THE PREMIER LGBTQ+ BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
CONNECTICUT Vol. 7
SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW THIS ISSUE ONLINE Bar Guide & Event Schedule
TABLE OF CON TENT S
04 ABOUT GUIDE 06 RESTAURANT SCHEDULE 08 EVENTS GUIDE 14 BAR ORGS & ATTRACTIONS 18 LGBTQ+ DIRECTORY 20 BUSINESS
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ABOUT 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.
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RESTAURANT GUI DE Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern fare & BBQ in a roadhouse with live blues, jazz & soul music. 350 Asylum St, Hartford, 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
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
L’Orcio Modern Italian cuisine, including fresh pasta, served in a townhouse with a trellis-covered patio. 806 State St, 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
Max Downtown Upscale spot with prime cuts & seafood, extensive wine list, cocktails for expense account crowd. 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT
Finalmente Trattoria This snug bistro draws theatergoers & locals with creative Italian cuisine & a warm ambiance. 165 Post Road E, Westport, CT
Salute Trendy Italian restaurant with an upscale menu of pastas (gluten-free available) & grilled dishes. 100 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT
Home American comfort food & local beers offered in an inviting setting styled like a living room. 1114 Main St, Branford, 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
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
Siam Orchids Informal curry house & takeaway turning out elevated Thai specialties in a modest location. 899 W 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
Sorella Relaxed, upscale restaurant serving housemade pasta, brick-oven pizza & other Italian standards. 901 Main St, Hartford, CT
Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant Homestyle Ethiopian cuisine, with some vegetarian dishes, served in a spare, homey setting. 176 Temple Street, New Haven, CT
Tarantino Restaurant & Bar High-end, family-owned Italian mainstay turning out traditional entrees in a buzzing space. 30 Railroad Place, Westport, CT
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RESTAURANT GUI DE The Capital Grille Outpost of the upscale steakhouse chain offers classic American fare & a clubby, refined setting. 44 Front St, Hartford, CT
Trumbull Kitchen Seafood headlines the eclectic menu at this casual, industrial-chic eatery with a lively bar scene. 150 Trumbull 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
Union League Cafe Elevated brasserie from chef Jean-Pierre Vuillermet in an elegant, 19th-century setting. 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT
The Whelk Upmarket choice featuring sustainable seafood & local produce in an airy room with outdoor seating. 575 Riverside Ave, Westport, 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
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EVENTS SCH E D ULE FEBRUARY
Wham! and his illustrious solo career as one of the biggest international stars of our time. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/4ufuej2n
FEB 11
FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL
Fall in love with winter this Valentine’s Day weekend. It’s easy with ice carving competitions, warming fire pits, restaurant specials and more. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/yex6kvmn
MAR 18-19
MAPLE WEEKEND
Visit sugarhouses and taste great maple products. During the two days, many sugarhouses across the state will be open for tours and will be selling their products. This is a great opportunity for visitors to learn how maple sap is collected and turned into delicious, sugary products. Hours for individual sugarhouses are posted in their listing. For more info visit: ctmaple.org/mapleweekend.html
FEB 22-25
CONNECTICUT FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
Spring in February arrives annually at the Connecticut Convention Center! Explore exhibits overflowing with fresh flowers, plants, herbs, bulbs, seeds, gardening books, garden equipment & much more. View beautifully landscaped gardens full of greenery and stop by the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut design & horticulture competition. For more info visit: ctflowershow.com
APRIL APR 1-30
DAFFODIL DAYS
Celebrate spring and walk among thousands of daffodils in Kent’s shopping village. The daffodils will be in bloom throughout Kent for a few weeks for you to enjoy their beauty. For more info visit: kentct.com/daffodil-days
FEB 28
BIANCA DEL RIO: DEAD INSIDE COMEDY TOUR
This will be the seasoned comic’s sixth, worldwide stand-up comedy tour. Bianca will be entertaining the masses with her iconic lightning-fast wit and razor-sharp tongue. Her new show will cover politics, pop culture, political correctness, current events, cancel culture, and everyday life through the eyes of someone who’s “dead inside” and finds humor in everything. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/bdbtbx8f
