I mean it's bars/resturaunts/theaters. The question is what are you looking for?

Also eat the pizza

Here's what you do. Go and get pizza. Sallys or Modern ideally, you can pregame this with a visit to one of the wine bars on State st. Go see a play at the Yale Cabaret. Head to a bar(there's too many good ones to pick, let us know what kind of bar you like). Grab a late night snack at Mamouns, walk around and look at the gothic yale architecture.

I plan to eat-a the pizza, so we're covered there.

Weird dives, spots with live music, vibey spots with mysterious people, etc.

What's your favorite spot, and why?

TBH there’s not too much to do on a Friday night that isn’t a club. Your best bet is probably a place called BAR on Crown St. They’ve got amazing pizza and they operate as a bar/ restaurant until about 10pm, where they open the back room into a nightclub. You can still order pizza by the slice after 10pm too.

There’s also Barcade on Orange St, which is exactly what it sounds like: a bar and a classic 80’s and 90’s arcade. They’ve got great pub food, burgers etc and the atmosphere is chill because it’s primarily old school gamers that are more on the quiet side.

Much garcia, friend-migo

Ooh if you’re looking for a good vibe with live music, check Cafe Nine on State St!

Here's are my personal things to do as a local on a night out:

Bars:
-Both wine bars on State st(Cave a Vin and August). They're warm, cozy places. They're both smaller though(especially August), so seats may be hard to find on a Friday night in winter
-The Canon. A newish neighborhood bar on Dwight st, definitely not part of the nightlight area. Aside from being a cozy little place, they've carved out an unusual niche as a vegan soccer bar(Arsenal represent)
-The Owl Shop. A bar, cigar shop, and cafe all in one. Managed to slide through a loophole in the law back in 2000s to be one of the few(if not only) bar left in the state you can smoke in. Definitely attracts an eccentric group of patrons. Definitely will go home absolutely reeking of ashtray on a weekend night
-Trinity. A big irish pub type of place. One of those bars where you don't feel awkward going in at 5pm to have a beer and bowl of stew to yourself.
-Cafe 9, best dive bar with live music. The other contenders are Three Sheets and Stella Blues. Three Sheets is fine, but I feel like less dive than they use to be. Stella Blues is okay, definitely a coke bar though, vibe is a bit seedier than Cafe 9

Restaurants:
-My actual favorite pizza in NHV is Brick Oven on Howe St. Wood fired pizza with a crust that is even thinner/crispier than the standard apizza style. They're hit or miss though, like 85% best pizza ever, 15% foul ball
-Of the big classic 3, skip Pepes. Go to Modern or Sally's.
-New Tibetan place on Chapel st that is so freakin good
-Do the local thing and grab a late night sandwich at Mamouns. Although now they close at 1am. They use to be either 2-3am 365 days a year. Legendary(Good Nature Market also exists if you need a 3am sandwich)

Fun stuff:
-Yale Cabaret. The Reparatory theater gets most of the attention, but I love the Cabaret. Such an intimate spot, you're right in front of the performers. They serve food and drink before the performance as well
-Barcade. It's exactly what it sounds like, so if you don't want to play arcade games and pinball, it's probably a pass
-Mediterranea. Hookah bar! Like 30 flavors to pick from, and they made pretty good food
-There is an axe throwing place I haven't been to, but i assume is interesting

this isn't a good list of all fun things in NHV, but basically where I would go for a date on a Friday night

Hell yeah, thank you so much

Saving thanks bro

Go to Tavern on State St before you get pizza, and try some bars near the Green afterwards, maybe ordinary for a fancy cocktail if you’re into those.

Vibey dive spot the Old Heidelberg

Welcome. Spend $5 or $10 for cover at Cafe Nine or the State House (on same block). If you get antsy there you quickly walk over to Barcade, like others have said. For a downtown bar with history, go to Ordinary, but I’d say only if you get there when it opens at 5 or so as the bar area is small. Someone else recommended our cool new soccer pub, but it’s spelled Cannon.

Check out Toads place to see if they have a good band playing.

Sounds like you may like Three Sheets

I can vouch for the live act this Friday night at Cafe Nine, Carissa Johnson. Really good. But have to be in the mood for a somewhat lower key acoustic show, at least when she’s not with a band. Cool little bar too, known for live music

Cafe Nine- live music every night of all genres. Dive atmosphere. No food.

