The asthetic and cocktails are amazing but can we please admit there should be a 12 person capacity here? I have never been more uncomfortable in a fancy environment. Also god forbid it's cold in new haven and people have coats. Bartenders are charming but gave my friend a hard time because they didn't have the ingredients to make a White Russian. If you are a cocktail bar you should be able to make that drink. Especially in a college town. Ordered a beer here and they kind of gave me peasant eyes. Their beer selection was rare yet narrow. Much rather get a cocktail at owl shop read more

Been here a few more times and lord this is a cool spot. Cocktails are killer and food is cheap and serviceable. You should go once but it probably wont just be once.... read more

This place has a really cool atmosphere, excellent drinks, and good reasonably priced food. It is a real gem in New Haven and definitely worth trying for a drink or a quick bite. They have classic cocktails and more inventive ones. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the the menu and are super friendly. The beer cheese is a nice snack that is very shareable. It consists of a cheddar cheese dip that is burnt on top like a creme brûlée and is served with crispy pretzel roll bites and a side of spicy mustard. The grilled cheese is delicious and comes with a small cup of tomato dip and some pickled carrots and jalapeños. The black bean burger is a good vegetarian option and was satisfying and tasty. The Lock, Stock, and Three Smoking Barrels is a really interesting drink that is brought to the table in a glass case filled with aromatic incense smoke. It all leads to a memorable experience. Ordinary is not your ordinary bar. It is unique and interesting in both atmosphere and it's offerings. It is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for good food and drink in a cool ambiance in New Haven. read more

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This place was so cool! It was our first time going there and I had heard so much about it. The people were super nice and the drinks were amazing! I enjoyed the theme that was set up and jut enjoyed every minute there. I am definitely recommending that everyone go there! Can't wait till we come back! read more

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Came back for drinks in June 2023 after a few years away and was disappointed by some of the changes. The speakeasy vibe seems cheesy since it is not a hidden/exclusive establishment. Rang the bell and had to wait several minutes before the door would open. Used to love the dark moody interior, but the TV in the fireplace playing youtube videos of a fire on the beach completely ruined the vibe. Cocktail menu was kind of chaotic, our drinks were OK but were slow to come out. Overall would be hesitant to come back due to the change in aesthetics. read more

Love this place! Great drinks, great staff and beautiful atmosphere. I usually grab food from another location as their menu is more snack like. read more

Came here for their Miracle Christmas pop up. Tons of fun Christmas cocktails served in fun glasses/mugs. The whole place was decorated and festive. The style inside is very old school pup like. A long bar and a few tables in the back. Friendly bartender who helpfully guided us to good drinks. Would return for Miracle or just a regular night. Nice location to get a drink before dinner at many of the other options nearby. read more

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I visited Ordinary for the first time since moving out of New Haven and it was truly a trip down memory lane. This bar used to be my go-to spot in the area for dates and everything about the place brought back memories of first date jitters, not-so accidental grazing of hands and shoulders, and the agonizing uncertainty of "Is he gonna kiss me right now or what?!". In my opinion, Ordinary was, and still is, one of the best date spots at Yale/New Haven because of the following reasons: (1) Dimly lit, vintage decor reminiscent of speakeasies that makes everything feel and look a bit more mysterious and intimate. No need to worry about blushing, alcohol flushing, or oily skin cause it's too dim for anyone to notice any of that. It's as if the place has a natural filter for all its guests. (2) Friendly, knowledgeable bartenders who can mix up a mean drink. The drinks here are fun, tasty, and strong! You're definitely gonna loosen up after a drink or two and it's always fun to peruse the menu. My favorite is the Bee's Knee and pretty much the entire Fentimans Soda collection. (3) Small space, which can be bad and good. Bad in that it's virtually impossible to get a table in the back lounge area during busy hours. Good because even though you're gonna need to push around a bit, it can also be an excuse to get a little cozier with your date. And if you are lucky enough to snatch a table in the dim corner.. who knows... that first kiss might just happen! All in all, I recommend this spot for everyone and not just for those on dates. I've had plenty of fun nights here with colleagues, friends, and classmates. It's really a gem in New Haven and I can't wait to come back again the next time I visit. read more

