The vibes, the drinks, the experience is worth trying. I love the ever changing menu-- like a different experience everytime. Good apps. Not for a large party but I would say a group of 6 would be max. Make reservations. Service is good-- they make great recs.
Josh Massa
A neat little "speakeasy" with a good cocktail collection. I'm a whiskey guy myself and had plenty of options to choose from. Every Wednesday they do a special pour of a select spirit for cost as long as you buy something from the kitchen, and they run some really good deals.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Lanasha R.
We stopped at Ordinary while killing time waiting for the next the next train home. I liked the space heater that was provided after the first door; a literal warm welcome. We grabbed a seat at the bar which wasn't as full as the seated section so there was no wait. We were immediately greeted by a friendly bartender with two glasses of water so that was a major plus. I love classic cocktails but the dust cloud Negroni caught my eye under the "From the Lab" section of the drink menu. The first sip definitely packs a punch that I wasn't braced for. It reminded me of an original flavored cough drop left at the bottom of a glass of alcohol. Thankfully my palate adjusted and I enjoyed the drink after that! Looking forward to the next visit.
Taylor Wright
10/10 the best experience I’ve had in a long time with a restaurant. Came in with a group of 4 without a reservation and was still accommodated even though they were completely booked until 10PM (we came at 5:45). Tim greeted us and seated us at a small space that really wasn’t a setting area (definitely not complaining about this as it was really intimate), but more of a holding area but still continued to provide TREMENDOUS service. A table ended up canceling their reservation and we were able to be seated there! He continued to provide top notch recommendations on drinks and did NOT disappoint each time. I left with a very happy heart and I will definitely be returning VERY soon. Tim, and everyone else who is reading this, thanks for being rad. To everyone else, come and visit this spot if you want to be treated the way you are meant to be!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Alex C.
10/10 spot. Best drinks in New Haven. I got a happy hour drink and it was actually incredible. You'll enjoy literally whatever you wanna get.
fromBranford
The Ordinary really tries to make their drinks weird and experimental. I ordered the Four Legs Layered from their experimental cocktail list, which had literally four separate layers of liquid. The top layers tasted bad, but the bottom layers were good. I also ordered an old fashioned, but it was the worst old fashioned I've ever tasted. Definitely worth checking out this place at least once to see the unique interior, but nothing special.
Matt Zuchowski
The decor is dope and their drinks even better. Old fashioned and Sazerac very flavorful.
Ken Secor
This is anything but an Ordinary, it has a really cool speak easy vibe and is a must see ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mayra Rodriguez
It's such a great spot! Delicious cocktails and great snacks.
Every time I've gone to this establishment, they've been extra ordinary. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. The ambience is warm and cozy with a speakeasy feel and the service is five star because it is a smaller space I would suggest making reservations.
Bubbles
We went here because we were looking for a good Scotch/Whiskey list. We were not disappointed. However, the service was very slow, and the food choices (which one needs when one is drinking Scotch) were disappointing. I'm glad we went...once.
Michael W.
What a cool place! Make sure you book reservations because you might not get in otherwise. Sat at the bar both times we went. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and knowledgeable. Order a drink off the menu or trust them to make you something you'll love. The food was fine - only had light snacks like bread, crackers, cheese etc. What makes Ordinary exceptional to me is their bourbon selection. Not only do they have a lot of unique bottles to try but they also have around 9 or 10 single barrel picks that you can enjoy at the bar and if you like it enough you can even buy a bottle to go !! I've never been to any other restaurant / bar that has offered that. Me and my friend each took a bottle home.
Literature I.
We have a great time everytime we are here! I highly recommend the potatoes but everything have had is fantastic!!! The service is always fast and friendly! And I adore the Clue theme! The whole place is such a vibe! I love it! On our most recent trip, we had: The roasted potatoes, the beer cheese, the Brussels sprouts, the lamb dog, the doodle burger, and many, many drinks! My personal favorite drink is the bumbumbum and the salsarac!
JillP
Never had a bad experience at Ordinary. The best cocktails in the state, with new, creative options always rotatating. The foos, which could easily be an afterthought matches the drinks and perfect ambiance. The staff is knowledgeable, fun and attentive without making you feel rushed. The Thursday night special burger was incredible!
