Driving through town- while in the area we decided to stop to have lunch. Boy are we glad we stopped, the food comes out of a very small kitchen with one chef ~however he nailed every item that we ordered. Having been to many restaurants -- it is amazing that you don't mind waiting for something that is going to be so delicious & we knew it would be great from the reviews! No pictures of food because we ate it so fast!! But great live music as well!!! read more

At first it looks like an ordinary little small town bar. But then, the food. Oh my stars the good. It's phenomenal. They take grilled cheese to a gourmet level. Everything I have ever ordered has been so delicious, and they use local and organic ingredients in a lit of their foods. This is no bar food you've ever had before. I've been know to send my husband here to get dinner. It's also a great bar with a great crowd. Highly recommend. read more

I love this place. Original and delicious food, comfy atmosphere. Music nights can be loud so you have to be in the mood to jam.

I can't tell a lie. This place is NOT the one I read reviews about. I've been around the world from mexico to Hungary and not had some of the sketchiest tasting food as this place. I know, I know, there were some redeeming qualities, such as artwork, funky ambience and the cordial staff. A super fun environment, but quite loud when the live music is playing. Now, about the food...nearly inedible. Moldy tasting poppers ( cream cheese) and the crumbled cheese they use was reminiscent of vomit or heartburn. Unfortunately, on several items. We both detected a faint taste of mold. they seem to be bringing every thing up from the basement, perhaps this is why. The guacamole was good. And our friends drinks were more than delicious. Now that we're are getting into the summer season you folks should re-think your storage area. I will try it again. I'll just avoid that funky cheese. You can clearly see these folks are trying. read more

I still love coming here. My boyfriend and I went this past weekend. I am a huge fan of the guacamole so we ordered that with chips. I also ordered the Billy Bragg which was absolutely delicious. They have dinner specials as well as drink specials. The fresh fruit martinis are great as well!! Will be returning soon! read more

Excellent food and music first time here but will return. Menu is limited but you should be able to find something you like VB between this and the specials. read more

I went the Sunday before Presidents day and I had a young lady serve me with brunette hair and she was by far the rudest server I had. I walked out. I have been there before and it was great. I don't think I will be going back anytime soon the way I was treated read more

Great food, great prices, and friendly service! I was sad when the restaurant that was here before this closed, but I actually like this place a lot better. Most other bars (or restaurants with bars) around here are either somewhat pricey or full of frat-boy types. This place is neither-- in fact I don't think anyone would feel out of place walking in there. The menu is really tasty, with at least one vegetarian option in every section, and the live music is always great. The space is pretty small and I wish they had outdoor seating for the summertime but it's a nice place anyway. read more

Went back. What a mistake. The same bartender (Sam) who I wrote the fair but truthful reveiw about a bit ago, approached me within moments of being there. She GRABBED my arm and sarcastically thanked me for the bad yelp review and told me We'd have to talk about it outside. So I left. Never coming back. Disgusted by the unprofessionalism. (Also where's the management? And why don't they care?) Go here for a good bullying! read more

Best live music place in eastern Connecticut, hands down, possibly even in the state. The food is great, the staff are wonderful, the ambience is perfect. Best thing to happen to Putnam in a long time. read more

The drinks are amazing and the food is delicious! I definitely recommend the watermelon basil martini. Service is great and a welcoming environment. read more

Unfortunately some experiences I've had here weren't amazing. Positive first; this place is really eclectic as far as decorations/ art and atmosphere. The live music is great too but really loud for such a quaint place. There are a lot of drink selections at the bar. That's the plus...now the food on the menu looks really good and there's a lot of options. I tried a few things such as the Guinness stew, French onion soup , the pretender and few other items. The pretender had a burger patty that tasted like it was just a frozen party not fresh, local meat. The Guinness stew was not very flavorful and the meat was chewy. I love food and I find out a lot so it's disappointing up review mediocre food. Maybe it depends on who is preparing the food. I'd like to also point out that it was difficult to get the attention of the staff when you wanted to order something. Yes it was crowded but they should be making sure everyone is all set. That sums it up! I know some might like the stomping ground but this was my experience. read more