I visited Ordinary yesterday for Happy Hour at around 5:15. Given that I'm a sucker for cocktails, I was attracted by their discounted HH cocktail offerings, which were brought to my attention by my dining partner, a veteran of the New Haven HH scene. For drinks, I ordered two of the three HH cocktails ($8 each). My first was the red disguise, which was based on red wine and gin. As one might imagine, it was on the sour side, but it also had a hint of sweetness that balanced it out nicely. My second was the first one on the menu--which has a name that I unfortunately forget. It was a vodka-based cocktail with citrus (more sophisticated than a screwdriver) that was sweeter but also well-balanced. Both drinks packed a decent alcoholic punch, making me tipsy despite drinking them slowly with snacks. For food, my dining partner and I ordered two small plates to share. The first was the Taco Tuesday special ($8), which was a pulled pork taco with jalapenos and aioli. While they were flavorful, I found them a bit spicy. Moreover, the fillings were sparse and the plate was small. We also ordered the mac and cheese of the day ($11), which was a bier cheese version. While its portion was also quite small, it was quite delicious. As with any good mac and cheese, the cheese was sharp, the noodles were tender, and the sauce was crispy on top. The atmosphere is Prohibition-esque, consisting of dark wood tables and walls and dim, muted lighting. Our waitress was attentive and had a sense of humor, which was a good thing given that I managed to knock the tacos all over her and the floor with a particularly emphatic, inattentive gesture (fortunately, she'd previously gotten red wine on her white blouse...). I did find the price point of the food a bit high, esp. given the small size of the portions. Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Ordinary and would recommend it for HH, esp. for people who appreciate a good cocktail. read more

Ordinary - Mac and cheese of the day--bier cheese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Thank you Tim for opening your resturant heart and creating such an awesome UYE evening! Big praise for the welcoming and attentive staff. Loved being greeted by the bartender as I left the polar vortex chill and entered into the seemingly Gothic-Celtic warmth of Ordinary. How VERY unordinary indeed! Signature cocktails are a must ( that is if you didn't come for one of the stellar international or local brews or 1/2 price bottles of wine). I started w a Crispin's hard cider and leaned into the spicy Elm cocktail- autumn in a glass all snuggled around those ample ice cubes and orange peel mmmmm! Extensive menu so peruse with care. The eats are limited but prepared w care and love. From the tangy spicy grainy mustard to accompany the charcuterie of cured meats, cornichons, sharp cheese, figs, & toasted baguette. The grilled cheese is oozing of warm buttery velvety cheese nestled btw grilled just right amount of crunchy bread w a side of the home made tangy ketchup. Pure comfort. Bravo for sharing your sources of such scrumptious delectables- hormone free Berkshire pork, Dartagnan Meats and organic free range chickens from Menonite farm in Pennsylvania. Yah! Events & weekly cocktail specials. Warm atmosphere. Adept and friendly staff. Cozy interior. All the makings for a perfect experience. read more

Ordinary - Rear room moose over fireplace mantel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Ordinary is one of the greatest bars I have ever been to! Big thanks to Eric H. for setting up a UYE here and getting us all together! The ambiance alone is enough to put a cheshire cat grin on my face! The sampling of cheese and charcuterie was fantastic as was the best grilled cheese ever. The cupcake from NoRa was great with an apple filling an an appropriate goat cheese frosting. Amazing event and amazing venue. Thumbs up all around! Ordinary... I will return for another great night! read more

Here for work and looking for a nice place for a cocktail and apps. This was a refreshing find. Highly recommend for a quiet yet vibrant atmosphere. The service was 10/10. Really cool history as well! read more

I had to come back here for the dessert. My man Eric H. is the guy to speak to when it comes to New Haven/Hamden eats. I followed his orders and headed to Ordinary. I ordered the Chocolate Chip Cookies with a glass milk. I also order a snifter glass of Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Amazing they put Sea Salt on the cookies. I took a picture for Yelp to see. The cookies were friggin' beyond amazing! I can't believe they served a glass of milk with it. Cookies were nice and warm, served on a slab. Everyone hovered around me as they saw this dessert and drink pairings that was set before me. Oooooohhhhh, aaaaaahhhhh. Yep. Those cookies were the talk of the town that night. Chris was my bartender and was a great guy. Eff it, all the staff behind the bar was awesome! Friendly, helpful, attentive, knowledgeable. I haven't seen a group of staff all in sync (personalities and service) in awhile! I wish Tim Cabral was there that night, but the staff was definitely a great compensation. I just couldn't believe how genuine these guys were. You don't get that often from Connecticut places. The staff definitely reflected the owner Tim Cabral's personality - smiley, fun, genuine. The stuff that makes customers return back continuously. This is the reason why I trust my boy Eric H.'s judgement! read more

