Rowayton and Darien  (back to top)

 
Black Goose Grille
972 Post Road, Darien. 655-7107

This classic restaurant in Darien offers live music on Tuesday nights with local P.J. Pacifico, guitarist and vocalist, singing old favorites and original songs. Music begins between 8 and 8:30 p.m.

Good Folk Coffeehouse
United Methodist Church, 5 Pennoyer Street, Rowayton; goodfolkcoffeehouse.com

Across the street from Pinkney Park in the United Methodist Church, people come to eat good food and hear good live music. This event takes place one Saturday a month, so check the website. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music begins at 8.

River Cat Grill
148 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton. 854-0860; rivercatgrill.com

When dinner hour comes to a close Wednesday to Sunday, out comes the live music. The owners describe the crowd as “Rowayton casual,” which means everything from khakis to business attire. The music is also eclectic, ranging from straight-ahead blues to more Grateful Deadesque stylings and near-karaoke offerings from other bands. The local crowd ranges in age from twenty-one to sixty-one. No cover charge.

Silvermine Tavern
194 Perry Avenue, Norwalk. 847-4558; silverminetavern.com

There’s nothing like a 200-year-old tavern to provide atmosphere. Owners Frank and Marsha Whitman also are heavily involved in the music world and have been able to attract all sorts of notable jazz players like Brian Torff, Joe Beck and Richie Cole to the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s an adult crowd that really, really likes its jazz. The cover charge of $5 makes it one of the region’s great bargains.

 

 

Westport  (back to top)

Black Duck Café
605 Riverside, Westport. 227-7978

The infamous waterfront dive has live music only rarely, but the karaoke on Mondays and Tuesdays is worth considering. The timelessly raffish café draws a wildly polyglot crew ranging from professionals just off the train to plumbers, bikers and red-faced yachtsmen.

Bobby Q’s
42 Main Street, Westport. 454-7800

Tears fell on Main Street when the famed Onion Alley closed its doors, but spirits are high again now that new owner Bob Le Rose has opened up three levels of fun with a new barbecue joint. Since blues and ribs make a natural combo, you get rocking blues acts like the Stamford legend Ratso, as well as tribute bands like the Grateful Dead revivers Shakedown. The local doctors’ band, DNR, always packs the house. In addition to the ground-floor stage, the open-air rooftop bar provides entertainment in the warmer months. No cover charge.

Conte’s Market & Grill
540 Riverside Avenue, Westport. 226-3474

Lighting up the intersection at the Saugatuck Bridge, Conte’s is a gourmet shop combined with a great seafood restaurant. On weekends it becomes an adult-strength hangout and meeting place, catering to the thirty-five to sixty-five set. Local bands pump out the soul and jump-blues standards, and on Sunday nights more room is made in the back for concerts that often include national acts like Derek Trucks or the Blind Boys from Alabama, and for local acts like the Butch Taylor Band or Good and Plenty. As manager Ken Martino puts it, the design here is for “dancing and frolicking.” Believe it. No cover charge.

Mansion Clam House
541 Riverside Avenue, Westport. 454-7979

With Conte’s pulling in high society across the street, the Mansion Clam House serves the younger set with music on Friday and Saturday nights. Reggae, rock and cover bands rule, starting at 10 p.m. No cover charge.

Splash
260 Compo Road South, Westport. 454-7798; decarorestaurantgroup.com

The rowdy patio scene at the decorous Longshore Inn deserves mention even if it is a summer-only affair, such is its invigorating vibe. Blame the breezes rolling in off the Sound. Lives music goes from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sundays, and sometimes on Thursdays. The bands hit it all from Top 40 to reggae. Dress code is “anything goes.” No cover charge.

Viva Zapata Mexican Restaurant
530 Riverside Avenue, Westport. 227-8226; vivazapata.com

You wouldn’t think that the old house holding this great old Mexican eatery could hold a band, but they do find space for them on Thursday and Saturday nights starting at 9:30 p.m. Any age is going to feel comfortable here. No cover charge.
 

 

 

SoNo  (back to top)

Bistro du Soleil
120 Washington Street, South Norwalk. 855-9469

Très chic, very elegant and a beautiful design with tan curving walls. Bistro offers quiet dinners: You can have a conversation here. The Colombian-Spanish owners, Bernardo and Soledad, have created a very romantic, European setting. Weekend music tends to be from female singers with classical guitars.
 

Black Bear Saloon
80 Washington Street, South Norwalk. 299-0711; blackbearsono.com

This huge scene (formerly the site of Shenanigans) is one of the biggest hangouts for the young in SoNo. But with pool tables, eighteen big-screen TVs, fast-moving crowds, and dinner tables, the scene changes mightily from night to night. On Wednesdays and Sunday nights, jazz and relaxed rock hold sway. Then on Friday and Saturday, it’s the cruisin’ mid-twenties set, and the bands are more upbeat and modern. Cover charge on Friday and Saturday ranges from $7 to $10.
 

