Iconic Hartford Brewpub Announces Closure March 31

HARTFORD, CT — An iconic brewpub that has been part of Hartford's dining and entertainment scene for decades announced Thursday it is shuttering at month's end.

City Steam Brewery, located at 942 Main St., will pour its last beer on March 31, its owners making the announcement via social media, saying they're doing so with " humble gratitude and a heavy heart."

City Steam ownership cited last year's catastrophic sprinkler pipe burst and subsequent flood as doing fatal damage to the restaurant's business operations.

The pipe burst and flood happened in February 2023 and it closed the operation for four months. It reopened to much fanfare in June 2023, but the financial losses were simply too great, owners said.

"We could not recover from the after-effects of a four-month, half-million-dollar closure due to a burst sprinkler pipe and the resultant flood," wrote the owners in a lengthy goodbye post on social media.

"We have had an incredible run, but it is now time to hand the reigns over to another talented and creative restaurateur."

Named for the steam lines underneath downtown Hartford that heat many of the historic buildings in that neighborhood, City Steam as it is now opened in 1997.

Prior to that, the business was known as Brown Thompson & Co. since 1980, according to the owners, it is located in the history HH Richardson Building, which dates back to 1877.

"We brought new life to downtown. We were packed from the time the doors opened until they closed seven days a week for years," wrote City Steam.

In addition, the two-level restaurant/bar was the home of the Brew Ha Ha Comedy Club, where up-and-coming stand-up comics performed their routines to patrons.

It was in 1997 when the owners decided to get into the craft beer business and, hence, the name change.

In saying goodbye, City Steam's owners thanked all the staff members who worked there over the years.

"Working at 942 Main Street was a stepping stone to success in life for many as they learned how to work hard and treated customers as they wanted to be treated," they wrote.

City Steam also thanked the customers.

"It has been a pleasure and honor serving the greater Hartford community all these years," wrote City Steam. "You trusted us with your most treasured events: Birthday celebrations, graduation dinners, first dates, marriage proposals, engagement parties. The list goes on and on."

While the restaurant/comedy club is closing, City Steam's beer brands will still be brewed and sold at area beer retailers.

The future of the site, which is located in the city's Pratt Street Historic District, is bright, according to City Steam's owners, who thank the City of Hartford for supporting development in that area.

"This iconic space at the head of the rejuvenated Pratt Street Historic District is ripe with opportunity. We are looking for a restaurateur who may have an interest in buying the business and putting in a new concept — brewery or not — in our incredible 150+-year-old historic structure," wrote the owners.

For more information on City Steam's closing statement, click on this link.

For more information on City Steam, click on this link.

From June 1, 2023: 'Well-Known Hartford Brew Pub Finally Open After Flood'