Downtown Danbury—a.k.a. City Center Danbury, a.k.a. New Brazil, a.k.a. Little Ecuador—is a comprehensive and clean entertainment hub for the Hat City, a town that is at least 45 minutes from the next closest city (worth visiting).
The few square blocks that is Downtown Danbury is a makeshift multi-cultural center laden with restaurants, bars and clubs of at least a dozen different flags.
Here is just a handful…
Tuxedo Junction 2 Ives St.
Having been in its current location at least 10 years longer than any other bar or club in the area, Tuxedo Junction has earned its place, for good or ill, as the cornerstone of the downtown scene.
The club is an excellent place for rump shaking with a group of Western Connecticut State University Colonials. Though take note, DJ dance parties, free-for-all Thursdays with beer pong and Jello shots and Samba Sundays with Brazilian and Latin American music is the fabric of Tuxedo. And, be warned, it also offers select nights for the 18-20-year-old group.
The Monkey Bar 2 Ives St.
Adjacent to Tuxedo Junction swings the Monkey Bar.
This bar has a number of local bands displayed on (supposedly) Western Connecticut's second largest stage. The music is all original, so if you want to see the Zoo, go next door. In that sense, the Monkey Bar is to Tuxedo Junction what MTV2 is to MTV. It’s a place for unique rock and hip-hop acts to showcase their talents, and its outdoor patio is perfect for people watching.
Ciao! Café & Wine Bar 2B Ives St.
Ciao! Cafe & Wine Bar is a modern and trendy restaurant offering a vast supply of considerably favorable Italian cuisine. And as a wine bar, it has a selection of more than 25 different wines to accompany a patron’s entree. And what downtown restaurant would be complete without an outdoor patio, which is—like the other local bars—perfect for catching the foot traffic.
Two Steps Downtown Grille 5 Ives St.
Two Steps is one of those two-story Tex-Mex restaurants for people who like good food and a whole bunch of crazy crap on the walls.
There are dozens of funky cowboy boots hanging from the ceiling and on the second floor, the frame of an entire fire truck is positioned above the tables. It should be noted that the fire truck has significance, because the brick-and-mortar building used to be a hook-and-ladder station.
Whatever, it’s a good place two enjoy a spicy meal and a draft beer. Oh, and surprise surprise, in the summer, there is an outdoor patio open to the public.
Tuscano 275 Main St.
Situated in an old hotel dating back to the 1800s, Tuscano offers a family-style menu with a northern Italian touch. Specializing in veal and dry-aged steak dishes, this is the place to go for entrées like Filletto Fiorentino or Veal Valdistano. But it's also just a good place to take a date for a lower-lit, quieter evening in the bustling downtown scene.
And as a first, all drinking and dining must be done indoors, regardless of the time of year.
The City Ale House 253 Main St.
Don’t be confused, but the City Ale House used to be known as Hat City Ale House.
Aside from the name and ownership, not a great deal has changed. Which is probably a good thing, because The City Ale House is a true blue pub. The City Ale House continues the considerable selection of 100 beers, though the establishment also features a wider array of martinis, margaritas and an expanded wine list.
Cousin Larry’s 1 Elm St.
To the downtown scene, Cousin Larry’s is more like long-lost cousin Larry, twice removed on your mother’s side, who nobody sees except on special occasions. The place is only a block from the action, but is easily forgotten about. And, truthfully, it is in need of a makeover. But several times a month, it hosts the Sub Rosa Party, which gives alternative and local bands a place to thrive.
Empire of the Incas 241 Main St.
This is one of the many restaurants in the area that caters to Danbury’s bursting immigrant population. And it has the coolest name of any bar or club in Fairfield County. Peruvian cuisine is on the menu for this café. Can you believe a restaurant exists that sells something other than Italian or barbecue? If you don’t speak Spanish, you may be a little lost, as many of the employees have trouble with English. Just remember this phrase, “tallarin saltad de carne, por favor.” It’s like stir-fried spaghetti.
Danbury Ice Arena 1 Independence Way
This was the home of the minor league hockey team the Danbury Trashers, which folded after two seasons because its owner, James “Big Jimmy” Galante, was brought up on a multitude of mafia-related federal indictments. In spite of the alleged ties to the Genovese crime syndicate, this is still a place for good clean uh, family fun.
In addition to an open skate time, the Danbury Ice Arena offers all kinds of ice shows, concerts, boxing matches and circuses.
