As the weather gets warmer, the nights get steamier and the weekends seem to come and go faster than free food at happy hour, sipping the usual Bud Light at your local dive bar just doesn't cut it anymore. That's when it is time for something a bit more extraordinary…the pub crawl.
Past the history and beauty of Yale University and the jazz-squaring, toe-tapping musicals at Shubert Theater, the city of New Haven is a nightlife Mecca. When the sun goes down, up pops a plethora of bars and pubs waiting to be tapped, poured and enjoyed.
Bar hopping and pub crawling adventures are an unforgettable—if remembered in the first place—way to celebrate the summer season, but there are a few rules to follow.
1.) Fuel up, eating food before your adventure will ensure you can make it past the third location.
2.) Wear comfortable shoes, or in the case of lightweights, bring a trusty pair of knee pads. After all, they call it a crawl for a reason.
3.) Try new things, bar hopping is a great way to experience the history and culture of New Haven.
4.) Book a hotel or choose a designated driver. Remember, a safe trip is a fun trip.
Arranged for geographical convenience, feel free to shake and stir the following locations to create your own personal pub crawl cocktail. Just remember that sacred fraternity adage, “Beer before liquor, never sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear.”
Bar Hoppin' New Haven
A crawler's guide to the best pubs, grub and good times in Connecticut's Elm City
By Sara Grant
Special to MetromixJuly 14, 2008
The Bru Room @ BAR
254 Crown St., New HavenBAR is a great place to fuel up the crawlin’ crew with some tasty grub that will hold over until the munchies hit. Offering more than 20 toppings for its famous pizzas, BAR is the place to fill lots of stomachs on a little budget. Pair your pizza with an in-house brew, a great way to get the true New Haven experience. The Toasted Blonde is a light, low-calorie beer to ease you into your quest for oblivion; you don’t want to overdo it at the first stop. For non-beer drinkers, the daily sangria offers a refreshing start with a kick.
The Anchor
272 College St., New HavenDon’t be discouraged by Anchor’s small size—it's big on personality. With its old-fashioned nautical feel, one step into Anchor and you’ll wish you were a sailor (OK, maybe that's just the beer talking). Since peg legs are so last season, the next best option would be to drink like a sailor. So order a round of shots to kick your crawl into high gear. Anchor's oh-so-friendly bartenders are big Jameson fans, so if you've got low tolerance, better hold on tight and grow some sea legs or it's gonna be a long night. Staying true to the time warp vibe, Anchor sports an old-fashioned cash register, so make sure you have an ample wad of green to go the distance at this Yale favorite.
Richter's Cafe
990 Chapel St., New HavenNo matter how you choose to customize your crawl, Richter’s is a must-stop on this tipsy tour. Dating back to 1858, Richter’s is New Haven’s oldest bar, and the perfect place to try something new. The old timer offers the city’s largest selection of single malt Scotch whiskey. Even if it takes three people to finish the small glass, it’s worth a try—and yes, the water is a must. For the less daring, Richter’s is famous for its half-yard of beer, enough to inebriate all in one fell swoop.
Bottega Lounge
954 Chapel St., New HavenA little less pubby and a little more clubby, Bottega Lounge’s bumping Top 40 and house jams are enough to entice you for at least one drink. Bottega's colorful lighting and sleek design are a stark contrast to the Dracula’s castle-feel of Richter’s, proving that New Haven has something to offer everyone. The extensive cocktail list includes libations like the John Travolta. Now how could you say no to Mr. Grease Lightning?
The Playwright
144 Temple St., New HavenThe closest you’ll get to Ireland in New Haven is ordering a foamy Guinness or Smithwick's at The Playwright. Bartender Bruce put it best when he said, “Here at the Playwright, we don’t have a signature drink, we just promote drinking.” One of the largest pubs on this journey, The Playwright also offers a lot of character. If this is one of the last stops on your crawl, it's safe to say you might find yourself speaking with an Irish brogue in a shameless attempt to blend in.
Black Bear Saloon
124 Temple St., New HavenBy the time you hit Black Bear, your stomach will probably be growling from a case of the munchies. Luckily, the Saloon serves up a greasy late night menu until 1 a.m. Pair a plate of cheesy nachos or potato skins with a table topper of your favorite beer and that will be enough to put your bar hopping herd over the tipsy edge. Black Bear even offers karaoke to top the night off with complete and utter humiliation—all in good fun of course.
By the end of the night you’ll incoherently find yourself planning the next “crub prawl”—and it shouldn't be any other way.
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