Cute little bar! They were having a tiki themed weekend/menu and also had a popup tattoo artist which was interesting. They were very popular so there wasn't much seating so a grou pof 5 of us sat at their middle bar section. However, the staff were very attentive and took care of us. The drinks were all great. They also have a food menu which we thought was good but perhaps overpriced. I would definitely recommend Wildcat for their drinks! read more

Wildcat - Pork belly bao - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hamden, Connecticut

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We tried to visit this place and it is temporarily closed or maybe indefinitely. Had high reviews but I guess/ who knows.

My meal was amazing as always! The head on grilled shrimp was flavorful and grilled to perfection. The crudo with the addition of finger lime was incredible. Every bite was filled with a nice mild fish with a burst of citrus. Dessert was light packed with flavor. Christian the bartender provider excellent recommendations and whipped up some delicious cocktails! The ambiance is great and still gives me a nice NYC vibe nestled in Hamden. Love the seasonal menu changes and I can't wait to go back read more

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Awesome new cocktail bar in Hamden. There's nothing like this in town and it's just was needed. It is a little pricey but you're def paying for quality drinks. read more

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Service was horrible. Ordered grilled mushroom asked for no butter,soaked in butter. No eggplant or tomato with the mushroom. Told them it was my birthday before hand . Told them I did not want dessert (ignored)Was served it anyway.My wife left . There was only one other table being waited on.Super disappointed. Tiny portions. We ended up eating at the Korean/Japanese place next door. read more

I am so excited about this place! Fabulous cocktails and food - in Hamden!! Our table by the door was pretty dark. I was going to apologize to you for the bad, dim pics, but it's amazing what photo editing can do. The pictures look much better illuminated than it actually was. I LOVED my Alpine Arrows and my husband loved his Sons of Monarchy. They were totally delicious, but in very different ways. We thoroughly enjoyed the food too - ceviche, crudo, and the crispy chicken sandwich. Everything we ate was creative and so tasty and truly exceeded our expectations. I can't wait to go back and try more things. Attentive, friendly service too. Next time I will try to sit at a table that has better lighting though so I can actually see what I'm eating as I eat it. ***update*** We went again last night and we sat at one of the tables along the wall with lamps above them. The lighting was great. It was still dark enough for a nice ambiance, but I could see everything I was eating! read more

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One of our favorite new restaurants in CT. I know good food and frequent high end restaurants in NYC and Wildcat can rival most of them! The staff are very friendly, the ambience is very city-esque and cozy, and the food/drinks are spectacular. You will not be disappointed by Shane and Kris' latest venture! read more

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Amazing food & cocktails to match. Don't miss out on the best burger around the New Haven/Hamde area! They have great service, knowledgeable people behind the bar for custom drinks for your pallet. Appetizers were awesome, main course was well worth the $$, gourmet style imho. read more

Wildcat - Great drinks and food! Awesome - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hamden, Connecticut

We had great cocktails and a great meal here. Came in, sat at the bar (which has way comfier stools than the backless stools at the family-style table in the middle). The cocktails were inventive and excellent, not too sweet. Mine was tequila drink and his was gin, sorry I forgot the names and they update the menu often and I didn't see what we had being on the website. Our apps were excellent: chickpea batter-fried chicken drumsticks and a rye panzanella salad. I had the roast chicken which was fantastic. My partner had the Bánh mì, which he liked but didn't love. I tried a bite and I think they nailed the pork, but the sandwich was pretty dry (bread was very dense), so I can see why. I won't give them points off for this because I think this was probably a fluke. Servers were great, fast, friendly and attentive. Fantastic ambience, nice chill, low light, with decent acoustics because there were lots of people in the space, but it didn't feel loud. Looking forward to going again soon. read more

Wildcat is one of our favorite cocktail bars ever. The cocktails are very high quality and unique. They perfected the classics such as espresso martinis and old fashioned. Additionally, they have awesome food. read more

Wildcat - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hamden, Connecticut

Went here on Friday night and it was pretty busy but they still accommodated even though we didn't have a reservation. The food was excellent. I really enjoyed everything I got and the drinks were also really good. Definitely recommend checking this place ! read more

Went here on a whim for a special anniversary dinner and it was worth every minute and every morsel. Service was impeccable. The drinks were creative and delicious, things I would never try but was surprised by how much I loved. The food was perfect, literally the best meal I have had out in a long time. read more

