"Craft burgers, sixteen taps and the area's biggest bourbon list in an old engine works — book the Engine Room for downtown Mystic's best casual table."
About Engine Room
The Engine Room takes its name from its building — the restored Lathrop Marine Engine Company works on Holmes Street, by the Mystic River drawbridge. It opened in 2014 under the 85th Day Food Community, the local group behind Mystic's Oyster Club, and turns out creative American comfort food built around the burger, with sixteen craft beers on tap and what is reckoned the area's largest bourbon list.
It sits among the town's best-loved tables. Compare the farm-to-table Oyster Club, the wood-fired The Shipwright's Daughter and the historic Captain Daniel Packer Inne, or browse the full Mystic dining guide.
The Kitchen
The burger is the headline. The Fungus Amongus piles on mushrooms, cheese and truffle aioli; the Pig Pen adds bacon, cheddar and barbecue sauce; and a house-made black-bean burger keeps the vegetarians happy with smoked gouda and roasted-red-pepper aioli. Around it sits a menu of locally sourced American plates, fried chicken and shareable starters, with the kitchen leaning on regional produce rather than fine-dining flourish.
It is fair value: burgers run roughly $16 to 22 and most diners spend around $30 to 45 a head. The real depth is behind the bar — sixteen rotating taps and a bourbon list the area cannot match.
The Room
The room is the draw — exposed brick and industrial bones in a converted engine works, with bar seating, communal tables and views toward the river and the bascule bridge. Service is friendly and quick, suited to a casual night rather than a hushed occasion. The mood is lively and local, a hard-working gastropub built for burgers, beer and a long pour of bourbon.
Best for a relaxed dinner or drinks in downtown Mystic
The Engine Room suits a relaxed night out — the long bar and communal tables make it an easy team dinner or casual birthday, and the buzzy bar is a low-key first date over burgers and bourbon. For more of the town's tables, see the Oyster Club or browse the full Mystic dining guide.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet, white-tablecloth dinner or a refined tasting menu — this is a busy, loud gastropub built on burgers, sixteen taps and bourbon, not hushed fine dining.
Frequently Asked
What is the Engine Room known for?
Craft burgers, sixteen rotating beer taps and what is reckoned the area's largest bourbon selection, in a restored marine-engine building by the Mystic River drawbridge.
What should I order at the Engine Room?
The burgers are the signature — the mushroom-and-truffle-aioli Fungus Amongus or the house black-bean burger — with a craft beer from the sixteen taps or a pour from the bourbon list.
How much does the Engine Room cost?
It is fair value: burgers run roughly $16 to 22 and most diners spend around $30 to 45 a head before drinks.
Does the Engine Room take reservations?
No — it is walk-in only, so arrive early on weekend evenings when the bar and dining room fill quickly.
Where is the Engine Room?
At 14 Holmes Street in downtown Mystic, in the restored Lathrop Marine Engine Company building by the bascule drawbridge over the Mystic River.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Engine Room
The Engine Room is walk-in only; arrive early on weekends, when the bar fills fast.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address14 Holmes St, Mystic, CT 06355
NeighbourhoodIn a restored marine-engine building by the Mystic River drawbridge
CuisineAmerican
PriceA la carte; burgers roughly $16–22, most diners spend around $30–45 a head
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingBar seating, communal tables and a dining room in a converted engine works; no reservations
ReservationWalk-in only; no reservations taken
