TORRINGTON – Whether guests are looking for a holiday dinner or drinks after, the Broncho Bar and Grill has some holiday specials for all of the above.

Having celebrated the holidays as an employee for the going on 10 years, and now celebrating them as the owner of the Broncho Bar and Grill, Tiffany Leslie is maintaining the traditions that regulars are accustomed to and looking forward to potentially adding some of her own in the years to come.

“Basically, what we do for Christmas every year is we’ll do a dinner special over at the restaurant. And New Year’s Eve we do a dinner special. New Year’s Eve here (Broncho Bar) we always do our balloon drop which has cash and prizes in it,” Leslie said. The balloon drop has been going on as an annual event for around seven years now. 

Leslie said they typically have a trip prize included to escape the cold for a little while in places like Mexico or the Caribbean. 

The balloon drop happens in both the front of the bar and on the dance floor for an even distribution of prizes. “It makes a mess, but it’s a fun time,” Leslie said.

Last year for the Christmas and New Year’s special they put together a Steak Oscar, which is a filet with crabmeat and hollandaise sauce. This year they plan to do sushi and T-bones. But patrons have a second chance to hit the specials if they miss Christmas Eve by joining the Grill on New Years Eve when they will run the same special.

The fun doesn’t end with the sushi and steak. Popping over to the Bar side during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, customers can join in the balloon drop prizes as well as grab some dollar shots. Shot specials include Washington Apples and Cattle Prods.

Originally from Omaha, Neb., the family will be headed back to visit this year if Leslie’s husband is able to get time off of work. Leslie’s husband is from Michigan, so they are trying to alternate locations each year. 

“We usually go to my grandma’s house and the whole family gathers there. Me and her will cook, because me and her are the only ones in the family that know how to cook,” Leslie said. “Because my uncle likes ham but my other uncle likes turkey so we’ll do both. And then you know you’ve got your cheesy potatoes and all that good stuff. Nobody likes cranberry sauce so we don’t do that.”