Amazing and will definitely be back! Service was attentive and fast. Food was delicious. Loved the decor and vibe throughout the whole space. For drinks I got the "Bad Alibi" and he got the "Fortunate Sun" off the Sans Booze portion of the menu. Love a restaurant that has mocktail options! Dinner I got the Steak Frites which was amazing. Cooked to perfection and the chimichurri was delectable. He got the Airline Chicken and the blackberry-mustard pan sauce is to die for. Wish we could bottle that up! Dessert we had the Black Sesame Mousse which really had all the elements of crunch and smooth textures with sweet and sour taste. read more

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We came in for an early dinner on Saturday. I had accidentally made reservations for the following week, but they were happy to seat us anyway. We had a few appetizers, entrees, and cocktails. Everything was really excellent. The fried chicken sandwich was a highlight for me. It was super crisp and the toppings were interesting without being overwhelming. The French fries were also excellent - shatteringly crisp outer layer with a hot and fluffy center. I think it bodes well for a restaurant when such attention is paid to the details. They also came with a tasty herb dip. The cocktails were exceptional. I think both owners come from a bar background, and it shows. Really interesting and balanced drinks. The vibe was quiet when we were there, but that may have been because we were there so early. Overall, I am super happy that they opened up. read more

Food was ok. Nice atmosphere. But overall too expensive for the quality of the food served.

Enjoyed cocktails, wine and dinner (beet salad, gnocchi, calamari and radicchio salad) at the bar. It was a Tuesday night and not crowded at all. Loved the vibe. Bought a gift certificate for my daughter who went back with her husband the next night. They loved it. They had a burger and pork sandwich. read more

10 out of 10! What a gem and Hamden is lucky to have such a place! The moment I walked in, I knew it was going to be a great experience. You can tell that real thought and detail were put into the restaurant just by the atmosphere. The service, the drinks and the food were absolutely top notch. The smoked trout was outstanding, the brussel sprouts were possibly the best I've ever had and the pork chop was cooked to perfection and so flavorful! This place is a MUST try! I am already looking forward to my next visit very soon. read more

Wildcat - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Hamden, Connecticut

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One of our favorite new restaurants in CT. I know good food and frequent high end restaurants in NYC and Wildcat can rival most of them! The staff are very friendly, the ambience is very city-esque and cozy, and the food/drinks are spectacular. You will not be disappointed by Shane and Kris' latest venture! read more

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Stopped in for a few drinks with my coworkers, it's Tuesday night 7pm. The bar is gorgeous so we chose to sit there. The ambiance is cozy and sexy! The bartenders were very attentive and The drinks they made were very good! They have a menu that made it hard to choose what drink I wanted because they all sound delicious and creative! Very much enjoyed myself here and will be visiting again! read more

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It was amazing, great drinks. Delicious food. All with a distinct taste and touch of elegance. Awesome first date or intimate night out. Warm, cozy atmosphere with friendly staff. Leave the kids home and have fun here. read more

Nice ambiance, expansive specialty drink menu. Romaine wedge salad was highlight of the meal. Tuna carpaccio small plate was disappointing (too salty sauce and swimming in it). Banh mi sandwich bread and veggies were tasty but Pork was too fatty and too thick cut difficult to eat. Salad and drinks were good enough to give it another try. Party next to us ordered catfish and steak and seemed to really enjoy it. read more

There's nothing original about this place. Food is subpar. Drinks are mediocre at best. There are much better options nearby. I never leave reviews but this place was massive letdown. read more

Great happy hour! Service and food was excellent. Good music not not so loud that we cousins talk. Will definitely be back

Wonderful delicious, unique food. Great appetizers (e.g. Grapes and olive salad- delish). Small restaurant. But highly recommend.

Chris and Shane have brought something to Hamden that it was sorely missing. Amazing food and cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. It automatically has become our go to spot in town. read more

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Cool cocktail spot. We didn't get any food but we did get a lot of drinks. All their drinks are super creative. Inside was chill and modern and very very dark. Seating at the bar was nice and were served water immediately. Our bartender was polite and gave us fast service. If you are down for some creative and tasty drinks def come here. I recommend the Sea Witch if you enjoy dirty martinis. read more

I was very happy to have a restaurant of this caliber in Hamden. We've been there 3x already and have not been disappointed! The inventive menu offers locally sourced items, and the bar program is stellar. Shane, Kris, Chef & staff have made this our go-to place! read more

