Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileElm City Social
New Haven, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Elm City Social runs a cocktail-first beverage program across a main bar, Social Hour, a rooftop Florida Bar, and seasonal specials. Signature drinks are $15 each, with house-infused spirits such as citra hop gin and cucumber tequila. The ECS Classics flight gathers four signatures for $26. Wine by the glass is $8–$10 and bottles $30–$38, while beer spans local Connecticut options and a non-alcoholic pick. A dedicated zero-proof section lists eight cocktails at $12.
- What should I order?
- Start with the ECS Classics flight — Rubber Ducky, Rocket Queen, Stunna, and El Pastor — at $26 for a four-drink comparison of the signature list. If ordering singly, the Rubber Ducky (citra hop infused gin, grapefruit, basil, lemon, bubbles) and the El Pastor (tequila, ancho Reyes Verde, charred pineapple, lime, agave, cilantro) are fully described $15 signatures. For zero-proof, the Unusual Duckspects mixes lemon, grapefruit, basil syrup, and sparkling water at $12.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a broad cocktail menu with infused-spirit signatures and a separate zero-proof list. Beer and wine drinkers are covered with local and imported options at moderate prices. The rooftop shots and Second Floor Agave Lab suit groups looking for spirits-led formats alongside cocktails.
- When should I go?
- Social Hour is the value window for wine at $7 and beer at $6. The rooftop Florida Bar is the setting for shots, wine by the glass, and the Pony Bucket. Seasonal specials rotate, including the Fall Specials 2026 Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature and seasonal cocktails are $15 each; the ECS Classics flight is $26. Zero-proof cocktails are $12 each. Wine by the glass is $7–$10, bottles $30–$38. Beer is $5–$8, with Social Hour at $6. Rooftop shots are $8 each, and the Pony Bucket is $20.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program spans a main bar, Social Hour, a rooftop Florida Bar, and a Second Floor Agave Lab, with cocktails built on house ingredients like citra hop infused gin, cucumber infused tequila, and hibiscus oleo-saccharum. Virtual cocktail classes are offered with kits shipped to participants, customizable cocktails or mocktails, and themes.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Cocktails are $15 across the main bar, Social Hour, rooftop Florida Bar, and seasonal specials. The range includes infused-spirit builds, soju, bourbon, and rum, plus an ECS Classics flight of four signatures. House ingredients include citra hop infused gin, cucumber infused tequila, and hibiscus oleo-saccharum.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple cocktail menus across the main bar, Social Hour, rooftop Florida Bar, and seasonal specials show a broad, rotating range.
- — Cocktails use infused spirits and house ingredients such as citra hop infused gin, cucumber infused tequila, and hibiscus oleo-saccharum.
- — The ECS Classics flight groups four named signatures at $26 for a multi-drink comparison.
Standout selections
- — Rubber Ducky — $15 — Citra hop infused gin, grapefruit, basil, lemon, bubbles; a signature sip and ECS Classic flight item.
- — Stunna — $15 — Cucumber infused tequila, blackberry, lemon, cassis, agave; a signature sip and ECS Classic flight item.
- — El Pastor — $15 — Tequila, ancho Reyes Verde, charred pineapple, lime, agave, cilantro; a signature sip and ECS Classic flight item.
- — Wake the Devil — $15 — Bourbon, Luxardo espresso liqueur, maple syrup, espresso, coffee bitters.
Pricing: Signature and spring cocktails $15 each; ECS Classics flight $26; zero-proof cocktails $12 each.
Wine
The wine list spans red, white, rosé, sparkling, and a non-alcoholic prosecco option. By-the-glass pricing is $8–$10 on the main menu, $7 at Social Hour, and $8–$10 on the rooftop. Bottles are $30–$38, with named producers from California, Argentina, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Washington.
Menu strengths
- — Wine is available across the main drink menu, Social Hour, and rooftop menus.
