Prime 16

Archie’s

Temple Grill. Contois (if they will accept you) would be my first choice. Whalley Pizza is ok too.

Definitely Contois. Great burger

Wym if they accept me?

Three Sheets is The answer on Sat and Sun, but to your point doesn’t open on weekdays til 4pm.

Contois Tavern is an old neighborhood bar that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in 1934. It was founded by Walter E. Contois. Local rumor has it that the location in the Goatville section of the city had originally served as New Haven's first speakeasy during the Prohibition Era. Contois took over the bar after the repeal, and it's belonged to his family ever since. They still follow an old school code of ethics. There wasn't a sign outside the bar until 2013, there are no hours posted, there's no website, and there's no phone. Today, the bar is run by Walter's grandson Bill Contois and great grandson Bill Jr. Aside from the occasional brew, Contois Tavern is also known for the food. There's no actual written menu, but one thing they are known for is their cheeseburger; some argue it's even the best in the city. They also grill up steaks and chicken tender cutlets. The meat comes from the Meat House in Branford. Contois Tavern also have a seasonal rotation of homemade hearty soups, such as beef stew, clam chowder and pepperoni soup. Concerning the latter, some customers claim, "You'll never eat another soup!" They even make grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches. Just remember, everything is CASH ONLY. I recently visited Contois Tavern at lunch time after a long morning bike ride. This place has no business being in 2021; it was like stepping into a speakeasy from the 1940s. Besides me, there was a table of elderly Italian men eating cheeseburgers and debating issues. Bill Jr. was running the place on this day. I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a cheeseburger with sliced tomato and caramelized onions. It came served on a fresh poppyseed roll. It seemed so simple, but then I bit into it and it was so delicious!! It was so juicy and flavorful; no ketchup needed. I also asked if they had any of the pepperoni soup I heard great things about. Bill said, "Sorry, that's more of a late Autumn/early Winter soup." Oh well; just another reason to come back. I would easily rank Contois's burger as one of the Top 3 in the city (along with Louis' Lunch and Prime 16 Tap House + Burgers). I'll definitely be back!

By Matthew L on Restaurant Guru

Yeah man three sheets is awesome, don’t know why they don’t open earlier! I kinda feel like that’s one of the characteristics of a dive bar, open at 11:30 every day lol

Archie, Contois, Trinity all work for a day beer

Wow, that sounds amazing. Thank you for this! Can’t wait to try it. Still not sure what buddy was talking about regarding them accepting me, but I guess I’ll find out

It’s been considered a “cop bar“ by many… try to read the room and don’t get vocal about politics.

Noted. I’ll leave my “fuck 12” shirt at home

Don’t know the password? /s

The first time I went in, Bill just looked at me and kept reading his paper. I just waited patiently for 10 or so minutes for him to come over. He then took my order.

Barcade opens 2pm Friday through Sunday and have decent burgers.

Lmao they will literally serve anyone. People act like contois is a secret society. Just go in and don’t talk to the cops

Rudy’s

They accept anyone. Just gotta act a little salty and make sure to bring cash and don't come with a big crowd. I've never been "not accepted" nor do I know anyone who has. Also don't ask for a menu. Instead say "you doing food tonight?" cause legit sometimes they're just in no food mode and if you're not a regular he won't do it. It's def a bit intimidating but once you come in and grab a drink and chill for a min people will warm up to you.

If it were profitable to keep the place open all day, they would do it. As much as I love a daytime beer at a local dive, I can't get there due to work, as is the case for most other people. Paying for staff to open the place to cater to a handful of customers doesn't make sense most of the time.

Under prior ownership, the Contois Tavern existed and potentially was a speakeasy before the Contois family bought or reestablished the business in 1934.

Side topic tangent: Prohibition started in 1920 and ended in 1933. During the prohibition years, annual New Haven City Directories document my Irish immigrant family’s saloon operated as a purported “candy or confectionery store”.

Likely similar to Contois’ predecessor, our candy store never stopped operating. Alcohol regulators and police and city leaders of the day were absolutely paid off. Written family records also indicate many of them joined our relatives for complimentary dinners after Sunday church services. Supposed to have served good eats, and definitely cashed Winchester Repeating Arms and other factory workers’ pay checks.