Excellent drinks, great bartenders and
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The vibes, the drinks, the experience is worth trying. I love the ever changing menu-- like a different experience everytime. Good apps. Not for a large party but I would say a group of 6 would be max. Make reservations. Service is good-- they make great recs.
A neat little "speakeasy" with a good cocktail collection. I'm a whiskey guy myself and had plenty of options to choose from. Every Wednesday they do a special pour of a select spirit for cost as long as you buy something from the kitchen, and they run some really good deals.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We stopped at Ordinary while killing time waiting for the next the next train home. I liked the space heater that was provided after the first door; a literal warm welcome. We grabbed a seat at the bar which wasn't as full as the seated section so there was no wait. We were immediately greeted by a friendly bartender with two glasses of water so that was a major plus. I love classic cocktails but the dust cloud Negroni caught my eye under the "From the Lab" section of the drink menu. The first sip definitely packs a punch that I wasn't braced for. It reminded me of an original flavored cough drop left at the bottom of a glass of alcohol. Thankfully my palate adjusted and I enjoyed the drink after that! Looking forward to the next visit.
10/10 the best experience I’ve had in a long time with a restaurant. Came in with a group of 4 without a reservation and was still accommodated even though they were completely booked until 10PM (we came at 5:45). Tim greeted us and seated us at a small space that really wasn’t a setting area (definitely not complaining about this as it was really intimate), but more of a holding area but still continued to provide TREMENDOUS service. A table ended up canceling their reservation and we were able to be seated there! He continued to provide top notch recommendations on drinks and did NOT disappoint each time. I left with a very happy heart and I will definitely be returning VERY soon. Tim, and everyone else who is reading this, thanks for being rad. To everyone else, come and visit this spot if you want to be treated the way you are meant to be!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
10/10 spot. Best drinks in New Haven. I got a happy hour drink and it was actually incredible. You'll enjoy literally whatever you wanna get.
The Ordinary really tries to make their drinks weird and experimental. I ordered the Four Legs Layered from their experimental cocktail list, which had literally four separate layers of liquid. The top layers tasted bad, but the bottom layers were good. I also ordered an old fashioned, but it was the worst old fashioned I've ever tasted. Definitely worth checking out this place at least once to see the unique interior, but nothing special.
The decor is dope and their drinks even better. Old fashioned and Sazerac very flavorful.
This is anything but an Ordinary, it has a really cool speak easy vibe and is a must see ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
It's such a great spot! Delicious cocktails and great snacks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Cheese, Beer Cheese, Roasted Potatoes
Restaurantji Recommends
Every time I've gone to this establishment, they've been extra ordinary. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. The ambience is warm and cozy with a speakeasy feel and the service is five star because it is a smaller space I would suggest making reservations.
We went here because we were looking for a good Scotch/Whiskey list. We were not disappointed. However, the service was very slow, and the food choices (which one needs when one is drinking Scotch) were disappointing. I'm glad we went...once.
What a cool place! Make sure you book reservations because you might not get in otherwise. Sat at the bar both times we went. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and knowledgeable. Order a drink off the menu or trust them to make you something you'll love. The food was fine - only had light snacks like bread, crackers, cheese etc. What makes Ordinary exceptional to me is their bourbon selection. Not only do they have a lot of unique bottles to try but they also have around 9 or 10 single barrel picks that you can enjoy at the bar and if you like it enough you can even buy a bottle to go !! I've never been to any other restaurant / bar that has offered that. Me and my friend each took a bottle home.
We have a great time everytime we are here! I highly recommend the potatoes but everything have had is fantastic!!! The service is always fast and friendly! And I adore the Clue theme! The whole place is such a vibe! I love it! On our most recent trip, we had: The roasted potatoes, the beer cheese, the Brussels sprouts, the lamb dog, the doodle burger, and many, many drinks! My personal favorite drink is the bumbumbum and the salsarac!
Never had a bad experience at Ordinary. The best cocktails in the state, with new, creative options always rotatating. The foos, which could easily be an afterthought matches the drinks and perfect ambiance. The staff is knowledgeable, fun and attentive without making you feel rushed. The Thursday night special burger was incredible!