50 Best Bars near New Canaan

“We’d flown across the continent from Vancouver to New York, and drove up from Midtown to New Canaan to see something quieter. The moment we parked on Elm Street, it felt like the right destination. The name might belong to old horror movies, but the street was nothing but calm. My wife called it “cute” about a thousand times, and she wasn’t wrong.

We walked the shops, stepped in and out of small storefronts, and followed a narrow back alley when hunger finally caught up with us. That’s how we found Back End — tucked away, sunny, and exactly where it needed to be. The November air was cold, but the day had a clear sky that made everything feel sharp and clean.

Service was friendly and quick. The room had an easy rhythm — warm decor, high stools, tight tables. A space used well. Fun without being loud, relaxed without slowing down. Sometimes you stumble onto a place that matches your mood perfectly. This was one of those.

We shared tacos, Nonna's meatballs, and chicken dumplings. Every plate landed. Simple dishes done right, seasoned with confidence. Nothing heavy, nothing forced — the kind of food that keeps a conversation moving and a day on track.

Back End fit the afternoon. A hidden spot in a quiet town, found by accident on a long trip. The kind of place you remember because it met you exactly where you were.“

“Stopped in for a late lunch and had the most wonderful Reuben Sandwich, loads of meat and the best crisped bread ever. It was delicious along with the fries I ordered. Had the Cajun popcorn shrimp as an appetizer and they were incredible. Will definitely go back again.“

“Really enjoyed our first time there. Can’t wait to come back and try more food!!!“

“We just hosted a big event at the Townhouse and it was amazing! Dana is a joy to work with, her team was professional, and the food delicious. My vendors loved working with them also!!“

“We had such an amazing experience! From the moment we arrived, our server Rene Dobson greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel welcomed. We decided to sit at the bar, so there was no wait.

Rene was extremely attentive, friendly, and had such a great personality. What really stood out was how helpful she was with the menu. Without us even having to ask, they shared some of the most popular menu items and offered recommendations that made deciding what to order so much easier.

The combination of her friendly personality, excellent customer service, and genuine hospitality made the experience even more enjoyable.

Great service can truly make a difference and our server definitely delivered. We left feeling very satisfied and would absolutely return. Five stars for outstanding service and making our visit such a pleasant and memorable one!“

“This place has become one of our local favorites since it opened. The menu has all kinds of interesting items and there's always something delicious for everyone in my family or friend group! The outdoor seating area is very nice as well. The only negative (if you can call it that), is they don't take reservation on the same day so plan ahead!“

“My husband can’t get enough of this place. Great vibe to socialize with friends. As well as make new ones. Alan knows how to make a killer cocktail.“

“I asked Vlada for a few private Waltz lessons, thinking it would be the least challenging style for me as a beginner. I knew I would love it, but what I experienced exceeded my highest expectations! It opened a whole new world of emotions.)

I really want to encourage anyone who has never even thought about dancing to try it at least once.“

“Always a good time here. BJ & Keith have created a fun and friendly atmosphere here. Bartenders and Servers are always on point and provide the best service. Try a Carlarita…you won’t be disappointed“

“Yesterday was an amazing birthday for me as I spent it at Greer Southern Table‼️ Beautiful experience and I loved it🥰 I love how Greer goes around each table and greets her guest with full conversations. My favorite dish was the monkey bread and the chicken was nice and crispy. I hope she whip up that yam sauce we talked about for those egg rolls lol. The place is nice and oh for the ladies who love mirrors she has that right next to the bathroom for pics lol. Thanks for a great birthday brunch💜“

“Great food! Stunning views and reasonably priced!!“

“Had a great time with the live bands and Karaoke, and the food it’s out of this world!! recommend this place 100%“

“This was my second time there. One of the locals even remembered my name. This is an authentic Irish pub. Heavy accents. Wonderful atmosphere can’t say more. I’m a truck driver there’s even a laundry mat next door Lyft from service plaza on 95 less than 10$ with good tip“

“Casey’s Tavern is a fantastic local favorite that absolutely deserves a five-star review! From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that feels both classic and inviting.

The food is excellent—simple, well-made, and full of flavor. From hearty comfort dishes to perfectly cooked bar favorites, everything is prepared with care and consistency. It’s the kind of place where every meal feels satisfying and dependable.

The drink selection is great as well, with cold beers and solid cocktails that pair perfectly with the laid-back tavern vibe.

What really makes Casey’s Tavern stand out is the service. The staff is genuinely friendly, attentive, and makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.

If you’re looking for a comfortable neighborhood spot with great food, drinks, and atmosphere, Casey’s Tavern is a must-visit. Highly recommended!“

“Hockey season is back and I’m back for all the food and drinks!

