Blog

As the 2022 Men's World Cup approaches, it's time to prepare for action and plan for this fabled soccer showdown. Whether you're rooting for the U.S. or supporting another team, sports are always better when you can grab your drink of choice and cheer with a crowd. We can't wait for the twists, turns, and edge-of-your-seat action this November's tournament will bring at Brewster Ford. Read on to learn more about some of our favorite local sports bars and restaurants to get into the game with friends, family, or strangers who feel like teammates. O'Brien's Sports Pub and Restaurant While you, unfortunately, can't root for Ireland in the upcoming tournament, you can cheer any qualifying teams from the charming Irish pub O'Brien's Sports Pub and Restaurant. Located down the road in Danbury, Connecticut, this spot has everything you need to enjoy some World Cup action. Enjoy Irish classics like corned beef, cabbage, fish and chips, and even a full Irish breakfast, alongside more worldly offerings that include pasta, salads, wraps, and soups. All of this comes with the standard yet delicious wings, fries, and burgers that you might hope for at a sports bar. For drinks, you can enjoy classic cocktails and nonalcoholic options along with the bar's main focus: beer. Grab a Guinness if you're feeling authentic, or try one of the other draft options. Hailed as a community gathering spot, you'll always find something going on here, whether it's live music, karaoke, beer tasting, trivia, or a high-stakes match on the big screens. If you want to feel at home watching your game, take the trip over to O'Brien's today. Player's Restaurant and Bar For a unique take on the traditional sports bar, stop by Player's Restaurant and Bar. Located right in the Brewster Ice Arena, you can feel like you're always close to the action, even if you may have gotten your arenas crossed. But real sports fans know that the spirit of the game lives on, whether on the ice or the field, and this spot proves it. Grab a table right over the ice at the restaurant and enjoy a menu of American favorite drinks and food. If you'd rather get a bit more international with your drinks, you can enjoy a full bar with all the options. You may not get a miracle on ice in the steamy World Cup host city, Qatar, but you can cheer for a miracle all the same. Pippa's Sports Cafe Self-described as a place "where everyone is treated like an All-Star," you might not find a better spot to grab a drink and watch the game than Pippa's Sports Cafe. This Danbury restaurant and bar has a full menu of traditional bar fare with a creative twist. There's always something good cooking with a seafood-forward list of regular specials, rotating options, and happy hour deals. For the picky eater, peruse a massive menu with sandwiches, wings, burgers, wraps, and sides. Drink-wise, beer comes standard, but you can also sip on classic cocktails with inventive add-ins like fresh fruit puree. Whether you stop by for trivia night, to cheer on your team or both, you'll have nothing but options at Pippa's. Fiddler's Green Pub Right on the front page of its website, Fiddler's Green Pub quotes, "Take Me Home... To the Place I Belong..." If that's not enough to help you feel welcomed in this local Irish bar, the great food, friendly people, fun events, and pours of Guinness surely will. A community staple since 1981, Fiddler's is certainly worth a shot. Enjoy live music, trivia nights, dart team events, and a classic Sunday brunch. You can just stop by for a game and be satisfied by an extensive menu featuring bar classics and more innovative choices like a black bean burger, fish tacos, or a classic fish and chips entree with a hometown Irish flair. No matter what you fancy, this longstanding, family-run operation will surely serve it with a smile. Icons Sports Bar and Grill Icons Sports Bar and Grill over in Fairfield, Connecticut, is the perfect stop for someone who's like to expand their palette a bit or simply enjoy some delicious burgers. Try this restaurant's entree options, like lemon pepper chicken, shrimp scampi, or baby back ribs, or keep it classic with burgers and wings. You can even enjoy a special hot dog menu to bring you back to the ball games of old. For those looking to stay a bit healthier, or more veggie-filled, you can enjoy an extensive salad list along with plant-friendly options like a veggie burger and shishito pepper appetizer. And, you can enjoy a massive on-tap and bottled beer menu as thoughtful as this spot's food offerings. Everyone in your party will find something delicious at this restaurant and bar. The Creek If you'd like to keep things a bit more upscale while still soaking in the sports bar vibes, try The Creek. This restaurant and bar feature your usual bar fare along with high-class options like steak and brunch menus. If you'd still like to grab a burger, though, you can here. Traditional patty options sit with new takes, including a tuna burger and skirt steak sandwich. A smaller but impressive menu includes salads, appetizers, entrees, and sandwiches. Enjoy a paired-down selection of beers, wines, and classic cocktails for drinks. If you're looking for something sweet to help you cheer your team to victory, peruse the dessert menu, which includes cobbler, bread pudding, tiramisu, ice cream, or churro bites. If this all sounds too fancy to be true, it's not. You can still relax and unwind in a sports bar environment, with enough TVs to watch every game at once if you want. 