This place is absolutely great!…read more It's now been 10 years since our daughter's wedding and reception, held in the lovely pavilion and beautiful landscaping here. What a spectacular day! We could not have pulled it off without the great service and superb advice the owners provided us along the way. Thank you, again!

The Tree House Tavern & Bistro on Centerville Road is such a fantastic local gem! Its charm--that…read morewhimsical, old farmhouse layout with all the winding, rambling rooms and cozy nooks makes it feel completely detached from the usual busy corridor right off Route 2. Between the cozy tavern space, the great craft drink menu, and that distinct "hidden retreat" vibe, it really turns a standard dinner into an experience. It's the kind of place where you can easily get lost in conversation while exploring a great menu. The service was great and the staff are very attentive. there's plenty of parking but the lot gets full by early evening as the restaurant is popular.

Pros: OG location so you get the full brewery experience and…read moreview the huge cars of goodness So many brews, canned cocktails Buy bottled liquors to go Don't forget all the great merch! Wonderful indoor/outdoor seating The staff very knowledgeable and helpful Cons: You can't buy their wonderful beer outside of their locations, not even online :( People come from out of state to purchase! Pro tip: Come for a drink, get a slice of pizza, and stay for a while

Visited Tree House Brewing Company while in Sturbridge. The atmosphere was energetic and…read morewell-organized, and the operation runs like a well-oiled machine. I first visited these guys when they were operating out of a small barn, and seeing the evolution to this 53,000 sq ft, $18.5M facility is seriously impressive. They follow a "direct-to-consumer" model -- selling everything right out the front door -- and they've mastered it. I've been here many times over the years and go whenever I have the opportunity, which says everything. Tried some of their standout beers -- King Julius is the gold standard, consistently ranked among the best beers in the world. Their flagship Julius is just as impressive, with massive notes of mango and peach -- incredibly well balanced and executed. There are usually food trucks on site, which adds to the experience -- you can enjoy a fresh pour while picking up your take-home haul. Fun fact: On BeerAdvocate's all-time Top 250 list, Tree House often has 30+ beers featured, something almost no other brewery can match. Overall, some of the best beers anywhere -- truly unparalleled and absolutely worth the visit. Saluti.

If I had to best describe the Tree House Arcade, I'd sum it up as - when Dave n' Busters meets…read moreChuck E. Cheese. Because it's an arcade about the size of the latter (perhaps smaller) with vibes that appeal to Gen-X gamers. Also, they don't feature a food menu...unless the candy behind the ticket station counts. Now, if you're into the classics the aforementioned generation of kids enjoyed back in the day, we've got greats like Pac-Man, Pac-Woman, Galaga, Space Invaders, and more! Not to mention my all time favorite kinesthetic game: SKEE-BALL!! They even have an updated 3D version of Space Invaders; though, I'd highly recommend anyone with epilepsy to skip this one. So, for those not in the know, everything payment wise is digital for the most part. You can purchase your play pass cards at any of the kiosks near the entrance. The tickets you earn from each game are also digital. I mention this because it's a concept wifey nearly missed at first (we're among the generation accustomed to receiving paper tickets from the slot). My most minor complaint about this place, however, is the pricing of the games. Interval wise, they seem almost random. Like, why couldn't they at least round everything off to the nearest dollar? Just make games range from $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, etc. Instead, you get all the old school games for 75 cents. Skee-Ball was a buck 25 for some reason. And some games seemed a bit steep for what they were offering. Bowling was $2.50, though I must admit, it's quite an addicting game. Yeah, overall...not a bad way to kill some time if you're waiting on a rez, event, or whatever. But I agree with others when they said this arcade is quite pricey. I realize inflation's a thing but GEEZ! They have different package levels to choose from when selecting your play pass. But you'd be surprised how quickly one can burn through $50 worth of games. Tree House Arcade is worth 4 games of Galaga out of 5.

This couldn't have been a worse experience! Everything was filthy, sticky, slimy, and out of order…read more They let the kids run absolutely wild. Never again.

