This place is great. Stumbled across it via the InKind app, and have been back multiple times, including making a special detour via New Haven on our last night before leaving Connecticut. The Ordinary is one of the oldest purpose build bars, with lovely dark gothic wood. A wacky gothic humor and excellent staff, who really care about the clients and the drinks. Good selection of gins. Outstanding cocktails on the list, at fair prices (especially happy hour). Or better yet, ask the expert staff to recommend and invent one for you. The bacon is a thick, crunchy, sugary must. Add it to your burger. And an egg. Get the shishito peppers. And the chocolate chip cookies. And if you're lucky and hungry, the coffin-full of sliders is a delicious bargain (with plenty for the next day). read more

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I've been to Ordinary perhaps 3-4 times. Being a New Haven native, I've been to about every bar, restaurant, or eatery in the city, and Ordinary has been no exception. First few times I went was during covid, and they were one of the few that allowed folks to just be. They resembled a real speakeasy during lockdown because you had to ring a bell and be let in. My most recent visit was with two of my long time friends on a rainy Wednesday night. We got seated by the "fireplace" and browsed the menu. I landed on a mocktail old fashion, my friend got the bee's knees and we got the big pretzel and the candied bacon. Pretzel was great, old fashion could have been better but the ambience was just what we needed. You really get a feel of old school New Haven being at Ordinary. The staff was great so I'll be back. read more

A very welcoming speakeasy where you greeted by the door upon entry they make a great Manhattan and you can count on them being open for your late night, cocktail, dicks or night cap until 12ish. The theme of the restaurant is Dungeons & Dragons feels very mystical and make you've walked into a new world. There were a few guests that seemed like regulars and that's always a good sign! read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Service here is excellent! The bartenders are SO nice and helpful when making decisions about drinks. They'll make you basically anything you want and even create custom drinks if you say you like a certain kind of liquor. Also happy hour !! It doesn't reaallly feel like a speakeasy but it's still a really cool vibe read more

Ordinary - Pink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

If you just happen to stumble upon this place like I did on my first visit you will be blown away. A non-descript store front that hides a fantastic bar with dark academia vibes. The theme changes every few months and on my most recent visit it was a vampire (What we do in the shadows) theme. They have an array of really unique drinks and the bartenders are always happy to help, for example switching out tequila for mezcal in one of their seasonal specials. They also have a fantastic old fashioned, I highly recommend. Sitting at the bar is my favorite seat at Ordinary and their snacks are also very solid. This is one of my favorite places to take people visiting from out of town. read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I believe this bar changes theme every few months. When we visited, they had a "what we do in the shadows" theme going on that was on par with a vampire/halloween theme. You buzz the doorbell and someone lets you in. We sat at the bar and had attentive service. I had a bee's knees which was classic and good. We shared some food and the cheese plate was awesome. They have some interesting drinks that are smoked and would definitely try one of those next time. There are two bathrooms located in the back. There's a ton of seating and the space is pretty big. read more

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Issa vibe! A spooky, but not spooky, vintage, Transylvania, vibe that is. You have to ring a doorbell and wait for the host to let you in. Once you're in, you can experience the dim ambiance and quirky decor whole enjoying amazing cocktails. They have a good selection of whiskey and they make a mean old fashioned. It also looked like they had some cocktails with amazing presentation. I think I saw some smoke! read more

Ordinary - Whiskey cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Want to see some masters at their craft? Then you need to get here for drinks. Yes they have a small kitchen with some amazing snacks being pumped out, but you want to come for the drinks. They do seasonal items and just talk with the bartenders and tell them what you like or what you want to try and they have you covered. read more

Ordinary - The Hog Father - Bacon fat washed Ezra Brooks 99 proof bourbon, Maple, Bitters and Rosemary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Came here for drinks post dinner as a group of 4. We were lucky to get the last available table as the place was full. It's a cute speakeasy with nice and cozy vibes. We enjoyed it and the drinks were good. I would come back for sure! read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Came here for the first time and only had one drink but it was SO good. The "frosty's got a hot one" I believe. It was a hot chocolate with bourbon and a delicious whipped cream. The host and bartender were both friendly and regularly checked in. The ambiance really speaks for itself as soon as you open the door it's gorgeous and cozy. Would definitely like to come back and recommend read more

