🟢 Bloomfield's Most Underrated Happy Hour

Happy Thursday!

Have you noticed the leaves are turning?

One of the best parts about living in New England is the fall. The colors are breathtaking and I’m here for it.

Plus who doesn’t love sweater-weather?

Now on to some drinks to warm up!

In today’s edition of The Hartford Pour, we’ll get into:

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun Tip: Liquor is my love language)

Ready for a fun girls night without leaving the couch? ☕✨

Join almost 400 women in our Facebook VIP group for live weekly hangs, real-time fall outfit try-ons, and lots of laughs.

Rayne (a local Bloomfield mom) brings fresh Fall pieces directly to your screen! From cozy rusts and olives to easy everyday neutrals, she helps style right there with you on the Facebook Live.

We play games, tell jokes, comfort each other and build real relationships.

✨ Exclusive Welcome Offer: New members get a pair of our famous buttery-soft leggings ($25 value) with their very first purchase! Just let Rayne know your size when you hop in.

🍁 Free to join. Zero pressure. Great company.

Alright, we are officially in Pumpkin Spice and Oktoberfest season so that begs the question…

I ran by Republic in Bloomfield (39 Jerome Ave) recently and was completely floored by their bourbon collection.

We’re talking Weller, Stagg Jr, Booker’s, EH Taylor, Michter’s… the high-end stuff liquor stores charge a few hundred dollars a bottle for.

Just amazingness.

So I had the bartender make me the Old Fashioned in the photo above, with Knob Creek 9 Year.

Look at that ice. Crystal clear. For a whiskey lover like me, that’s basically a fever dream.

Honestly, this was one of the best Old Fashioneds I’ve ever had. I stop by Republic just to get this drink. No shame, lol.

And if you’re watching your wallet, check out that happy hour menu above.

It runs in the bar area only, Monday through Saturday 3 to 6 PM and Sundays noon to 6 PM (holidays excluded).

That gets you $2.25 East Coast oysters, $5 truffle parmesan popcorn, a $10 pub burger, $6 drafts, and an $8 Prickly Pear Margarita.

But here’s the real hack this week. Republic has a Rewards program, and it can get you free food and money toward one of those rare pours I just listed.

Don’t mind if I do. Grab a seat at the bar and tell them THP sent you.

Yes, I went to a place called TJ’s Burritos in Bloomfield (695 Park Ave). And no, I did not order a burrito. Stay with me here.

That beauty in the image above is their fried chicken sandwich. It was stacked so tall they had to stick a skewer through it just to keep it standing.

I grew up loving spicy food, so the second I saw that hot sauce drizzled over the crispy chicken, I was in.

Now, I’ll be honest. It’s not insanely spicy. You won’t need a glass of milk on standby. But it’s still flat out amazing, and I’d order it again tomorrow.

Here’s a secret hack: do yourself a favor and get the tater tots. They come out hot, fresh, and actually crunchy, the way the “tot gods” intended.

And then there’s this. Yes, that’s the coffee menu. Written on a surfboard. (how cool is that?)

Who knew a burrito place would serve amazing coffee?

Lattes, cold brew, shaken espresso, and a flavor list that goes from Brookie Dough and Maple Pancake to Lavender Haze and something called Baby Yoda. I tried counting them all and gave up, lol.

They serve breakfast too, so you can honestly start your whole morning here.

Or end your night here. TJ’s has a legit bar, the bartenders are awesome, and margaritas are $5. Five. Dollars. (I didn’t stutter)

But the best thing at TJ’s isn’t on either menu. It’s Trish, the owner, who is hands down the sweetest person ever.

Go say hi, and tell her THP sent you.

Friday’s got a once-a-year beer, a whole lot of apples, and a comedy show on top of a hill. Let’s go.

Triple Scoop is back at Back East Brewing in Bloomfield (1296 Blue Hills Ave). We did a write-up on it in our last edition and I’m making good on my promise to tell you about it.

They only brew it once a year. It’s a 10.4% Citra Triple IPA on draft and in cans, and the taproom opens at noon.

10.4% is no joke, so maybe plan your ride home before that second pour.

Then it’s round two of the Southington Apple Harvest Festival on the Town Green from 5 to 9 PM. It’s still free, and there’s still no shuttle on Fridays, so park and stretch those legs.

When you need a break from the fair food, Witchdoctor Brewing (168 Center St) is a short walk away. Their Antidote Kölsch is a clean, easy 4.5% that really hits the spot.

If crowds aren’t your thing, head up the hill for Comedy Night at Crystal Ridge Winery in South Glastonbury (257 Belltown Rd) from 7 to 9 PM. Stand-up, a view, and a glass of their estate Cabernet Franc.

And if you were up there rolling sushi on Thursday, that’s two nights in a row at a winery. No judgment here, lol.

Two Oktoberfests. In October. I know, groundbreaking stuff.

Start in Bristol at The Factory Brewing Collective (111 School St), where Oktoberfest kicks off at noon. Order The Factory Bavarian Lager and pretend you’re in Munich for a minute.

Then make your way over to Manchester, where Elicit Brewing (165 Adams St) wraps up its three-week Oktoberfest with Local Fall Flavor starting at 1 PM.

There’s local beer, pumpkin painting, local vendors, and a pie-eating contest. Wash it down with the #psl Pumpkin Spice Lager, which is basically dessert in a glass, so consider it training.

Sunday’s a slow-pour kind of day, and I’ve got two ways to do it.

If you’re a whiskey person like me (cigars optional), Elicit Brewing in Manchester (165 Adams St) is hosting a Single Barrel Sunday Cigar & Whiskey Social at 2 PM on the back patio. Premium whiskey, handpicked single barrels, cigars and Sunday football.

This one’s basically my love language.

If you’re more of a music person, The Plourd Brewery in East Hartford (1277 Main St) has a DEEP GROOVE vinyl DJ set with JPTRSMN, plus the King of Pearl food truck parked outside. They’re open from noon to 6 PM.

Grab an Old Friends, their 5.4% English pale ale, and let the records spin. Then snag a $16 four-pack of Spiral hazy IPA on the way out for the week ahead.

Single barrels or spinning records. Either way, Sunday’s sorted.

Do you know of an AWESOME restaurant or bar? Or something not included in this email you’d like to see?

REPLY to this email and let me know!