The Stomping Ground

The food was so fresh and delicious. The dressing in the Street Corn Wrap was amazing, and you can still taste every ingredient inside the huge portion. The macaroni side was spot on. I only wish it was a bigger portion. Very friendly attentive service, and the place had a really great vibe. The beer and drink selection was solid. Prices are reasonable for the size of the wraps. Will definitely return for the live music and happy energy of this spot.

I always joke that it's pretentious grilled cheese sandwiches, and they do have those... at 14 to 18 dollars with ingredients to justify them but also free live music six nights a week, a variety of craft beers on tap, and other items on the menu if you're in the area totally worth stomping in!

Stopped in for an after dinner drink. Super friendly service, made great drink recommendations. Enjoyed watching the staff interact with other guests - they take the time to know their regulars, greeting them by name. Unique vibe with awesome art all around. Only 4 stars because 2 seasonal drinks cost over $30.

Great live music and bar, in a cool atmosphere. Highly recommended!

Loved the vibe here. Live music but luckily I happened to be there for open Mic night so almost all original music being played. The gourmet grilled cheeses all sounded yummy I picked the Sinatra. I saw others ordering wings those looked fantastic I'll definitely try those next time. Good selection of ciders and beer. I love all the art and funky stuff hanging everywhere. Such a cool place!

The food was very, very greasy. My dish, which was flavorful, it was a Mac and cheese with bbq pork and I liked it. But very greasy. The pot pies weren’t really pot pies because there was no crust. It was all cheese, potatoes, and grease. In the photo you can see it’s completely drenched in oil. The grilled cheese was good though, but it’s odd that you can’t choose your own side to go with it. And the other sandwich was not very good.

If you love cheese, this is the place for you! If you love eclectic art, this is the place for you! If you love funky, creative cocktails served with enthusiasm and a sparky personality, this is most definitely the place for you. It's not often I give 5 stars, but, this place earned it from "hello"! The vibe is funky and cool and the artwork beyond amazing! Take a few minutes to explore and admire the pieces on the walls and hanging from the ceiling! Nice live blues music on a Tuesday? Are you kidding me? Finally someone knows music lovers go out during the week too! Our server (foolishly forgot her name) doubles as the bartender and was incredible to chat with. We started with drinks; I had the "Margster Mash" a margarita with muddled fruit, hubby had a local draft. Both were wonderful and went well with the Spinach Artichoke Dip we ordered for our appetizer. Served piping hot with blue corn tortilla chips. Delish! For entrées we each tried the specialty Mac N Cheese. Mine had Buffalo Chicken and hubby went with BBQ pulled pork. The nice thing was the ditalini pasta used. It made the cheese the star of the show instead of a typical elbow or even cavatapi! This chef knows cheese and how to blend them perfectly. The menu is small and yet full of choices! This is going to be one of our go to places from here on!

There were so many amazing pieces of art! The live music was amazing. Had a very laid back yet fun vibe. Great drink selection and food was awesome. Service was excellent, super friendly staff.

Driving through the small town of Putnam we were looking for something to eat and the stomping ground came up on Yelp. With good reviews and a cool menu we dropped in and couldn't have been happier! We were pretty lucky as it was not that busy and we were able to get a table right away. The decor is eclectic and interesting. The staff came with a great smile and even better attitude; absolutely top notch! We started w the pretzels and beer cheese. Holy 6 pound baby Jesus they were good. They came out piping hot and the cheese was in a bubbling side dish. This isn't your typical dab of cheese in a plastic condiment container that is commonplace nowadays. I had the Arturo Sandoval (spin on a Cuban) as my entree and it was also fabulous and came out hot. If I was being critical, the pork was a wee bit dry, but that happens sometimes and it really didn't take away from the sando. Even the small side of pasta salad was outstanding. I'm lucky if I eat sides like that 1/100 times and this one I couldn't wait to finish. Great vibe, great staff, great food, and live music almost every day. Definitely gonna go back and if it's just as good will update to 5 stars.

First was opened late on a Tuesday night which was great since I was traveling thru and was hungry for some food. They had amazing wings. I had both the buffalo and teriyaki. They were done in a dirty style which is really good. Had a good crunch but still be tender on the inside and not soggy at all. The drinks selection and prices were awesome and to top it off some live music which plays each night. I love the decor inside and the names of the items on the menu was unique to musical artists which was cool. I will personally make the trip back to this place again. Their service was fast and friendly.

