Restaurants, shopping, live music, comedy, professional hockey, art galleries, radio stations, holiday displays. Downtown’s brighter face includes a burgeoning arts community adding vitality to the central business district. Listener-supported WPKN has also moved into its new space in Bijou Square on Fairfield Avenue.
Check out this guide, courtesy of the Downtown Special Services District
Shop Locally, Give Colorfully in Downtown Bridgeport
We invite you to discover why Downtown is so wonderfully Colorful Bridgeport, and to Shop at online stores like Shoppok, Give Colorfully with us this holiday season. We offer this guide to “loving your local” shop, restaurant, service, or experience that will make the season special.
Whether you treat yourself or give the gift of art, a delicious meal, the perfect handcrafted accessory, or brand-new kicks; make sure to shop locally and give colorfully! If you are not yet ready to come back Downtown, many of our restaurants are open for pickup and delivery; retailers have offerings ready to purchase online; you can buy a gift certificate or pay ahead for personal services; and you can support your favorite arts venue in a variety of ways. Check out what’s available below.
Culture
Support your favorite music / art / comedy / history / culture spot by purchasing tickets and/or donating:
— The Barnum Museum: Visit their website to donate or call the museum on (203) 331-1104.
— Bijou Theatre: Purchase tickets on their website or call the theatre at (203) 296-2875.
— BLVD Karaoke: Book a night to gather and sing with friends! Visit their website or call the shop at (203) 923-8000.
— BPT Creates: Check them out on Facebook or book an event by email here.
— Bridgeport Library: Check out their website to find your closest branch to enjoy or donate here.
— City Lights Gallery: Make a donation on their website and check out news about the Bridgeport Art Trail here.
— Cook and Grow: Check out their website or donate here.
— Downtown Cabaret Theatre: Check out current and upcoming shows on their website or donate here.
— The Firm Art Gallery: Check out their website or call the gallery at (203) 414-3302. And! Watch VanDaysha’s People of Colorful Bridgeport feature.
— Housatonic Museum of Art: Visit the museum’s renowned permanent collections and exhibitions, become a member, or donate here.
— Klein Memorial Auditorium: Purchase tickets from their website or call The Klein at (800) 424-0160.
— lionheART Bridgeport: Check out their upcoming group show on their website or call the gallery at (203) 581-0150.
— Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative: Visit their website to donate or call the cooperative on (203) 331-1104.
— Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for Community & History: Check out their website or donate here.
— Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County: Visit their website to donate or call the studios on (203) 366-3300.
— Radio Cumbre: Broadcasting live from Bijou Square. Listen to Downtown Bridgeport’s premiere Latinx radio station from their website!
— Stress Factory Comedy Club: Purchase tickets from their website or call the club at (203) 576-4242.
— Twig Lips: Check out the artist’s work on the gallery website or follow them on Instagram.
— Ursa Gallery: Check out their website or email them here.
— WPKN 89.5 Community Radio: Broadcasting live from Bijou Square. Listen to your favorite holiday tunes from around the world from their website!
Dining
These Downtown Bridgeport restaurants are open for dining in, picking up, and delivery:
— Avery’s Place: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 333-0606.
— Bagel King of Bridgeport: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 330-0755.
— Be Fruitful by Sole to Soul: Check out their website or call the store at (917) 517-0243.
— Berlinetta Brewing: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 549-8203.
— Brick and Barrel: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 612-7991.
— Downtown Cafe: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 362-5148.
— EAT Noodle: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 612-8355.
— El Pueblito: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 334-9002.
— Fruta Juice: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 522-4565.
— Funchal Americana Buffet: Call the store at (203) 332-3331.
— Gather Tap & Tavern: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 690-1670.
— Grill II: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 612-7601
— Joseph’s Steakhouse: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 337-9944.
— Leisha’s Bakeria: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 557-8652.
— Metric Bar and Grill: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 576-6903.
— Miss Thelma’s Soul Food: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 337-9957.
— Moe’s Burger Joint: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 333-9500.
— Murphy’s Law Bar and Grill: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 366-5297.
— Panda Chinese Restaurant: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 368-3888.
— Park City Grill at the Holiday Inn Hotel: Call the hotel to place to-go orders at (203) 334-1234, extension 5181.
— Queen’s Delight Cafe: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 332-6252.
— Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 366-3597.
