Twisted Vine

Housed in the former Birmingham National Bank building built in 1892, this Derby restaurant was named one of Food Network's "Most Haunted Restaurants in Every State" due to its extensive paranormal activity.

The Twisted Vine occupies one of Derby's most distinguished buildings—the former Birmingham National Bank, erected in 1892-93 and designed by prominent Connecticut architect Warren R. Briggs. The elaborate facade of red sandstone with terra cotta molding in the Sullivanesque and Richardsonian Romanesque Revival styles made it one of the finest banking buildings in the state. The bank itself was chartered in 1848 as the Manufacturers Bank of Birmingham, making it older than the building that houses the restaurant today. The original chrome steel vault with massive doors controlled by automatic locks still dominates the main dining room.

Edward N. Shelton served as the bank's first president from 1848 until his death in September 1894—a remarkable forty-six year tenure. Born in 1812 in what is now Shelton, Connecticut (a town named in his honor), he was an astute businessman who helped design the 1892 building as a monument to the institution he'd spent his life building. His ghost has been spotted near the upper balcony overlooking the main dining room and on the dance floor. Owner Michael Picone once saw a photo showing an image that he believes "strongly resembles Edward N. Shelton."

Samuel H. Lessey served as the bank's head cashier in 1913 and took his position with the same pride as Shelton before him. According to historical accounts, Lessey was devastated when a forged check was honored under his watch. Unable to bear the shame, he shot himself at nearby Oak Cliff Cemetery on November 18, 1913. His spirit is said to linger in the basement, where he communicates through electrical disturbances. During one investigation by Ghost Storm, paranormal investigators captured video of the bartender communicating with a spirit they dubbed "Sam"—the light bulb on the bar responded to her questions by fading out and turning on and off in unison with her voice.

Perhaps the most disturbing chapter in the building's history came during the catastrophic 1955 Connecticut floods. Hurricanes Connie and Diane dumped over fourteen inches of rain in thirty-six hours, causing the Naugatuck River to crest and destroy entire neighborhoods. The nearby Union Cemetery in Seymour was devastated—over fifty caskets were uprooted and swept down the river. Bodies were dumped into the floodwaters, many never recovered. The sturdy Birmingham Bank building—one of the few structures to survive—served as an improvised morgue. Its basement stored the grim debris: recovered caskets and human remains from the destroyed cemetery. This temporary morgue duty may explain the concentrated paranormal activity that staff report in the lower level.

The restaurant, which opened in July 2005, has since been voted one of the "Most Haunted Restaurants in the United States" by Food Network. Owner Michael Picone describes the activity: "A lot of the staff including myself has experienced some type of activity... voices, furniture moved, some sightings of an old man, lights on, even on one occasion, while a band was playing in our downstairs area, a cloud of smoke came out of the wall and went across the room." Employee and bartender Stacy has had sugar containers and glasses thrown at her. On the second floor, shadowy figures lurk in the storage area—some employees refuse to enter the room entirely.

One of the most frequently reported apparitions is that of a little girl. Ghost hunter Nick Grossman felt a poke during an overnight investigation and saw what appeared to be a child. Customers regularly report seeing her image inside the restaurant. In the attic, visitors experience camera malfunctions and capture strange orbs displaying unusual movement patterns.

The Travel Channel investigated in January 2020 for the Kindred Spirits episode "Vaulted Secrets." Paranormal investigators Amy Bruni and Adam Berry explored the building's connection to its use as a makeshift morgue. Psychic medium Chip Coffey was brought in to confront what was described as a powerful poltergeist. The episode revealed the building's dark flood history and documented multiple instances of intelligent haunting—spirits that seemed to interact directly with the investigators.

Today, the Twisted Vine embraces its reputation, hosting monthly Paranormal Dinner & Tour events where guests navigate the entire building from attic to cellar. Picone maintains the spirits are friendly: "This place is definitely haunted," he acknowledges, "but they aren't hostile ghosts and are no cause for alarm." Whether you encounter the watchful banker Edward Shelton gazing down from the balcony, the remorseful cashier Sam Lessey flickering the basement lights, or the playful ghost child poking visitors in the darkness—the Twisted Vine offers Connecticut's most spirited dining experience.