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Not a worthwhile experience based on quality of product and service. We felt our server was impatient and rushing us the whole evening, eager to churn tables. Everything is fine but kinda expensive for what it is. Wine selection was all a bit pricey so I grabbed the one affordable option and it was pretty good. Friend's grilled cheese was tiny and basic for the price. Server continued being passive aggressive. We would have liked another round but felt uncomfortable so asked for the check. We were then asked to leave. I have never, ever been outright told to leave because they wanted me to spend more money. At any establishment. Anywhere in the world. Outright disrespectful when we did nothing wrong. Will not be back and do not recommend. There are many great spots for a drink within a few blocks where you feel like a valued guest instead of a dollar sign. read more

Ordinary - Sparkling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

This speakeasy is elegant and cozy. Find seating at the long church styled bar or at an intimate dark lit table in the back. The server was attentive and I was sat right away on a Friday happy hour evening. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of food options for happy hour but the cocktails are what you should come here for. Several creative and flavorful cocktails to start or end your night on the right note. read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Rating: 5 stars Ordinary is anything but ordinary. Tucked away in downtown New Haven, this speakeasy might just be the oldest in the entire country, and the experience lives up to the legacy. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance, the decor, the lighting, it all hits different. It's moody, intimate, and full of character. The kind of place that feels like a secret even when it's full. The crowd is always chill, the staff is top-tier, and the mixed drinks? Unmatched. They take their craft seriously here. They also have a kitchen serving up elevated bar food that pairs perfectly with the cocktails. Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you're going to feel like you just discovered something special. Funny enough, a lot of New Haven locals still don't know about it, which adds to the whole hidden gem vibe. I actually made a TikTok about Ordinary about 6-7 months ago, and it's still getting views. That's how memorable this spot is. There's absolutely nothing bad I can say about this place. If you're into speakeasies, or if you've never been to one and want to try something unique, Ordinary is a must. Tell 'em Darrell sent you. read more

We came here for a casual hang out after dinner during Valentine's day weekend and it was great. The staff is friendly, food was yummy (wish we ate more but we were full from dinner), and the drinks were very well crafted. Look at the foam on my drink! can't wait to try this again read more

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We stopped at Ordinary while killing time waiting for the next the next train home. I liked the space heater that was provided after the first door; a literal warm welcome. We grabbed a seat at the bar which wasn't as full as the seated section so there was no wait. We were immediately greeted by a friendly bartender with two glasses of water so that was a major plus. I love classic cocktails but the dust cloud Negroni caught my eye under the "From the Lab" section of the drink menu. The first sip definitely packs a punch that I wasn't braced for. It reminded me of an original flavored cough drop left at the bottom of a glass of alcohol. Thankfully my palate adjusted and I enjoyed the drink after that! Looking forward to the next visit. read more

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This place was really nice I went here for cocktails and they made me the coolest drink! They brought it out in a lantern it smelled like fire and smoke was coming out of it it was so cool! The drink wasn't on the menu but I asked for something cool with tequila and it was just so good! They did a great job! And the hospitality was perfect they were attentive and super friendly all in all great service I'll definitely go back! To enter this place you have to enter a little haul and then ring a doorbell for them to come and open the door it's so cool! read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Small and intimate space with great selection of specialty spirits, definitely not you vodka and cranberry place. Don't be confused when you walk by and it looks like the place is closed. They have a "No standing room" policy, so the bar will never be crowded. We sat in the back room, a small place with a fireplace and good lighting. The service was excellent. read more

