Stamford Summer Bar Tour - Stop [4] - Casey's Tavern

Stop #4 takes us to one of Stamford's premiere "Craic" Houses, Casey's Tavern.

If Casey's wasn't floating so far out on the fringe of Downtown, sharing an unassuming Woodside Street with a number of rundown houses, I have no doubt it would be one of the more popular bars in town. Then again, transplanting would probably screw with the flavor of this hidden gem. Built in what looks like could have once been a house, going to Casey's feels like you're discovering some cool hole in the wall every time.

Casey's isn't messing with the standard Irish pub script, but that's a good thing. While sometimes Tigin can feel a little forced (no one thinks that rake on the wall ever once touched dirt), Casey's comes off a little more natural. If you're not one of the steady mix of regulars chances are you won't bump into someone you know (although this night I did happen upon my friend Bill from Star Wines) Hit the outdoor patio though where the open air seems to attract some uncharacteristic to Fairfield County interaction among strangers. An offbeat local is usually game to share some bullshit about their screenplay or how they gave up six figures as a stock broker to tar roofs. The patio is pretty nice and more than the prerequisite role as shithole to drop butts like most bars reduce them to. The staff is cool (I've heard the owner Shamus is a great guy) and even the food is pretty decent.

I went this particular night with a group to check out a friends band. We had laugh that the tight layout left the band performing to the bathroom doors as the crowd enjoyed the set off center from the bar and the patio. Good craic all around, I would definitely go more often if I didn't have these miles to go on the mission.

Until next time...