Bridgeport hums with industrial grit and waterfront charm, where the clatter of the docks meets the sizzle of the grill. These bar & grill spots—with their hearty plates and welcoming taps—aren’t just for a quick bite. They’re the kind of places where you’ll linger over a second round, planning your next visit before you’ve even left.
Metric Bar & Grill
$$ | (203) 576-6903 | WEBSITE
The salmon at this cozy Bridgeport spot is excellent, but it’s the perfectly cooked filet (only available on weekends) that will have you planning your evenings around it. There’s a handful of tables inside, a few more at the bar, and it’s pretty much always buzzing with regulars. Metric also serves rum punch and margaritas throughout the evening—one fruity, one classic—and a selection of other drinks.
Stop here on your way home for a relaxed dinner, or after you’ve finished work for a lively night out with live music.
BRYAC Black Rock
$$ | (203) 522-4777 | WEBSITE
BRYAC Black Rock calls itself a bar and grill because it serves a little bit of everything—from top-tier seafood and perfectly cooked steaks to a huge plate of chicken tenders for kids. When you don’t feel like cooking but want something that tastes fresh and satisfying, the popular specials like the filet mignon and lobster roll are the best options in Bridgeport. Have a look at the raw bar, and note that this is the kind of place where drinks flow and plates come out promptly, even when busy.
Nineteenth Hole Restaurant
$ | (203) 333-5752 | WEBSITE
Stepping into Nineteenth Hole Restaurant feels like dropping by your buddy’s basement rec room, if your buddy had pool tables, adult games, and enough smarts to name a bar and grill after the final stop on a golf course. This neighborhood favorite serves up delicious and underpriced nachos, steak tips with guacamole, and especially tasty wings.
Everything pairs perfectly with a cheap drink from the friendly bartenders, a beverage that tastes like happy hour, casual fun, and the reliable comfort of a place that knows what it’s doing. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, dinner after work, or settling in for games in the back room, it’s the perfect choice.
Rum & Tequilla Fusion
$$ | (203) 330-3388 | WEBSITE
If you want to feel like you’re stepping into a vibrant Caribbean escape, grab a seat near the speakers where the music sets the perfect rhythm. This Bridgeport spot does bar classics very well, so you won’t go wrong with their tender oxtail or shrimp Rasta pasta during happy hour, but the friendly service from staff like Lani and Natasha really shines. Rum & Tequilla Fusion is perfect for a lively happy hour or a casual dinner, and is one of our favorite spots for any occasion.
Brennan’s Shebeen Irish Bar and Grill
$$ | (203) 870-9981 | WEBSITE
Brennan’s Shebeen is one of those great all-purpose Irish pubs that anyone would be lucky to have in their neighborhood. There’s a cozy fireplace inside and a distinct Irish vibe throughout—unsurprisingly, this place gets lively on weekends. It’s an especially welcoming spot, so no one will side-eye you if you settle in for a long evening with friends.
The menu leans hearty and traditional, and staff like Kieran and Kevin feel very on brand for the atmosphere, being both highly competent and friendly.
B.Side by Blackjacks
$$ | (203) 549-8105 | WEBSITE
B.Side by Blackjacks serves the kind of crispy, flavorful wings that Bridgeport regulars crave after they’ve had a long week. The menu is pretty straightforward and there’s nothing too fancy or overly complicated about this spot, which is exactly what makes it special. Unlike many bar and grills, there’s actually a cozy atmosphere with friendly bartenders—but B.Side is also very close to the heart of the city…and wings just taste better when you enjoy them with a cold drink and great music.
Matty’s Corner
$ | WEBSITE
When you’re looking for a place to unwind with friends for the evening, this perfect local dive bar has exactly what you need: a lively Happy Hour with drinks that are more affordable than they have any right to be, a consistently welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel like a regular, plenty of cozy spots to settle in and meet new people, and a cast of colorful characters that adds to the fun.
Their friendly staff makes visitors feel right at home, and this is the kind of spot where you can grab a cheap drink and enjoy the laid-back vibe, knowing you’ll have a good time every visit.
