Rudy's has a great space, location, beer selection, happy hour, and decent food. It attracts a young crowd especially when school is in session. They could be one of the best bars in New Haven but they have one fatal flaw: the service is awful. They should call it Rude'ys. I am not one to criticize the service at any place, however they lose big on this metric. If it wasn't for the kitchen staff they would cease to exist. Several times I have stood at the front of the bar for 5 minutes when it's not busy while the bartender and waiters fiddle with their phones and never bother to even acknowledge your presence. Clearly poorly managed and in general would have been out of business long ago were it not for their location and reputation as a hangout. read more

Very loud, service is just ok and food is constantly good.

Had been dying to try this place for a long time...probably wont go back...the waitress/server had NO personality whatsoever....and yes, that matters...she didn't make eye contact and when I initially entered, she didn't greet me. One of my dinner/meeting mates was already there, the server just kept her head down as if we weren't there..I work in a field where customer service matters so I notice these types of things. Nothing wring with a nice smile/warm hello! It goes a long, long way. The frites were not at all what I expected, they were French fries people! Lol silly me. I thought they were going to be some amazing food item. The maple sauce was......hmmm ok. Nothing that I wanted to pick up the container and lick the bottom for. The burger was dry. As if they cook/chef had pressed it during cooking to speed up the cooking process. I was NOT NOT REPEAT, NOT impressed. Was it terrible? No, not at all! But the food and servers down the block at the Meatball House are much juicier/friendlier....And no,I don't work for them...I just know where I like to spend my $$$ and its not at a place where the tatted up wait staff is put off by your presence. Won't be going back! read more

Rudy's is like home to me. I eat here at least once a week and I love every single menu item. The staff is super awesome, friendly, and attentive. They have fantastic beers on tap all of the time, and their Bloody Mary's are delicious! I highly recommend their steak sandwich (or any of their sandwiches really). The bread they use is always fresh and delicious. The flatbreads and frites are also beyond compare, and I love their wide variety of dipping sauces (though I usually go with the maple sirracha. I absolutely love this bar. It's a real New Haven staple with a great atmosphere and even better food! read more

The fries are delicious. I got a BLT - I'm going to have to say it was the best BLT I've ever had. The grilled cheese and the dish and chips looked really good and my companions seemed very happy. If you're in new haven go here. read more

I love this place! What is there to say about Rudy's that hasn't already been said? I've been stopping in for a drink and joining friends here for over 10 years! Although the old jukebox with mix CDs of obscure music has been replaced with a modern touch-screen one, and the menu was updated to include those now-famous frites, the all-around atmosphere within the bar hasn't changed at all. This is STILL my favorite place to go on a Saturday night when I want to check out a local band and pound a couple of pitchers with my pals. Sure, the beer selection may not be as diverse as one or two other places in town, but you'll admit it's damn impressive considering the size of Rudy's. And yes, it can get quite crowded inside there at times, but that's just proof of how popular this place really is. So stop in and enjoy a daily $3 pint or $10 pitcher special. read more

I love Rudy's. The frites, the special sauces, the chicken tenders, the burgers... just thinking of their food makes me hungry! The only star that I have to deduct is that we have to order food at the bar counter and they only accept cash which is rather inconvenient. read more

After seeing other reviews that weren't friendly to the food- I was slightly anxious. However, once my brother and I sat at the bar we had soom really good food and drink. We both tried different kind of burgers- delicious and fresh and with some tasty sauces. Pretty randomly we had the potato latkes to share and those were yummy- complete w fresh apple sauce. They have about 15 beers on tap and others in the bottle plus a full bar. It's not the old place, though the back room has old photos, a New Haven Ravens emblem, and the carved wood from Elm Street. It is a good addition to the downtown bar scene and the food was really really good. It was a weekday around 7 and the bar was comfortable w people and maybe half the tables were full. A friendly crowd, too. Would definitely return and now I'm curious how the old location's new bar is. read more

Rudy's is my neighborhood bar. I've loved dive bars in other parts of the country, and I never saw Rudy's in its true "dive bar" location, but I love it as it is. For one, it has the BEST BRUNCH EVER. I discovered eggs benedict in my 20s, and Rudy's has one of the best selections in town. It's only matched in brunch quality, as far as I've seen, by Pantry, but has much less (as in nonexistent) of a line. I'm hesitant to write this review, even, because I don't want other people to take over my brunch spot. I live about a block away so I've been to Rudy's many, many times, on pretty much every night of the week. I love Wednesday karaoke. It's probably my favorite. The beer list is good (although I agree with other reviewers that Cask is better), and usually the bartenders pour a little on the heavy side for anything involving liquor. For food, aside from brunch, the frites make my heart sing. Delicious fries plus the best dipping sauces I've ever encountered, including, recently, a list of limited time new options which have rocked my world. If I'm going for dinner, I usually default to the beet salad, which is so good that I don't usually even consider anything else. But brunch food is definitely the winner. I know almost nothing about the wine/cocktail list because I love the beer so much, but when I have had wines and cocktails, they've been pretty great, too. I had a manhattan tonight with a little bit of a kick, and it was awesome. In short, Rudy's is my favorite place in town, and not just because it's a block away. read more

