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June 22, 2006
Dragonfly Lounge in Stamford: not same old thing
By Nicole Rivard
If you're out on the bar scene often, maybe you're starting to think, "You've seen one bar, you've seen them all." Either they provide a comfortable, laid-back setting or have a more upscale, trendy vibe.
But that's not the case with the new Dragonfly Lounge in Stamford, which manages to be both casual and chic, providing an interesting new hot spot for those tired of the same old thing. Located at the former site of The Playwright, at 488 Summer St., the two-level Gothic style lounge/restaurant/bar felt more like a castle than an Irish pub at the grand opening earlier this month. That's because the building has been beautifully renovated. While it still features massive chunks of architectural elements from ancient buildings in England and Ireland, the decorative bookcases and faces of Irish playwrights have been replaced by mirrors and red velvet. Even the chairs have been upholstered in velvet. In addition, dramatic stage lighting and plenty of candles highlight the unique architectural elements of the interior. Upstairs, the main bar is spacious. The restaurant seats about 100, including the bar and outdoor patio. At the grand opening, party-goers enjoyed selections from Dragonfly's eclectic menu, such as General Tso's calamari, eggplant frites, lobster nachos and tea spice ahi tuna. There are also several salads to choose from, including a warm asparagus and beef carpaccio; or grilled pizzas with chopped clams or barbecued chicken. If desserts strike your fancy, you can try the banana three ways, three-berry shortcake or ginger crme brulee. My friend Khristi raved about the sea bass skewers from the small-plate section of the menu.
Being a dancer, she was also impressed by the spacious dance floor downstairs, where there is also another sizeable bar. The tribal house music and bass line coming from the DJ booth kept us all on the dance floor. And we were all treated to one of Dragonfly's employees performing a Brazilian form of martial arts/dancing called capoeira. Whether you are upstairs or down, there are plenty of nooks and crannies throughout Dragonfly to sit and enjoy one of the lounge's martinis, wines or specialty drinks, like the Dragonfly, featuring absolute citron, hypnotique and white cranberry juice; the raspberry gimlet; or an Italian margarita, featuring sauza tres generations, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, sour mix and orange juice. And whether you are looking for a nightclub experience on a Friday or Saturday night, or just need a place to hang out on your way home from a Yankees game on a Sunday night, Dragonfly is the place. While it's no longer an Irish pub, it aims to be what a traditional pub in Ireland is: the center of the village and life. Dragonfly is poised to fill that niche in downtown Stamford. Dragonfly is open seven days a week for dinner and can host cocktail parties, corporate happy hours or private functions. The downstairs can be reserved for special events. For information, call 820-9007.
Posted by getout on June 22, 2006 11:41 AM
