The Sports Bar Next Door to Bradley Airport
Bobby V’s Windsor Locks sits about a minute from Bradley International Airport, so plenty of our regulars arrive with a carry-on. Others drive in from Hartford, Springfield, Enfield and Suffield for the full menu and the betting floor. Either way, you get dinner, a drink and a bet on the same visit. On top of that, parking in the venue’s own lot is free.
One Room for Dinner, Drinks and Betting
Most sports bars make you choose between a good table and a good view. Here, more than 80 HD screens wrap the room, so every seat gets a game. The centerpiece is a 17-foot-wide LED screen behind the bar, one of the largest in New England. On Derby Day or an NFL Sunday, that screen carries the main event while the smaller ones run the rest of the card.
The room seats more than 150 guests. Meanwhile, the bar pours 20 beers on draft alongside cocktails and a long wine list. Families are welcome in the dining room, though the main bar area is 21+.
From Bradley Teletheater to Bobby V’s
This building started life as the Bradley Teletheater, a Connecticut off-track betting parlor. In January 2014, former Red Sox and Mets manager Bobby Valentine opened his restaurant inside it. The build cost more than $3.5 million and brought in custom furniture made partly from salvaged materials.
That history still shapes the place today. Racing came first, then the kitchen and the big screens followed. As a result, Windsor Locks feels like a full restaurant with a racebook inside, rather than a betting room with a snack counter.
What’s on the Menu at Bobby V’s Windsor Locks
The kitchen serves upscale sports bar food made with local ingredients. For a table of friends, start with Bang Bang Shrimp, Bavarian Pretzel, Buffalo Chicken Dip, or Loaded Nachos. A cup of New England Clam Chowder goes down well on a cold January night, too.
Burgers run from the Old School Burger to Bobby’s BBQ Burger, Garlic Mushroom Burger, and the Black & Blue. If you want a fork and knife, the entrées cover Fish & Chips, Honey Garlic Salmon, Mac N’ Cheese, Rice Bowl, and Linguini Cajun Alfredo. Prime Rib appears on the specials board. Sauces include Buffalo, Honey Hot, Habañero Mango, Garlic Parmesan, and Lemon Pepper.
Save room for the Oreo Brownie Sundae or New York Style Cheesecake. The kitchen also offers gluten-free options. To skip the wait on a big race day, book a table ahead of time.
Book a Table
Winners at Bobby V’s: Racing, Sports Betting and Lottery
The Winners racebook covers live horse racing, greyhound racing and jai alai from tracks across the country. You can bet at a self-service kiosk or hand your ticket to a live teller. Staff can also handle deposits and withdrawals for your MyWinners online account while you’re on site.
Sports betting runs through Fanatics Sportsbook, with kiosks and a teller for guests 21 and over. The board covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football and basketball, plus soccer, tennis, golf, MMA and boxing. However, Connecticut rules keep UConn games off the board. Ask at the counter for a free Fanatics Player Card so you earn FanCash on every in-person bet. Our Bobby V’s Windsor Locks sportsbook guide walks through it step by step.
Connecticut Lottery games are on sale too, including Powerball and Mega Millions.
Flying Out of Bradley: Time Your Visit
Because the airport sits so close, a delayed departure or a late pickup turns into a free hour for lunch and a race or two. Still, check the clock on Thursdays and Sundays. Betting closes at 9:30pm on Thursday, half an hour before the kitchen. On Sunday, betting stops at 8pm while the restaurant stays open until 9pm.
That matters during football season. Thursday Night Football usually kicks off at 8:15pm ET, so get your bets in early. Holiday hours can also differ, so call ahead on public holidays.
Big Race Days at Winners @ Bobby V’s
Derby Day shows the room at its best. For the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, doors opened at 10am and the party ran all afternoon until Golden Tempo crossed the line. Guests placed early Derby bets on Oaks Day Friday, then settled in for the full card.
Churchill Downs races are open to MyWinners bettors in Connecticut, both online and in venue. So when the Triple Crown or the Breeders’ Cup comes around, Windsor Locks is one of the best seats in the state.
Holiday and Private Parties Near Hartford
Windsor Locks hosts birthdays, office parties, business lunches, reunions and bachelor parties. The Dining Room holds up to 110 guests, the Bar up to 100 and the Conference Room up to 20. When the weather allows, the patio opens up for events, too. The private dining room can stay open to the restaurant or close off fully, and its 80-inch HDTV handles slideshows and presentations.
Packages range from appetizers only to full dinners, and the Executive Chef can build a custom menu. Groups of 10 or more can choose a build-your-own buffet with at least four selections, with soft drinks included.
December Fridays fill up fast, so call 860-627-5808 and ask for a manager.
Plan Your Visit to Windsor Locks
Whether you’re killing time before a flight or planning a Saturday on the races, Bobby V’s Windsor Locks gives you a full meal and a full betting menu under one roof. And if you’re down in Fairfield County, our sister venue Bobby V’s Stamford offers the same mix on two floors.
If you can’t make it in, bet online at app.mywinners.com, or download the MyWinners app for iOS and Android. You can also find all our Winners venues across Connecticut.
