I like the space, I like the drinks ( I tried something with Lemon soda and bourbon and it was really delicious). The BBQ plate was good- small portions but filing none the less. The cornbread was really good. We also tried their mac and cheese special which was yummy. I'll definitely be back! read more

This place is interesting...I love the atmosphere that the bar has and the mixture of different drinks is cool. The food is impressive. We ordered a strawberry grilled cheese sandwich! Crazy but very good. Definitely a nice place to grab a drink and chat with friends. read more

This is not an ordinary bar in town ;). It's a cozy, classy hangout place that makes high quality draft beers and cocktails. The cocktails are quite strong (and sometimes a little overwhelming), but they are very unique. What makes this place really extraordinary though is the draft beer selection. I have never been disappointed when ordering a beer here. Be sure to take advantage of their happy hour specials! read more

Great cocktails, nice selection of liquors and delicious small plate foods. The atmosphere is great - just dark enough to be cozy, light enough to have a great conversation around a table. The decor give it an old world feel even though it's so new. The old fashioned and sazerac here are easily the best I've had in town. read more

Their daily deals ($4 big cans of beer on Mondays, 50% off bottles of wine on Tuesdays) have me motivated to come here every single day. Their servers are knowledgeable and had no trouble recommending certain beers and explaining the differences between the various beer selections. I highly highly recommend Dale's Pale Ale if they have it available and Blanche de Bruxelles is bomb as well. Also, extra points for not rushing out my friend as I as we stayed past closing. Ordinary, you the real MVP. read more

Was good, went here after a concert on the green. Of course it was really busy since it was a Saturday night. We did get a table and we had the cheese and meat plate. Decent beers on tap and reasonable prices. Really cool atmosphere. Would definitely come back. read more

I have lived in New Haven for four years, and Ordinary has been my favorite bar/casual meal joint. Their drinks are consistently solid (best Manhattan in NH, hands down - generous pour and solid ingredients) and the food is always delicious (did you say grilled cheese with bbq pulled pork? Oh hell yeah!). They have a great, intimate atmosphere; perfect for small and large-ish groups. The wait staff is consistently friendly and kind. Their prices are great, and I honestly appreciate their food more than the higher-priced Caseus, owned by the same people. We have been going to Ordinary almost weekly for the last few years and have felt so grateful to have it in town. However, the last couple of times that we went in, the menu was changed. The wait staff (new waiters that we didn't recognize - not particularly friendly) told us that to mark the fourth anniversary of the bar being open (4th? 5th? I don't remember), Ordinary is 'exploring their identity' or something to that effect. As a result, the most delicious parts of the menu are gone! The bbq is gone! The food section has new offerings, of which we tried four things, and we wouldn't order any of it again. There are lit photographs on the wall that are for sale. This changes the atmosphere of the restaurant and frankly why sell art in a bar? What's happening? Why change such a great thing? I feel like a little part of me has died. read more

Nice atmosphere, nice drinks, nice service...All over it's a pretty nice place! It has the feeling of being very old, which I'm told it is, but I don't know the whole story. I suppose you can make it up for yourself when you go and see all the photographs up on the walls (or you can just ask someone too, but making up your own stories is a little more fun). They had a nice selection of wines and such, not much in terms of libations, but that's what Shake Shack is for next door. It seems like a place a lot of Yalies go, so if that's not your scene don't come here. If you are a Yalie or don't care about being around a lot of Yalies, this place will serve well as a nice night out. read more

One of the best bars I have ever been to! Understand this is an old time PUB- all class, yes it is narrow that is just the character of it. We had sazeracs- made to perfection- really great drinks, entertaining bartender (didn't get his name). If you enjoy the old style New England Pubs (Boston like)--you'll love it! $11 for a sazerac was not expensive--LOVED IT and can't wait to go back! read more

Finally tried Ordinary last night. I think the bar staff was a little overwhelmed by the Yale/Harvard invasion so service was a little slow but very attentive. Meat and Cheese plate was a perfect snack for two but the cocktails seem to be the star of the show. Well flavored, well crafted and well executed. We'll be back. read more