Three Sheets- pre Covid it was a super divey rock & roll bar with a devoted clientele. They’ve remodeled and looks much cleaner and brighter. seem to be more focused on a less punk rock vibe

Owl Shop- whisky and cigars. Sometimes live jazz. Usually a good spot to either start or end a night. A couple drinks and a smoke in there can be $$$

Elm City Social- next door to the owl shop. Fantastic and talented bartenders. Amazing cocktails. Rooftop bar if open is usually seasonally themed.

BAR- dance party in the back room but more hip(but loud) vibe in the front room. Pizza is amazing and available by the slice at night.

Trinity- the last and only real Irish pub in New Haven. Great food and staff. Big soccer bar(Liverpool)

Barcade- old school 80s/90s arcade with a great craft beer selection.

Rudy’s- Belgian frites w/ amazing sauces. Good beer selection. Sometimes it’s a great time other times the clientele can be a douche fest.

These are just suggestions. There are so many spots downtown that are all walkable from each other. Just pop in and grab a drink at any of them and you’ll find one you like. Guaranteed

My favorite dive is three sheets. Highly recommend. Along with cafe nine, stella blues also has live music most nights.

Barcelona wine bar is great! You order a lot of small plates and have a family-style dinner. They also have pretty good cheese boards and wine flights.

For a fancier dinner, you can go to Harvest. I'd recommend making a reservation for both places esp since it's a weekend night.

I echo Barcade like others. It's pretty cute!

Ordinary is really vibey and enjoyable with nice cocktails, I love owl shop, it’s a cigar bar and going inside feels like stepping back in time. Cafe nine usually has live music in a fun dive bar setting. And you can always hit up barcade. If you’re in Wooster square area for pizza, check out Libby’s afterwards for a coffee and Italian pastries

To weigh in on any pizza suggestions my number one is Zenelli’s and second after that is Modern (since you said you’re doing pizza in another comment). Please pass on brick oven it’s solid for late night but so many better options for dinner time

Excellent list. Unfortunately, the axe throwing bar closed down last week.

I have to throw in my obligatory "Cafe Nine is not a dive bar" comment. It's safe and clean and serves $9 pints. Hands down my favorite music venue. Weeds Cafe is a dive, if you're looking for one.

This is pretty good list, the only things I'll add: Pepes and Sally's are better than Modern, and on one street with a great Italian dessert spot from 1915 (libbeys). These are walkable from downtown, as Modern is farther. Other bars with good vibes are Old Heidelberg, Rudy's. He mentioned Three Sheets which is a classic. I'll also add that Cafe 9 is great but demands a cover usually so if you're popping around and don't want to drop 10 bucks per person keep that in mind. The axe place closed. Barcade is not unique to new haven but pretty cool. I would add Ordinary as a cocktail bar, but get a reservation.

Bar is another famous pizza spot, has pool and brews their own beers, and transmogrifies into a dance spot in the back at night.

Have fun

Sally’s and Pepe’s Pizza are on the same street and a big part of the NH pizza war. I’m personally not impressed with either lol for a different type of pie, go to BAR and get a white mashed potato bacon and if you’re feeling adventurous and it’s open, Louie’s lunch is across the street for an old fashioned no-ketchup burger (Google it) and milk craft ice cream is right down the street. Bonus points to the BAR area for having a parking lot and a few garages on the street. BAR also eventually turns into a nightclub just FYI. They’re a microbrewery with a party room in the back that turns club in case you do want to dance a little.

Barcelona has really good tapas-type food and half/priced bottles of wine on Sunday’s.

If you can book a walking tour, they’re usually really interesting and they do have some at night. I did a ghost one that was really informational and historical a while back and loved it.

You’re either going to hunt around forever for parking or probably pay, just a heads up. I usually just pay and to hell with it lol

^

True, but compared to anything else downtown aside from Stella

^
Tavern is excellent, but if they're not going to really eat there(assuming they're going for pizza), idk if it's the best choice

It should be said that while Zenelli's is absolutely phenomenal, it is not NHV style pizza if that is what someone visiting wants to try

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Fair point.

My favorite dive is New West Cafe. While not downtown it’s still in a nice part of New Haven and is a short uber to downtown. It could break up the night and be a good starting point b4 you head downtown.

Yes you’re right but it’s still my fav. I think Modern is the best New Haven style. I also really like zuppardi’s

Modern is way better, the other two sold out hard

Bzzt wrong. Sallys has gotten better since they sold anyway, I think that might show how frequently you partake