We really like meeting here. Love the frites and dipping sauces, and the burgers that you order to get them are pretty good too! They also have a pretty good brunch that is less well known :) read more

Here's a message to you, Rudy: Drop the Y and rename this joint Rude. If you're looking for an oxymoronic combination 'Ivy league- dive bar' (full of hipsters, underclassmen in their Yale sweatshirts, and old bearded men) then this truly is the spot. I hate writing a bad review. I almost always opt for not saying anything, but here goes... Maybe I wasn't cool enough for this place...but should anyone have to wave down the bartender in order to distract him from his phone? When I asked about the IPA I was drinking, he seemed utterly annoyed. I'm very sorry I can't read the tap through all the douchery in the room. Once upon a time bartenders were expected to notice when your glass was empty, perhaps even remember what you were drinking! Crazy, I know. After an hour and a half, I left Rudy's without so much as a smile from another customer, and with ZERO small talk from the staff. This is possibly the un-friendliest place I have ever been in all of my years! Also, the food was just OK and way over priced (little to no seasoning on the chicken, canned beets in my salad, bland cheese... but some tasty dressing DID help it). You couldn't pay me to come back to this place. read more

Food is amazing and service is great. They have Delirium on tap along with some other choice beers. I would recommend Rudy's to anyone and everyone. read more

Great burgers, fries, and beer. I never had a problem with service like other Yelpers so I can't comment on that. There always seems to be something going in the backroom. I guess Rudy's has become a "hipster bar" along with Three Sheets. It's really just fine and far away enough from downtown to make it interesting. read more

They really came through for us on a busy, post-Harvard-Yale game evening, with seating in the back and so many frites. We got a large, then realized every meal we ordered came with more. The problem of having too many fries isn't really a problem. Great beer list, too. read more

Burgers are awesome!! This place sells one of the best burgers in New Haven.

Rudy's. As they say, where town meets gown. However, things have changed quite a bit in the past few years at Rudy's. If you are a true New Havener, you'll know that back in the day, the staff didn't wear nice little collared shirts with an embroidered logo, there wasn't a pretty awning out front over the terrace. You'll know it was a lot dirtier and a more real. you'll know there's a lot more gown and less town frequenting the joint. And they used to have a super cool jukebox. A real one. All that being said, some of the upgrades are good, the food mostly. The frites ajnd dipping sauces are excellent. Do they still have the 2 buck schaefers? read more

this place is much bigger than the old location(cleaner too) its a great neighborhood bar with an amazing atmosphere and good food(best frites ever!) cant wait to go back with my friends! read more

A classic! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing food. Their fries are the best around - and the separate dipping sauce menu for the fries? To die for. This place is great read more

This is such a fine establishment due solely to the experience provided by New Havens best bartender, Jamie! Omg he's adorable. I always ask him to get me bottles that are down low because dat ass so fine. Mmmmmm mmm. Decent food too. read more

Fine establishment you have here. The one thing, ONE thing that really stands out is the Bartender named Jamie. He is honest, intelligent, polite, and most of all skilled. His hair is super cute too. I'll be back here as long as Jamie is there. Thanks for the great drinks!!! 5 stars!!! read more

5 stars. Great place. The chefs Robert and Jules are simply amazing behind the grill, plus they are very personable if you can catch them between the kitchen and downstairs. The real reason I'm writing this review, is because the Bartender named Jamie. What a guy. He can pour a beer perfectly. His knowledge is unbelievable. I really like this kid. I wish my own child would be even half as amazing as Jamie. My kid, actually, is worthless and could learn a lesson or two from jamie. I can't stand my child now that I think about it, makes my blood boil just thinking about it. The other best part about jamie are his deep crystal blue eyes and seemingly all natural biceps. God damn I love that guy. Women beware! He will steal your heart at a drop of a hat without trying. I hope the best to him and his future. Thanks for hiring such a stand up guy. Cheers to 2017!!! read more

Good Pub Food & drinks. Our server, Heidi, was really very good but she could have used some help from other staff members on the day we were there for lunch. The wait for everything was way too long. read more

If you are looking for a place that's loud but has a decent draft list this place is for you. Service is okay...usually it takes a bit to get a drink and bartenders seem to play favorites. I have only ever had fries from rudys which were again okay but how unique and different are fries? The only appeal I see here are a dece beer list and a place for coeds to rub groins...good for a beer and not much more. read more

Rudy's is a great bar, awesome food! Amazing service!! The tall blonde bartender that works on wednesday lunch is so much fun. My girlfriend and I were laughing the whole time. She gave me a great beer recomendation and helped us pick out three amazing sauces for our fries. I had the crusty burger and she had the classic burger, both were delicious and the fries are laced with some sort of drugs, so good!! Come down and hang with this woman for lunch she is awesome and beautiful. Dont tell my girlfriend! Haha. read more

