City Steam Brewery Café

City Steam Brewery CaféCity Steam Brewery Café
City Steam Brewery CaféCity Steam Brewery Café
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

942 Main St
Hartford, Connecticut, 06103-1214
United States

(860) 525-1600 | map
citysteambrewery.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.8
Beers:
61
Ratings:
862
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.84
Reviews:
77
Ratings:
126
pDev:
13.02%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by packetknife:
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Reviewed by packetknife from Idaho

3/5  rDev -21.9%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
I usually only go to the City Steam for the comedy club in the basement, however I have gone there on other occasions and I don't really recommend it. The high(er) point to the place is the relatively good food given its peers in the area.

Of the beers I favor the Naughty Nurse and their seasonal Porter. Their porter and stout seem a bit watery each time I have them and never are poured with a head. They had a kick-arse IPA once that was by far the best beer I had there but it wasn't available any other time I went.

I'd say you've got a 50% chance of hitting it on a 4.0 night and the other 50% on a 2.0 night. Service is rarely good in my experience with waitstaff that seem really interested in having you leave.
Jun 06, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.25 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Dec 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4.2 by Tbone2131 from Connecticut

Jul 17, 2021
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Reviewed by gbiello from Massachusetts

4.39/5  rDev +14.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
Tough to give a place an accurate reading during "Covid Times". Was really comfortable there and enjoyed myself. Would have liked to have seen it when things were "normal".
Oct 23, 2020
 
Rated: 4.44 by Tmillerd from Connecticut

Feb 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4.23 by jlmontague from Connecticut

Oct 21, 2018
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Reviewed by biointen from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
A nice surprise for a quick lunch stop. A very reasonably priced flight with generous portions, delicious food, great service and a cool 3 story historic building with interesting both nooks and crannies. Wow, will you not go wrong with the fish tacos!
Jul 31, 2018
 
Rated: 3.95 by RickyBfromCT from Connecticut

Jan 28, 2018
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Reviewed by HoppyHatz from Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Great place to eat and drink. Very cool atmosphere which occasionally supports local live bands. Food is great and the beer is decent. If you are looking for a place to drink craft beer and stuff your face with food in Hartford, CT then City Steam is a winner!
Nov 22, 2017
 
Rated: 3.86 by Murph106157 from Connecticut

Oct 27, 2017
 
Rated: 3.43 by Darren53 from Connecticut

Sep 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.85 by Dafixa from California

Apr 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.1 by grahuba from Connecticut

Mar 19, 2017
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Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

3.64/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
Located in downtown Hartford so you will be parking either on the street or in a garage. No biggie.

The architecture and vibe are quite cool because of the history. We were there on a late Monday afternoon and it was barely busy as there's a ton of space in this facility. (17) taps total and only their own brews and doing a flight each between three of us, all were average at best. We didn't have food since we were passing through so 'can't speak for that side.
Feb 08, 2017
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Reviewed by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

3.61/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
The place had little to no parking around. Ended up with a ticket for poor signage on where to park and for how long. Anyway, The service here was good, the place is nice, kinda old looking. The selection is pretty vast but nothing really mind blowing either. The place is decent but probably not a place I'd rush back to any time soon.
Feb 06, 2017
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Reviewed by FourBetter from Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Absolutely amazing space. A historic building with multiple levels and hidden nooks.
Service is friendly and food is solid pub fare.
18 taps to choose from - decent variety, but would've like to have seen at least one sour or something challenging.
Overall, worth a stop if you're in Hartford.
Jan 10, 2017
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Reviewed by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.25
Very cozy feeling dark wood and brass pub, despite its pretty massive seating capacity. Located in an historic building in downtown Hartford. Great menu; limited selection of beers (only theirs - which i admittedly quite a long list - plus a couple of collaborations). Service was excellent. Food selection was great too. This is more of a restaurant that happens to brew its own beer than a brewery that offers some food. If I lived in Hartford I'd probably patronize City Steam occasionally, but it would be for the food and not primarily for the beer.
Oct 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.04 by mike22ne from Massachusetts

Jul 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.1 by coljesep from Connecticut

Jun 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.7 by JLK7299 from North Carolina

Apr 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by mkyer from Connecticut

Apr 15, 2016
 
Rated: 4.05 by KevinB from New York

Apr 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.59 by jtodeasa from Connecticut

Mar 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.51 by Junichi from Texas

Feb 18, 2016
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Reviewed by WanderingFool from Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I visited City Steam with some friends on a recent trip to Hartford. The building they are in is turn of the century with high ceilings and dark wood paneling. The bar area is very big with the brewhouse just behind the serving area. They have many styles of beer on tap and the couple I tried were tasty. Same with the food, lots of variety and good quality. The fried pickles were great. There's lots of TVs in the bar to catch the game. My friends were part of the mug club and I would definitely join if I lived closer. Overall City Steam is a great casual brewpub with a relaxing atmosphere and descent food & beer.
Feb 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by Uconnelmo from Connecticut