I'm not over weight and I'm not a big eater, but when I ordered the pot pie Pacino it literally had 1 slice of eggplant covered with mozz cheese. Portion was not even large enough for an appetizer. Beware! read more

So we have eaten here before and it's always been just ok. We were the first ones in at our last dining experience at 11:00 am and were greeted and seated right away. The first thing I noticed was the fact that it was 95 degrees and humid inside the restaurant and the windows in the back of the restaurant were wide open almost inviting flies inside. Very uncomfortable. Sweating while your eating is not enjoyable. We ordered, and the waiter didn't write down our order. He should have because he messed it up and was no where to be found when the order came. The food was extra greasy and salty and the pickles tasted rancid. I did not receive our order the way we wanted it and we are extremely disappointed with the quality of the food and the service. You would think for a $100 worth of burgers and hummus you would get better service and a better atmosphere. I support local businesses and always want them to be successful but something has to be done here because this place was nothing short of a horrible dinning experience. read more

Walked in looking for some lunch. Three people working; not one greeted us or even looked up. The area that seemed to be for eating was full, so we took a couple a couple of seats at the bar hoping we could eat there. Again, no attention at all from anyone working there, even from the server who walked right behind us. After a few minutes we gave up and walked out. read more

If I could own a bar it would pretty much be exactly like the Stomping Ground. We were wandering around town looking for lunch on a Friday afternoon. When we paused to read the blackboard menu specials the owner came out to greet us. As it turns out, an owner passionate about his business, and they deliver the goods. Great food and craft beer selection. The sandwiches were inventive and delicious. Local art on the walls and the promise of live music if we could linger longer. If only this was my local... read more

Though it looks like some kind of goth bar from the outside, this place is really welcoming, even if you're not a hipster. The staff is super-friendly and knowledgeable about the food they serve and the various drinks, like micro-brew beers, ciders, etc. They have ingenious things like chilli-grilled cheese sandwiches and unfiltered hard cider on tap. The interior is done in a quirky, eclectic style that just adds charm. I'm hoping they'll have a jazz ensemble soon for entertainment (i.e., my kind of music), so I can venture there from something other than lunch. read more

i've lived in this area for a little over a year, and have always been attracted to the stomping ground. cool branding, limited but thoughtful menu, and a good philosophy are all things i look for in a solid restaurant. it may have taken me a long time to eat here, but now i'm so very glad i did. my boyfriend and i recently had lunch here, and the meal, ambiance, and service really hit it out of the park. we rolled in on a fairly sleepy sunday afternoon. there was a small band playing folksy jazz-ish music (the talent, as it unfolded throughout our meal, was really quite unexpectedly good). the walls are laden with interesting and thoughtful art, as well as a bunch of chotchkies littered throughout the bar and rest of the restaurant. many of the tables were occupied. we tend to be bar people, so we settled in there. the restaurant is fairly small, but for the space has a good-sized bar that can probably seat about fifteen or twenty. we're both into craft beer and were able to find selections that suited us. (i can't speak to the cocktails because we didn't have any, but i did witness more than one being made, and they are absolutely fresh, hand made to order, with plenty of attention to detail.) now on to the food. as i said before, the menu is somewhat limited. it's a one-pager, but it seems to me that part of the philosophy here is doing everything really well, instead of doing some things sorta well. the kitchen is teeny tiny. seriously. it's easily viewed from the bar, and there are no heat lamps, or warming trays, or any of that big box stuff- a very good sign. my boyfriend and i both opted for grilled cheeses. he went with the house of pain which is bacon, cheddar, caramelized onion, baked potato, and apple cider reduction. i only had one bite, but it was yummy. i didn't detect the baked potato, but the apple and cheddar flavor (a classic combo) was on point. my arturo sandoval was just a few components shy of a being cuban sandwich: pulled pork with gruyere cheese, mustard, and pickles. this was absolutely delicious. the pork was tender, and the pickles and mustard were a wonderful acidic compliment to the rich meat. the only downside was the bread at some points- it was definitely sometimes crispy, and sometimes soggy. unsure if that was due to too much butter, or if the juicy pork and cheese penetrated through the crispness. both our sandwiches were served with a cabbage and corn slaw which featured a creamy, very garlicky dressing. it was completely wonderful, but i do think the amount of garlic would be prohibitive for anyone not already in a committed relationship... definitely not good for a first date. the pickle is house made and has a unique flavor- very smokey/spicy. i inquired about the ingredients in the brine (cinnamon? five spice?) and was informed i was tasting the mix of jalepeno and cumin. absolutely wonderful. i would buy these just on their own. service was notably attentive without being intrusive. i was impressed, not only with the service we personally received, but also from my observations around us. this is not necessarily the kind of restaurant where you are going to get everything super fast, but i think that speaks to their attention to detail, and the amount of care that is put into the food and drinks. drawbacks? it's kinda expensive when it comes to appetizers (though so is the place across the street...). the sandwiches are very reasonable ($10 - $12), but $8 for french onion soup? $6 for chips and salsa? $8 for hummus? my boyfriend and i are the types where, when we go out, we like to nosh on a few different items so we can get a bunch of different tastes at once. this is not the kind of place where we can affordably do that. also, this strikes me as the type of joint where the kitchen mostly decides what ends up on your plate, not you- the menu doesn't even state what comes with the sandwiches. lastly, this place does not appear to be air conditioned, except for the bathroom (which was spacious and actually very nicely decorated). not a deal breaker, but an item of note. while the music during our visit was very low key and, volume-wise, moderated well, i sense this place can probably get a little loud and crazy on friday and saturday nights. overall, we had a great time and will definitely be back. i've read good things about the pretender (essentially a patty melt), and overheard someone raving about it while we were there, so i'll naturally now need to decide for myself... ;-) read more

