Ordinary — Restaurant in New Haven

If you’re looking for an extraOrdinary night and the kind of bar that makes you feel cooler than you actually are—Ordinary is your spot.

From the get-go, we knew we were in for a treat when the manager greeted us like we were VIPs at a secret society meeting. His humor and charm instantly made us feel at home—and a little giddy, like we were about to be let in on a really good secret.

We took our rightful thrones at the bar, where Sam the Bartender became our spirit guide. He whipped up a series of signature cocktails with the finesse of a wizard and the speed of a caffeinated squirrel. The highlight? My wife was handed a drink so transcendent she named it herself—“Sunrise After Midnight.” Was it the best cocktail she’s ever had? Very likely.

I had a whiskey sour, old fashioned, and a few of thier on menu cocktails - all amazing but the whisky sour stood out as the absolute best.

The vibe? Impeccable. Moody, cozy, and just loud enough to keep things lively but quiet enough that we didn’t have to lip-read like Victorian ghosts. Perfect for date nights, friend hangs, or just pretending you're a character in a noir film.

We had an absolute blast and will definitely be back—possibly wearing disguises so we can pretend it’s our “first time” again.

Cheers to Ordinary—a place that lives up to its name in absolutely no...

The Ordinary has a storied history and decades of heritage to season their cocktails with, but they also make a drink worthy of drinking in more sterile environs.

I've only been once, and it was during happy hour on a weekday, so I didn't deal with any of the complaints other Yelp users had during alcohol rush hour. But we found the atmosphere and service to be excellent, to say nothing of the tasty drinks. Our bartender mixed up some fine drinks and answered a couple questions we had about the decor without looking belabored. My drink - the Paper Plane - was refreshing and sweet with a wintertime citrus sweetness. And the surroundings are all New England class. The wood paneling is original, the tile entryway is a leftover from the Taft Hotel, and the moose on the wall is rumored to have been shot by one of the bar's earliest proprietors. Finally, there is an staircase to the now inaccessible underground New Haven which itself speaks to an urban antiquity on which Ordinary proudly sits.

Yes, I can see that this bar is not terribly fun when overcrowded. But those reviews that kvetch about the crowds would have even more terrible things to say if the bar limited entry...

This place has a really cool atmosphere, excellent drinks, and good reasonably priced food. It is a real gem in New Haven and definitely worth trying for a drink or a quick bite. They have classic cocktails and more inventive ones. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the the menu and are super friendly.

The beer cheese is a nice snack that is very shareable. It consists of a cheddar cheese dip that is burnt on top like a creme brûlée and is served with crispy pretzel roll bites and a side of spicy mustard. The grilled cheese is delicious and comes with a small cup of tomato dip and some pickled carrots and jalapeños. The black bean burger is a good vegetarian option and was satisfying and tasty.

The Lock, Stock, and Three Smoking Barrels is a really interesting drink that is brought to the table in a glass case filled with aromatic incense smoke. It all leads to a memorable experience.

Ordinary is not your ordinary bar. It is unique and interesting in both atmosphere and its offerings. It is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for good food and drink in a cool ambiance...