The Loft
97 Washington Street, South Norwalk. 838-6555; theloftsono.com

Sometimes on a Friday, SoNo’s Washington Street is thumping heavily with music pouring out of cross-street rivals the Loft and the Black Bear Saloon. The Loft started out as a martini bar and still offers a rainbow’s worth of mixed drinks. Live bands take the stage every night but Monday, and they tend to go for the upbeat, adventurous and maybe toward the twenties-and-thirties aesthetic. Music starts after 10 p.m. No cover charge.

 
Pelican Seaside Restaurant
19 North Water Street, South Norwalk. 838-8298; pelicansono.com

Located across the street from the Maritime Center, with a big parking garage next door, Pelican offers a first-class menu along with live bands Friday through Sunday nights. Owner Vito Delario once ran the terrific Sole Luna in Westport. The decor is new and glamorous, and the bands could be loud reggae or cool jazz. As with all things SoNo, it could change in a blink.

 
Rain Ultra Lounge
112 Washington Street, South Norwalk. 866-0800; liquidsono.com

You missed Studio 54 in its heyday, did you, Bunky? Slide yourself into this ultraglamorous scene sometime, but make sure you’re dressed right or you’ll feel pretty dorky. Eurotrash disco music encourages you to strut like a model. And watch out for the rumpus room downstairs! On Sunday afternoons, a change of pace is offered with a classic-rock band setting up in the front window.
 

ShacoJazz Art Café
21 North Main, South Norwalk. 853-6124 shacojazz.com

Located near SoNo’s looming railway trestle, this place lives up to its name, “art café.” It’s an interesting place of an intimate size serving African-Caribbean fare. Very nice jazz combos like the Glenn Roth group play in the window. It’s for hanging and lounging. No cover charge.
 

SoNo Brewhouse
13 Marshall Street, South Norwalk. 853-9110; sonobrewhouse.com

The big, old two-story converted factory Brewhouse is mainly an informal restaurant. On Thursdays and Fridays, acoustic musicians entertain in the bar.
 

SoNo Caffeine
133 Washington Street, South Norwalk. 857-4224; sonocaffeine.com

For that old-timey French salon atmosphere, repair to the quiet, bohemian living room. Killer desserts and coffee are offered, along with salads and light entrees. The music offerings are informal and slightly exotic. You walk out of there feeling exotic, too. And it’s open all day. No cover charge.

SoNo Seaport Seafood Restaurant
100 Water Street, South Norwalk. 854-9483

Live music happens here generally in the warm months only, but the jolly old SoNo Seaport should be on the list simply for its very friendly late-afternoon scene. With the evening sunlight dancing on the water, it’s a picturesque setting. Restaurant menu is simple.
 

 

 

Stamford  (back to top)

Café Tango
105 Broad Street, Stamford. 967-0089

On Wednesdays and Fridays along with dinner Café Tango features live jazz music. Attire for this mixed-age crowd is business casual.

 
Crowe Bar
83 Camp Street, Stamford. 461-8346; thecrowebar.com

The Crowe Bar has a mix of everything: Live music on Friday and Saturday nights from
10 p.m. to closing; happy hour and dinner specials; plus professional and college football and basketball specials. Attire is casual with a mixed crowd.
 

Jimmy’s Seaside
891 Cove Road, Stamford. 964-9225; jimmysseaside.com

A neighborhood restaurant/bar where the dance floor accommodates live music three to four times a week. The dining room has a fireplace and there is a back room with pool tables, shuffleboard, foosball and darts. Check the website for events and cover charges. Crowd is mixed from late twenties and up. Attire is casual.
 

Ocean 211
211 Summer Street, Stamford. 973-0494

On Fridays and Saturdays you can inhale oysters while listening to live jazz. Attire is casual neat and patrons are seemingly oyster connoisseurs.
 

Temple Bar
120 Bedford Street, Stamford. 708-9000; thetemplebar.com

With its Celtic-meets-Gothic interior, this gathering spot offers a genuine pub atmosphere with an authentic Irish menu, beer, wine and spirits, and signature live entertainment every Saturday night. No cover charge.
 

Thirsty Turtle
84 West Park Place, Stamford. 973-0300; thethirstyturtle.net

One of three “sister” bars including the Black Bear Saloon in South Norwalk and Hula Hanks in Stamford. The clientele is young twenty-somethings that mean business when it comes to partying. Live bands Thursdays starting at 9 p.m. and Fridays at 10 p.m. Check out its constantly changing website for updated band schedules and themed parties.
 

Tigin Irish Pub
175 Bedford Street, Stamford. 353-8444; tiginirishclub.com

A great Irish pub conveniently located in the heart of downtown Stamford. Live music and Irish sporting events entertain you while sipping a tall pint of Guinness. Attire is casual and the crowd is a mix. Pub-crawl anyone?
 

 

Fairfield - Bridgeport - Southport - Etc.  (back to top)

Acoustic Café
2926 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 335-3655 acousticafé.com

The hardy mainstay of the burgeoning Black Rock scene is this friendly and funky bar and concert venue. It’s compact, so you always get a good view of the stage. Acoustic music predominates, but blues, country, and jazz bands also appear. Dress for comfort. Good for all ages, even families. Cover charge is $5 to $8.
 

