delirium tremens, westmalle abbey, hitachino nest, allagash, and the list goes on and on. the place was designed by a yale architecture professor so it's a beautiful space. i have yet to go when there's live music (the DJs are great) but I bet it only makes the place better. p.s. my only gripe is that the clientele is all over the place so sometimes you get some weirdos. but whatever, as long as they don't overly bother you, you'll have a good time. read more

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Great atmospher. Great assortment of bottled beer. I was pleased to see Dellerium Tremens behind the bar, as well as many other delicious choices. The price was a bit high $7 for a 12 oz bottle just doesn't seem right, but when you can drink that $7 beer in a laid back atmospher like Firehouse 12 it almost seems worth it. read more

One of the most relaxing places to enjoy a beer with friends. This place plays low music and is very intimate. The overall atmosphere that they keep at this bar is awesome and i will return often. Drinks were reasonable and bartender knew what he was talking about. Not much to say because it is very down to earth, small and cool. read more

Great place to grab a drink. Quiet and relaxing. The seating is nice and being below street level gives you a real sense of privacy. read more

The BEST bar in New Haven. Shh...stop telling people about this place, it's getting way too crowded! Seriously though, great bartenders, nice selection, solid drinks. The only problem: very limited seating. read more

Interesting location, decent happy hour. I would probably still prefer Cask Republic or Barracuda most of the time. The music is a big part of this place and I'm not really into that, so I expect someone who likes jazz music/live music venues more would appreciate this place better. read more

Swanky but not pretentious. Great drinks from beer to wine to fancier cocktails. I had a Harvey Wallbanger and a beer, the boyfriend tried a few glasses of wine and a shot of nice bourbon. Prices are good for what you are getting, and you don't have to go crazy if you just want a beer. Awesome, friendly bartenders that are willing to answer questions and make recommendations. It's cute and intimate due to its location downstairs and size. It's a fancier place but you don't have to be fancy to be there at all. read more

I like to drink the French 76. For the price and surroundings, it's quite a mix! The atmosphere: young professional, and usually full. I want to see a band play- that would be cool. read more

If you get out of work cranky on a Friday afternoon, And a beer can't hit your lips a moment too soon, Make a trip to Firehouse 12 in New Haven, The decor and prices will have you straight ravin'! Came here for a Happy Hour and was very impressed. $3 for all drafts from 4-7pm. I don't like to hustle all week for that paper stuff and then spend it all on the weekend, so the price made me pretty happy. There were four drafts available, which included Dale's Pale Ale (one of my go-to brews), BluePoint Toasted Lager, Allagash White, and Guiness. The place also had free food available on Fridays, which was gone by 6pm. Food included tomato and mozzarella on skewers and cute lil' chicken sandwiches. When we got there at 5, the place wasn't busy at all and we were able to get seats on one of the swanky couches in the corner. The rest of the interior was very cool; reminded me of something they would do on a renovated home on HGTV. The crowd picked up a little later, but there was no lack of seats the entire time we were there. Music selection was tasteful and not too loud. Found a parking spot easily on the street. Bartender was a cool dude. I had a really good time, and will definitely be back. read more

Cozy, comfortable, cool; these can be used interchangeably to describe the decor, the patrons or the drinks. A relatively small space, it can get pretty crowded below. The lighting is perfect and the whole bar area has a very inviting and relaxing ambience. The cocktails, like the Singapore Sling (Gin, Cherry Brandy, Lemon and Seltzer) are varied and inventive, though not as extensive or exquisite as 116 Crown, but what they have is very good. read more

One of New Haven's better bars. Good bartenders, a kind of chic vibe, though without obnoxious music. The space is cozy with a fair number of tables and chairs, which creates a cozy feeling. Probably not a good location to invade with an enormous party, but otherwise you should check this place out. PS It's a basement bar. There is an elevator, which I assume you can use if someone in your party is disabled. read more

Came here for a late night drink with friends. It felt a bit crammed in the basement, but the ambiance here has potential. Cost wasn't too bad. My friends ordered some chips, which were good. Recommended. read more

I really love this bar. At first I was a little put off, because it looks very posh and fancy, but the crowd turned out to be laid back and relaxed and the atmosphere is nice and pleasant. The bartenders are extremely nice, too, and they have a good selection of beers (and probably cocktails, too, but hey, I'm more of a beer man). I never had a chance checking out the live area on the ground level, so I can't really write anything about that. The music in general is good and not too loud, so it's a great place to hang out and chat with friends. read more

Great little date spot. It's a small space - bar downstairs and music venue upstairs. Prices are good, selection for drinks is okay. Service is very friendly. I wish they had a few more drink options and I wish you could take your drink with you into music venue section. If you go for a show, arrive a little early so you can enjoy a drink prior. read more