My favorite place. This is where I feel like home and haven't had a chance to go in about 10 years until this weekend. It was still the best. We got there late and the kitchen was closed but they graciously brought us chips and salsa. The drinks are always top-notch and the atmosphere is so cool. There was a great folk duo playing when we went this time but they have some awesome music every time I go.

This is a very cool place with a very eclectic vibe. I have been there a few times now, and always spot something new in the decor! The food is absolutely superb! If you are a lover of French Onion Soup, this is THE place to have it. They make it very well and actually use the proper Gruyere cheese rather than cheaping out as most places do and using a mixture of lesser cheeses. They do not have full dinners, but offer a great selection of handhelds. The staff is AWESOME from the Chef to the Bartenders! Everyone is super polite and very attentive regardless of how busy it is. The Stomping Ground is most certainly a gem on Putnam's main thoroughfare. If you are ever in the area, try it out....I would be very disappointed if you were to be disappointed.

Loved my bartender Maple. She made me feel right at home. It's hard when you go to a bar solo, but she made this welcoming experience. 10/10 would recommend.

Well appointed. Fresh ingredients. Option filled menu. Prompt service and a very nice playlist!

Got the pretzels with beer cheese... BEST beer cheese we have ever had. Local IPA's and fresh fruit cocktail is where it's at. Stumbled upon this place from Long Island and so thankful to have come here. Terry is not only a great bartender but turns out to be the NICEST owner in the business. Service was great, friendly and punctual. The ambiance leaves you smiling and like you are part of this great community. Cannot recommend enough!!

The wings are perfection. We are not local so we plan trips around visits to the Stomping Ground, even if it's just to pick up an order to take home. Our preference is to eat in because it's got such a great vibe. Delicious food. Excellent bartender and wait staff.

Overcharged me for dining in and having a decent time with my friends and mates..........................

My friend and I recently went to The Stomping Ground for lunch. We absolutely loved the decor!!! It was so cute in here, definitely could feel the vibe of the old days in here (without pretending to be vintage). We had a great server and she was very helpful with suggestions. My friend ordered the pot pie and I ordered my usual Caesar salad with chicken (of course), plus a side order of toasted pita bread. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. My friends pot pie was a tad burnt and my Caesar salad was not great, the chicken wasn't grilled as it normally is everywhere else I order it. The server had told me when I ordered that they cook the chicken overnight in a crock pot and it's delicious. It reminded me of pulled pork (except chicken). The chicken was shredded and came in a pile on the side of the salad. I didn't care for the dressing either. This was expensive too...$14. for the salad and $2. for the toasted pita. The restaurant has some interesting menu items, but I think they just need a little tweaking to make them outstanding.

This was my first time going here. It was great the server was nice. The food was amazing I had pulled pork and I loved it. The Ambience/vibe was chill not too crowded. There is music playing in the background chill music not loud. They have live music 6 days a week. The bacon brownie was amazing.

Wasn't happy when I was charged $17 for Casamigoes Tequila & soda. Too pricey for the location.

An hour plus to get a crappy grilled cheese! and tater tots, which I could make in about five minutes. Both were tasteless and when we asked for some ranch or blue cheese dressing to make it palatable, we were ignored. They used to be very good here, but tonight was very disappointing! I will not give them another penny!

I kinda feel like I've been living under a rock, because I have been wanting to come here for a long time. Anyway, on January 28th, 2024, I finally got the chance. The real challenge is taking my eyes off the artwork on the walls and the ceiling long enough to focus on what I had for lunch while my sister ordered the appetizers, which were nothing short of delicious. The spinach artichoke dip had this garlic thing going on, which was surprisingly good. i even tried a corn dip with queso fresco, and, given I used to be a majorly picky eater for a good part of my life, well...Let's just say I told Miss Picky Eater to take a hike. Anyway, I settled on the William Shatner grilled cheese (second generation Star Trek fan, I get that from my mom), which has - get this - four different cheeses. Get it with bacon, trust me on this, it is nothing short of delicious. We even got to enjoy some really good live music while we were there, which was a real treat. Even Prince Ozzy, this puppet dude sitting on a swing hanging from the ceiling over the bar, looked like he was enjoying himself. He never suggested otherwise. I am not quite sure how to describe the decor of this place, so my best advice is to experience this place in person. Curious to know more? Why don't you "stomp" on over and check it out for yourself?

Best place ever. Great nachos made by Raffi, best service. Cool ambiance. Good music. Our bartender was Jessica she was very nice.