- — The list spans red, white, rosé, sparkling, and a non-alcoholic prosecco option.
- — By-the-glass pricing is $7–$10, with bottles at $30–$38.
Standout selections
- — Malbec — Killka, Mendoza, Argentina — $10 / $38 — Red wine by the glass.
- — Sauvignon Blanc — Peter Yealands, Marlborough, NZ — $10 / $38 — White wine by the glass.
- — Rosé — Vino, Yakima Valley, Washington — $9 / $32 — Rosé wine by the glass.
- — Prosecco — Wycliff Brut, California — $9 / $32 — Sparkling wine by the glass.
Pricing: By the glass $7–$10; bottles $30–$38.
Beer
The beer list runs bottled and canned: Miller High Life, Modelo Especial, Allagash White, Down East Cider, NEBCO Fuzzy Baby Ducks IPA, Surfside (rotating), and Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic (rotating). Social Hour offers beer at $6, including rotating draft and Modelo Mexican lager. The rooftop lists beer $5–$8 and a Pony Bucket at $20.
Menu strengths
- — Beer is available across the main drink menu, Social Hour, and rooftop menus.
- — The selection includes local Connecticut options (NEBCO, Allagash) and a non-alcoholic Athletic Brewing option.
- — Bottled and canned beer is priced $5–$8 on the March 2026 drink menu.
Standout selections
- — NEBCO Fuzzy Baby Ducks — $8 — IPA, 6.2 ABV, a local Connecticut option.
- — Allagash White — $6 — Bottle/can, 5.1 ABV.
- — Modelo Especial — $7 — Bottle/can, 4.4 ABV; also poured as Social Hour's Mexican lager.
- — Pony Bucket — $20 — Bucket of Coronita & Modelito on ice at the rooftop Florida Bar.
Pricing: Bottles and cans $5–$8; Social Hour $6; Pony Bucket $20.
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated 'No Proof (No Alcohol)' section lists eight zero-proof cocktails at $12 each, alongside non-alcoholic prosecco and Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer. Social Hour includes Elm City Lemonade (N/A). Virtual cocktail classes offer customizable cocktails or mocktails with kits shipped to participants.
Menu strengths
- — A dedicated zero-proof cocktail section lists eight options at $12 each.
- — Non-alcoholic prosecco and Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer extend the zero-proof choices beyond cocktails.
- — Virtual cocktail classes offer customizable cocktails or mocktails with kits shipped to participants.
Standout selections
- — Unusual Duckspects — $12 — Lemon, grapefruit, basil syrup, sparkling water.
- — Pink Revival — $12 — Watermelon, lime, pineapple shrub, watermelon boba, coconut foam.
- — Dubai Dusk — $12 — Espresso, pistachio, chocolate, strawberry, milk.
- — Mango Noir — $12 — Cola, brown sugar boba, mango cold foam.
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $12 each; non-alcoholic prosecco $9 / $32; Athletic Brewing $6.
Spirits
The rooftop Florida Bar lists a SHOTS section at $8, with builds using Campo Azul tequila, dark rum, vanilla vodka, and rum cream. The venue also operates a Second Floor Agave Lab, described on the homepage as part of three floors of fun.
Menu strengths
- — The rooftop Florida Bar lists a SHOTS section at $8 each, including Campo Azul tequila, dark rum, vanilla vodka, and rum cream builds.
- — The venue operates a Second Floor Agave Lab, described on the homepage as part of three floors of fun.
Standout selections
- — Sandy Cheeks — $8 — Shot: Campo Azul tequila, peach, citrus, tajin.
- — Banana Hammock — $8 — Shot: dark rum, banana liquor, coconut cream.
- — Florida Pie — $8 — Shot: vanilla vodka, lime, coconut, graham cracker.
- — Beachside Blow — $8 — Shot: macadamia, rum cream, whipped cream.
Pricing: Rooftop shots $8 each.
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