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1920 Bar and Bistro, Norwalk, CT

1920 Bar and Bistro

3.8
3.8
86 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for live music
  • Romantic
  • Charming
Our name, inspired by the year the building was built, pays homage to its history as the first electric generation station in Norwalk, then a hat factory, and later a home to beloved restaurants. 1920 Bar and Bistro is a tribute to the past, presenting a fresh concept with classic cocktails, craft beer, and a diverse, seasonal menu inspired by contemporary American cuisine.

Prepared by a Mexican-born maestro, who enriched his culinary journey with a passion ignited by the finesse of Italian cuisine. Chef Lazaro has honed his skills in prestigious kitchens such as Pane E Benne in Westport, Paci in Southport, Blue Lemon in Westport, and Bridge Market in Westport. Drawing inspiration from his Mexican roots and a love for the flavors of Italian gastronomy, Chef Lazaro Alvarado brings a unique approach to 1920 Bar and Bistro’s 'New American' menu that is both inventive and rooted in global tradition.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Italian, Global, International
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Daily 10:00–15:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–00:00
  • Phone number
    (203) 212-8922
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Salvadore
  • Catering
    Indulge in global-inspired flavors crafted by Chef Salvadore, who prepares personalized menus designed to delight and inspire guests using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce. Chef Salvadore ensures a culinary experience that accommodates the unique needs of every individual guest.
  • Private party facilities
    Our distinctive events venue is nestled within the historic confines of a former Hat Factory. Whether its an intimate dinner or a grand celebration, our space is perfectly suited for both. Our dedicated team is poised to craft bespoke menus and create unique and personalized experiences.
  • Area
    East Norwalk
  • Cross Street
    Wilton Avenue and Cross Street
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Experiences

  • The BEST Steak Night in Town

    Multiple dates available
    Steak Night with a three-course Prix Fixe for $40 includes an appetizer, NY Strip served with Brocolli Rabe and Roasted Potatoes with options of Red Wine Reduction of Chimichurri sauce. Enjoy Live Music with the sounds of local musicians showcasing their talents, or bring your own to the stage, with 1920 Open Mic on first and third Thursday of every month. We're thrilled to partner with Rock'n Vodka, an American-made, 100% sugarcane, non-GMO, gluten-free vodka endorsed by Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. All-night happy hour with Rock'n Vodka cocktails for just $7.
    The BEST Steak Night in Town photo
  • Sunday Night Family Dinner Prix Fixe for $30

    US$30.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Chef Salvadore’s special prix fixe dinner changes every Sunday night and is served family style, recreating his cherished childhood memories of growing up in Naples, Italy. Sundays were a day where meals lasted long, and the memories lasted even longer. Join us for an extraordinary dining experience that brings families together around the table. Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared three-course meal for only $30 per person. Join us for a Sunday night Family Dinner that’s anything but ordinary.
    Sunday Night Family Dinner Prix Fixe for $30 photo
  • Bottles of wine at half the price!

    Multiple dates available
    Get into the Holiday Spirit! 🎄 Join us tonight at 1920 Bar and Bistro and treat yourself to half-off bottles of wine. Enjoy the warm, festive atmosphere, and raise a glass as you toast to the season’s cheer! ✨ We look forward to celebrating the magic of the holidays with you.
    Bottles of wine at half the price! photo

What 86 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.8
3.8 based on recent ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Connecticut

    Hot spot

  • Connecticut

    Romantic

  • Fairfield

    Hot spot

  • Fairfield

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
1920 Bar and Bistro offers a vibrant dining experience with a "warm and inviting atmosphere" and a menu that frequently refreshes, keeping every visit exciting. Highlights include "outstanding pasta dishes" on Pasta Night and an eclectic menu with delicious options like lamb chops and crème brûlée. While service can occasionally be slow, the attentive staff ensures a memorable evening. The restaurant's interior combines historical charm with modern elegance, creating a unique ambiance. Despite some mixed reviews, many patrons praise it as a "local gem" and a worthwhile addition to Norwalk's dining scene.

86 Reviews
  1. William

    New York City

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 12 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    new holidays menu is a dramatic elevation. The chocolate cake feels like a warm embrace, and perfect finish after the steak with Brussels sprouts. The new bartender deserves a standing ovation – their Old Fashioneds are a solid 10/10.