Nice little place. Grilled cheese was yummy but for the price, the tiny side salad should be larger

Great food, Great drinks, Great music and the people (both staff and patrons) are fantastic!

Hubby and I out on the bikes with no particular place to go checked out the "Yelp"App, seeing we are not from the area and this place popped up , sounded right up are ally. SO Happy we chose this place! Very Very cool atmosphere, Great Vibes, Great Food and awesome customer service;) will be returning most definitely ! read more

This place is truly a gem! First off, it's a bar that has amazing live music every Friday & Saturday nights. This is not your typical bar that servers lots of fried foods! I was in town for 5 weeks on business, and ate here for lunch at least once per week! This is easily my #1 favorite place for lunch due to it's highly creative and perfect combination of flavors! There is also tons of really though provoking artwork hung upon the walls! read more

An out-of-towner, only in town for a racing weekend nearby, I went to The Stomping Ground on Friday night for the first time. What a great place. The atmosphere is very cool. They bring in great bands. And the food...Wow! I had the "Arturo Dandoval" sandwich and it was unreal with flavor. It was so good, Saturday night we rounded up a few more and went back. Saturday I went with the "Big Papi" burrito and it was awesome. Throw in a few craft brews from the tap...this place has it all. At just over an hour away, I will be going back to The Stomping Ground. It is worth the drive out for a delicious dinner and some great tunes. Try it for yourself. You will be glad you did! read more

atmosphere, food, beer-4 service-0 i've been going to the stomping ground for years and have always loved it for its variety of beer and live music every night. however, the staff is not welcoming or accommodating. last night i came to the stomp with a friend who had never been. i have known the bartender, sam, from working with her in the past and from being a costumer there for the last several years. i have always felt as if she is burdened by my presence displayed by cold glances and pretending as if she's never seen me before. anyways, i ordered my first drink, rum and punch and that came to $11 (super pricy). being the clutz i can sometimes be, i dropped my glass after one sip and it shattered. instead of the staff accommodating me for a silly mistake, i was glared at by staff as if i committed a wicked crime! like come on guys! it's a bar, get used to it. i approached the bar, was handed a towel by sam to clean it up. i noticed a broom in the corner and swept up the glass and ensured it was cleaned up without being assisted by staff at all! my friend (who has been in food service for 5+ years) asked sam if i could get another drink and she responded in a degrading and snarky way. "i didn't drop the drink, did i?", "that's not how this works honey"! my god, i want to like this bar so badly but her service makes me so uncomfortable. i don't see myself coming back while she's around. read more

Delicious food, fresh local ingredients. The menu is really diverse, lots to choose from. If you don't like it loud, don't go.