"...with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with signs and wonders" (Deuteronomy 26:8)…read more My Sweet Lord, if I didn't see it with my own eyes...... I never would have believed it. I've been to more than a few breweries, but never one like this. We saw them by the dozens, walking down East Hill Road "with a strong hand and an outstretched arm" holding their maximum allotment of twelve cans of precious cargo over their heads or under their arms, with looks of blissful joy on their faces. We saw "signs" that said PARKING LOT FULL, forcing you to go on to the next lot, and if that was full too (as they both were today), just loop around and keep driving past the brewery until a spot opens up somewhere and you get waved in. And "wonders"? My experience here was so hard to describe, let alone process... it sure qualifies as a wonder. Like I said, if I hadn't have seen this with my own eyes, I would have thought my buddy was exaggerating. But he wasn't. After the hour long ride into the Monson countryside you'll see what looks like a big agricultural building with a dirt parking lot and an attendant. But what will grab your attention is the foot traffic on East Hill Road where you'll see dozens of patrons walking one way empty handed, and dozens of patrons walking the other way, proudly holding their allotments of beer in their outstretched arms. As we approached the lot, the attendant shook his head, and waved his arms back and forth in a criss-cross pattern- like the football refs do for an incomplete pass. The sign that said "Lot Full" completed the picture. On to lot two -same thing. U Turn and comeback -hallelujah a spot opened u and we got waved in. As we walked toward the back of the property we saw the sheer spectacle that has become common place at what is known as the best brewery in New England. The line ran out the door maybe 150 feet, then made a left for another 150 feet, then made two more lefts, creating a gigantic line that took one hour to navigate. What was very cool was how mellow and "chill" the crowd was. People were chit-chatting like old friends. Wednesday is can day, and two varieties of 16 oz. canned beer were available today. You were limited to no more than six cans of each. The choices were: JULIUS (American IPA - 6.8% ABV) - $6 a can "Bursting with pungent American hops, Julius - our flagship American IPA - is a bright, juicy beer filled with flavors and aromas of mango, peach, passionfruit, and a melange of citrus juice. A soft, pillowy mouthfeel and rounded bitterness ensure Julius will never tire the palate - a true joy to drink!" DOPPELGANGER - American Double IPA - 8.2% ABV - $4.55 a can "This beer is an imperial version of Alter Ego. It is intensely kettle and dry hopped to produce a pungent and flavorful Double IPA that is super pleasant to drink, and loaded with juicy tropical fruit flavors and aromas. We love it." As long and imposing as the outside line looked, the process inside the building went fast and smooth. These guys work like a machine- go up to a table, say what you want, swipe your card, pick up your stash, and walk back to your car. You're really not in the building for a very long time at all. So what did my $50 for twelve beers get me in the taste department? I poured the Julius into a glass and was taken by it's light orange tangerine-like color. Yes, it's an IPA but it had almost none of the hoppy bitterness I don't like. It was very, very, very good. Friday night I dove into the Doppleganger, and if you ever told me I'd be able to finish 16 ounces of a Double IPA, I'd tell you to get off the pipe and put down that wacky weed. But the Dopp was great- with just a hint of the reviled hoppinesss I've always disliked. All in all, I had a terrific time at Tree House Brewing. You really need to visit and experience the marvels I saw today. Go check out their website for hours and availability.

Worth the hype, but be prepared…read more Things I wish I had known: Check the website for what's available in that given day. Get there early. Bring games; you're going to be waiting. Bring food; you're going to be waiting. There's a bit of chaos at peak hours, but the aim is to be chill, make friends, ask around, and find out what line you should actually be standing in for growlers and/or bottles. Keep calm and you will be rewarded with damn good beer. It's a special, a little over the top experience, but Tree House is dominating the beer scene in this region with good reason. Think of it as an excursion and "experience," and you'll be handsomely rewarded.