Midweek at the Stomping Ground Putnam. Start the weekend early. Frenchie and the Punk, more great live acoustic music...reminds me of Siousie and the Banshees-lite. Tambourine is OK, but needs more...cowbell!

The Stomping Ground is a lot like cilantro: you love it or you don't. The vibe is local- think CHEERS in baseball caps and flannel shirts. Loud music. Jazz. Bluegrass. If you are in a hurry, this place is not for you. You are going to hang and eat. You should plan to be there for a while. The waitress will get to you. Eventually. Lots of beer choices. Good food. People love the place. It's a little too dark and loud for my taste, but hey. I'm not a fan of cilantro.

Food was good, and the bar was plentiful. Emily was a great server, and even better at luring us into the venue. When the bands are there, you better like it loud. Don't go if you expect pleasant conversation.....even when you're in the back area

The food was very, very greasy. My dish, which was flavorful, it was a Mac and cheese with bbq pork and I liked it. But very greasy. The pot pies weren't really pot pies because there was no crust. It was all cheese, potatoes, and grease. In the photo you can see it's completely drenched in oil. The grilled cheese was good though, but it's odd that you can't choose your own side to go with it. And the other sandwich was not very good.

Very disappointed!!! Waited over an hour for tater tots and a grilled cheese! 10 beer selection service very poor! Clearly understaffed ( not their fault) servers very nice! Just kind of crazy !

I have been twice just to give it a chance and waited 30 minutes+ both times for overcooked grilled cheese. Mediocre food at best

Live music, snacking and just chilling was what we were looking for on a weekend night after a long day of apple picking nearby. This super quirky, cozy spot in an adorable New England town with killer sunsets totally satisfied that tall order. The menu was somewhat unique and created with a lot of personality. Names of meal such as "The Neil Young" had me intrigued. Burritos, wraps, quesadillas, lots of Sammie's too. Even a bacon brownie for dessert I bet a lot of people would really enjoy. If I was hungrier, there were definitely several options this veg-head would've thrown down with. The kiddos wanted to stick with classics. Chips and guac and Caesar salad. Both generous portions and arrived to the table quickly by our awesome waitress. They had leftovers. I was highly impressed by the beer offerings! There was an entire page of drafts including a few seasonals and a bunch of interesting bottles. The music was really great! It was jazz and was about to switch over to another band as we were leaving. Don't forget some cash for tipping! I felt like I was back honky tonk hopping in Nashville again. Nice! Overall we had a great time here. It was just what we wanted and although it may seem more of an adult atmosphere, the kiddos were not out of place. Cool spot for some casual dining or just grabbing a drink and taking in the tunes. We would come back!

As much as I would like to give this place more stars I just can't give a bar that packs people in to the point of standing room only and only has one bathroom any more stars than that. We went on a very very busy night as there was an event happening in the street out front. And they had very limited service and it was easier to just go up to the bar and get our own drinks. We were fortunate to find a little room in the back that had very worn out shabby furniture but it was a place to sit. We had a nice time because we were with a group of friends and we enjoyed each other's company. The line for the bathroom was right in front of us and it was quite extensive at times. And of course the bathroom door opened right out to where we were seated. So if they had another bathroom the stars would definitely go up. The beer was good the whisky was good and the company was good.

Tiny Portions The first thing that I have say is that everything at this place is overpriced. 11 dollar gourmet grilled cheese was just average, 14 dollar Billy Bang pot pie that was about 4 ounces of food, 7-9 dollar craft draft beers?? Let's add that the restaurant was full with only one bartender trying to serve everyone and the food itself took an hour to come out. She did a nice job. Overall: Not great, food was ok. Portions are tiny and overpriced. Drinks are overpriced. My wife and I split a grilled cheese and the smallest pot pie I have ever seen, 2 beers and 2 mixed drinks and the bill with tax and tip was over 80 dollars and we left hungry and sober. Don't really understand why the reviews are so great, it might have to do with there being basically not much in the area to go to. Sorry Yelpers, you got this one wrong. Thanks

not good sorry. drinks: horrible and inconsistent food: bad only crappy grill cheese n stop n shop macaroni band:.... smh and a almost 3.00 serge chard if you dont use cash.. fruit flys everywhere!!! probably has dirty taps. not recommend.

Visited today with my friend and we absolutely loved being there! Enjoyed BBQ wings, the Irish music - and friendly service! We were walking down the street, heard the music and went in! Already looking forward to our next visit! Thank you so much!!!

