My husband and I have been here a couple of times. It's located smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood and we honestly thought the GPS took us the wrong way at first. There is a decent sized parking lot a for this tavern, and the tavern itself is bigger than I thought it would be. Since this is more of a local hot spot the service is a bit slower, the waitstaff seems to have to stop quite frequently to say hi to the regulars and be personable. This is a common trait of businesses that are truly working hard to be a part of the fabric of their surrounding community. This is the type of place you'd want to go if you have some time to be a little more easygoing and social. The food here is excellent, the nachos were our favorite. The portions are generous as well as the toppings! One order of nachos could be a full meal for 2-3 hungry adults! Each time we have come we have been warmly greeted at the door, seated quickly, and served with a smile and good conversation. The restaurant and parking lot are clean and the food is well made. We are definitely fans of this tavern. read more

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The food is excellent, the staff members are amazing and the drinks are awesome! I look forward to sharing my experiences with my neighbors

Very good fish taco. However only two stars because of lack of gluten free provisions, Gluten free Hamburger rolls would go a long way .

While traveling for work I was looking for a quick bite to eat, I was pleasantly surprise when I stumbled on to this great little bar overlooking a beautiful stream. Atmosphere was amazing. I wish I lived closer as this place would be great in the fall and winter. Bartender and waiter were very friendly. Most people around the bar all seem to know each other. I had the black angus burger with American Cheese. It was cooked to perfection and was very flavorful. The brioche bun was lightly toasted and the tomato was one of the best I've tasted. Enjoy!! read more

Rob is a phenomenal business owner. The food is WONDERFUL!! Highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich and watermelon smash drink. They always have great specials as well! read more

First let me say I really love the food. I really like the food. Please try the place for yourself. I would give 5 stars on the food. But...... I go to a tavern for food and drink. My preferred drink is beer and unfortunately there is a poor and static beer selection. They do have over 50 tap stalks displayed as art work though. I have been coming here regularly for over a year since our favorite local restaurant closed. Over 50 different beer stalks are displayed on one of the walls. However the beer only changes when Sam Adams decides to change their seasonal. The draft beer selection is pitiful and poor and mainstream in a day and age of Craft Beer. Bottles are worse. See images. If you walk around you also see Great Signs and posters from really good beers. What a shame they don't serve any of them any longer. Maybe they never did but I assumed at some point they took pride in what their beer selection was based upon the over 50 beer stocks display. Please add some better and varied beer selections! Some wheats, creams, etc... read more

Blackbird Tavern - The Beer Menu - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

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You could drive from Thompson to Long Island Sound, Searching for pub food in every CT town, But you'll find out pretty quickly that, by gawsh, hands down, Blackbird has the tastiest pub eats around! I have driven by this place a million times and have always wanted to give it a try. Finally visited after getting a recommendation from a friend. Unbelievable food, an incredibly amicable waitress, and a good beer list. We sat in the back dining room and I really dug the rock 'n roll theme. The bar was pretty cool as well. I can't wait to come back in the summer to hang out on the patio. read more

Absolutely amazing. My friend has been begging me to come here. I have to start by saying the location is beautiful in the summer. The staff is extremely kind and super attentive. It was nice that both the server and owner made sure to stop by and share a few words. My friend and I both got the watermelon smash, which was delicious! Both shared the shrimp appetizer (10/10), and both had the same salad with a few modifications. We both worked all day... so needless to say after this experience, we left happy as clams. Thank you so much, can't wait to come back! read more

Blackbird Tavern - a woman sitting at a table with two glasses of mojitta - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

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The food was excellent. The service was excellent as well. The restaurant was clean. The wait was minimum.