I really liked it here, big comfy couch seating and semi loud music. I would def go back again! read more

This review is for the bar/lounge area: One of my favorite hang out spots in New Haven. Even when it's crowded, it's not LOUD. You can actually have a conversation with your friends. Soft lighting and cool colors make for a very chill atmosphere. I love the couches in little alcoves along the walls. Have a drink, relax, and talk with friends or a date. My experiences with the bartenders have always been very good as well. I haven't eaten the food, so I can't comment on that. For me this is more of a chill after-dinner spot anyway to end the evening, and there are tons of great restaurants in New Haven. The beer selection is decent, but could be better. There's usually one or two beers on the menu that I like. But with all the great craft breweries in the area, they could do a little better (and I hope they do, because that's really all they need to bump this up to 5 stars). read more

I really dig this place as a cocktail and loungey spot. You can get an old fashioned and lay around on a couch while chatting with friends. It's not a super busy spot, I've never seen it packed and have always been able to get a spot for a few folks. The music here is great. The bartenders play solid tunes that keep you interested but don't distract from the happenings at hand, lots of "Ah, I love this song," type of moments. Lots of Bowie which gives it the fifth star in my book. read more

I'm a fan. The last time I was at Firehouse 12 was several years ago and I remember it being rather hip and catering to the early 30's to mid 50's crowd. So this weekend when we were back in the neighborhood we came by with a few friends to have some drinks and play cards. That night there were loads of hipsters, so I'm not sure if that's an anomaly or if that's how this place is trending. In any case, the drinks were great and it was nice and quiet when we first arrived, which was a little before 8. It filled up after a couple of hours and people were standing at the bar waiting for our kind of large group to leave. I wish the place had more snacks than just potato chips. I understand that there's not a lot of space and that if they offered food it would become a much more complicated business, but I'd like a little more choice than just flavors of potato chips. So it was nice to be there, the music was good, and it was nice and comfortable to meet up with friends there. But if you get there on the later side, you may have to wait for a table. There's really not a lot of room. I'd expect it would be especially packed on nights when there are music events happening. read more

Hipster basement bar in an old firehouse. Great space and atmosphere. Fun: usually. Crowded: always. read more

went to go see a jazz show here and i think i went the wrong night there were like five dudes playin instrumens like the uptight bass, the guitar, the wind xylophone, and the cantonese screwdriver. I was really diggin the vibe but then the drugs i took finally started working and i was instantly transported to a faraway universe where pretty ladies feed you tempting fruits and everyone is just chill and smiling at each other, much like jamaica sounds (i never been) ok so im chillin in my tropical paradice and all of a sudden the dude who was playing the cantonese screwdiver goes solo and the music was so sad that i started crying and weeping like a small child but then lo and behold he starts getting really aggressive, smashing his hands upon the fragile instrumen and making such a racket that I couldnt help but cry aloud "no u cant do it!" the dude next to me turned his head slowly and i seen his face melt onto his jacket like his face was a pudding that was slowly dripping out of its container i seent it i did after the show we went downstairs and had some drankles. The drinks are pretty good but the space is smallissimo and carl s noticed the upholstery is in disrepair i know a good upholstery guy if you need one just let me know ill call him and you can get a discount i was getting pretty tired because i just saw a jazz show that was a lot like watching pol pot massacre innocent indonesian children so i used a special cheat code that gave me xtra energy and then the party started i ordered five drinks at once in order to keep things rolling and to let everyone know that I wasnt messin around and the bill was very reasonable. Thry have like 3 beers on tap that are always good choices basically i don't know what this place is and what they are trying to do. It's pretty hipster and normally im ok with that but here they is trying a little too hard I would go more often if they allowed you to take drinks to the jazz space upstairs. SIDE NOTE: Erica Z said this place was "eclectic" WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DID YOU SEE ME TAKE OUT MY DICK AND PRETEND IT WAS A DINOSAUR???? THAT WASN'T FOR YOU TO SEE GIRL MIND YOU BUSINESS read more

This is a gem in New Haven. I believe it is a music venue at the ground level and above, and the bar downstairs is a hidden gem. Subterranean, calm, yet cool. Great design - cozy and intimate space with great acoustics and opportunity to mingle. Great, full bar. Kind, attentive service. read more

One of my favorite places to go in New Haven. Unfortunately, you've gotta have some serious skrill to really enjoy the night here, but you're certain to get an excellent drink specially if you let your skilled bartender know that you like your spirits up front. As far as the recording studio which doubles as a small concert room - it's hands down the most intimate, warm and fantastic place to catch some left field jazz. I've seen a dozen shows here and every time I am reminded of how lucky new haven is to have a place of this caliber right downtown. read more