The bride and I planned a pit stop on our way back from a wedding on the cape and thanks to Yelp,…read morewe found this fantastic restaurant which is located just outside of the busy downtown area. Fairly busy Sunday afternoon but we were quickly seated at the raw bar with a great view of the kitchen, which BTW is a well oiled machined and fun to watch, not quite as crazy as the Bear, but impressive. Tuna tartar to start followed by some delicious cherrystones then we split the Mussels in coconut milk with lemon grass and cilantro and some amazing sour dough bread for dipping. 10/10!!!

Goodness this used to be our favorite place for happy hour but today we were grossly embarrassed…read more This was the first time my husband and I brought guests to the Oyster Club and naturally, it was a total shite show. We were panicked, trying to squeeze a party of 6 in at happy hour can be impossible here... or at least it used to be. I was pleasantly surprised when they were able to seat us at 3:50 pm on Friday. Thought we had won the lottery. Things took a turn quickly. A waitress we had never seen before quickly parroted the beers on tap. My husband, who is hard of hearing, asked her to repeat the list, to which she replied "I just listed them". Woof. After that awkward encounter she eventually returned to take our food orders. As we waited for the food, dust fell from the ceiling. My dad, slowly getting more and more worked up compared it to the scenes from Stranger Things in the Upside Down. We all turned our heads and to our horror saw the intake vent for the AC... caked in dust. Dust was literally "snowing" down on us. My father, who I've never seen act displeased with a beer in front of him, brought it to the attention of the nearest server. Multiple employees, all standing there swatting at the flurries as they fell, referred to them as "lint" or "just a few dust bunnies". One waitress even said, "weird because I saw someone cleaning it last week". An hour later, 2 of 3 soups had been delivered, 1 of 2 orders of mussels had arrived, and no smash burgers had made it to the table. We asked for our order to be cancelled and the manager kindly comped 2 of the things we ordered. Two stars because of her. Long story short we will be taking a hiatus and inspecting the vents before we decide to return.

We had a great experience at S&P Oyster. Jack--our waiter was full of kindness and whimsy. He was…read morecaring and personable. He made us laugh and he was very attentive to table allergies. We hope he goes far, and you guys keep him for long.

The food and service were excellent and the location on the River can't be beat, water views abound.read more

Bloomsday cheese, crackers and Woodstock daze drinks. With fantastic views and water fountain!read more

Great beer in a serene setting. What a special place this is and so so remote. The grounds are…read moregreat! There are a ton of seating options. There are outhouses. We saw a lot of people bringing food and will definitely do that next time. We couldve sat here all day!

Beer'd Brewing Company is a craft brewery that opened in Stonington, Connecticut in November 2012…read more It was founded by husband and wife Aaron Simoncini and Precious Putnam. After enrolling in a class entitled "Beers of the World" in college, Simoncini became very interested in craft beer and soon began homebrewing. It was during this time that he gained the nickname "Beer'd". Eventually with his now-wife Putnam, Simoncini set out to open his own brewery. The couple set up shop at the Velvet Mill in Stonington. The historic building was originally home to the American Velvet Company, which operated from 1892 to 1996. Today it is a multipurpose building that is home to a thriving community of small businesses and artist studios. When Beer'd originally opened in the mill, they had just a 100-barrel system. The brewery quickly became notable for their small-batch high quality IPAs. In 2018, Beer'd opened a secondary facility at the Airport Business Park in Groton. This new 12,000-sq-ft space expanded their production capacity to 6,000 barrels. An adjoining 60-seat taproom (dubbed "Beer'd Brewing @ The Silo") opened at the Groton facility in January 2020. To differentiate the two taprooms, the original location in Stonington is now often referred to as "Beer'd Brewing @ The Mill". I first visited Beer'd in 2013 (when they were just one of a small handful of breweries in Connecticut), and I've been a huge fan of their beer ever since. They are one of my favorite Connecticut breweries and I have visited them multiple times; they were even a stop on my brewery bus tour bachelor party. I also must point out that Aaron and Precious are lovely people. I recently stopped there while I was in the area. It had been a while since my last visit and there were a few changes. In addition to the original taproom, Beer'd has set up an indoor beer garden in the center of the Velvet Mill. Patrons can enjoy some beer paired with food from one of the mill's many food vendors. Beer'd also set up a designated "Dog Den" for patrons to enjoy a beer if they have furry friends. During this visit, I enjoyed a taster flight that featured "8 Days A Week" (Pale Ale), "Stunner For the Win" (New England IPA), "An Unexpected Upgrade" (Double IPA), and "Heavy Weight-Of-Sound" (Triple IPA). They were all excellent! I plan to continue enjoying Beer'd beers for years to come!