You can't go wrong with Rudy's. The drinks are strong and cheap, the fries are crispy and delicious! You definitely get your money's worth, meet interesting people, and the environment is surprisingly classy and sleek. Sometimes there is cover for live music/DJs, but usually not. Basically, a staple. read more

I'd heard good things about Rudy's brunch. I heard wrong. The service was slow, unpredictable (our waitress forgot half of our order, and I think we'd still be waiting for those cocktails if we hadn't pressed the busboy three times), and just plain sloppy. The food wasn't very good either - soggy taters, overcooked eggs (how do you mess up eggs???), and coffee that came without sugar (our waitress twice tried to pour regular into my wife's decaf mug) or heat. I still like Rudy's for drinks and burgers. But not a good spot for brunch, contrary to the rumors. read more

My go to burger joint in New Haven. I've been on dates, out with friends, and on business meetings, but the burger and fries never fail me. They always have a choice beer selection and a care free atmosphere. read more

The food is good and the beer selection is a nice selection of craft. The decor reminds me of every bar you'll find in Brooklyn or the Lower East Side. The service can be a little slow but the music selection is always great. A wonderful spot to grab a bite and a beer with a friend or group of friends. Also, the salads are exceptional. This is something you wouldn't expect from this place, but I think it speaks to the fresh ingredients they use. read more

Ok im not a huge yelper and I gotta be VERY impressed to go out of my way to write a review, but my experience at this bar last night totally warrants some praise. Ok so its a very clean nice new bar that has a homie atmosphere and a great beer menu with a few IPA's that you don't see too often. Now what blew me away: It was kinda busy there and some drunk guy in the corner started making a scene, next thing I know the bouncer grabs him and escorts him off the premises. Now 45 min. later Im getting ready to leave and I see that same drunk guy across the street screaming and bleeding from the back of his head, then he stumbles back into the bar (they had the sliding glass doors open). Immediately I see the bouncer rush over to grab him, and I cringed thinking he was going to just toss this guy out onto the street. Instead the bouncer yells for someone to grab a chair, he then sits the injured drunk guy down inside the bar and starts to calm him down!!!! wow.... then out of nowhere some people there are putting on medical gloves and they bust out the first aid kit. They called the guy an ambulance, he started crying and was very apologetic, and I was just left speechless. **Then, I go to pay for my drink, but the computers are down and I don't have cash. The bartender is super apologetic and I run over to the closest ATM to get cash to pay for my tab. The bartender felt so bad about making me walk to the atm, he compt. two of my drinks!! Big thumbs up to all the staff there!!!! You guys rock!! read more

I have been going to this bar for a couple of years, nice Saturday dance parties and good beer selection. I really believed it could be my "cheers bar- when everybody knows your name" but this is essentially from the nice crowd, because the service has been getting worse and worse, to say the least. Do not ask your drink after 1.30am. The staff will become aggressive to kick you out and will treat you like a highschool student. Way too much attitude from the staff, very rude. read more

This place is the worst---everyone I've talked to agrees---the service is TERRIBLE!! My friends and I went there, and it took forever for our burgers to arrive. On top of that, my friend who has a cheese allergy got cheese on hers and had to send it back---They just scraped the cheese off and put it back in front of her!! When she asked them for a new one, they brought it out and the center was raw and cold. They didn't even apologize. Never going back. read more

I always have enjoyed the food- from brunch to dinner, I haven't disliked an order yet. They have a good beer selection at and the atmosphere is decent as well. The reason I wouldn't rate higher is because this is the only establishment where I have heard an employee address patrons as "retards". While out on the patio the other night, the bouncer approached the crowd to start clearing the place for closing, and he very clearly and loudly said, "Alright, retards, its time to move inside". It takes a lot to annoy or offend me, but that was just too much. read more

cheap, rocking, and classic, the most important elements in any dive bar. rudy's has been getting me blasted for longer than i care to admit, and i don't expect that to change any time soon. read more

Went on a Saturday night, the bartender was extremely rude! We ordered the fries, a good choice of sauces, however, the fries were so small, you were barely able to dunk them in the sauces. I would not go back to Rudy's. read more

heaven on earth as long as you don't mind that heaven has filthy tables

I was a bartender with Leo 35 or so years ago. The good times did roll and we all had a great time. Francis, Bob, Billy and the host of characters that came in were to say the least, NOT boring. Here is to a great run, great people and a time Ill never forget. Richard read more

B+/A- Good burgers, good beer. They should really put some sound padding in there tho because all the hard surfaces make it incredibly loud.

Having grown up going to the old Rudy, I am another convert to the new Rudy's. The food is delicious, the restaurant itself is brand spanking new, and they have an excellent beer selection. The fries are as good as before, actually better. The staff is as friendly as ever, even if they are dressed as yuppies from days gone by. No cover charge, great entertainment provided by live bands, and they brought over some memorabilia from the old spot to fill the back rooms. They did a great job relocating a historic New Haven institution. read more

Hey, it's a dark bar, that serves awesome frites and beer. That's what I think of when I think of Rudy's. A bit crowded, but I still recommend it. read more

Looking for a local bar to get a beer and burger? This is it. Good food, great rail, chill atmosphere.