQI equality, policy, social justice, human rights and education addressing homophobia and heterosexism. claroct.org 56 Arbor St #222, Hartford, CT

Gay Parents to Be

An informational resource and a starting point for LGBTQ+ parenting. We strive to provide the best care for LGBTQ+ couples and individuals as they navigate all of their family building options. gayparentstobe.com 761 Main Ave #200, Norwalk, CT

Hartford Gay & Lesbian

Health Collective

Empowering individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities

New Haven Pride Center

Providing educational, cultural and social enrichment for the LGBTQ+ community, its allies, and members, to make a positive contribution to the entire community of Greater New Haven. newhavenpridecenter.org 84 Orange St, New Haven, CT

Triangle Community Center

Fairfield County’s leading provider of programming and resources to nurture growth and connection within the LGBTQ+ community. ctpridecenter.org 650 West Ave, Norwalk, CT