Ordinary Cocktail Bar
A meeting place for members of the Connecticut General Assembly at the turn of the 18th century, the tavern hosted George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and Noah Webster (creator of the dictionary) during the Revolutionary War. The current building dates to 1910, when it became the opulent Taft Hotel, named for Yale professor and future president, William Howard Taft. The circa-1912 barroom was redesigned post-Prohibition, in 1935, with elaborately carved wooden accents and molding, and remains largely the same to this day. Just as special as the setting, the drinks themselves are an experience with award-winning bartenders crafting classics as well as thoughtful new creations. Ordinary cultivates a relaxed vibe by capping the number of guests admitted at any given time to encourage both conversation and elbow room, so reservations are encouraged.