'Tis the season. If you want to learn more about dining in our great town of Brewster, check out our list of some of our favorite restaurants with outdoor seating. For quicker service, explore some local fast-casual spots from our blog. No matter where you eat, though, you'll always near a great meal in Brewster. So, there you have it. Brewster Ford just listed some of our top picks for places where you can enjoy the World Cup in style. How did you find our list? Did we miss any of your favorite stops? Contact us today to let our friendly staff know. It's game time. Photo Credit: Pub by WordRidden is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Summer is here, which means it's time to bask in the sunshine and participate in exciting events with your family and friends. In Brewster, New York, you can attend exciting festivities that enable you to feast on fine cuisine from local food vendors, groove to live music from bands and artists you love and appreciate the culture of your community. Prepare to fill up your agenda for the hottest months of the year and create priceless memories. Here are four must-see occasions to get out of the house this August and September. more Putnam County Wine & Food Fest Image via Pixabay Show your support for local businesses by spending the weekend at the 11th Annual Putnam County Wine & Food Fest. As its name suggests, the festival enables you to eat, drink, and have a good time. Use your taste buds to experiment with different flavors of wine, ciders, and spirits from breweries and vineyards across the state. If there's a particular sample you enjoy, consider purchasing a bottle to bring home with you. Before you grab some food, spread out a blanket on top of the grass in front of the stage where you can watch bands perform live music. The festival is also an occasion that your entire family can enjoy. Children can participate in arts and crafts or check out the on-site exhibits. You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting the festival's website. Remember to adhere to the following information when you're coordinating the Putnam County Wine & Food Fest in your schedule: Location: 61 Fair St. in Cold Springs, NY Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 7 SoNo Arts Festival The 35th Annual SoNo Arts Festival also takes place during the first weekend in August. Head to downtown Norwalk to admire original pieces from local artists and establishments in the community. The galleries display works from over 100 artists, so prepare to spend the day examining fine arts and crafts. You can share your interpretations of the paintings with other art lovers and appreciate how the artists channeled their creativity to bring their art to life. You can also join in on the fun by walking through the SoNo Puppet Parade, which occurs on the second day of the festivities at 2 p.m. The parade features puppet creations that resemble jellyfish and other sea creatures. Visit the children's art area to make your own puppet, while your younger companions can get their faces painted or participate in arts and crafts. Live music from local musicians will serenade you throughout the festival, so review the performance schedule in advance so you can watch a set from your favorite band. Here are other details to keep in mind: Location: 50 Washington St. in Norwalk, CT Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 7 Bridgewater Country Fair Another family-friendly event to look forward to this summer is the 71st Annual Bridgewater Country Fair. Its proceeds contribute to the operations of the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD). Watch the start of the festivities by attending the opening ceremonies, which take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, the first day of the fair. Arrive ahead of time to beat the crowds so you can have a front-row viewing of the parade, which begins at 6:45 p.m. You can wave to first responders from other fire departments in Connecticut and New York, and check out their shiny trucks. Make sure you bring your appetite with you as you explore the fairgrounds. There are multiple opportunities to eat good food. If you're a barbeque lover, then you might enjoy the pulled pork and brisket. Another tent offers grilled chicken, baked potatoes, and corn, or you can opt for roast beef with horseradish. Pile on your favorite toppings on tacos with your choice of tortillas, and grab a slice of pizza or a hamburger and fries if you're still hungry. If you've saved room for dessert, then the soft-serve ice cream, fried Oreos, or churros may appeal to you. Admission to the fair is $10, a discounted $8 if you're a senior or a veteran. The younger members of your family under 12 years old can attend the fair for free. If you plan to spend the entire weekend at the fair, consider spending $20 to cover admission for all three days. Here are additional details to remember as the event approaches: Location: 100 Main St. S. in Bridgewater, CT Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 Yorktown Grange Fair Celebrate the last month of the summer by visiting the 98th Annual Yorktown Grange Fair. The theme for 2022 is "We've Got a Good Thing Growing," which refers to the exhibits in the fair that feature livestock, such as chickens and goats. You can also witness the results of exciting contests. For example, in the previous year, the fair hosted competitions for produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and squashes. Participants also won prizes for the best types of flowers, such as the sunflower, dahlia, and miniature rose. This year hosts contests in areas such as poultry, baking, and woodworking. You can also purchase food on the fairgrounds and enjoy live entertainment. Here's information to remember when you and your family plan to explore the festivities: Location: 99 Moseman Road in Yorktown Dates: Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11 Remember to grab a lawn chair and a pair of sunglasses for exciting outdoor events this summer. Courtesy of Brewster Ford, you now have ideas to add to your agenda when you're looking for activities for the weekend. If there's another event that you're looking forward to that we haven't mentioned, send us a message on our website to let us know, and we'll be glad to check it out. Make sure you visit our blog to learn about other tips we have about the area.