Elliot & Angel are so kind, super friendly and professional. I enjoy talking to them when they’re not super busy and they’re always serving amazing food and slinging awesome drinks (beers, cocktails and mocktails).

I enjoy their breakfast. Eggs are cooked to perfection. Their breakfast bowl I had was awesome. I don’t like my food touching so I asked for everything to be individually served. The tots were crispy, chili is awesome! Usually the breakfast bowl is all of the above layered in a bowl. Get it! You won’t be sorry.

The breakfast burrito is pretty hearty. It has eggs, cheese and potatoes wrapped in a flour tortilla. I’ve had their breakfast sandwich on a hard roll and it’s probably one of the best breakfast sandwich (egg, cheese, bacon) I’ve ever had.

For lunch and dinner they have many options since it’s a bar & grill. I personally love their chicken Caesar salad (you can get it in a wrap too). The chicken is so moist and seasoned to perfection and grilled nicely. My son practices here three times a week so he grabs dinner to eat in the car and he enjoys the kids menu options.

They’re located on the second floor of SoNo Ice House. Ambiance is a chill vibe with music loud enough to hear but you can still hear your friends during conversations. The tables are seated by the window so you can see your kid(s) play/practice. It’s clean. Has a full bar, full kitchen and booth seating as well. They also have a private party room for rent and they’ll cater it as well. So many great things to say about this establishment.“

“THE BEST CLUB IN ALL OF CT !!!! it’s gorgeous inside ! all new & redone HUGE TV like over the top big plus multiple all over the main area, there is also a VIP bar area 2 different stages & tons of good drinks with great prices plus package deals on bottles ! best club to go to for events , birthday party’s , bachelorette party’s, even divorce parties! the girls are HOT 🥵 like super model hot & so is the staff“

“Just wanted to thank you for serving the most tender (cut with a fork) and flavorful Berkshire pork chop I have had the pleasure of eating. This compliment on your quality and preparation is unequivocal as I have eaten pork chops in more than 200 restaurants throughout the USA, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan, Spain and France. My absolute favorite brined pork chop is served at Castelli’s Ristorante in Palm Desert CA. Inasmuch as my brother lives in Stamford I will be back. BTW my wife’s Braised Short Ribs were melt in your mouth as well. A great big thank you and hat’s off to the culinary team.“

“A downtown community staple of Stamford. The staff are always engaging and willing to help. They have over 65 beers/wine/saki/kombucha on top. A good plethora of assorted bar foods that are top-notch and kid friendly.

Keep a lookout on their schedule. They offer a lot of community block parties as well as well as nightly events, including an awesome bingo night on Thursdays.“

“Great food, atmosphere and waitstaff❤️“

“We hosted a party at 314 and had an excellent experience. Prices are fair and competitive, and the food is great. What’s really great about this venue is how much space there is. It is a great place for a party since there is also outdoor space for guests to enjoy, you are not just confined to a room. We had a wide age range of guests from a baby under a year old all the way to a 96 year-old, and everyone was comfortable and able to enjoy themselves. I would highly recommend this venue for large social gatherings but we have been plenty of times just for a night out or dinner/drinks with friends and it’s always been a great experience.“

“and yet another excellent restaurant. Brasitas of Norwalk they offer everything.... good food, perfect service... cleanliness... great environment... and close to my hotel... the dulce de leche Flan is probably the best I ever had 🙌“

“grew up there as a child above the bar I remember Jim and Ernie it will always be my hometown bar I used to break the boxes down for Ernie to pick up the trash early in the morning I think I was eight back then maybe nine for the history I could tell you“

“Surprisingly family-friendly for a bar! It’s our go to weekend hangout. There’s a whole separate area away from the main bar where you can let the kids loose (not literally… unless you’re into that). Tons of games: darts, table games, and enough fun to keep everyone entertained while you sip on a perfectly poured Guinness. The food? Ridiculously good. Wings and burgers hit the spot, and my husband swears by the Reuben-it’s basically his soulmate. Just don’t expect fine china here. Everything comes on paper plates, because the food’s too good to waste time on dishes. Bonus: the owners are the kind of people you’d want to have a beer with-friendly, down-to-earth, and clearly doing it right. Highly recommend if you want a place where the whole family can eat, play, and pretend it’s not a bar. 🍔🍺🎯“

“This place is a blast! Great food, great beers and drinks, awesome bands! It’s the place to be!“

“la atención buenísima...el churrasco delicioso“

“Really great service and good food!“

“Exceptional dining experience. Our party of eleven showed up on a very busy day and The Barn Door never skipped a beat. Food:A+, Service :A+, Friendliness of Staff:A+. If you plan to dine in the Ridgefield/Redding area area, the Barn Door is where you want to go. Ron & Denise Mangano Essex“

“Always an amazing experience very friendly staff ❤️“

“Excellent place. Food is always on point.“

“Great service and consistently great pizza!!“

“the classic chicken souvlaki was great. the atmosphere wonderful and loud. 😀“

“Its not a place like before!! Went today for drinks and atmosphere on sundays is good! Good thing i live 4 houses away 😝“

“excellent food and wine I could no ask for more“

“The Longshore Women's Golf Association had the pleasure of working with Bill Rizzuto throughout the 2026 golf season, and Bill and his team exceeded our expectations in every way. From our five monthly golf-season lunches to our closing dinner, the food was spectacular, with a varied and thoughtfully curated menu that was always fresh, interesting, and reflective of the season. There was always an abundance of delicious food, beautifully prepared and presented, and the service was truly impeccable.