Nov 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.61 by psweendogg from Connecticut

Sep 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.39 by gemery554 from Connecticut

Jul 10, 2015
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Reviewed by BranfordBound from Connecticut

3.86/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Went here back in January of 2015, place was really busy, but the staff kept it together. The beers the have are mostly their own, which are pretty mediocre verging on good. With a few tweaks I think they can make really good beer, but I digress. Food was pretty good but a bit above what I would like to pay for it. All in all, worth a trip for the beginner craft drinker, but a pass for the experienced.
Jun 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by CTJman from Connecticut

Jun 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by LXIXME from New Mexico

May 29, 2015
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Reviewed by The_Librarian from New York

3.94/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.25
Was in the area to get Chinese food and walked in on a whim. The place was really slow so we had the pick of where to sit. Lots of seating and clean eating areas. They were out of two of the beers that I wanted so I opted for a nurse (possibly their best known). Staff was friendly and attentive. It seemed like more of a sit and eat place than a drink and hang out. Lots of guys in suits eating lunch. I would like to go back on a Friday or Saturday night to see what the place is really like. Food was really good for a brewery.
May 01, 2015
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Reviewed by betterthanyourbeer from Connecticut

2.64/5  rDev -31.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.75 | service: 3 | selection: 2.25 | food: 2
Should this really even be called a brewery...they've had the same stale tasteless beers on tap for 10 years. Food is all fried and tastes the same. i think they have taken pride in the fact that since inception....they have NEVER had a good IPA.
ok to try, but regular visits are not happening.
Feb 09, 2015
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Rated by Gottatryemall

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Great food good beer, Always a good timec
Jan 23, 2015
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Reviewed by rorjets from Connecticut

4.55/5  rDev +18.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Went over after a UCONN basketball game at the XL Center. Just a couple of blocks away, so very easy to get to if you are at an event at the XL Center. The place was buzzing with UCONN fans, but not full to capacity. We opted to sit in the bar, and have our beer and meal there. At least 4 big screen TVs allowed us the chance to catch up on the NFL action (it was a Sunday game and we were out by 3 pm). The Bartender was super attentive despite the influx of fans coming from the game. She had our first beers in front of us within minutes of our arrival. I had the Export Lager, followed by an IPA, my buddy tried the DIPA called Innocence.. I have had all the beers that City Steam bottles, so it was great to have a bunch of other choices on tap. We ordered and had our meals in front of us in no time. The burger I had was perfectly cooked, and my buddy was equally pleased with his selection, which was a BLT wrap. Basic pub food but delivered quickly and it was very tasty. Prices were average, beers are fairly priced. I had been to City Steam way back in 2005, and had been impressed with it then, so I was very happy to see it still doing well. Downtown Hartford is not an easy place to have a Brewpub business because it empties out on the weekends, and there is little parking to be had other than at parking lots. I wish I lived a bit closer, as they have a great Billiards Hall in the back room, but I can only visit on the rare occasions I get to Hartford. Overall, a really enjoyable place for a beer and a meal!
Jan 01, 2015
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Reviewed by tkdchampxi from New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Not a bad place to have a drink in Hartfood. I went here after a wedding, so I didn't have any food,

Beers are pretty typical of a small city microbrew.
Dec 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by spycow from Illinois

Nov 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JKV96 from Massachusetts

Sep 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Wyatt_Sasser from Connecticut

Sep 17, 2014
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
Located in downtown within the confines of a beautiful Romanesque building that was once a department store, City Steam Brewery Café is the only brewpub in Hartford. The venue sprawls through several floors and includes a patio and a pool room; this review is based on two recent visits to the main floor bar area. The bar is rather large, seating around 50 people with room among a scattering of high tops in which thirsty Hartford office workers can mingle and discuss insurance, no doubt. (Hartford is America's insurance capital.)

The beer selection is decent and runs the gamut of styles; my choices: Acapulco Gold, a session IPA; Blonde on Blonde, an American Pale Ale; Sneak Peek, an amber lager; Pugnacious Porter, an oatmeal stout and the favorite being something called Naughty Nurse, which appears to be an English bitter. Extensive food menu that includes all-day omelets and some attentive servers makes this a popular place to imbibe. They offer a Mon-Fri Happy Hour, when beers are $2.00 off.

All in all, an enjoyable place to quaff fresh beer when in the Nutmeg State.
Sep 03, 2014
City Steam Brewery Café in Hartford, CT
Brewery rating: 3.8 out of 5 with 862 ratings