APR 11-14
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CORTEO
Corteo will be presented at the Total Mortgage Arena for 6 shows only from April 11–14, 2024. Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/yurmk6wn
MARCH MAR 7
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL
The show captures the performance and sound of George Michael while telling his story through early music hits from
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EVENTS SCH E D ULE MAY
JUN 9
MEAN GIRLS
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
NEW ENGLAND VEGFEST
MAY 18
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/bd8pwnjw
JUN 18-23
FUNNY GIRL
The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. For more info visit: bushnell.org/shows-concerts/funny-girl
JUNE JUN 1
MIDDLETOWN PRIDEFEST
The State of Connecticut’s largest pride event—Middletown PrideFEST—in downtown Middletown, Connecticut happens annually on the first Saturday of June. In fair weather conditions, PrideFEST draws approximately 20,000 individuals, over 130 vendors, and over 80 marching groups from all over New England to downtown Middletown. PrideFEST consists of our Pride March, Pride Rally, Pride Showcase Concerts, and Tea Dance at PrideFEST. For more info visit: middletownpride.org/pridefest
JULY JUL 5
JASON MRAZ THE MYSTICAL MAGICAL RHYTHMICAL RADICAL RIDE
Multi-GRAMMY Award winner and Songwriters Hall of Fame Honoree Jason Mraz, plus His Superband with a special guest are coming to Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater! Buy tickets now! For more info visit: jasonmraz.com/events
JUN 1
SASHA VELOUR: THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW!
The Big Reveal Live Show! is a brandnew, 90 minute show created by and starring Velour. Hailed as “One of the greatest show creators of our time” (Express and Star), she brings her unique style of drag to the stage with new lip-syncs, gorgeous visuals, stunning reveals, and high camp. For more info visit: tinyurl.com/r9jejj9m
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BAR GU ID E 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
Terminal 110 Sprawling, industrial nightlife complex with bar food, Latin dancing nights & a dueling-piano bar. 240 Sargent Dr, 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
Toad’s Place Toad’s Place is a concert venue and nightclub located in New Haven, Connecticut. Wikipedia 300 York 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
Trevi Lounge Gay hangout with a laid-back atmosphere & daily drink specials, plus pool, DJs & karaoke nights. 548 Kings Hwy Cutoff, Fairfield, CT
Chez Est Gay bar & nightclub with cocktails, a patio & lively vibe, featuring drag queens, DJs & karaoke. 458 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT
Troupe429 A neighborhood bar for people of all identities, sexual orientations, genders, races/ethnicity, & spiritual beliefs. 3 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT
Partners Cafe Theme nights, dancers, karaoke & a constant calendar of events draw a gay crowd to this corner bar. 365 Crown St, New Haven, CT
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LGBTQ+ COMM U NI TY ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS Human Rights Campaign Equal Rights Movement. shop.hrc.org
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
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
GLSEN A national organization fighting for every student’s right to a safe, supportive education. glsen.org
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
Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective Empowering individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions to lead healthy lives through the provision of health and support services, education and advocacy. hglhc.org 1841 Broad St, Hartford, CT
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BUSINESS D IRECTO RY ARCHITECTURE Cole Harris Associates... Front Inside Cover
PRIVATE SCHOOL The Country School................................. 7
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING SERVICES RTK Environmental.................................. 9
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Edgehill Community............................... 5
LIVE MUSIC Millennium Music........... Back Inside Cover
SALON HBAR Salon...................................... 16-17
MORTGAGES Liberty Bank........................................... 15
SOFT WASHING Pura Soft Wash......................................... 3
NON PROFIT Red Cross................................................ 19
WINDOW TREATMENTS Budget Blinds of Madison, Old Saybrook & Mystic......................... 13
PAINTING A&M Quality Painting............................. 1
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