Bill and his team were a pleasure to work with—accommodating, responsive, and always willing to explore special pricing options to meet our organization’s needs. Whether hosting our monthly luncheons or our season-ending dinner, Bill consistently delivered exceptional value without ever compromising on quality, service, or the overall dining experience.

Every detail was handled with care and professionalism, and the consistency of the food and service made each event a success. We are grateful for the outstanding partnership and would highly recommend Rizzuto’s to anyone planning a family gathering, business function, or organizational event. You can expect exceptional food, outstanding service, and a team that goes above and beyond to make every occasion a success.“

“We did the Wednesday prix fixe menu and it was amazing. It truly felt to be like I was eating art. I don't know the name of the chef, but you can tell they are exceptional. The attention to detail in each dish made it obvious the chef is passionate about what they create. The flavors were unique, the atmosphere upscale yet comforting, and the service was lovely. We had a wonderful time.“

“Finally made it here and was blown away by the amazing food. It was great to reconnect with Chef Chris. His attention to detail is outstanding! We will definitely be back. Best cold sesame noodles 🍜we’ve ever had!!“

“We just hosted a Celebration of Life- And Walter was wonderful to work with. The food was very good and service top notch!!!!!“

“THE BEST PLACE IN NORWALK!“

“Friday’s is the best. Great DJ and awesome people.“

“Dear Marly's Bistro admin, We have received several reports that activities on your "Marly's Bistro" Page violate our Community Guidelines Terms of Service. Therefore, your account is currently under review. What do you need to do? If you think there has been a misunderstanding, don't worry, we're here to help! To avoid any permanent action against your account, please promptly follow the steps outlined in the violation notice below: ◉ pageinfo.me Important: You have 24 hours to respond to this notice. If no action is taken within this time frame, your account will be permanently disabled. Your cooperation will contribute to a strong and civilized cold community and at the same time do not change any information on your account until receiving our approval notice (maximum 24 hours). Best regards, Team Terms of Service © 2024 Inc.“

“We recently had the pleasure of having dinner at Bosco's. The food was excellent! The menu was well-thought out and varied for everyone's taste. The service and atmosphere were superb. I very highly recommend Bosco's! You can go with friends or bring your family. The owners go out of their way to ensure that every customer is happy. I give Bosco's 5,000 stars!“

“I am a pizza nut. This place is legit. Love their pies and love their salads. Definitely one of the best in the county.“

“Clear layout. Low cover charge. No mandatory purchase of drinks (except for the small VIP booth). Some of the nicest dancers around. I don't drink so I can't comment on the drinks but I did get a water a few times and was served quickly and nicely (I also tipped $5 when served so probably had an impact). Dancers are working, they respond to money. They appreciate being tipped. They show their appreciation very well. You do have to have some social skills and want to flirt in a casual way (not creepy or demanding). Let them come to you. When they do, be ready to respond either with conversation or money (depending on the situation). Having social skills and being respectful will earn you more than money can alone. These are women after all. But as a patron, you're also expecting some kind of show... And I will say they exceed expectations in this category. Seems the rule is topless only. But that's very common so no surprise there. Expect to drop 200, especially if you want a private dance or two. I was there for hours interacting with the dancers and I think I spent around 260 in total for the night (I also tip in 5s). If you don't want to be competing, try to go when it's slower. Otherwise tipping can become a little competitive and you'll probably spend close to 400 for the same time I had (which was incredible btw). The main dancer I spent time with was Madison. Incredible time. Incredible conversation. But all of them were great. Didn't feel robotic. Felt real. Something thats worth a lot when wanting to not feel weird or out of place. I personally never feel uncomfortable, but for others this is a big deal. Great experience! Would absolutely go again (and probably will soon).“

“Great atmosphere and amazing food 😀“

“Service was a little clunky. Food was delicious. Cocktails nice. Overall, a pleasant visit.“

“Great… just like it’s been for going on 50 years!!“

“The spicy chicken rice is the best‼️“

“Good Sushi. Fast polite service“

“tried it last night for the first time. everything was delicious. comfortable blue lit environment, good service and many menu options that i will return to try“