Ordinary is a true speakeasy experience--true to its name, you could easily miss it if you're not paying attention! It used to be the Taft Hotel's bar, which adds a charming bit of history to the place. Every time I visit, I'm impressed by both the food and drinks. We tried the mac & cheese, grilled cheese, candied nuts, and roasted potatoes, and everything was spot on. But the real highlight is the drinks--my go-to is the sour amaretto with egg whites, and they do a phenomenal job every single time! If you're looking for a hidden gem with excellent food and standout cocktails, Ordinary is a must-visit when in New Haven! read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

WOW this place gives ive been back since I first checked in and as always the service is great and so are the drinks. This time i enjoyed their shushito peppers and candied bacon. Very good! read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Really cool vibe, very interesting drinks! GET THE GRILLED CHEESE. Skip the shishitos unless you're really craving veggies. The King is a great drink, though I wasn't expecting caramel to be the most forward flavor. Four Legs Layered was also really interesting and complex, but be warned: 1) it's got a LOT of alcohol, and 2) the top layer is just oatmeal stout, so maybe skip it if you're not a beer fan. read more

Ordinary - Four Legs Layered - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Love the mixologist team here-- they always have great recommendations / drink alternatives and have never steered me wrong.

I went to Ordinary with a date on a Friday night. The host was nice and welcoming and took us to a table in the back. I loved the smell of the speakeasy - it was probably wood chips from drinks that they smoked. The lighting and the decor were also vibey. The host recommended the Bavarian pretzel which we ordered. The presentation was nice, but the pretzel was not great and definitely overpriced. It also took a long time for it to come out. I ordered a gin drink called Groiss Gone Wild because the tomato foam sounded interesting, but the drink was not good. It also came in a type of glass that you would use a straw. When my date asked for a straw, the waiter said they don't carry straws which we thought was odd. My date's drink tasted better. It wasn't a bad experience, but it wasn't a great one. I'm not sure if I would return. read more

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Ambiance is so cool food is good but wish they had a bigger menu drinks and set up was great 10/10 service also very good read more

Ordinary - Homeade Giant Cookies - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Ordinary is my go-to bar for drinks after dinner in New Haven. I love the moody, speakeasy vibes and cozy atmosphere. The drink menu changes every season and are so creative! The bartenders and servers are friendly and always ready to make recommendations. They also offer desserts from one of the best local bakers (kouign bakery!) - I love how they make the effort to support other local businesses. One thing to note is that reservations are recommended beforehand - this bar tends to fill up quickly especially Thursday-Saturday evenings. But it's well worth the effort to secure a spot! read more

Ordinary - Kouign pastry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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The Yelp posting was absolutely WRONG! We got in and there are basically a few bar bites nothing like the Yelp offered or pictured. We especially needed Gluten Free. The waitress was unsure how to help us and said she'd have to as the cook. The manager was nice enough to direct us to another restaurant that could accommodate our request for dinner and gluten free read more

I've always been curious to visit Ordinary, so my husband and I stopped in for their Christmas pop up while we were in the area. We had a prime seat in front of the decorated fire place and enjoyed all of the decorations. Though we came at 5:30pm on Saturday, the server informed us they were already out of a couple of the menu items we were hoping to try, but nonetheless, the food options we picked were tasty. Really creative drinks and something for every palate! Our only critique was that it took 40 minutes for our one banana bread skull to come out. I think our server may have forgotten to put in the order initially, but even after we reminded him it still took longer than we expected, and it wasn't served warm, so we were left a little confused. Otherwise, cool space with great drinks and inexpensive food options, and we could definitely see ourselves bringing our friends here to hang out. read more

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What a cool place! Make sure you book reservations because you might not get in otherwise. Sat at the bar both times we went. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and knowledgeable. Order a drink off the menu or trust them to make you something you'll love. The food was fine - only had light snacks like bread, crackers, cheese etc. What makes Ordinary exceptional to me is their bourbon selection. Not only do they have a lot of unique bottles to try but they also have around 9 or 10 single barrel picks that you can enjoy at the bar and if you like it enough you can even buy a bottle to go !! I've never been to any other restaurant / bar that has offered that. Me and my friend each took a bottle home. read more