Ordinary - Cookies and Milk.......paired?......with a Young's Chocolate Stout. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

The decor is like a stroll to the 20/30's which I love, the cocktail menu is amazing, lots of crafted cocktails. The food menu was light as far as choices go. we decided to try a few things, wish there was more variety with the menu. It seems everything had whole grain mustard as a side this time.. the porkbelly and broccoli rapini sandwich was disappointing, it was 90% overstuffed with broccoli and just taste of pork belly, I removed a lot of it just to eat the sandwich. Not that there wasn't enough pork, it was just overkill with the broccoli. read more

I want to start off by saying I was a regular at Richter's. It was one of the first places I went to when I turned 21 back in 1988. I knew then I found something special. The staff at Richter's always made me feel at home so I will never say anything negative. Richter's was my "Cheers" and it did hurt when they closed in 2011. Ordinary is different. It is like when Sherman Potter replaced Henry Blake on MASH. In one particular episode Potter was trying to help Klinger ease into Radar's job. He had this to say "I don't mind telling you my first few days in his shadow were a mite uneasy. No one was jumping for joy over me. I was no Henry Blake. Never tried to be. That didn't make me any better or worse, just different. The point is, the folks here gave me the time to get comfortable and make this job Sherman Potter's. I guess I forgot that when you took over for Radar. What I'm trying to say is, you need the time to make this job Max Klinger's." Richter's is gone but each time I go back now at 990 Chapel Street all the memories are still there. The place looks fantastic. It still has the old nostalgic feel. I'm glad they have the half yards which seem to be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 for happy hour. I've had one of their meat pies and to be honest I thought a little pricey for $9.00. It did not fill me up. The cheese plates are delicious and I think very reasonably priced. I am a big fan of the cheese plates. It is evident the new tenants care a lot about the history of the building. I didn't care for the new name "Ordinary" at first until I read the history. The timeline is on their website or a visitor can see on the walls by the restrooms. I think anyone visiting New Haven should checkout Ordinary just like they do with Louis' Lunch. It is something to see. They are still working out some kinks but it is a great place. I have to give 4 out of 5 stars. I have found the staff to be conscientiousness, especially Grace who knows my name and asks me how my week was. It is a page out of Richter's playbook. read more

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Good stop for some craft cocktails. The bar looks like it came from another era, which is always fun when having drinks. The inside room is ok, a bit on the plain side, but a good place to chat and hang out with friends. I would recommend however they buy a coffee maker for those who don't drink or for people looking for a coffee cocktail. read more

Ordinary - The F-train - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

This bar is one of those places you wish you lived closer so you could be a regular at. I would go here every night I am in town. Speak Easy, open up a book case to get in and your transported back to the early 1900's. They made one of the best Old Fashion's I've ever had, hands down. Ben was an excellent bartender, super inciteful . The place has a great feel to it, fire going in the back. Get you a burger to build a little base after doubling up on the cocktails. read more

Ordinary - Rye old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Really enjoyed the Bee's Knees here with a gin called McKenzie's that I'll now seek out wherever I go. Friend had a local beer and while happy hour didn't offer the super deal I'd hoped, I'm glad I got this drink (off the regular menu). Bartenders were super nice offering tastes of things. The place has a nice vibe and they were playing good new wave/80's music. Would definitely return read more

Ordinary - Bee's Knees - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

I love Ordinary. My only wish would be that they opened earlier on weekends. It's a historic and intimate space. I love getting a spot by the fire. The Bees Knees and pretty much any of their gin cocktails are my go-to. They also have a fair selection of craft beer and wine for the non cocktail crowd. I've always been intrigued by their punch bowls. The food wonderful because they are part of the Olmo/Caseus group, which has amazing cheese, breads, and more. read more