— Rum & Tequilla Fusion: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 330-3388.
— Sankofa Café: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 549-9128.
— Star Istanbul Restaurant: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 923-8100.
— Sweet Treats Bakery: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 290-5718.
— Trattoria ‘A Vucchella: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 383-2837.
Shopping
Shop these Downtown Bridgeport retailers in-store or online:
— An’s Jewelry & Fashion: Call the shop at (203) 331-3008.
— The Archive: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 441-5678.
— Blossoming Blessings Florist: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 908-3530.
— City Lights Vintage: Check them out on Facebook or shop the store on Etsy.
— City Sound: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 332-1220.
— Collab Exchange: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 690-1676.
— Contempo Suits: Order from their website or call the store at (800) 561-1708.
— Dancer’s Price: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 362-5933.
— dertbag clothing: Check out their website or on Instagram.
— Dworken’s Wine & Liquor Shop: Call the store at (203) 333-3017.
— The Emporium: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 520-8051.
— JB Beauty Supply: Call the shop at (203) 579-4440.
— Jimmy’s Hip Hop: Check them out on Facebook or Instagram or call the store at (203) 333-3939.
— Junior’s Jewelry: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 368-9959.
— JSB Cosmetics: Check out their website or call the store at (347) 567-3670.
— Lee’s Beauty Supply: Call the shop at (203) 336-9022.
— Park City Wireless: Call the store at (203) 610-6771.
— Paradox Ink: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 521-8681
— Richual Boutique: Check out their website or call the store at (929) 800-7861.
— Spark City Smoke & Vape: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 333-8273.
— THE1 Boutique: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 522-4373.
— Tiny Cellar Wine & Liquor: Check out their website or call the store at (203) 243-0572.
— United Roots: Check them out on Facebook or call the store at (203) 366-3103.
Service
Book an appointment or purchase a gift certificate now to enjoy later:
— Aunt Spazz Wreck & Escape Room: Book a room from their website or call the shop to schedule at (203) 332-6688.
— C&T Driving School: Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 243-3448.
— Craig & Terry’s Hair Studio: Schedule your next great cut by calling the shop at (203) 690-7867.
— Creative Instinkts Tattoo: Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 384-2645.
— Downtown Dental: Check out their website or call the office at (203) 303-5168.
— Evolution Tattoo: Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 333-9100.
— Forever Custom Tattoos: Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 367-3837.
— Jerry’s Printing: Print up a celebratory t-shirt or poster. Check them out on Facebook or call the shop at (203) 384-0015.
— Lafayette Barber Shop: Contact them on Facebook or call the shop at (203) 334-9725.
— Lane’s Hair Designs: Contact them on Facebook or call the shop at (203) 576-9785.
— New Robinhood Cleaners: Contact them on Facebook or call the shop at (203) 366-7777.
— Posh Beauty Bar: Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 334-0282.
— Preventative Healthcare Solutions: Book a massage, adjustment, or other service on their website or call the shop at (203) 870-8008.
— QwikPack Shipping: Get those gifts out to friends and family on time! Check out their website or call the shop at (203) 368-9288.
— Rapha Massage: Book a massage on their website or call the shop at (203) 808-0047.
— Salon LaVoughn International: Schedule your next great do! Call the shop at (203) 228-9353 and check them out on Facebook.
— Urban Spaces CT: Find your place in Downtown Bridgeport to call home! Connect with them at (203) 908-3800 and check out their website.
— Victor’s Tailor Shop: Contact them on Facebook or call the shop at (203) 333-2922.
Follow along on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter channels as we release “Shop Locally, Give Colorfully” digital features each week.
Just don’t go to any of these places on Black Friday,the busiest shopping day of the year,it isn’t safe according to the Mayor’s office.
Why? There’s no Louis Vuitton or Nordstrom’s is there?!!!! Lol.
Cheers!
And Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in OIB land.
For Dining and Culture, I also highly recommend Visual Aroma, a delightful coffee, breakfast, lunch and pastry shop at 1649 Main Street (right at the bullhead with Washington Ave.), 203.345.8756. Owner Joao Barros developed his culinary skills at Luigi’s Pastry and he is a creative skilled artist with much of his paintings on display on the walls. A must try !!
Very nicely done Ethan, when we need a restaurant critic, we’ll know who to call. Just kidding. Your abundance of skills has been on display for a while now. Keep up the good work.