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    Ordinary

    4.1 (317 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Ordinary Photos

    ORDINARY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Ordinary

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    Reviews With Photos

    The Hog Father - Bacon fat washed Ezra Brooks 99 proof bourbon, Maple, Bitters and Rosemary
    David N.

    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.

    Vampire decor
    Lauren M.

    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.

    Whiskey cocktails
    Sojin P.

    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!

    Enxhi B.

    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!

    Frostys got a hot one
    Daniella M.

    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

    Sparkling
    Audrey S.

    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.

    Emma D.

    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.

    Audrey C.

    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

    Loryl S.

    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!

    Kyle S.

    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!

    Bar
    Lanasha R.

    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.

    Tiara W.

    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!

    Four Legs Layered
    Lydia L.

    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.

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    9 years ago

    craft beer, craft cocktails, fresh, locally sourced food. The place is a bit small but they do everything right.

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    10 years ago

    Think speakeasy- not to be missed for a cocktail. The back room is has A swanky vibe.

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    10 years ago

    My favorite bar in new haven. Great ambiance and great service. Especially loved the daily specials

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    Page 8 of 8

    Ask the Community - Ordinary

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes, they do

    View All 2 Questions

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    80 Proof American Kitchen & Bar

    80 Proof American Kitchen & Bar

    4.0
    (181 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Another great happy hour at 80 Proof!! The wings, spinach artichoke dip, Barracuda Mac & Cheese,…read moreNachos, short rib tacos, and chicken tacos were all great, as usual!! Sonia knows how to pick top notch staff!! We were happy to see Keith, the host with the most, back for a cameo!! He's only back for the next three weekends, so get there soon before he heads back to Europe. When you go, ask for Carissa as she's the best!! She waitresses and bartends, so either way, she takes care of you with exceptional service!! The restaurant can get extremely busy and vibrant on the weekend, so it's best to make a reservation.

    My husband and I ate here before a show at the Shubert Theater down the street - bring your…read moretickets, as the restaurant offers discounts! Overall, a solid choice. The food was excellent. We especially loved the Habanero Mango Shrimp and the Burger on Fire. The restaurant was clean and the staff is quite friendly. The only issue we had were the wait times and pacing. When we arrived, there weren't many people there (it was 4:00pm). We both ordered Woodford Reserve on the rocks and the drinks took 20 minutes to come out. Pouring bourbon into a glass over ice doesn't take any real time, so at most the wait should have been 5-10 minutes. The food also came out at weird times. We ordered the shrimp as an appetizer, and my husband's side salad that came with his steak came out first...which was fine. The shrimp should have come out with that. However, the shrimp and our meals all came out at the same time...so it was like BAM, FOOD! That was a little much. We did enjoy everything and had a nice dinner, but our one suggestion to the restaurant would be to work on timing. It can make or break a restaurant experience.

    Photos
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Explore our amazing array of dinner salads
    Explore our amazing array of dinner salads
    Rose, Marry Me

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    Rose, Marry Me

    Ordinary - cocktailbars - Updated June 2026

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