This is the bar that Yale deserves. I mean, it just feels Yalie; it's like the Nantucket reds of New Haven bars. Imagine an average Tuesday: you've earned a bottle of wine or two, but where can you go for half-priced bottles, which you can take home if, for some unimaginable reason, you don't finish? Well, you go to Ordinary. Of course, all reasonable people know that wine turns into grape juice if you don't polish it off, so better to disabuse yourself of any notion of carrying wine home. (Also, can you drink in an uber, because that sounds like a win-win?) Oh, try the Sazerac, which they served me on Halloween when I was outrageously dressed at Santa Jack Skellington. read more

Kind of cramped inside, especially since we were rolling with a large group. I had a dog and boats IPA on tap, really delicious and hoppy. Would love to try the food sometime, but hopefully when it's a little less crowded. Overally a really cool spot in NH. read more

I've never eaten here but have gone for drinks - really good, uniquely mixed drinks. I can't remember the name of the drink (I think it's Bees Knees?) and it's really good! I actually haven't had a bad drink here. Great vibe/decor too! It's a small place though and can get pretty crowded at times (including no place to even stand). read more

Really great experience here ! This place is for the people that enjoy classic cocktails and well made drinks. Very wide selections of rum, whiskey bourbons different brands that your not used to seeing in a reg. Bar. All the bartenders were awesome I only had one thing wrong ordered a Hemingway the taste was a little off but everything else was on point. read more

Never eaten here but came for their half off bottle wine night, cute cozy narrow pub with a neat little back room sitting area. Waitress was awesome very helpful with wine selection. Atmosphere was great especially on a cold night! It can get crowded on the weekends but for sure a go to weekday place! read more

I'm a big fan of Ordinary, I think it's one of the best bars in New Haven, and apparently it's also one of the oldest (check the History page on their website!). The space is beautifully restored, with an old-fashioned wooden bar, and a room in the back with a few tables and red leather banquets. There is a nice selection of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits. There's also a small plates menu, which is fun and convenient when you want a snack or small meal. We've always had good service and good times at Ordinary. Definitely recommend! read more

Loved the Butt (sandwich) and the cheese platter. Beer choices were either very heavy or canned craft beers. Service was 5-star. I would go back....hope they might add a few more beer taps and menu items. read more

My husband and I were visiting for the day& a friend took us to Ordinary- our cocktails were great all around and the atmosphere was really cozy. read more

Knowledgable bartenders and fancy meets classic drinks. Absolutely worth it, even on a Monday night. Gluten free friendly options sort of, because they are owned by Caseus (the BEST place to eat in new Haven), and they are working on getting gluten free beer here too since they already have the best at Caseus. Didn't try the snacks, as they don't carry gf crackers due to storage issues. Great for drinks. Will be back. read more

Awesome cocktail- Gin Gin Rose made enough for two, and they used Fentiman's Rose Lemonade to boot. I had the beer cheese and enjoyed it, though the texture was more like a cream cheese dip rather than a pimento cheese. Pretzel bread was crispy and the dip was crispy and bruleed on top, too. read more

Their smoked chicken grilled cheese is phenomenal, especially with the tasty dip. They have a nice selection of beers, and service is great - my waiters are always super friendly. It's a great place to just hang out with friends. However, we ordered the cheese and salami plate once, and realized it was enough to feed a small army of ants. I'm sure it was great quality and worth the price, but for my less discerning palate, I'd spring for another grilled cheese instead. It is on the dark side, but when you're drinking with friends, it gives it a nice feel. read more

Great time! The bar area is a little tight but we had a big group. There's a seating area in the back which has additional seating available. I ordered a gin and tonic. It came with a glass bottle of tonic water. Enjoy your time at ordinary its definitely the best place to start your night in New Haven! read more

A better place to sit down and have a nice cocktail and chill in new haven. Would definitely come back

Love this place! Service is spot on and drinks are amazing and so creative. I have yet to try the food, so I will certainly be back!

Pleasant ambiance, friendly and attentive staff, as well as a creative and varied selection of drinks and food.