Beer is great as an IPA lover. Service was warm and informative. You can bring food in from…read moreelsewhere in the Mill, but you can't bring your beer outside of their spot. Love the dog art.

Very cool ambience. They have some poisonous frogs inside in aquariums. Excellent selection of…read morebeer, friendly staff. Street parking.

Atmosphere was buzzing and people were enjoying conversations over beer at the counter and tables…read more Group of 3 friends, we went for dinner. Deep sighs from lady at counter clearly irritated at our question if there were any sandwiches or handhelds as she flung her hand up at the screen. Apologized and said we'd seen them listed on the website. Not a great welcome. Ordered at the counter and handed a buzzer. We all ordered ourselves. Collectively - two pizzas, three orders of wings, and a Ceasar salad. We also went to the bar to get drinks. Then we got our own paper plates, napkins, and plasticware. Buzzer went off for one of us about ten minutes later. Pizza. Then 5 minutes later, another's. Wings. Not one person's whole order, but piecemeal. We made SIX separate trips from the front where we were sitting all the way to the back. So it was grab a bite of pizza - BUZZZZZZ - go get salad - a few mouthfuls - BUZZZZZZ - one order of wings - this dance went on for a half hour! Who eats like that? Salad was warm, drowned in anchovy forward dressing and limp lettuce. Asked for extra crispy wings. Flaccid. Super bummed. We had to go back to place our order, get our own tableware, set the table, and then pick up the food... If we had known all this I don't know that we would each have left a 20% tip after ordering. Received more care and service at a DD drive through. Pizza itself was great - just cold by the time we got all our food and were able to sit still and eat. So... all in all - great atmosphere to grab a beer at the bar and yak or order ONE pizza so you all could actually enjoy it warm. Group each wanting something different or expecting food brought to you - not the spot. Just go with the right expectations and you will enjoy.

Fox Farm is our go-to brewery on a nice day. It's a lovely ride out to Salem, and their landscape…read moreis just a beautiful place to relax. Bring some snacks or some accoutrements and stop just a little ways away at Cato Corner and build yourself a spectacular cheese board. Despite often being busy, pours are usually quick, and the folks putting together to-go can orders are lightning fast! I feel like I barely have to mention the beer because their name speaks for itself at this point, but yes the beer is amazing. Everything from lagers to IPAs to sours to stouts and everything in between are fabulous. In particular, if a stout or a farmhouse or sour with adjuncts sounds interesting to you, definitely don't sleep on it! It will certainly be good. They do have only one parking space that's designated accessible. It's available more often than not, but just a note. The bathrooms are very large and accessible. Inside, the majority of seating is upstairs, so if you can't do stairs just be aware.

Let me set the scene at Fox Farm brewery. It was a nice crisp fall mid morning day in October. The…read moresun is out the temperature cool enough where a light sweater will get you by. The dogs across the street were barking and running, enjoying life and the smell of fresh hops. The colors on the trees were a vibrant hue of red, orange and yellow. The staff there was all very familiar and they made it seem like they remembered me as I come every few months when I visit Connecticut. The beertender, graciously and without prompt went over beers enthusiastically. He described what was new what was on cask and gravity. I tried a good amount of different beers and they were all delicious and balance and never over the top per usual. Also tried the witch meadow was on the boozy end for me. I can't wait to be back have another day.