Local Roots, New Heights: Bradley International Airport Expands Dining with Urban Lodge Brewing Co.

The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the opening of a brand new, sit-down restaurant at Bradley International Airport (BDL).

In partnership with the airport’s food and beverage operator SSP America, Urban Lodge Brewing Co., a craft brewery and taproom with locations in Hartford and Manchester, has opened a new location at BDL. The restaurant serves its signature beer and a family-friendly food menu and is located post-TSA screening within the airport’s airside lobby.

“The arrival of Urban Lodge adds to the growing list of new dining options that help enhance the experience for passengers at Bradley International Airport,” said Michael W. Shea, Executive Director & CEO of the CAA. "It also underscores our commitment to creating a sense of place inside the terminal with local, recognizable brands that reflect our state and region.”

Known for its evolving beer program, great food and atmosphere, Urban Lodge occupies BDL’s largest dining space – formerly the location of Black Bear Saloon.

“We are thrilled to partner with SSP and bring the Urban Lodge experience to Bradley International Airport. It’s an exciting time for the airport, and we’re proud to represent local craft beer and hospitality as part of the momentum and transformation happening here,” said Michael Gerrity, co-owner of Urban Lodge Brewing Co.

“Urban Lodge is exactly the kind of brand that makes airport dining more memorable — local, welcoming, and full of personality,” said Kyle Phillips, Vice President of Concepts & Development for SSP America. “It’s a concept built around gathering and genuine hospitality, and we’re proud to bring that spirit to Bradley International Airport. This opening reflects what matters most in a modern concessions program: a strong sense of place, broad traveler appeal, and an experience that feels rooted in the community it serves.”

In addition to Urban Lodge, more new dining concepts are scheduled to open at BDL later this year, as part of the CAA’s broader strategy to upgrade the airport’s dining experience with a focus on integrating local favorites and industry-leading quick service national brands.

These include, West Hartford-based Sparrow Pizza, which will feature a full-service, sit-down restaurant in the gates 1-12 concourse, and Chick-fil-A – located within the airport food court. The remainder of the dining portfolio will include national and proprietary brands, which will be announced in the months ahead.