Join the latest buzz on Main Street – this time coming from Five Churches by the Bay at their new location in the Morton House. After successfully operating Five Churches Brewery in New Britain for nearly five years, the Lemnotis family was thrilled to open their second location in Niantic. Their friendly team – lead by General Manager Sara Chaude and Executive Chef Mace Hedrick – is excited to welcome you to their new venue.
Their passion for artfully crafted beer, delicious food and a strong sense of community has proved to be a winning combination. And it’s a perfect fit for Niantic’s friendly vibe.
While the family has proudly owned and operated multiple businesses in New Britain since 1949, they have spent memorable family summers in Niantic for many years. So, it seemed like a dream come true when the opportunity arose to open their second restaurant and taproom right here on Main Street with the added bonus of stunning water views.
They completely renovated their new space, bringing a touch of their comfortable, inviting New Britain taproom ambiance while merging the décor with Niantic’s coastal vibe. Their goal was to stay true to their roots, while maximizing their new space and shoreline location.
It all began in 2017 when Peter and his son Phil decided to turn what began as a hobby – craft beer making – into the next family venture.
Recognizing the growing popularity of microbreweries and having a bit of empty space that needed some TLC, Peter determined that the best location for the brewery would be in the abandoned coat factory that overlooks downtown New Britain’s Arch Street. He quickly enlisted the help of his family, and they set out to find some additional help to make this new business venture a success. Austin Japs was the obvious choice for head brewer. His passion for artfully crafted beer is reflected in every beer he brews.
If you’re wondering how Five Churches got its name, just visit their original taproom in New Britain and look out from their unique second floor location. You’ll see the city’s skyline featuring five church steeples and immediately understand how the brewery was aptly dubbed Five Churches. When they opened their second location here, they wanted to stay true to the brand they have worked so hard to build. So, although Niantic doesn’t share the same Five Churches skyline, you’ll see aspects of the brewery’s brand inside the new space. The new name adds “By the Bay” to acknowledge the gorgeous bay views in their new scenic location.
Because of their personal ties to Niantic, they knew it would make the perfect location when they sought to expand the business. They worked hard to find the right spot and jumped at the opportunity when the Main Street location across from the bay became available.
The family vibe is strong at Five Churches. It’s important to them that their space be comfortable and inviting. Enjoy the art of craft beer, delicious pizza from their wood-fire oven and local seafood, all with a view.
You’ll find their famous charcuterie pretzels, or regular pub pretzels, seafood appetizers and dishes, local meat from Four Mile River Farm, wood-fired pizza with house-made dough and so much more! You can check out their full menu by visiting their Facebook page.
They typically have twelve beers on tap, including experimental and seasonal varieties. They pride themselves in offering a beer to satisfy everyone’s unique palate – from the craft enthusiast to the person who is new to finding a beer they love. Along with a wide range of Five Churches beer, they offer a full bar with fun cocktails and local wine from Jonathan Edwards Winery in Stonington.
Their new venue offers plenty of indoor seating and an inviting bar with a friendly vibe and a view of the bay. When the weather warms up, their large garage doors will open to include plenty of outdoor seating.
The family feels fortunate they were able to establish the Five Churches brand in the supportive city of New Britain. And now, Niantic has been equally as supportive. They’re excited to be welcomed into another community that has a strong network of support for local businesses. And they look forward to becoming an active member of the community that has already been so good to them.
Follow Five Churches by the Bay on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on their special drink and menu offerings. Stay tuned for news about their mug club membership.
Five Churches by the Bay
Phone: 860-850-2789
Address: 215 Main Street, Niantic
Hours: Open 7 days a week
Monday through Thursday: Noon to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 7 p.m.
Website: https://fivechurchesbrewing.com – look for the By the Bay tab coming soon!
About Our Main Street Blogger:
Joanne lives in, and loves, our community. She was looking for an opportunity to help share all that our local businesses do to make East Lyme such a special place to call home, and she is excited to contribute to our blog. Joanne brings to the role her experience from New London Main Street where she contributed content to their website, newsletters and email communications for many years.