Well-Known Irish Pub Closing In Hartford ... For Now

HARTFORD/NEW BRITAIN, CT — A beloved Irish pub is closing in Hartford next week, but could it have a new home in a nearby city?

The company that owns The Half Door in Hartford, Locals 8 Hospitality Group, announced Tuesday that it was closing the location at 270 Sisson Ave. on Monday, Jan. 23.

Locals 8 cited the inability to reach an agreement with the landlord at the site "on how to move forward at the current location," wrote Locals 8 on social media.

But the pub isn't dead completely.

"The restaurant group is determined to reopen the restaurant at a new location later this year," wrote Locals 8.

Where that could be is yet-to-be-determined, but one high-profile area mayor immediately spoke out on the topic Tuesday.

Republican New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart quickly commented on where she would like the restaurant/pub to relocate.

"New Britain welcomes you, call me," wrote Stewart, along with an emoji of an Irish shamrock.

Support for a New Britain location seemed to go over well with fans of the pub, with several replies indicating such.

While the Irish pub itself isn't going away, it appears the pub may leave Hartford, and it's definitely leaving its location of more than 20 years.

"Generations of Connecticut residents have come to The Half Door in Hartford to enjoy their famous cobblestones, have an Irish pint and celebrate Saint Patrick's Day," wrote Locals 8.

The company's founder and chief executive officer, Allie J. Gamble, expressed regret at the circumstances, but hope for the future.

"It is tragic that this Hartford institution is forced to move, but change can be invigorating," Gamble said in a statement. "We want to thank our many patrons for their loyalty over the last 20-plus years and the generations of staff who made The Half Door such a beloved community resource."

For more information on The Half Door, click on this link.