Tour Stop: Hartford, Connecticut

As the Connecticut state capitol, Hartford has much more to offer than just insurance companies; it’s home to many great hotspots for live entertainment. If you’re planning a tour of the east coast, Hartford is the perfect place to stop on the way from New York (roughly 120 miles away) to Boston (roughly 105 miles away) or vice versa. The city is the ideal destination to unwind with a smaller gig between these major ports of call. In addition, Hartford boasts a populous college community. Home to Trinity College and the University of Hartford, Hartford is also part of the Knowledge Corridor, a 30-mile span that stretches north to neighboring Springfield, Mass. and includes UMass Amherst, UConn, Amherst College, Smith College, and Wesleyan College. So if the college audience is your target, Hartford offers a wide array of options. The city also boasts the daily Hartford Courant - the country’s oldest continuously published newspaper, founded in 1764. Also, several television and radio stations in Hartford serve the entire state of Connecticut, such as Hartford’s The Rock WCCC 106.9 FM.

Book a Gig: Venues

Webster Theater

31 Webster St.

Hartford, CT 06114

(860) 246-8001

www.webstertheater.com

This former movie house has two stages: the Theater and the Underground, where larger and smaller acts perform, respectively. For the past five years the venue has been voted the Best Place to See Live Music and the Best Rock Club by the Hartford Advocate. Send press kits and demos to the venue address, Attn: Ben or Jeff, or email info@webstertheater.com.

Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues

350 Asylum St.

Hartford, CT 06101

(860) 278-7427

www.blackeyedsallys.com

Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues showcases local and regional blues musicians, in addition to hosting popular open mic nights. If you’re passing through and you’ve got your Stratocaster with you, stop in for one of the open blues jams. Call for booking info.

Sully’s Pub

2071 Park St.

Hartford, CT 06106

(860) 231-8881

www.sullyspub.com

Sully’s hosts music seven nights a week — everything ranging from open mic nights and acoustic sets to electric sets and regional and local acts. Call for booking info.

Club Blu

191 Ann St.

Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 241-0332

Club Blu is Hartford’s premier nightclub. The club hosts live music every Friday, with genres ranging from rock to Latin. Call for booking info.

The Standing Stone Café

111 Allyn St.

Hartford, CT 06103-1401

(860) 246-4400

The Standing Stone Café is a popular hangout with 24 beers on tap and adorned with traditional Irish décor. Wednesday night is open mic night and local musicians play acoustic sets on Saturday nights. Call for booking info.

The Half Door

270 Sisson Ave.

Hartford, CT 06105

(860) 232-7827

www.thehalfdoor.com

Over the last few years, The Half Door has established itself as not only the premier pub in the area, but also as a hotspot for the best Irish and American entertainers. It was named Best Irish Pub by the Hartford Advocate in 2003, and is a popular hangout for locals looking for good live music. Email the venue at info@thehalfdoor.com or call for booking info.

Gilo’s

389 Main St.

East Hartford, CT 06118-1831

(860) 568-4771

www.giloscafe.com

Gilo’s is a great venue for the genre of hard rock and also features karaoke two nights a week. Gilo’s also doubles as a popular sports bar with three big screens and four satellite feeds. There’s also pool, darts, and dancing. For booking, email staff@giloscafe.com or call the venue.

Promote a Gig: Media

The Hartford Courant

285 Broad St.

Hartford, CT 06115

(860) 241-6200

www.courant.com

Accepts music submissions online at www.ctnow.com and at the above address. The website also features a database of local bands, bios, websites, audio, and tour dates.

WESU 88.1FM

222 Church St.

Middletown, CT 06459

(860) 685-7703

www.wesufm.org

Radio station of Wesleyan University, WESU is a great place to send music and for tour info. One of the oldest radio stations in the country, WESU offers an interesting mix of public affairs and free-form music programming to discerning listeners throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

Gear/ Repairs

Beller’s Music

50 Purnell Place

Manchester, CT 06040

(860) 649-2036

www.bellersmusic.com

Beller’s Music sells new equipment: school orchestra instruments, guitars, basses, amplifiers, and accessories. Located in neighboring Manchester, the store also does musical instrument repair, including amplifiers.

Old Windsor Music Center

Windsor, CT 06095

95 Poquonock Ave.

(860) 523-5699

Located about 10 miles from Hartford, Old Windsor Music Center sells band instruments, drums and accessories, and electric and acoustic guitars. The store also offers an emergency gear repair service.

George’s Music Center

905 New Harwinton Rd.

Torrington, CT 06790

(860) 496-9362

www.georgesmusiccenter.com

George’s Music Center offers instruments, amplifiers, electronics, lessons, and rental programs. George’s also specializes in DJ and recording equipment and offers a wide array of brands and models.