Westside 2 Pint 0

Alright, so, admittedly I’m a bit biased for this place. Let’s just say I’m well-​acquainted with the new owners and get that out of the way. I am a regular. I’m also not a bar person. I was kinda just abruptly shoved into this life, so if you are more of a barfly than I ever will be, your mileage may vary. Take what you will with whatever grains of salt you find most appropriate.
Your first impression, honestly, should be comfort. If you are a regular, this should feel like home. If you are new, you should feel welcomed by the owners and the staff. The owners, Chris and Scott, make sure to say hello to everyone and great all new people that they can. The bartenders are excellent people; any polite request is met with a kindness so genuine, it absolutely raises the bar for any other establishment I wander to. They work very hard to make sure you are happy, and they know that their attitude is a reflection upon the bar. If you didn’t get served or are unhappy, honestly you should probably reflect upon your own behavior and consider the source.
Now, let’s talk about the atmosphere! It’s wholly dependent on what day you come in and what time of day. Wednesday nights are their Karaōke Night, and the place is jam packed with people, and I mean LITERALLY. The lyrics are loaded up on a monitor for the singer, and on the 90″ Projector Screen for the benefit of the crowd. Tuesday Nights are for Trivia and Video Games and pull a fun crowd. Fridays and Saturdays are their days for live, local music, such as The Ruckus, and Thursday Night has been an up-​and-​coming Open Mic to showcase new and hidden talent in the New Haven area. Sundays and Mondays are very relaxed, and a good time to watch the game, try a new brew and some of the delicious viddles.
Speeeeeeeeeaking of viddles, I’ll go over the food! Their modestly priced menu features some really exciting options, even for not having their full kitchen up and running. A platter of eight JUMBO chicken wings in your choice of completely housemade Buffalo, Teriyaki, or Jameson Whiskey BBQ sauce will run you about $ 7, and will fill you up with absolute satisfaction. I swear, they are the BEST IN NEW HAVEN. Mozzerella sticks that are perfectly crispy on the outside and seductively oozy and cheesy on the inside. Clams Casino, fried zucchini sticks, and chili dogs prepared with Hummel skin-​on dogs and seriously some of the best hot dog chili I’ve ever had. Potstickers, chicken tenders… and I’ve heard rumors of their soon-​to-​be-​coming SIGNATURE BURGER with more appetizing ingredients lovingly placed in harmonious gustatory juxtaposition. Wanna know what’s on it? Go and ask Chris and Scott!
Go in and ask to see their beer menu. Go on. Do it. At four pages long, they’ve compiled a list of over a hundred beers in cans/​bottles or on tap! They currently have… I think it’s 12 beers on tap? Regardless, as time goes on, you can expect to see even more! Their taps change frequently, so everyone can get a chance to try something new!
One of the owners in particular has exceptional taste in brews. Ask Chris, or any of the bartenders, for their recommendations based on your own taste preferences. They pride themselves on serving many of the local Connecticut brewed beers: Thimble Island, Black Hog, Two Roads, along with some others that conjure a certain degree of excitement such as Fuzzy Baby Ducks. But, if all you want is a good ol’ pint of Bud fresh from the tap, they will be more than happy to accommodate anything you crave.
The mixed drinks are out of this world. The bartenders are fairly good mixologists when it comes to inventing something new and tasty, and I can only imagine it would get better! Go and ask for a «Boodles Drink», or «Dessert», or «Juicy Juice.» Or be like, «Gimme a mixed drink with some of that Blue Shit!» Their vodka selection includes favorites such as Deep Eddy’s and Three Olives, as well as Grey Goose on standby. Try some Clockwork Orange with coke! Try a Tropical Fusion! Try anything! They’ll just be glad you came by. The owners will even do shots and drink with you if you ask!
Overall, this is a place that is worth trying, at least once. Try a beer. Have a bite to eat. If you come here expecting high class wine and beer snobs and fancy plates and drinking out of cups with your pinky finger extended, you’ll be disappointed.
If you come here expecting to find a comfortable, casual bar experience, with the best drinks in New Haven and warm comforting food, consider yourself home and part of the family. See you there! ;)

I’ve been in a few times. The owners are wonderful and usually around. I hope this place does well.