Al’s Place
1795 Post Road, Fairfield. 256-8963 alsplacebar.com

Two young owners have recently taken over this funky dive aimed at the twenty-something set and are in the midst of redesigning it. Light bar food and a better stage are promised. Maybe even a new name. Pool table and video games set the stage. No cover charge.
 

Bernard’s
20 West Lane, Ridgefield. 438-8282 bernardsridgefield.com

Bernard’s is a wonderful place to unwind and enjoy various local jazz duos and trios every Thursday and Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. An extensive wine-by-the-glass list is available. Check its website for events.
 

Bitter End
2770 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 335-2395

A casual place for hanging out, shooting pool and getting some good ribs and burgers, the Bitter End occasionally moves the tables around and sets up a band, for which they’ll pass the hat for a $5 cover.

Black Rock & Blue
3488 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 384-1167; ctmenusonline.com/blackrockandblue.htm

Be young and ready to rock hard if you come to this dark, crowded place. Live music most nights, ranging from hard-core thrash to some interesting funk bands. Cover charge is $5.

Black Rock Castle
2895 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 336-3990; blackrockcastle.com

The big old castle in Black Rock combines a good restaurant with a big back room for hanging out. In the fall and winter, bands are brought in to the back. No cover charge.

 
Bravo
1418 Post Road, Fairfield. 254-1478

Bravo offers a full restaurant, bar and patio scene. Entertainment is a real mix, with live music generally on hand Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. Deejays provide music on other nights. Age range tends to be twenty-five to forty-five, dressed nicely casual. No cover charge.
 

Georgetown Saloon
8 Main Street, Georgetown. 544-8003; georgetownsaloon.com

It’s one of the best hangouts for music in the area. Live bands rock out Fridays to Sundays, but to really get provoked try the Open Mic night on Thursdays. Some startlingly good people get up there. Jose Feliciano is only one of the many stars who’ve taken the stage. Cover charge is $5.
 

Green Room
3442 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 384-2233; niteimage.com/clubs

This comfortable music joint is part of a fascinating nightclub intersection where a three-cushion shot will take you next door to the raucous Black Rock & Blue and then across the street to the 1950s-era biker bar, the Avenue Café. The music ranges from young hard-core bands to fine old blues singers. No cover charge.

 
John Adams Bar & Grill
2931 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 579-2233

A modestly sized sports bar for the young guys, it offers folk music from 10 p.m. to midnight. No cover charge.

Las Vetas Lounge
1462 Post Road, Fairfield. 255-1958

The sofas and comfy chairs combine with its coffee and fruit-smoothie offerings to make a place to talk with friends. Music might be a sentimental balladeer at the piano or a modern folk singer like Dylan Connor. Age range covers the whole family. No cover charge.
 

Matty’s Corner
2816 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 333-3311

Yeah, that’s my Harley parked on the sidewalk out front. Want to make something of it? I didn’t think so. You want to see a band? Just wait. Sometimes there’s a band. Keep your shirt on. No cover charge.
 

Murphy’s Law
239 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 366-5297

Downtown, near the courthouse, Murphy’s Law offers blues, rock and “anything you can dance to” on Friday nights, starting at 9 p.m. Casual crowd is in the thirty-to-fifty range. The $5 cover charge provides a drink.
 

“O” Bar
52 Sanford Place, Fairfield. 259-4151; sainttropezbistro.com

The “O” Bar, just up the street from Las Vetas Lounge, is a swank, upscale martini lounge. On Saturday nights, tables in the adjoining Bistro Saint Tropez are pushed aside after the dinner scene subsides and live music and dancing begin. With lots of nooks and cubbyholes to relax in. No cover charge.
 

Opium Coffeehouse and Jazz Tavern
2716 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport. 331-9669

Live music happens on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, generally kicking off at 9 p.m. On Sunday, a jazz trio offers an open microphone. Monday night is (shhh!) karaoke. Age range is around thirty to sixty. Cover charge is $5.

Ray Kelly’s Pub
2720 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport. 333-6278; raykellyspub.com

Irish folk singer Ray Kelly likes original bands and original people at his dream pub. Live bands perform Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 10 p.m. and going until late on weekends. The age range skews younger here. No cover charge.

 
Redding Roadhouse
406 Redding Road, Redding. 938-3388; reddingroadhouse.com

This funky ol’ roadhouse has gone through a lot of changes in its life, having spent various times as a biker bar and then as an inn. Notable musicians like twang-guitarist Matt Rae take to its stage, along with other soul bands and singer-songwriter outfits. No cover charge.

Southport Brewing Company
2600 Post Road, Southport. 256-2337; southportbrewing.com

The spacious Southport Brewery offers a full restaurant on one side and a well-groomed sports bar on the other. On weekend nights, a stage is set up for local groups. The music is folk and jazzy blues, and it’s strictly acoustic. No cover charge.