Still there, multiple ownership changes later (520 Winchester Ave/Thompson St). Hope the OP finds some quality day time establishments, but suspect the currently-named Taurus B may not meet OP’s interests. /s

New West, duh

Bro I thought of that but Google says they don’t open till 3

Shouldn't be an issue anymore. For a long time, it was a cop bar, and they were pretty picky about who they let in. Women were not allowed. (The reasoning supposedly was that the cops would go there after work, and if their wives knew they were at Contois, they could be sure they weren't messing around.)

It was real low-key. There was no sign or neon lights. My brother moved into an apartment right across the street in the late 1990s, and he didn't believe me at first when I told him there was a bar there.

The first few times I went in, I'm pretty sure they were keeping thge door locked, and I probably wouldn't have set foot inside except my friend had a connection. Even so, if memory serves, everyone stopped talking and stared at me. The owner -- I believe the father of the current owner -- was reputedly an ex-Navy Seal, and he certainly looked the part. Things got friendier once he got to know you.

Things got a lot more relaxed under the current ownership. They put in a low-key sign 10 years or so ago. And to my knowledge, they welcome anyone, male or female, as long as they behave respectfully.

a VERY solid option & suggestion, but def wouldn't call this a "greasy spoon," haha.

thank you! And yes i'm commenting simply bc I want to be able to come back to this

Delaney’s opens before noon

Delaney’s

The Cannon is open starting at like 8am on days where there are soccer games

Temple Grill closed in 2021

Oh boo. Thanks for letting me know. I moved out of state before Covid.

Delaney’s has great food and great beer. Awesome place overall.

I mean, its open early , the burgers are great and beer selection is on point. I dont even know what a greasy spoon is.

Best burger in New Haven

Hasn’t Temple Grill been gone for a while now?

greas·y spoon

noun INFORMAL

a cheap, run-down cafe or restaurant serving fried foods.

Trinity bar anyone?

Fussy coffee

Doesn't open til 3pm

White men get preference. Then cops, firefighters and EMT, regardless of race.

I’ve never seen a black woman in there

Contois fits the bill exactly.

I legit thought u/Resurgemus was making a joke about it historically being a speakeasy but the other comments cleared that up!

Woman here, I went once with no problems so pretty sure it’s fine now. 😂 Their cook was out the day we went though, which I’m kind of bummed about after reading the other comments.

Temple Grill closed about 18 months ago lol

Shhh, it’s a hidden gem!!

Cops definitely went there but it was more of a blue collar bar than strictly a “cop bar”: railroad, water company, fd, PD, UI, etc. It also has its share of local politicos drink there. The ownership is the same family and rumor is that it’s the oldest liquor license in the state with the same name.

This isn’t true, however the demographic of east rock is primarily white so that tends to be the clientele.

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Christopher martins

Alcoholics Anonymous

More of the local bars were open earlier prior to the COVID lockdown. When things re-opened it didn't make sense to open early because so many people were still staying home. Things seem to have mostly picked back up but I'm guessing a lot of places haven't really re-examined the hours they open, or they are still playing it safe to save every penny and mainly be open when they are more likely to be busier.

Especially these days. Feels like there were more options pre-pandemic. I’m frequently in NYC and even there, some places have reduced their hours.

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Sheets tried opening for lunch a few years ago. I was a regular, and there was rarely anyone else but me and like, maybe one other person there. It was sadly not worth the effort.

I don't doubt you, though I'm not sure there is a "preference" more than that's just who tends to frequent the place. East Rock is diverse on paper, but not always in practice. There was a reasonable amount of diversity there the last time I went, including black women. But that was at least a decade ago.

Cool. Kinda has a Contois vibe from the outside.

🤔 I’m a cop, why wouldn’t you want to chat?

Mecha has surprisingly good drinks

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Loll i walked past this 3 times a day for 2 years and literally did not understand if i was allowed in. They always have big army/air force flags up and i never see anyone in there but old white boomer men. Its like a shriner lodge vibe

Temple grill is now chacra. And no clue what time they open.

I’ve been there once! (Black woman) don’t think I’ll be going back again. 🥴

Bottle of hennessey and a Modern pizza on the Nica's Deli patio your experience may vary

Jfc, I’m being downvoted because of my profession? What a bunch of brittle people, heaven forbid you have your preconceptions challenged by actually casually chatting with a cop.

No burgers there tho - it’s vegetarian. But their fries kick butt.

q-river grill opens at lunch- in fair haven other side of the grandave bridge.

Taco Bell down town serves drinks 😂