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A speakeasy-esque lounge, probably my favorite New Haven bar for post-work happy hour. The 5-7 pm happy hour features $8 special drinks (they rotate and are somewhat restrictive, however), $2 off high-end beer cans, $8 wine, and $5-6 bar snacks. The cocktails are pretty creative and tasty. The bar snacks I've sampled so far have been pretty good! Grilled cheese and lamb sausage. Impressive given their diminutive kitchen. The speakeasy vibe is mostly from the vestibule and door etiquette. The bar and back room decor hints at hunting lodge, but only slightly. I hear reservations are recommended for later at night. read more

LOVE this place! Came here with my girl friends and it was such a chill atmosphere! As soon as I sat down, I thought how great this place would be for a date! They really perfected the speakeasy feel here. It's a little eerie, but in the best way! I liked that it's quiet, dark, and not much distraction so that I could really focus on my friends' conversation. The built in bar was beautiful to me. The bartenders were very nice and chill. I saw that they have a decent food menu, but I only met my friends here for drinks. My drink, the singing telegram, was sooo good it's my new favorite whiskey cocktail! My friend gets the under the sheet cocktail whenever she is here, as she loves gin. I can't wait to come back here (hopefully with a date)! read more

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We have a great time everytime we are here! I highly recommend the potatoes but everything have had is fantastic!!! The service is always fast and friendly! And I adore the Clue theme! The whole place is such a vibe! I love it! On our most recent trip, we had: The roasted potatoes, the beer cheese, the Brussels sprouts, the lamb dog, the doodle burger, and many, many drinks! My personal favorite drink is the bumbumbum and the salsarac! read more

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I like this speakeasy and this place had a great vibe! Great drinks but also great bites of food! I would say you may want to get a reservation if you have a group of people with you. The space seems to be great for 1-2 people at the bar but I did not see too many tables for bigger parties. Everyone's friendly and vibes are great! :) read more

Ordinary is easily one of my favorite happy hours in New Haven (5-7 PM daily). The space has a hip, speakeasy-ish vibe, and the staff here is very knowledgeable when it comes to their cocktails. It fills up quickly, so I recommend snagging a reservation if you can. From the HH menu: The cocktails are $8 each, and all delicious. If you're looking for something earthier, Float Your Boat is an interesting one. But if you're just looking for that carefree summer cocktail, Bon Odori is the way to go. Of the food options, the grilled cheese w/ tomato soup dipping sauce was the highlight for me, but we enjoyed the diner dog as well. With its proximity to so many downtown restaurants, Ordinary is the perfect place to grab a couple early evening drinks and get the night rolling! read more

If you don't know, you don't know. The drinks here are great. Absinthe, ready to be consumed here; deadly. Brilliant mixologists, old fashions.. I can go on and on. Food is yummy for a bar; definitely complementary to the drinks. The ambience is genius. I don't want to give out the good parts. This place is worth the trip. read more

Ordinary is a hidden gem with great cocktails and bar sized snacks. Check the menu before you go because it does change! read more

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ordinary has a very classic and fun themed setting. Changing often times throughout the year, it caters to those with a great pallet for amazing drinks tasty food and socializing with friends. The staff is highly friendly and kind with great comforting personalities, to make you arrive and be greeted by their cheerful charm. read more

Ordinary - Amazing interiors - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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The Ordinary bar was kind of Ordinary. You had to ring a Ring doorbell to enter the establishment, which was interesting. We were seated immediately and not ID'd, which was nice, but also, it was a Tuesday. Kinda also felt like that meant I look old and our party was two spritely, attractive, and vivacious 23 year olds. The decor was hard to decipher. We were unsure of what some of the decorative pieces even were. The leather wooden tables were also odd but fun to smoosh. The dopey looking moose kinda rocked. Our party got the Bees Knees and Mio Amor. The Mio Amor was literally a cosmopolitan with tequila. Would order again. Can't really fuck up a cosmo, yknow? The bees knees was just a classic bees knees. The cups were enjoyable to drink out of and the little fruit skin garnishes were a perfect touch. Overall, it was nothing special which is crazy bc it's pretty hard to make me not foam at the mouth over a cocktail bar. I have no photos which is remarkable because I take photos of literally everything. Telling as to the unremarkableness of the establishment. Thanks New Haven. We would rate this 2.7/5. read more