Best happy hour experience in a long time - great finger foods and a modest yet full-spectrum happy hour beer selection. Just a cool space to hang and unwind. If ever back in New Haven want to come back for a show upstairs. read more

I was planning a holiday luncheon for my co-workers and decided to host one here. The food was delicious. We had tri-tip, ravioli and the firehouse salad. Everything was a hit!! I'm not a fan of ravioli, but this one was cooked to perfection. The tri tip was not dry or over cooked. It's also a good place to hang out for beers and drinks. read more

I really truly love Firehouse 12. It has a cool, trendy, lounge atmosphere without being too loud, frou-frou or overbearing. Amazingly, it has what I call good energy: upbeat and lively but very comfortable and relaxing. I don't think I've ever had a bad time there. And they serve some fabulously tasty drinks with some good looking people on the side. read more

My favorite place in New Haven during the painful three years I spent there. The decor is great, the drinks are good, the music is pleasant. It's stylish without being obnoxious or silly (hello, 116 Crown!). Only downside: sometimes it gets overrun with boring ass grad students. (No offense to any grad students reading this. You're not boring. I'm talking about all the other grad students out there.) read more

I'm rather surprised I haven't made any Firehouse 12 mentions; this is easily my favorite bar in New Haven. It is more of a wine bar and cocktail lounge than your typical packed, loud bar. The menu is simple yet interesting, the prices are more reasonable than other overpriced and pretentious bars down the street, and the bartenders are friendly and can craft some great cocktails. The strange orange vase collection behind the bar may need reconsideration but the atmosphere in Firehouse 12 is very cool, all in all. Catch some great live jazz upstairs as well, if that's your thing. read more

Upon entering the establishment, you show your ID to the book-reading bouncer and walk downstairs to the bar. The bar is dimly lit and has exposed brick and stone walls, which add to the intimate and cozy ambience. They offer a variety of draft beers (extra points for offering Sculpin from Ballast Point!) as well as wines, cocktails, and hard liquor. read more

Cute space, although tough to fit a group in there, and seating is usually difficult to snag, and not exactly comfortable. Reasonably priced drinks and different atmosphere, make it well worth a first trip, and a great place for a usual hang out. Crown street is on the up with Firehouse, Fosters and Crown 116; it makes for a great little corner of New Haven. read more

one of my favorite bars in a town full of mediocre drinking establishments. come early. get a seat at the bar or a cozy nook. it can get busy before jazz shows or on the weekends, but the crowd usually ebbs enough a seat can be had if you're patient. the bar tenders are usually music experts, great for telling stories when they have the time. great for a date, a drink on your own, or myself, wine and the crossword. (wine, being half price on Saturday nights) read more

Didn't hear any music, but I liked the dim, cool atmosphere and the beers were a fair deal - $5 Hoegaarden.

Sad to say, Duvel is $7 now, but still worth every penny. If you haven't been to F12 yet, you're missing out.

Haven't seen music yet. It's an intimate atmosphere downstairs but the vibe is a little sterile and off putting.

Great bar. When you want to just chill out at the end of the night, this is the best place in New Haven (if you can get one of the booths.) It also might have the best entry for a New Haven bar, if you want to surprise someone with the unexpected and lead them into a firehouse and down some stairs into a cave. I love that they have cheap cans of beer, and a small but very well done set of draft beer. read more

If they only served a couple of nice snack options this would be near perfect. A nice bar tucked under a music studio in an old firehouse (duh, the name). It's a great place for a small group to hangout (couches, tables, and bar seating available). Good selection of high quality beers with a few blue-collar options and some tasty custom cocktails that are worth trying if you love a good cocktail. Reasonable prices and chill atmosphere. read more

I've unfortunately never heard the music here, but the bar is pretty nice. A great place to hang out with friends. Pretty chill. They are known for having the best bartender in New Haven. read more

Don't bother on half price bottles for Saturday - they've now changed it till 10pm - we didn't know so left early. Kinda wish we were told because we would of bought more bottles / tipped more. Change it back and I'll change rating to 5. read more

My husband loves Firehouse 12, I'm not overly in love with it as it has a big beer selection and I am not into the expensive beers. But the atmosphere is pretty cool, it's in a downstairs basement practically, very dark and made for the Yale-folk. It's a cool place to grab a drink, I don't think they do food, but they do put a few snacks out for Happy Hour. read more

Chill downstairs joint to grab a drink before a show at The Schubert. Small, dark, great piped new wave punk. Try the Saison Dupont. Gets crazy busy later at night so walk down to Cafe 9 instead. read more

I know about this place but never actually went in. I went there for a CD Release Party what a beautiful place inside where there studio is. Just saw that they having Jazz thru to December 2015. read more