Have only been here once but am excited to go back. The bartenders were so nice and really seemed to know what they were doing. They also made my drink perfectly and were good at recommending other drinks. The bar itself makes you feel like youre at a place in london. It is on the pricier side. I'll definitely be back. read more

Sat at the bar for lunch on a Friday. We shared a meat and cheese platter. I ordered the grilled cheese with pulled pork, my friend ordered the smoked chicken. Delicious, comforting yet exciting food. The grilled cheese was to perfection on awesome bread, and my friend's chicken was crispy and flavorful. The spicy "slaw" tempered the sweetness of the pulled pork. A little pricy for weekday lunch for two, but we left satisfied and looking forward to the next visit. read more

I just ordered the beef brisket. What came out was to small pieces of brisket and about 50 percent of it was all grizzle. And all of this came over a small piece of greasy corn bread. Who in their right mind wants to pay $15 for a pile of fat? And even if the meat came out marbled with an acceptable amount of fat it still isn't worth $15 for the portion. The bartender was extremely friendly and apologized etc - it was the guy in the kitchen that must have not had his glasses on and the management who has a way off perception of value. Maybe this place is better suited for drinks instead of food? read more

Flavors of all the food were spot on. Service was excellent. Try the grilled cheese and brisket.

Bourbon & Meat pies and some of my favorite bartenders in town :)

This place is serious about its drinks. This turn-of-the 20th century watering whole is lovingly restored, from its paneled ceiling to the dark-wood covered walls and intricate bar carvings. Some taxidermy is thrown in for hipster cred, no doubt. The music volume stays lower so that conversation can proceed at a comfortable level. Their concept of barrel-aged cocktails works to perfection, and isn't overpriced, as some start at $8. One of the best bar between New York and Boston (and better than most in Boston, to be sure). read more

Service is excellent, drinks are excellent but pricey. Food is also very good and reasonably fast. This is probably the best place downtown for classy, well-made drinks from exceptional bartenders. Highly recommended! read more

A really great place to hang out. The bartenders are friendly, easy going and helpful. They have a great selection of beers. The pulled pork platter is our favorite. It's just a nice New Haven place to get a drink and some good food. read more

Found this little gem to be a Very cool little place. Unassuming from the outside. Nice cozy and historic feel on the inside. Love the decor and the warm atmosphere. The pub menu had a great assortment and the mullet over was a great warm fall drink to warm up on a cold day. read more

Ordinary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Pricey, but worth it. Some of the best craft cocktails in the city, and the ambience can't be beat. Go in on a Wednesday night for their cocktail lab- they always come up with some really creative stuff. The only downside is their kitchen: they basically don't have one, so come for the drinks, not the cuisine. read more

You should definitely check this place out if you want a fantastic cocktail. But if you are in for a meal, pick somewhere else. The BBQ is not good. The sauce & cole slaw are vinegar based - nothing sweet & sticky about it (as the menu suggests). All of the plates are small. The appetizers are good for a small snack while enjoying a drink, but don't bother staying for dinner. read more

Went for lunch takeout. If you want to spend a lot of money for a few bites of mediocre bar-b-que this is you place. The cornbread side is 1 bite!?! The place might be good for cocktails but I wouldn't go for the food. Service was good though. read more

My wife and I go because we are huge fans of Smoke Box (Come back!) and the BBQ here is just as good, even though the portions are smaller so you don't feel like you are getting the same Value. Great beer list, wonderful atmosphere. They also do a really good Mac and Cheese with Pesto (Ask for the Pesto on the side, its much more manageable then on top of the mac). read more

Can't address the kitchen/food as I've never eaten here, so my review is based solely on the bar. Definitely my favorite place to grab a drink and to bring friends who are new to the area. I have a few personal favorites from the menu and also love seeing what the bartenders can come up with. If you tell them a little bit of what you're looking for, they will craft an excellent cocktail with quality liquor and a nice garnish. They truly turn cocktails into a science. read more

Everything on the menu at ordinary is awesome, drinks and food alike. My only complaint is that the seating is always a bit crowded.