Best Caesar salad ever!! I have often gone to The Stomp for wings, a creative grilled cheese, or a martini with fresh fruit smashed right into it. The other night I just wanted something a little different. The Caesar salad was amazing. Fresh ingredients, hand made croutons, shredded rotisserie chicken, and freshly shaved parmigiana cheese. The dressing was also spectacular! I don't usually get this excited about salad but this was an exceptional!

Good food, bar atmosphere but very comfortable not stuffy. Place is small bartender is your waiter but food is good.

The grilled cheese is good, but it seems like the only thing on the menu. We have been here twice now and both times the service hasn't started exactly been welcoming....

Wow, really good stuff. Cool spot, great drinks, simple but delicious food. Service though? not so good. Maybe it was a bad day. I'll be back.

We came here on a Saturday around 5 and there were plenty of open seats which is good considering this is in Putnams downtown area. They have a decent selection of beers and the food menu is pretty unique. There is a whole page of grilled cheese and the one I ordered was INCREDIBLE, best grilled cheese I have ever had They also have live music most nights

After reading the reviews I had to laugh at the negative ones. I love two states away and have been here several times, during the day, at night, ate at the bar, in the back at a table and outside and have done takeout. The drinks are great. The music is always good. They have live music and the name of the place is the stomping ground. Its clearly a bar when you walk in. Food is second to the fact that it's a bar. But for a bar, you can get some decent grub here. I've had several appetizers and was happy with all of them. Their Billy Bragg beef stew with scalloped potatoes was quite filling and tasty on a cold night. It will fill you up. Don't expect five star dining. Its a bar and it has good bar food. Its a place that I go out of my way for.

I want to like this place. I really do. It has a cool vibe... sort of. Coffeehouse cool with a very well stocked bar, and live jazz. Sandwiches with cool names like the David Byrne. and Neil Young's Burrito. Alas, the magic fades. The food is fair to middlin', prepared in a kitchen the size of a closet. No kidding. But the biggest disappointment is the bar. What wonderful things could be made here! Instead, they are content with pouring beer and being totally ignorant of how to make the simplest of cocktails. I mean.... I had to coach the bartender on how to make a generic manhattan..... and she still managed to screw it up. Same scenario, 3 different occasions.... Do you guys realize what a gold mine you would have if you paid attention to your barcraft (that's where the money is, folks) to accompany the live music that actually attracts a crowd? You could even hire a waitress so the poor bartender could do her job instead of running around trying to do everything. And perhaps upgrade the menu.... and the food on it ....just a thought. Good luck......

The restaurant is very interesting. It's also a little tight but the bar is real nice.

$22 for Tater Tots?? As a mom of 3 I know the value of tater tot's. Believe me. But really? Let's start there. As a side-If you don't have small children then this review probably doesn't pertain to you...or maybe it will... Got there with my husband and three kids shortly after having an amazing time seeing a local performer at Taylor Brook Brewery (which' was great btw). We're from out of town so we asked around as to where to go and were directed to the Stomping Ground for good food, especially for kids. At first server was pleasant and accommodating. He suggested 2 "crocks" or tater tot's for my kids and two plain grilled cheeses. My son ordered the State Fair and I ordered the Arturo grilled cheese. Things started to go downhill when we were seeing multiple people who had come in after us (still relatively early, like 6pm) eat their food and ultimately leave before we even saw an "appetizer" come out. After 45 minutes of waiting my husband inquired and the server explained that the wrong tater tot's were made ?? Long story short, he forgot to put our order in. After 55 minutes we asked to just get the bill for the drinks we had so we could leave and the other server/manager? implored us to wait because our food was coming out immediately. So we did. I'm the end they charged us full price for a white bread and one slice of cheddar cheese grilled cheese for two younger children ($12 each) and $11 apiece for a "crock" (handful) of tater tots. I will give credit where credit is due and the other two grilled cheeses were delicious but my husband's $18 quesadilla was comparable to MAYBE Taco Bell's. All in all, super disappointing. I wish we could've been taken care of properly and charged fair prices because the two specialty grilled cheeses were delicious. But unfortunately we will never step foot into this establishment again because of the price gauging and lack of customer care. If a dive bar with good specialty grilled cheese is what you seek then this is the place. If not, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Went in for an early dinner tonight and have to say our waitress was phenomenal. I ordered a special Margarita, she was patient and made it perfectly. Wish I had gotten her name. These are tough times for restaurants and it was so nice to have such attention and high end service. The wings and nachos were great as usual but the star of the night was our server!!!!!