Since writing my original review, I've visited Ordinary again a few times and every time, the ambiance is great, the service is amazing, and the drinks are fantastic. I will continue to frequent the Ordinary for sure! read more

10/10 spot. Best drinks in New Haven. I got a happy hour drink and it was actually incredible. You'll enjoy literally whatever you wanna get. read more

Ordinary - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

My first experience with Ordinary was in the fall when my husband and I were walking around New Haven and wanted to stop at our old college haunt, Richter's Cafe. We were surprised to find it gone (apparently as of 2011), and we were unable to walk into the new establishment, Ordinary, as there was a cool older looking wooden door with instructions to ring the Ring camera button to enter. Out popped a man with a clipboard saying they were booked for the night. My curiosity meter hit full at that experience, so when we had a friend visiting and we were thinking of where to go, I instantly said we had to make a reservation for Ordinary! Doing so the night before yielded only a 9pm reservation available at the earliest, so if you plan to go on a weekend like us, plan ahead to get the time you want! I was SO happy to see they kept all the amazing historic woodwork throughout the main bar area and the fireplace in the back. Not only that, but they seem to have a serious interest in sharing the location's rich history. There's a super informative timeline with photos along the walls leading to the restrooms which can also be found on their website. Inside, with all the woodwork, is so unique and inviting! The main bar area is tight as it is on the thinner side, but they only have the actual bar seats and then two person high tops, so everyone fits just fine. In the back are very private tables with cushioned booths. A couple are meant to fit pretty large groups! This is where the old fireplace can be found adorned with a giant moose head and a roaring TV fireplace as the actual one must not work anymore. We were seated right next to the fireplace, but some of the booths were so private that I wonder if many of the people seated there could even see the fireplace, which would be a shame if they couldn't even though they're so close. The food menu was good! It's online only; you scan a code, so if you're interested in looking just go to their website. There was mostly new takes on old bar favorites. Lots looked delicious, but being late we had already eaten, so we only got the beer cheese to share. SOOO GOOD!!! It's brûléed on top, so the sweet mixed with the savory cheese and beer was amazing! There was more cheese than bread, and I'm not ashamed to say I ate it alone with a knife (insert cringing emoji face here)! As for drinks, they have a pretty extensive menu of beer and liquor. I was a little disappointed in the cocktail menu, but later when a friend asked if I'd had the lanturn drink and that it was amazing, I realized their cocktails probably change which is fun; gotta keep it fresh! I 100% would go back for drinks and maybe to try more food. Hopefully there will be a different cocktail menu to peruse! read more

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Ordinary is a cool and trendy bar in New Haven with awesome drinks, definitely a swanky spot to grab a drink or a little bite to eat. It's labeled as a speakeasy, but I would classify it more as a themed bar because it has its own unique storefront - not a bad thing, just not really a speakeasy (though, you do have to go through another door to the bar after you enter the initial waiting room area). I would recommend you make a reservation because seats were a bit hard to come by and there was a line (they make you wait outside the bar area because it's a pretty tight space). That said, it's not too loud inside and the vibe is very intentionally curated. The drinks were super unique, but really tasty. They are some of the most unique combinations I have ever had. I had the For Agatha which was part of their Wes Anderson menu. It had (among other things) jaeigermeister, chocolate liquor, cinnamon syrup, and a special mint foam - really delicious, but pretty filling. We also ordered their signature smoked whiskey cocktail as well as a paper crane with mezcal. All of the drinks were absolutely excellent. Ordinary is definitely on the pricier side for drinks, especially in New Haven (~$15 each). That said, it's definitely worth it! read more

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