What a strange and wonderful place. Home of the creepy blackbirds peering out of a beamed ceiling. Located in an unassuming residential area, Blackbird Tavern is a pretty awesome neighborhood watering hole with some of the best bar food I've had. Surprisingly fantastic pulled pork, cheese smothered nachos (cheese on every chip! Such luxury!) with blackened chicken, and a really solid menu of everything from apps to Cajun specials for Mardi Gras, and a locally inspired draft list (Black Hog, Two Roads, Back East, and some other decent CT breweries). Friendly service and a well stocked bar. What's not to love? If this was a little bit closer and not so off the beaten path, I'd be a regular indeed. read more

Blackbird Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

Blackbird is one of my favorites and so close to home! My bf and I were so excited to find a place like this just around the corner. I can't say enough about Blackbird...the food is always excellent and the service always friendly. As another yelper mentioned, I really would rather not share our secret place with others but today, I was in a giving mood. If you're going to order anything, Dave's Steak and Cheese is the most incredible sandwich on the planet. Shaved steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, bacon, cheese, and hot sauce all cooked together and slapped on a grinder....UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE. Fries and coleslaw on the side make it that much better. Another go-to is the burger. Perfectly cooked and tasty as can be. When they have them, the bourbon apple glazed wings are de-lish, as are the nachos and fried pickles. Drafts are ice cold, and a surprisingly decent wine list by the glass. This is a family owned and operated restaurant and they are the nicest people every time we visit. I love that Blackbird is a part of our small community and we'll continue to support their business for a looooong time. read more

Amazing Sea Bass dinner with tangy Swiss chard and perfectly flavored red potatoes. Add a Tito Martini with olives and be in heaven with each bite. read more

Blackbird Tavern - Honestly the best meal I ever had!!! Sea bass, crispy on the edges, with amazing flavor! Tangy Swiss chard. - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

What a wonderful way to spend an evening. As an Out-of -Town traveler, places like this can go one of two ways. Everyone here seemed to know everyone, and the staff in turn, was engaged in each patron. We felt so welcomed and made many friends while sitting at the bar for dinner. Rob was amazing and kept checking to be sure we were well looked-after. Every person in the place was friendly, kind and seemed happy to make our acquaintance. The food was AMAZING. Top 5 burger for me. The fries were equally delicious. Drinks were generous and well prepared. Definitely has become a local favorite. Any time I return to this area, I will be sure to revisit this local GEM! read more

This place is our Cheers. Perfect drinks. Perfect food. Perfect people. Can't go wrong. My favorite cocktail is the Ruby Red Martini. Classic rock music all the time!!! Come and eat and drink. You won't regret it! read more

Blackbird Tavern - Rob and MB. BEST bartenders around. - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

Really neat out of the way pub! Solid pub food selection, nachos and chicken fingers are good, sandwiches are excellent! They have their version of a steak and cheese which is stellar, and the specials are awesome! I highly recommend the salmon burger or fish taco wrap- both are delicious! Fries are a bit different, something you either love or hate... Really cool old school design on the inside, definitely a throwback! Service is friendly, bar pours a strong drink which is just how a pub should do it! read more

The Blackbird is awesome. It is certainly a local spot for people in the Durham/Middlefield area, but they cook up some great food and usually have good beers on tap, too. I recommend ordering the wings. The last time I was there I had the spicy mango wings which were very spicy yet sweet (just how I like them). I also had a margarita that I asked the bartender to make spicy and it was delicious -- I could actually taste the jalapeño in it. For dinner, I had a salad and my boyfriend had the spicy steak sandwich. I would say the salads are fine but the sandwiches or wraps are better. I am probably saying this because the shoe string french fries that come with the sandwiches are amazing and crispy. There is a river that runs along the back of the restaurant and if it is nice out, there is outdoor seating. The staff is friendly, knowledgable and the bar itself is pretty neat in terms of it's decor. If you are ever in the area, make your way to Blackbird. read more

I come here all the time with my friends and family. Food is consistently fresh and delicious. I always get a couple Blue moons with orange and the "crispy chicken wrap" only with BBQ instead of honey mustard (not really a fan of their homemade honey mustard) The service is always friendly and on point, and the atmosphere is warm & comfy. Really cool vintage pictures of music legends all over the place. Honestly blackbird has quickly become my favorite place to go eat in Durham and Middlefield. read more

Blackbird Tavern - Fresh and delicious. - Pubs Near Me - Middlefield, Connecticut

My husband and I went to Powder Ridge and saw this place driving by. Food was delicious and the staff is super friendly and very accommodating. read more

I really do love this place. atmosphere is great. Menu is creative. Just a neat little local place. I am rating it low because the food is very inconsistent. Sometimes its great, other times its bland and boring. My wife ordered me a buffalo chicken salad to go. Got home and it was basically a handful of lettuce with a few slices of chicken. Nothing Buffalo about it. Even if it was the right salad (say a house salad with chicken) it would be boring and disappointing. read more

Just a cool place all around. The food is good and the people are better. Lots of locals and people hanging out after a town meeting or a sports event. What more is there to say. A good place to enjoy yourself and bring friends who knows you might even make a few new ones. read more

My husband and I had dinner their tonight based on reading the reviews. We arrived @ 5:45 which was actually a perfect time for a Saturday night! We were able to be seated right away at a table but we're lucky enough that seats had just opened up at the bar. There is no Happy Hour or "bar apps" but at this place that is not an issue! The bar itself only has 10/12 seats at the actual BAR, really Quaint but the actual Bar Room has several tables if that is your comfort zone WE loved it and would NOT have wanted to be seated in any other room but the BAR. So as for the Food/pub style atmosphere it so much has 5 star atmosphere but REALLY people it's the kind of place to Chill and Relax‼ if your up tight and in a hurray and want an IN and OUT then go some place else. This is the kind of place YOU get what YOU pay for! It's not a chain place where "hurry up people" we want and need your table or seat. at the barReally take your time and enjoy your evening because Rob (part owner) who is also the bar tender is great and we also met Dan at the bar were so calm and easy no matter how crazed it was. We took up 2 bar seats for 1. 1/2 hours by eating drinking and socializing. It was our first time taking the chance from reviews If you are an uptight person or being on a first date then plan way ahead for time because theirs no need to give this place a poor star rating for waiting because it's NOT a big seating place for dinner and THEY do not rush anyone to hurry up we need your seat‼‼‼ if you came to experience the place and enjoy Your Food and atmosphere this is the place!! We definitely will be back. read more

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Went here for the first time to celebrate my best friends birthday. What a great place. Friendly people make you feel as if your at home. Great outdoor seating as well as indoor. Quite a bar too. Highly recommend. read more

My wife and I had driven by Blackbird Tavern several times over the past few years and finally visited last night; we will certainly be back. We were early on a Saturday evening (only 15 minutes after opening!) but there were already many cars in the lot and quite a crowd in the bar. The staff was friendly, greeting us as we came in and quickly seating us in the dining room. We were both drawn to the list of daily specials inserted in the menu - we weren't disappointed. My wife had pesto salmon and really enjoyed it. The salmon was nicely seasoned and moist. The accompanying rice was tastefully seasoned, and the vegetables were delicious. I had pork chile verde - very tasty! I'm a fan of spicy food and this was right up my alley (YMMV - my wife would certainly have found it too spicy to eat). We finished up with a maple-sweet potato cheesecake - a maple-flavored cheesecake topped with a thin layer of sweet potato cake. Excellent! Our waitress was friendly, engaging and attentive. By the time we left the dining room was almost full - no reason to wonder why! read more

Our first visit. The food was really good. The service is lacking a little. It didn't look to be super busy. There seemed to be at least 4 servers walking back and forth past our table but none of them ever asked how things were going or if we needed anything. Each time we needed something we had to call our and flag one of them down. I would go back because the food was delicious and good portions for reasonable prices but would like to see better service. read more

Great service and great food! Blackbird set up a takeout area outside so you don't have to go inside.

On 4/19/14, I was in Connecticut visiting with 2 friends (I'm from the Boston area). While trying to find a restaurant that would please both meat-eaters and vegetarians, we decided to give the Blackbird a try. I ordered the Black Angus Burger, and my friends both ordered the Portabella Salad. My 2 friends and I are all music buffs, so we found the '70s/psychedelic/hippie atmosphere fun and interesting. While we were waiting for our food, something unexpected came up and we had to leave as soon as possible. We flagged down our waitress, explained our situation and asked her if we could get our orders to go. She was very understanding, and put us at ease. If we caused them any inconvenience, you'd never know it. They brought us our check right away so that when our food arrived, we could go right out the door. I don't normally like to eat sit-down restaurant food as take-out. I usually feel like something is lost in transportation, and after the 10-minute ride back to my friend's house, I expected my meal to have suffered from having been trapped inside a Styrofoam steam chamber. Instead, I enjoyed what was one of the best burgers I have had in a very long time. It was as warm as if it had just been delivered to my table. They got my toppings request (no LTO) right, which sounds like a little thing, but you wouldn't believe how many places can't get a simple request like that right. The shoestring fries were crispy and delicious. My friends also enjoyed their salads very much. We all agreed that it would be well worth returning there in the future. If I have one complaint, it's that their online menu needs to be updated to reflect current prices, as the burger ended up costing a bit more than their website said, and what I was therefore expecting. Having said that, it was still what I would regard as a reasonable price. When I factor in how well they treated us, I can't even bring myself to subtract a star because of the price discrepancy. On a final note, the best compliment I can give the Blackbird Tavern is that I was so impressed with them that it led me, a person who is usually extremely resistant to signing up on new sites, to make an account here so that I could give them the good review they deserved. read more

Great casual restaurant for families. Service always great. Love the outdoor seating when the weather allows.

Need to update hours NOT OPEN MONDAYS! Thanks for wasting my time. Well apparently not long enough for a review, let's add that Yelp sucks too! Can't edit or send message simple to venue. read more

Heard about the place, checked it out. Not overly impressed, staff were great food was alright, I would go there again.

Our go to spot for a casual dinner. Their wings are a must, angus burger a favorite and salmon dish delectable. Cozy spot with great food and friendly staff! read more

Stopped here, while we were in the town for the night. Very good food and great service!! I got the grilled chicken sandwich and my partner got a burger. Both were cooked perfectly and the fries were AMAZING. read more

My wife and I love dining at Blackbird Tavern. The food is amazing and the service even better. Our server, Sandi, is attentive and always serves us with a smile. The salmon is a must! read more

The best garlic/parm wings I've ever had! Great food and a cute environment.

Tried to go here with my service dog and I was denied when I called to let them know I would be coming he after the woman said no she hung out without saying sorry or even a good bye read more

Excellent service ... love the menu ... Quality food ... especially with the Ghost Pepper cheese they have on their burger's from time to time. And the music ... it's perfect fit for the atmosphere. read more

This place I would call is a local joint. It's good to go because it's close, cute and has alcohol. I would not go for the menu options. Lots of fried stuff and burgers. Tavern food to be expected. I was hoping for more. The goat cheese salad was ok. The amount of goat cheese they gave me was sub par but I asked for more and they did not even charge me which was very kind. My husband got a burger, it was decent but the burger I could tell was cheap meat. The waitress was so so nice and actually genuine. I would go back but don't expect a lot from the food. I will not give up on this place yet, I will be back to try again. read more

Classic small tavern in an old mill house on a brook in Middlefield with a small but comfortable outdoor dining deck, a nice bar and a couple of comfortable indoor seating areas. Beer selection is small but adequate, with Dogfish 60 IPA on draft. Nice tavern menu with a daily rota of specials. The deep fried pickles and jalapenos make for a great starter followed by fish tacos (really a fish wrap) off the special menu, all fresh and delicious. My wife had an order of quesidillas (very substantial portions) and a fresh but somewhat plain salad. They'll be renovating shortly so we'll be making a trip down to see what changes are in store. read more

I was really impressed with this place, the location is great, very pretty and the atmosphere is very fun. The quality of the food is to notch and the service is fast and friendly. I had the Ahi salad, and for the price I was blown away. read more

Hate to tell all about our little secret but if you want great pub food, this is the place. Small place with a great atmosphere. owner, Rob, is a good guy and takes pride in his twist on traditional pub food. We are regulars and plan to stay that way. read more

I love this place. Every now and then I get a craving for a burger, and theirs are great. The french fries are equally memorable, but the portions are huge! Normally I am actually pretty good at leaving food on my plate when the portions are too big, but I can't seem to stop eating those fries. My wife has tried most of the regular menu items and everything she has had has been very good to excellent, but I just have to order the burger. This is also a great place for weekend breakfasts. Their omletes are all excellent and the pancakes are first class. Also, the service is always fantastic. The servers are all very friendly, attentive and extremely competent. read more