Stonebridge Spurs Rule Change For Live Music In Downtown Milford

MILFORD, CT — The Planning and Zoning Board approved a measure to allow live outdoor music in downtown Milford at a meeting last week.

The regulation change came at the request of Stonebridge Restaurant. The establishment has long had live music performances, though not recently after the city sent a cease-and-desist letter.

The new regulations overturn a rarely enforced 30-year-old rule banning live outdoor music.

The regulations stipulate specific hours when such performances are permissible on Thursdays through Sundays no later than 9:30 p.m. The full text of the regulations is available here.

Attorney Tom Lynch, representing Stonebridge, said that the previous rule was enacted due to complaints from residents about rock music being played late at night at the old Fibber's restaurant at a space that's now Archie Moore's.

He said that since then, downtown has changed considerably.

"To be perfectly honest with you, that regulation has been on the books for 30 years, and Milford is not the same today as it was in 1995," Lynch told the board.

He said that downtown has become a "vibrant business community" and Stonebridge is "a pillar" of that community, with live outdoor entertainment being a major component.

Mayor Tony Giannattasio spoke in favor of the regulation change: "This is a situation that needs to be corrected... I implore you to move this forward. Milford is an entertainment destination. People come here from all over the state."

Giannattasio noted that the recent Connecticut Foodie Fest had live music and a stage.

"This is who we are," he said.

Richard Smith, Democratic mayoral candidate, also spoke in favor of the regulation.

"I remember a time when downtown was not a place you wanted to go," he said.

Smith said Stonebridge "started the renaissance" in downtown.

"We've come a long way since then, really led by the Stonebridge," he said.

Many residents spoke in favor of the regulations, but several were also opposed. Governors Avenue residents at the meeting said that Stonebridge's music has often been disruptive.

"The sound of summer is Stonebridge through the whole summer," one resident said.

Daniel Fernandez, owner of Bistro Basque & El Barrio on Broad Street, also spoke against the regulation change.

"I do not have a problem with Stonebridge Restaurant," he said. "I do have a problem when Stonebridge Restaurant becomes Stonebridge nightclub."

Fernandez said the issue is not music; the issue is noise which becomes "pollution" and "a total disturbance."

The board ultimately approved the regulation change. Lynch said that under the new rules, which only apply to downtown, the board has broad discretion to reject any requests for live outdoor music on a case-by-case basis.

Stonebridge also applied for a special permit to allow live outdoor music on its patio. The board will hear that request at its June 3 meeting.

Video of the full Planning and Zoning Board meeting is available here.

Read more: New Home In The Works For Milford Health Department

Milford Man Defrauded Victim Out Of $167K, Federal Prosecutors Say

Milford Arrest Log, May 2 To 7, 2025