Ordinary - Bees knees - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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I spend a lot of time on business in New Haven. This bar is elegant in it's atmosphere suggesting its' historical roots in New Haven. The kitchen is closet like, but the quality and taste of the foot outperforms the size of the kitchen. The service staff is attentive and knowledgeable of the history of the place. They were very engaging, offered recommendations, and were pleasant to talk to. If my hotel was closer this would be where I go when I just want to hang out. Finally, there are no tv's!!! Just a great place to relax, unwind, and have a conversation. read more

I liked the whole ambiance of the place - dark, woody, like a study in a fancy Victorian mansion. All you needed was a cigar and a monocle. The alcohol selection is a fair one, and I was impressed with the interesting way they do happy hour. On Wednesdays, they pick a liquor, or mixing style, or ingredient, and all the happy hour cocktails are based around the chosen item. It was not crowded, and it's a quieter crowd (at least during those hours), and I quite enjoyed being able to have a cocktail and talk to someone without shouting. Also, the bartenders are very knowledgeable and very pleasant to talk to. read more

Ordinary is a 1930/40s style bar. The bartenders wore aprons and there was plenty of wood decor. The atmosphere felt sleek. They offered a fair selection of craft beers and cocktails. I ordered a beer which was mislabeled. The menu stated that the beer was a strong Belgian ale, but it was porter. It was a good beer yet not what I was craving at the time. read more

Overall, really nice aesthetics. I went a few times before the pandemic and had delicious drinks and great service. However, Went for a friends birthday last night and the server was condescending and rude while claiming that the bar did not have the ingredients for a drink (rum, lime, sugar). Instead of just saying that they weren't making anything off menu (which is of course understandable), he chose to lie and then be nasty when questioned. I'm not sure if he was having a bad day, or is used to people talking down to him, but that is not an excuse to treat paying customers poorly based on whatever assumptions he was making. Additionally, once we got our ordered drinks, they did not taste great. I'm not sure if they lost the bartenders they used to have, but I was overall very disappointed. The only redeeming factor was the person who appeared to be a manager/host. They were very kind and accommodating. read more

"The Vapors" at The Ordinary is hands down the best cocktail I've ever tried. A must-visit for everyone in New Haven.

Such a cool place! I initially thought the place was closed, but it's a secret door. I ordered this drink that was a build yourself a bourbon cocktail with orange and lemon peel, coffee and salt, and a glass. So good. We also ordered beer cheese and pretzel bites, which was my favorite thing. I don't really like beer cheese, but the pretzel bread was freshly baked and delicious. And it came with a mustard spread. You can also order extra bread for $2. Such a great place to hang out and grab drinks. read more

Cool vibe. Antique old world Irish pub bar. Trance music in back ground. Feels like an upscale college bar. Service was very good. Smallest cheese tray I have ever gotten. Prices are higher. Not a bad place. I was solo but probably a fun place with friends. Nothing extraordinary about ordinary but not bad read more

Ordinary - Cool vibe, higher prices - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Visiting in the area and came across Ordinary. I automatically fell in love with the atmosphere. The waitress was the sweetest and helped explain what they use in their cocktails. We also ordered an order of the beer cheese and pretzel which was to die for. Wanted to go back but didn't get the chance but will for sure swing by next time! read more

Ordinary - Victorian Lemonade and Tullamore and Gingerale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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We drove an hour and a half to check this place out after seeing that they were doing a "miracle pop up" for the Christmas season. Very cozy place, all decked out for the season. Christmas music in the air. Classy but comfortable. The drinks were a 10 although a bit pricey. We had a couple appetizers. The bourbon soaked bacon was amazing. Friendly staff, good vibe, we had a great time. My only recommendation would be to add a few gluten free options to the menu. Thank you! read more

As seems to be my tradition, I went out after a night at Ingalls. A buddy and I went to Ordinary, which was a great choice. The rear of this establishment (past the bar) offers a fun place to sit, talk, and observe. The place was full of groups of friends and couples on dates - I had a blast people-watching and guessing stories about the people around us. The place has a cozy, posh cabin/hunting lodge feeling to it, complete with dark wood paneling and a moose head mounted on the wall (poor beloved moose!). The sound level was such that one had to speak up, but not shout - not recommended for a heavy-duty, serious talk, but good for fun with friends. The service was good - attentive but not overbearing. Verdict: Worth going, for sure. Say hi to the moose on the wall! read more

