Best cocktails in Connecticut, easily can rival some of the more well known places in the "big cities" of Boston and New York. Don't know what you want ? no problem they'll create something for you. Want something weird you're not sure they can make? they can (or they'll look it up and learn with you). If you haven't gone here yet you must try it, you won't be disappointed. read more

Lovely old-style, tavern-like wooden decor yet has a trendy feel. Great ambience for a bar, but you might find the interior a bit too dark & loud if you're looking for a quiet dine-in experience. I haven't tried their food but the craft cocktails are delicious - I especially enjoyed their Manhattan, which is garnished with a delightfully sweet maraschino cherry. read more

This place has such an old school feel inside... you feel like your traveling back in time! But the drinks are super fun and the food is all so cheesy and delicious.. had the pretzel and beer cheese and fell so in love.. definitely a place you can just chill and talk and get lost for hours.. loved it read more

I would say drinks are an A+ but the food is a B at best. they have a limited menu with very few vegetarian options. i really only come for drinks here. its usually pretty busy and there are some seats at the bar and some in the back. i have gotten kicked out of the seats in the back before because apparently its not a first come basis even on a busy weekend night?? i really like the cocktail selection and the different drinks where you can add your own soda to make the drink to your desired strength. its a good date place to grab some nice cocktails and chat. read more

This is very beautiful bar, dark woods shimmering glassware under a golden chandelier glow. Great beer listing with some high alcohol IPAs. The food is limited but you should try the cheeses and especially the meat pies which are phenomenal. The supplier is Six Pence Pie Company that has recently opened a restaurant/bakery in Westville center. read more

I'm not a big Yelper, but this place is special. Beautiful ambiance inside and great cocktails -- try the barrel-aged Mezcal negroni. I could drink these all night! read more

We recently discovered Ordinary and we love the place. It's a great winter bar, cozy and dark with a good buzz. A great spot if you are into craft beers and interesting cocktails. The bartenders really know what they are talking about. read more

Good custim drinks, but typical menu for liquor bar drinks. They do use better quality liquor, at a very reasonable price. Bartenders are knowledable and friendly. A bartender from another bar suggested this place and im happily content with it. If you're in New Haven. Check it out. Definitely. read more

I love this bar. A perfect date spot. It gets really busy (because the food and drinks are awesome) so unfortunately it's bad for big groups. Try the beer cheese, it's like a savory creme Brule made of cheese and heaven read more

The right place to cheer up a cold winter night in New Haven!! Lovely ambience, friendly staff and outstanding drink menu.

Greatest craft cocktails with passionate bartenders! Haven't been to another place around that creates custom cocktails like these guys. Asked them for something different and it's always delicious with their homemade bitters and flair for flavor. Delicious beer cheese and environment. I am a regular read more

Amazing Bartenders making the best small batch cocktails in town. Do not pass up the Bee's Knees!

I met friends at Ordinary this past Saturday and sat in the back room. I came in from Boston to see a play at Yale Rep so this was my first visit to Ordinary. The food was good. The cornbread is a smart delicious choice for a quick bite while deciding what to eat. I hate to write a review based on the service, but waitress was just disgusted she had to be there and there is no other way to say that. I heard her complain about a large party coming in and how horrible her night was going to be. She passed all that bad mood to all of us at our table. I asked what the chili of the day was and I could not understand her so I asked if she could repeat it and she got shitty. Wait a second - I'm in a great mood - I was smiling and I just walked in - What the heck? Our cocktails were delicious and as I said above, the food was good. That's it tho - a 2 star review for what could have easily been a 5. Note to waitress: get a job you enjoy - life is too short. read more

The ambiance of the restaurant is very nice. This is the same venue where Richter's bar used to be. They've even maintained serving the yard. The bar was cool and the dining area is quite small, yet welcoming. A gothic, yet warm atmosphere. Drinks are fine, the brisket was tasty, but rather fatty. The overall experience would have been okay except when an hour into our dining experience, one of the waitresses came to the table and uttered the most ridiculous thing to us as she handed us the bill "you have a 5 minute warning". Excuse me? What is that? Are we 8 yrs old and it's time to wrap up play time? We were in shock. Once our waitress came by, we asked her what is this warning and she only then mentioned that there was a private party coming in at 8:30. She neglected to tell us this earlier. Evidently other patrons may have been told about the private party. You'd think on a Saturday night a bar wouldn't kick out its customers like that without any information. Would have been a fan of the place, but due to this experience we will not be returning. read more

