[Megax]

Veterans Stadium in New Britain is hosting an international soccer game on Wednesday May 26th @ 1:30pm (Northern Ireland v Turkey) and I'm looking for some advice from the locals as to where to go with my friends for a pre-game "tailgate". (I use the term loosely, as I realize it's not an NFL game we're talking about here )

From first glance it could be quite challenging, as the stadium doesn't appear to be near any pubs & I assume that no alcohol will be permitted on-site at the stadium or car-park as it's a City-owned facility.

Can anyone give me any advice as to what 50-100 fans should do? Some of us are flying-in domestically, while others are coming from Europe.
We'd rather not just stay in Hartford, as we'll be doing that the previous day AND we'll be going back there after the game is over, as our hotel is on Asylum St in Hartford.

Thanks for any advice you could provide.

p.s. we tried calling one nearby "bar" and were hung-up on by the manager, who thought I was trying to sell him something

[JayCT]

I am not sure what you are looking for but there are some restaurants in the area. I know Portofino's is right down the street (in Berlin, CT) but it is really an Italian restaurant. There is also a very good German restaurant called the East Side and there are a number of really good polish restaurants in New Britain. Jay

[Megax]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I am not sure what you are looking for but there are some restaurants in the area. I know Portofino's is right down the street (in Berlin, CT) but it is really an Italian restaurant. There is also a very good German restaurant called the East Side and there are a number of really good polish restaurants in New Britain. Jay

Jay, thanks for the response.
I called Portofino's as it appeared to be reasonably close, but they said that they didn't have the facilities to cope with that many people.

It's a little further away, as it's in the downtown area, but would Vito's Tavern and Pizzeria be a solid option? Basically a laid-back spot that would allow upto 100 people have a few social beers before the game.

We'd honesty be happy with a roped-off area with a keg of beer in the stadium car-park - but that doesn't appear to be an option

Thanks.

[Silli]

You should talk to someone in the New Britain Parks Department about potentially registering a "picnic" at Stanley Park. According to their website, they allow picnics with canned beer for a small fee after Memorial Day weekend. I think this game is before then but maybe they could bend the rules, or maybe you could have a picnic for free. It's worth asking.
I haven't been to this park but it's supposed to be nice.

[Megax]

Originally Posted by Silli

You should talk to someone in the New Britain Parks Department about potentially registering a "picnic" at Stanley Park. According to their website, they allow picnics with canned beer for a small fee after Memorial Day weekend. I think this game is before then but maybe they could bend the rules, or maybe you could have a picnic for free. It's worth asking.
I haven't been to this park but it's supposed to be nice.

Park rentals are a great, often over-looked suggestion, so thank you for that idea. I checked the location on Stanley Park in relation to the Stadium and by the looks of things it's 4 miles away and since our group will be relying on public transportation, that would probably be a little too difficult in terms of logistics.

I reckon I'll maybe just contact Parks and Rec/Commerce Dept and see if they'd be willing to set-up a "Fan Zone" for the game - a designated area close to the stadium, that's a good way for fans to mingle. It also helps fans stay on the right side of the law as far as public consumption of alcohol goes, plus it would surely help the organizers with crowd control, etc.

[JayCT]

Vito's is fairly new but it is owned by a family that has an excellent reputation. They operate several Vito's restaurants in the Hartford area including Vito's on the Park in downtown Hartford. I am not sure if they will be able to accomodate you but you could ask. I am also not sure how you would get from the restaurant to the field either. Good luck, Jay

[JViello]

Megax:

The Austrian Donau Club is not too far away. Less than a mile, (About 1 kilometer actually) you can probably walk there if you wanted too.

Austrian Donau Club

They have a fairly large hall with a pub attached.





I'm sure if you contacted them about renting the hall for the event, they would accomodate and probably join you in celebrating.

[andthentherewere3]

I used to live in London, and the soccer fans there got quite rowdy both before and after games.

Good luck, and have fun!