Great beer selection and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Only down side is the place is small and seating may be limited during peak hours

Stopped here for a drink while attending the Fire and Ice Festival. Quite crowded, as expected. Crowd was lively and employees were accommodating. They did the utmost to keep up with the crowd, on a very busy evening. Met a nice couple and had great conversations with the locals.

On the other side of Connecticut from where I live, I wish it was closer. This is an awesome hang out spot. The wall decorations are eye-catching. I spent a lot of time just staring at the paintings and decor. We ordered spinach artichoke dip, French onion soup, pork berry grilled cheese sandwiches, and a few others that I can't remember the name of. It was all good. Expertly crafted by someone you could tell was passionate about the food. We devoured everything. Definitely would go again if I'm in the neighborhood.

This is a cool funky little bar in downtown Putnam. They have a nice selection of beer and a good variety. Not just IPA's. They also have live music. The staff was friendly. The place was kind of small, so I wouldn't recommend a large group. That being said it was rather quiet when we went in on a Tuesday night. Lots of interesting art work. There is a cool vibe to the whole place. More interesting than the courthouse bar across the street, but has a much smaller kitchen.

Favorite lunch place in Putnam, CT Very unique and delicious food. The bacon wrapped jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese are the best ones I've ever had and I've also had both a gourmet grilled cheese and a "burrito" both not your typical of either but outstanding. Pictures and descriptions below.

I recently revisited The Stomping Ground for a night of music. I bumped into the owner outside. He was very delightful and warming... The music was outstanding...my drink was perfect...and it was a great night all around. It's nice to have a place in our community for live music and smiles. Thanks for a great night Terry and staff.

Love this spot. They always have great entertainment and food. Most importantly, they allow my puppies to hang out outside. Thank you for that. We always feel welcomed here. The beer and drink selection is amazing and all low key small business providers. The chicken wings are the best, try every flavor.

Walked in by chance after visiting the antique shops. Great find! Live music, jocelyn & chris arndt...found a great new band. Chili, wings, pot pie and grilled cheese sandwich...all Awesome!

We finally found a new local! Live music on most nights, trivia on others, local artists featured on the walls, attentive staff and cool casual atmosphere. The roasted veggie quesadilla was amazing; veggies were roasted perfectly and not overdone or wet, cheese not overwhelming, and salsa outstanding. There is a long list of beers. Jessie chose the Rogue Hazelnut Brown and it was delicious. Not being a beer drinker I chose a margarita and it was just the way I like it. Great place. We will be back.

Great energy and vibe. Creative menu items. Very loud during 'performances". Small cozy atmosphere.

Stopped in mid week in the Fall, nothing going on in Downtown Putnam. Always wanted to try so why not go on an off day. Good selection of draft beer, and some interesting appetizers. We ordered their version of jalapeño poppers. You have a choice of them wrapped in and we picked bacon. They had to be the best poppers we ever had. I heard about their grilled cheese so I ordered the "house of pain". I also ordered a chili to try it out. The chili was really thick and tasted good. The grilled cheese was also very good. We finished off with their version of a brownie. It had bacon in the batter and a jalapeño cream cheese on the side. All I got to say is you have to try it. Why 4 stars if everything was very good? It took a long time for the items to come out. They have a very small kitchen. You shouldn't have any expectations of going in, sitting down, ordering and leaving in a half hour. We came in, ate and left and it took a little over and hour and forty five minutes. This is a place to sit and talk, and if we came at night, to listen to the features musicians. But IMHO I believe that maybe things should speed up a bit. Other than that, this should a go to and try place when in Putnam.

First of all, I don't always review places, but I felt compelled, based on a recent negative review, where - if you parse the sentences - indicated the "review" is possibly clinically insane. This place has a freak beer selection, live music, gourmet level food, and a wonderful staff. There is a special food menu for lunches and weekends usually, where you find some amazing goodies (just had the mahi mahi wrap). The place is cozy, warm, petite: let's not mince words: its SMALL. But on a fun or value per square foot rating, they are number one. It is NOT a place to go to watch the latest game. They mercifully have no TVs; which is an island of refuge. It is NOT a place to go for a "gut-buster" meal; portions are filling and delicious and locally sourced and fresh; but not served in a 30-gallon drum. It is NOT a place to go for an evening reading; there is live music; as in real people. And tip $5 for heaven's sake. NOT a place for Bud Light on tap. They do serve a few lighter lagers in bottles (as all do), but the tap/bottle selection is a reason to come. Has it really been 5 years; seems like yesterday...

Great food, fantastic service. Wonderful chill spot with AMAAAAZING food and live music most nights of the week.