Ordinary cowardly deleted a very thoughtful critique of their establishment from facebook regarding mistreatment of a patron due to bias. Given their disrespect for being open, I will repost it: While I'd like to thank Ordinary for the thought, effort, and attention to my concerns, I find that your post does not address the problem with my experience at your establishment. Namely that I was singled out from the rest of my friends, all of whom were similarly tipsy given that we had just left our office holiday party together. My conversation with the manager had to do with what in my body language, speech, and demeanor was specifically deemed unacceptable. Moreover, the conversation was my attempt to understand what made my speech, demeanor, and body language more unacceptable than that of my colleagues. I continued to ask the manager these questions because I perceived that what made my presence unacceptable was my skin color, and what is normally my outgoing and gregarious personality was mistakenly (and I'm suggesting discriminatorily) interpreted as excessive inebriation. Indeed, we did talk in circles because what I was asking for what was an explanation for something that was simply inexplicable and indefensible. The persons I was with that night were horrified by the treatment I received that night: one friend noted, "that was an assault, it was blatant racism," while others apologized for not coming to my defense. And so I ask again what I asked that night: what objective cues did your waiter use to single out this one individual from all others as being overly intoxicated? What is the normative demeanor, speech, body language deemed appropriate to be a patron of Ordinary? Who has created these standards to which all patrons are upheld? Is it the management staff, the waiters, or the bartenders? Are these norms set by the mostly white, cis-gendered, heterosexual men who appear to comprise the managerial or floor staff? Or, are the standards set by the one to two African American men who work in the kitchen? Perhaps it is set by your constituents, who appear from the facebook responses to reflect a mostly white population, or by your facebook page wallpaper that an overrepresentation of white persons (which is surprising given that 35% of New Haven's population is black)? What I am suggesting is the possibility that your staff, with the demographics I have noted above, may have bias. I know this word may make you feel uncomfortable, because it suggests the possibility of being labeled as racist. While Ordinary is not publicly and explicitly using discriminatory language, I believe that a more subtle form of bias, called implicit bias, influenced the decision-making of the waiter and manager that night. It was bias that led the waiter (and later, the manager) to reinforce the somewhat ambiguous and differently administered "normative" standards established by the bar to single me (again, an affable, outgoing, queer, black woman) out as different than the standard Ordinary patron. I propose that there are some unquestioned and unexamined forms of bias operating at this establishment that my treatment could possibly help to shed some light on. Indeed, what I experienced at Ordinary (bias at the very least, discrimination at most) stands in for the subtle forms of prejudice that people of color have to endure in a daily basis. I believe that it bias that colored the waiter's mind, and which made me, the singular, gregarious black woman in a group of mostly white individuals, the subject of discipline. This is nothing new, and where Ordinary couches its actions behind self-congratulatory language about "style," "craft," and "doing things our way," establishments elsewhere can use the language of "personal" or "religious" principles. Indeed, there is a fine line between discrimination and a justifiable refusal of service, but it should come as no surprise that persons like me-- queer, black, and extroverted-- will always have to endure harsher and more punitive forms of discipline. Moreover, to intimate that I am akin to a patron looking for shots and for a place to get drunk is both patently untrue and unfair, and once again demonstrates the ignorance and callowness to which I was subject on the night in question. I find this to be particularly hypocritical given that your facebook page flaunts pictures of bartenders and managers with captions like, "If it weren't for this guy, I wouldn't be able to get you all drunk." It is difficult to not read your response as both hypocritical and insulting, given the sanctimonious tone in your response when stating that Ordinary "is not a place for drunkenness, but a place to enjoy cocktails made with passion and intent." Quite frankly, it reconfirms the double standards imposed by the staff on patrons. It also reconfirms the narrow-mindedness of the staff and Ordinary's inability to understand the complexity of their customers (and their complaints). read more