Awesome craft beers, amazing cheese boards, crazy-good meat pies. You can't lose. This place used to be Richters, and the old Half Yards are still available. But the new owner - same as Caseus - has broadened the old menu into some great options. Try everything, including the cool cocktails. read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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We visited for dinner last night. It was our first time there and we will definitely be back! The service was phenomenal and the food and drinks were absolutely delicious. The ambiance is also amazing! I do recommend reservations, especially during COVID. read more

This place has a fun prohibition era speakeasy vibe to it, but it serves crafty modern gourmet food and interesting drinks. The menu is a bit ridiculous and overpowering. I prefer it be less than an almanac of ridiculousness. I ordered the bees knees and it was super well made and thank god not that super alcoholicy misery. My friend ordered this rather unique mixed cider drink that was also delightful. I do really appreciate how clean this and well organized this place is. The decorations give it a fun tack, but all in keeping with the overall experience. Oh and yes, when a place has clean bathrooms, that is a sign of excellence in upkeep and management. read more

Very intimate, old-timey feel - a mixture of rich, decadence in the back and speakeasy in the front. The grilled cheese was ooey gooey cheesy w/ yummy buttery golden bread. The tomato soup dip that accompanies is a wonderful compliment as well as the pickled veggies (that sounds nasty to me but it actually brought out the flavor of the sandwich even more! Ragtime cocktail - refreshing and citrusy Body Double - bit too sweet for my liking. Thief of Hearts - I'm going to be outrageously sexist here: I can't imagine any female liking this drink. There, I said it. Address your complaints to Brian Williams. Well, some, but not many. Perhaps Zena, Warrior Princess but only the warrior princess demographic. It's a heavy, bitter, mapley drink that makes me believe this is what cocktails tasted like at old west brothels. I don't want an old west brothel drink, I want a trendy college-town bar drink. I'm shocked that the waitress recommended this to me given the parameters of my liking I relayed to her - slightly sweet mixed w/ refreshingly citrusy. This is neither. Giant chocolate chip cookies- definitely salty but not unbearable. Oooey gooey nelly chocolate. read more

Great ambience, fantastic service. Ask for bartender Lucas he makes phenomenal drinks his bartending skills are cunning. Will be back

Joined friends to try some cocktails that will be offered at Hope Gallery this Saturday night. I can't say enough good things about this place. The food.... Grilled Vermont cheddar cheese sandwich with pulled pork! Honestly the best sandwich I've eaten. It came with a side of house pickled veggies that were delicious. Salted chocolate chip cookies and milk to end the evening. Divine. Drinks...the beer list is a mile long. The cocktails were delicious. I could spend a lot of time there and never have the same drink twice. Atmosphere...warm and cozy. The place was packed but we were never rushed. Tim was super awesome and informative. I can't wait to go back!! read more

Ordinary - Warm salted chocolate chip cookies! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

first timer. disappointed. our bartender was coughing and sneezing in front of us as we sat at the bar. COVID? dunno, but he should have been asked to go home and take care of himself. inexcusable. nuff said. read more

Great ambience and vibe, and very tasty drinks. Went to grab a bite to eat and have some cocktails. The sliders and food were average (limited menu as they recently opened up when we went), but the drinks were excellent! The Godzilla VS and the Mothra VS were our two favorites and very well done in both flavor and presentation (Godzilla came in a container of smoke and the Mothra was an interesting mix of cocktail and "fruit" boba). Looking forward to stopping by next time. read more

Very cool atmosphere with great cocktails. Looked vintage inside with all original woodwork

My favorite cocktail bar in CT. I always wait for Moy to make my drinks. I am that annoying customer that always asks for something different than whats on the menu by telling the bartender to surprise me.. Moy takes his time and makes really creative cocktails. I wish I lived closer to New Haven so I could visit more often. Never had food there but definitely recommend the bar! read more

Pretty sweet bar. Drinks are dope; strong and tasty enough to merit their cost. Bartenders are really receptive to preference and palate without judgement. Food's good too. Bee's Knees read more

Ordinary - Luke's vivacious livations - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut