Three Bars in Wilton, Connecticut

Being the more exclusive and just as wealthy relative to towns like Greenwich and New Canaan in Connecticut, few people are familiar with this small but growing village. Wilton is nearly 27 square miles or 17,280 acres, and represents 4.1% of the entire area of Fairfield County. From the south border of Ridgefield to the north border of Norwalk, Wilton is approximately six miles long. From the west border with New Canaan to the east with Weston, the town is approximately 4.5 miles wide.

First a few statistics. According to the CERC Town Profile 2004, Wilton’s population is 18,036. There are 8,770 males, 9,266 females. The town’s racial makeup is as follows: white, 17,205; Asian-Pacific, 490; Hispanic, 343; black, 122; American Indian, 15, other races, 57. The median age of Wilton residents is about 41 years. According to the above-referenced town profile, the median household income for Wilton in 2004 was $149,102, compared to $71,097 for all of Fairfield County.

Retail sale of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in Wilton. It is one of only three towns in the state to ban liquor sales . Beer is sold in supermarkets in other area towns. Wine, hard liquor and beer are all sold in liquor stores. The state does not allow any retail beer, wine or liquor sales after 8 p.m. or on Sundays.

Now you can certainly drive to Norwalk, New Canaan, Redding or any number of neighboring towns to buy liquor or stop somewhere for a drink. However, there are a handful of places where you can sidle up to the bar and ask for a vodka martini, straight up with a twist and get it.

Sky Bar & Grille

239 Danbury Rd

Wilton, CT 06897

203-761-7700

A realtively new place, many think it is either not open or is the cover of a porn shop with it shaded up windows, ?However, pull your car around pack and wander in for a lovely surprise. In the romantically dim lighting, the coppery- brown walls glow iridescently and the bar glows with young, stylish professionals. Take a seat on the comfy bar stools and order up your drink of choice. These bartenders (employed by the owners of the vastly popular Portofino II) know what they are doing.

Dina! A restaurant

26 Danbury Road (Route 7)

Wilton, CT 06897

203-834-0044

http://www.dina.bz/

dina! is open from 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM 6 days a week for lunch, dinner, or a bite and on Sunday from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

They have a roomy and somewhat intimate bar. The last time I was there loud baseball was on the tv, but previous visits have been quiet and congenial. They mix a lovely martini and often have specialty house drinks, too. Ask to see the drink menu.

Eric and Michael’s Steak House

205 Town Green

Wilton, CT 06897

203-834-2000

http://www.ericandmichaelssteakhouse.com/E-Mfiles/navbarpages/E-Mhomepage.html

Eric & Michael’s Steak House provides the ambiance, service and excellent cuisine of a New York Steak House, at reasonable prices. With 12 different wines by the glass, 25 single malt scotches and a WINE CLUB, you’ll be to get a good drink here. While you cannot perch yourself at the bar, you can get any type of drink you can imagine.