How can you advertise that you offer smoked meats and the meat is not smoked? I ordered the brisket plate, it was about 60% grisel fat and not smokey AT ALL. It was tender and I could tell it was slow cooked in an oven and no way shape or form barbqued slow smoked. For $12 a few chunks of fatty non-smoked brisket over a soggy piece of bread and hardly edible "pickled" onions and that's it was a complete let down. Also, after we ate we were still sitting at our table enjoying a few beers and our waitress walks up to us and tells us we have a "5 minute warning" and need to get out for a party coming in. How rude is that? Pretty sad when you go out for dinner you actually have to go to another restaurant after your dinner to get good food and get satisfied. I will never come back nor will I recommend this place. read more

Great drinks at reasonable prices; beautiful dark wood bar, warm atmosphere. The Ordinary is something New Haven has been missing. Glad it's here now. Minus one star though for the wooden sporks and, especially, the fast-food style paper baskets that the pies come in. Give us real forks and plates! read more

I will start by saying that last week was my first and last time going to this place. First of all, I ordered a vodka and it was measured in a jigger not even full. It didn't even cover the ice cubes. it was not even a shot. For $9 at happy hour??/ Then, the cheese and pretzel were hard, Not fresh at all or tasty. Was it from the day before? so my friend had a drink and we shared a beer and it came to almost $70. We knew we should have left after discussing the lack of liquor in the drinks. Now I know why there was hardly anyone in there at 6:00 on a Wed. night. Too bad because they fixed it up so well read more

Wednesday night, stopped in. VERY loud. Music and a couple groups of people that seemed to be on a tour. They left about half way through our time there. Music was fine.....good mix. From arrival to our first drink was about 12 minutes.....way too long, and the bartender that took the order did everything but make my drink! Come on, it wasn't THAT busy. The decor was fine except they've stripped everyhing off the walls making it even louder. I'd go back but only for a different atmosphere not because I feel drawn back....... it was too, well.....ordinary. read more

been a few times, still dig the ambience and the drinks menu is nice and they have some interesting beers and ciders. staff was pretty friendly. food has been consistently pretty ok. i guess i miss richter's but this place is worth stopping in and checking out. not on the cheaper side of things though, but not exorbitant. not fancy but not divey. i guess maybe slightly ordinary. read more

This place is in the same location as the former Richter's. They kept the decor, but cleaned the place up, overhauled the drink menu, and overhauled the beer selection. This is a great place to stop for a drink or a beer and their prices are reasonable for the area they are in. read more

I wish it was still Richters. Then I understood what the restaurant was all about. Now it is a weird mixture that doesn't really make sense. There are some decent things on the menu but hard to get excited about it. This place has lost its soul. read more

I really want to give this place five stars based on its ambience and service. It's really conveniently located and they often have a decent to great selection of beers. However, it's always really crowded and there never seem to be enough tables compared to how many people are there. Also, if you don't go on happy hour, the fancy and yummy cocktails are too overpriced, and the food portion and quality is underwhelming compared to the prices. I would recommend coming for drinks only during happy hour and you'll probably love it! read more

Great place. My wife and I had dinner here before seeing a show. The atmosphere is perfect, the food is simple but excellent and the staff made us feel warm and welcome. read more

Two weeks ago, Timothy Cabral and Ordinary went over and beyond to work with me to schedule an unforgettable cocktail class for my very good friend's bachelorette evening! From prompt response from Tim about the inquiry, planning to the execution of the class it was flawless, stress free and the night made the bride so happy! Tim and the staff at Ordinary are always so welcoming, accommodating, flexible and have so much knowledge and passion for all that Ordinary has to offer! One of my first experiences at Ordinary was my first date with my now boyfriend of 4 years. We love coming here! The atmosphere, food, drinks and staff are out of this world! Thank you for the cocktail class you all hosted to our party! read more