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  2. Heather

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great experience at 1920! The ambiance and decor were beautiful and inviting right down to every detail on the table and candles glowing throughout the space. We went on a Saturday night to see live music and we were seated at a lovely booth in the piano bar area for dinner. The menu is simple and we enjoyed the burger, the steak and a delicious wedge salad. We were very well taken care of by the owner and his wife as well as our kind server. The entertainment was fabulous and we had a great night. Can’t wait to return!

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  3. Foodie

    Connecticut

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the warm ambiance, the tall candles, the music, the service and the food...Steak Prix Fixe. I am going back to celebrate my wifes birthday on Saturday and to listen to the blues singer.

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  4. Rodrigo

    VIP

    New York City

    75 reviews

    5.0

    75 reviews

    Dined on 30 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The decor of the restaurant was superb, the food, Malbec & service by Natalia were great. I had the NY Steak & my Wife the Salmon. Great 1st impressions for sure. We met the owner and he was very kind.

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  5. Kyle

    Connecticut

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Made reservations for Thursday steak night special. We walked in and the staff looked confused and didn't know how to seat us. The service was incredibly slow. We waited probably 20 minutes for our server to come greet us, another 20 for our salad course, only for our bland and overcooked steak to come while we're taking the first bites of the salad. The red wine was stale and ice cold. We also asked for the check early and had to chase down staff at the bar for another 30 minutes just to be able to pay. We didn't even get the dessert at that point. We just really wanted to leave. Incredibly understaffed. We were also sat in the piano bar section. The booths and tables were nearly touching each other so you are elbow to elbow with other guests. The music was incredibly too loud, having to shout at each other across a table. It's unfortunate because when we went a few weeks prior on a Saturday night, the service was great. The restaurant was empty but they had multiple servers on the floor. Now this time on a Thursday where they are marketing a premium experience there was one server for the entire floor. Will not be returning...

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  6. Robert

    New York City

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous inside. We loved our meal. I just got a simple pasta dish with tomatoes and olive oil but it was done to perfection. The lamb meatballs were delicious. We will definitely be back again soon.

    2 people found this helpful

  7. Susan

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We have been several times but it has been a while. The menu has changed. I ordered the balsamic chicken and would never order it again. It was very dry and just not good. My husband went with the broccoli rabe and sausage pasta which was ok. The wine is good but a bit pricey at $15 a glass for house cabernet.

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  8. William

    New York City

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a terrific welcome back to this place with warm light of tall candles and refresh on their menu. Will be back soon.

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  9. Paula

    VIP

    New York City

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We decided to go there for our first time to try their Thursday $40 pre fix menu. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful, but we did notice there weren’t many customers. Everything started off great, our waiter was very nice, drinks and appetizer were really good, but out of the NY strip, ribeye, & filé mignon selection for the pre fixe menu, they were out of the filé mignon, so we opted for the NY strip, one medium, and one medium rare. After a while, our steaks came, but one was rare and cold inside and the other that should’ve been medium was medium rare. They were able to get the rare cold steak to medium rare, but once we started cutting into it, it was super tough and kind of hard to eat, so we had to pick out the softer parts that were edible, leaving half of the steak left on the plate. We hoped dessert would be as pleasing as the start of our dinner, but unfortunately the desserts did not taste as good as they looked. Maybe we had bad luck that night, or maybe we should’ve skipped the pre fixe menu when they told us they were out of file mignon, but we’re still willing to give this place another shot and hopefully come out with a much better experience than our first one!

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  10. Debbie

    Connecticut

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and ambience were lovely. However, owners were a bit “too chatty”, comping to our table and sitting down… Service was a bit slow. Overall a good experience. We’ll be back!

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FAQs

1920 Bar and Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (203) 212-8922.

1920 Bar and Bistro is rated 3.8 stars by 86 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for 1920 Bar and Bistro

2 Wilton Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851-4540

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Wilton Avenue and Cross Street
  • Area
    East Norwalk
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Daily 10:00–15:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–00:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Italian, Global, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Salvadore
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (203) 212-8922
  • Catering
    Indulge in global-inspired flavors crafted by Chef Salvadore, who prepares personalized menus designed to delight and inspire guests using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce. Chef Salvadore ensures a culinary experience that accommodates the unique needs of every individual guest.
  • Private party facilities
    Our distinctive events venue is nestled within the historic confines of a former Hat Factory. Whether its an intimate dinner or a grand celebration, our space is perfectly suited for both. Our dedicated team is poised to craft bespoke menus and create unique and personalized experiences.
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