The vibe of this place will chill you out. You'll feel like an art school kid in the 90's. Live music adds a fun element, and there's something interesting to look at in every corner. Great location. read more

Best jalepeno poppers I've ever had! The service was great as well!

The Stomping Ground is the best thing that's happened to this area for a long time. Every time I have been there has been excellent music, delicious food, and a great environment. The owners have truly created an eclectic and friendly atmosphere that gives off such a homey vibe. If you've not been to this place yet, you're missing out on the best place to have great drinks & see music in Northeastern Connecticut. And don't forget to try the food!!!! read more

I can't say enough good things about this place, the food is AH-MAZE-ING, the workers are awesome and the drinks are FANTASTIC. They will even make you a custom drink if you ask. Oh and the amazing live music that is happening all the time is so cool. Seriously this place is the greatest. read more

Excellent food , great atmosphere, friendly staff , love this place. Only complaint is that I wish it was twice as big so it could not be so crowded! read more

One of my favorite places! "the Stomp" was my go to place for lunch take out when I worked in the area. And I'd still go back for an evening meal. Unique menu, fresh local food and super staff. The chef is always dreaming up new and fantastic recipes. Not to menu the music...diverse, entertaining and talented. One of those places you just must go check out! read more

Finally! A great bar & restaurant in Connecticut's quiet corner! I absolutely LOVE this place. The menu is fantastic and creative (you have to see it to believe it, but there is a Bacon Brownie on the menu that can't be missed), the atmosphere is cozy and very welcoming. And being of the creative type, I really appreciate the emphasis on contemporary art installations AND live music EVERY night they are open! There's just not enough value put on arts & music nowadays and The Stomping Ground is a breath of fresh air when it comes to creativity! I'd eat there every night if I could :-) read more

The Stomping Ground is a wonderful place to get together and just feel "at home". The owners are fantastic people who work tirelessly to make sure everyone is having a good time. The atmosphere is artsy and eclectic and the food is SECOND TO NONE. They definitely have a gold mine here! No matter where you live, near or far, its definitely worth the ride to the quaint little town of Putnam CT. After dining, plenty of fun shops to visit all within walking distance! A MUST TO PUT ON YOUR TO DO LIST THIS SUMMER!!!! read more

The best watering hole to showcase local music in Southern New England. Period. That's it. Bar-none , Brother.

I have always liked this place. A couple of my friends work here, and several of my friends play on the open mic nights, and have played regular gigs.. It really saddens me that one of the owner's of the establishment would publicly slander my friend's name on this page... Her and I were both offended by what went on 8 months ago, but I decided to drop it because I know what happened, and I know I don't do drugs in bathrooms of bars. Like c'mon.. Almost every time I have been in your bathrooms I go with another girl, and no one has said anything to me. I didn't even know it was "against your policy" to have more than one person in the bathroom..That's just what girls do when they're drinking! I understand that I was intoxicated the night one of the bartenders cut me off, which is totally acceptable. I get that, I'm a bartender. But to wrongly AND PUBLICLY accuse me and my friend, Cally, of doing drugs in the bathroom is really unprofessional. I work in the business, and I would never call out someone like that on an internet site, especially when there was a line before we even went into the bathroom... And honestly, if there was a "white powdery substance on the table in the bathroom when an employee went in," do you think I would be "struggling to stay awake?" That makes no sense. I was all for letting the situation go, but I refuse to be publicly slandered... read more

So first of all, thank you Terry and Sarah, for choosing to open your establishment in our quiet corner. For 8 years my husband and I have been hoping for someplace to go and have a bite and hear some great music without driving quite some distance. Until recently we have been ct. Transplants with no reason to be here other that work. You have created a wonderful atmosphere, artsy but unpretentious, you have a great group of people working for you and your kitchen staff is creative and talented. I have frequented the stomping ground since opening and have never been met with anything less than I welcoming attitudes and an exciting buzz for what's new. Be it music, food or a great handcrafted brew. Let us not forget that this is a wonderful new local pub that is just that in its entirety. A pub. Not a restaraunt, although the food rivals the best around....not a concert venue, just a place that provides us with and eclectic mix of musical styles and a great group of people to share I with. So again, we thank you. read more