Not worth the stop Ive been there dozens of times and each time I walk out questioning my decision to why I went there. The bartenders are pretentious and make you feel like your below them. Sure there are a couple that are very nice but the majority of them, especially the short fat one that looks like Ben Franklin with a giant bald hallow, is the most inappropriate demeaning man I have ever met. Unfortunately having met the wonderful owners I feel it necessary that I support their business but this one bartender is just awful! Tonight, yet again, I heard him say some more awful things about customers under his breath ... The worst part is he thinks no one is listening too bad for him I have amazing hearing. Tonight was the straw that broke the camel's back. I would not invite, bring, or recommend this bar to anyone. I don't care about the history or how awsome the owners are. If that isn't enough to stop you from going... the prices are ridiculous and the the cocktails are short...aka cheap read more

Loved Richter's, so I was sad to see it go. BUT this place was great. Maybe trying a little too hard to be hip, but still a nice option in a small city. We had two cocktails (both a little sweet for my taste, but still interesting) and the Beer Cheese, which was delicious and served with a thinly sliced long soft pretzel stick. Part of their cocktail list is devoted to effervescent drinks incorporating fancy bottled sodas, which was fun. Not too ritzy and not too college-y. read more

great selection. delicious gin and cocktails. 1/2 bottled wine on tuesdays- can't beat that Bartender Matt is wonderful and always carries a brilliant conversation with us. Can get really crowded on the weekends- so get early. There's coat hooks everywhere. Doormen are always kind. read more

This place is a cut above the rest with a classic feel. I came here bar-hopping with my girlfriend and it was the best place of the night. Perfect if you love an old-fashioned vibe. A wide array of wines and draft beers (craft, imported, local, etc.) offered, but the hallmark of the menu are the signature cocktails, some of which are inspired by older recipes and others that are a bit more creative. We ordered off the chalkboard, but I am confident the bartender would be able to make anything within reason. Not cheap drinks, but you get what you pay for. Bar seating available in front with comfortable lounge seating in the back. Ordinary has a wonderful location on the Green, squeezed between Yale's main campus and downtown New Haven. This gives it a definite hipster vibe, and - at least for now - it feels like one of the hip, swanky places for 20- and 30-something yuppies to have a night out. read more

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

What a hip place! This is located where Richter's was formerly located and is one of the oldest bar locations in the United States. Ordinary gave the place a much needed update while still maintaining the character of the old Yale icon. Beer and drink selection is really solid. Their food is pretty good and fairly priced. It can get very crowded on weekends. A nice place to hit up when in the area. read more

This place has a great atmosphere, one of my favorite NH bars. Bartenders are friendly and generous but can be a bit slow at times. Excellent old fashions and a decent craft beer selection. I tried the cheese plate and thought it was perfect. Definitely give this place a try if you like local hang outs. read more

Great bar I just discovered in downtown new haven. So refreshing to find some place interesting and hip to hang out. Lots of great cocktails and craft beers on tap, check them out! read more

Nice bar, yes it's hipster, but they can mix a drink, and they're friendly, in a genuine "I like my job" kind of way. Decor is quite nice. I haven't tried the food, but I've not heard complaints. You can relax have a great drink, and meet some nice people. So it's hipster without being obnoxiously so. Definitely returning, definitely recommend. read more

We LOVE this place! ALL the bartenders are awesome!! 95% of the drinks they make are awesome!! Love it! We try to visit at least once a week! We love Tim, he is the best! :) You guys are doing great! Keep going! read more

this place was fantastic, really glad my friend and I decided to stop in during our night in new haven. loved the "old study" feel of the decor and even more so the drinks. our bartender was phenomenal to watch in action as he built each drink he served. you could tell this dude has a real passion for what he does & taste it in his concoctions. i went with the numbah one for my beverage of choice and it was perhaps one of the best tequila cocktails I've ever had. sad I live so far away, but if I ever find myself back in new haven I'm definitely heading backup ordinary for another not so ordinary drink experience. read more

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

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

This is my favorite bar in New Haven. I am a fan of botanical gins and Ordinary has a few great ones. The staff are amazing and very educated on what is being sold. If you are fortunate enough to be served by Ben, ask any question, as he has a wealth of knowledge. The music playlist is also the best in New Haven. read more