For my wife's birthday recently, I asked the team at Wildcat if we could host a loose party/Happy Hour with family and friends. Shane and the team were extremely generous and offered us the community table right in the middle of the restaurant. I cannot rave about Wildcat enough. From the moment you walk in to this unassuming gem you feel as if you've been transported to a high-end Manhattan hot spot without the pretense and obnoxiousness. The cocktails Shane has perfected over his recent years in and around the New Haven food scene are genius and delicious. The menu promises delicious bites and the kitchen delivers. The staff are attentive, kind, and extremely hospitable. Run, don't walk, to Wildcat. read more

The McGowan Brothers have done it again! Everything these guys touch ends up pure gold! I'm not going to lie, I cried tears of joy when I discovered I could enjoy the Sea Witch cocktail once more. A totally unique rendition of a dirty martini, this slightly sweet umami bomb is crave-able! The food was all spectacular but the standouts were the Warm Grapes & Olives and the Duck Confit. Every table should order the grapes and olives as their bread selection! The duck confit has caramelized skin that shatters when your fork touches it. I'm going back tonight to indulge in that one again! Service was very kind and knowledgeable. The space was stunning with dark high ceilings and sexy teal velvet on the walls. The designer did a spectacular job with this former wagon wheel wielding, burger bar. Hamden residents are lucky to have cocktails, food and a luxurious space like this one in their backyards. Run... don't walk!!!! read more

Each time food is amazing. Menu changes based on local ingredients and is always fresh and delicious. Cocktails are well done. Service friendly. A new favorite space to visit. read more

We've been to Wildcat several times, and every time it's been amazing. The cocktails are always perfect, and as vegetarians we always find delicious options on the menu. The ambiance is both artsy and cosy, and the staff are always welcoming and professional. read more

So excited this place has come to Hamden. Amazing cocktails, great food, and such a nice vibe.

This was my first time dining at The Wildcat. We were greeted by one of the owners who quickly accommodated our larger party despite being very busy. The inside decor replicates green rooms of historical American ballrooms and music venues. We had everything on the menu and not a single dish missed, all things I have never had before. A truly unique dining experience with a Manhattan feel without the attitude right in the center of Hamden. Our server David was amazing, beyond attentive, and super thorough in guiding us through the rather unique menu. His knowledge of craft and fine dining was apparent. The wine, spirit, and cocktail menu doesn't really compare to anything else I've experienced in CT. Compliments to the entire team, especially the kitchen. The bar staff was efficiently shaking up state of the art garnished cocktails each round being more picture worthy than the last. I loved the confit mezcal cocktail, I can not recall the name. A beautiful seasonal food menu accompanied by beautiful decor, drinks, and staff. Thank you! read more

We were in Hamden tonight and stumbled across a gem -- Wildcats. It is a small restaurant in an unassuming little strip mall on Whitney Avenue near the entrance to 91. But then you walk in the door ... and it is GORGEOUS. Everything from the teal walls, to the chandelier and mirrors, to the wood chairs and gorgeous table tops is beautiful, unique, thoughtfully planned. There isn't a tv in sight, which was a wonderful change of pace. The staff is warm and welcoming. We split the wedge salad, which was much more than lettuce with blue cheese dressing. The presentation, the spices, the vegetables, and the dressing were all superb. We split the fried chicken dinner with collard greens. First, the portion was huge. Certainly enough for two people. Then, the chicken was perfectly cooked and delicious, and the collard greens were in a sauce that I could not put down. Truly, every bite was delicious. If you are looking for a special date night spot, a place to hold your company holiday party, or a very special location for a birthday - or any - celebration, this is it. Five stars. read more

This place is a vibe! The food was soooo good and the drinks were top notch. The service was great as well - everyone was so attentive. Order all of the desserts - you won't be disappointed. read more

Can't get over how great this place is! The food and drinks were incredible and the staff were extremely knowledgeable and kind throughout our entire meal. The atmosphere is perfect for a date night or to get a group of people out for an upscale yet affordable meal. Will absolutely be coming back soon and often! read more

Service was not good at all. It all started when I asked for an Espresso Martini a particular way which was disregarded when the drink arrived. Fast forward to dinner. My wife's salad (Fennel) was absolutely disgusting (completely inedible had to send it back). We were then told the taste was normal if we weren't used to it (having grown and eaten fennel salad many times before in life this came off as ridiculous). Burgers we ordered were grossly undercooked (ordered medium got "still mooing"). Shared a couple of more drinks with friends at which point we were asked by an employee if we could please leave because it was very busy and people were waiting for the table (reservation). Never in my life had that ever happened. Having spent $250 on our bill it's ludicrous to be asked to get up and cut our night short. Awful will never come back. If I could give zero stars I would. Terrible. read more