The Corner Tavern

Ur In All The Best Joints
The Corner Tavern, Naugatuck
February 2023

This page exists for one reason and one reason only.

Okay, two reasons. And here they are:

That’s right. Urinals. Massive porcelain urinals.

I had heard about these things for years. On beer related podcasts, among friends, and of course at one of my favorite websites, urinal.net.

Excuse me? You were unaware of urinal.net? Well, let me tell you… it’s THE leading online place for fans of urinals. Like this guy:

As you stared in wide-eyed wonder at those stately urinals, surely you noticed the urinal fan said they were at the Old Corner Cafe. Lest you think that someone somehow moved those behemoths, they did not. It’s the same historic neighborhood bar in Naugatuck.

A bar that has been here since 1911. With its tin ceiling and broad picture window. Oh, and the six-foot-tall urinals. There has been an apocryphal story for decades that The Corner Tavern was the first place to pour draft beer in Connecticut. No one has been able to verify it, but there you are.

There was one owner from 1972 until 2009 who changed the name from Behlman’s to The Old Corner Tavern. He introduced food, color television, and some Irish flair. Another owner had a shorter stint until 2013 when a guy named Ryan Whipple took over. There’s still an Irish flair, dark wood, giant mirror, and yes, the urinals. Whipple did change the name to The Corner Tavern and certainly brought in craft beer, building a reputation for being one of the state’s better beer bars early in the “craft beer revolution.”

My friend Will Siss wrote of the transition in 2013,

The new version is a mix of old world and new. The walls and ceiling are still in great shape with fresh coats of paint. And it was a relief to see that Whipple had not replaced the urinals, each of which could pass for a small apartment. Additions include three giant flat screens, with another on the way.

Siss knows a good urinal when he sees one. But does he recognize a beautiful urinal?

If a big building with some beautiful ceilings and urinals is to be more than just a building, it’s got to come from the heart of the owner.

Apparently he does, yes.

At some point around 2013, a friend of mine worked at this place. I don’t feel like reaching out to discuss urinals with him, so I’ll go from memory. I guess at some point during renovations, the idea of replacing the ridiculous monstrosities came up. They were antiquated, rather unsanitary (splashing is a concern) and the plumbing for them was from 1911. Pre-WWI stuff here.

I guess a feasibility study was done – which, since we’re talking about men in the bar business, probably consisted of six beers, bravado, and a herniated disc or two – and they decided against any changes. Turns out, it’s really heavy. It’s actually one piece and considering a standard urinal of today weights about 80 pounds (I looked it up), this piece must way 600 pounds. Plus, it’s embedded in the tile floor. Yes, the massive 1911 urinal piece stayed.

And it stays today.

The Corner Tavern is a very good bar. A true neighborhood joint with a kitchen and friendly staff. It’s also family friendly and there are often families sitting and dining at the cramped tables. The long time owner before the current owner used to have a framed Patrick Henry quote hanging on the wall: “The tavern is the cradle of American Liberty.” The current owner painted the quote above the entryway, and I think that’s a great bridge from the present to the past… to the really past past.

I decided to give them the true test by ordering a Guinness draught. I’m happy to say that I received a proper pour and they passed my simple test. I’ve no complaints.

And so, if you get the chance, make the journey to Naugatuck grab lunch and a pint down at the Corner Tavern. Just be sure to use a wide stance when admiring the absolute unit of all Connecticut urinals.

CTMQ’s Unique & Historic Restaurants, Bars & Food