Restaurant
Unclaimed profileROLi
New Haven, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
ROLi builds its drinks around a bespoke seasonal cocktail menu of fresh handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, with a program that shifts with the seasons and draws on barrel-aged bourbons, agave spirits, and aromatic aperitifs. The happy hour list keeps things straightforward: four cocktails at $10, four wines by the glass at $9 or bottle at $36, and beers at $5. Gin is the stated focus, backed by a dedicated in-house gin menu and premium tonic pairings.
- What should I order?
- Start with a gin pour from the dedicated gin menu, paired with premium tonic. For a classic cocktail, the Old Fashioned with bourbon, simple, Angostura, and orange peel is a solid choice. The juzu daisy cocktail has been named by customers as a high-quality option.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- This is for drinkers who want a seasonal cocktail list alongside a globally sourced wine selection and a focused gin menu. Beer drinkers will find a small rotating bottled list, and nonalcoholic drinkers have a mocktail menu plus Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the obvious window for the $10 cocktails, $9 wines, and $5 beers. The seasonal cocktail menu and dedicated gin menu are available whenever the bar is open, making any visit a chance to explore the current rotation.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Happy hour pricing is published: cocktails at $10, wines by the glass at $9 or by the bottle at $36, and beers at $5. The nonalcoholic Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA is listed on the happy hour menu. Outside happy hour, expect typical restaurant beverage pricing.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- ROLi treats gin as a focus, offering a dedicated gin menu with a global range from London Dry to contemporary botanical expressions, each pour paired with premium tonic waters. The cocktail program mixes nostalgia with creativity and evolves with the seasons, while the wine list emphasizes small estates and organic vineyard practices.
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
A bespoke seasonal cocktail menu of fresh handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, drawing on barrel-aged bourbons, agave spirits, and aromatic aperitifs. The happy hour list covers four classics at $10: Classic G&T, Gimlet, Margarita, and Old Fashioned. Reviewers describe many high-quality options and praise the bartender's drink-making.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal cocktail program that evolves with the seasons and mixes nostalgia with creativity
- — Happy hour offers four well-known cocktails at $10 each
Standout selections
- — Old Fashioned — bourbon, simple, Angostura, orange peel; listed on the happy hour menu at $10
- — Margarita — tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, salted rim; listed on the happy hour menu at $10
- — Juzu daisy cocktail — a specific cocktail named and praised by customers
Pricing: Happy hour cocktails $10 each
Wine
A globally sourced wine collection curated with emphasis on small estates and organic vineyard practices, organized for accessibility. The happy hour list features four wines by the glass at $9 or bottle at $36: Pinot Grigio from Veneto, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, a Red Blend from Western Cape, and Tempranillo Joven from Rioja. A customer also mentioned ordering a Rose'.
Menu strengths
- — Global wine list emphasizing small estates and organic practices
- — Four wines available by the glass and bottle at happy hour pricing
Standout selections
- — Pinot Grigio, Vigneti del Sole, Veneto, Italy — $9 glass / $36 bottle
- — Sauvignon Blanc, Gravel & Loam, Marlborough, New Zealand — $9 glass / $36 bottle
- — Tempranillo Joven, Milenrama (un-oaked), Rioja, Spain — $9 glass / $36 bottle
Pricing: Happy hour wines $9 by the glass, $36 by the bottle
Beer
A rotating list of bottled beer spanning local, US, and international options. The happy hour menu lists three at $5: Peroni Lager (Italy, 5.1% ABV), Two Roads Lil Heaven IPA (US, 4.8% ABV), and East Rock Brewing Co Vienna Lager (US, 5.3% ABV). The selection is compact but covers lager and IPA styles.
Menu strengths
- — Rotating bottled beer list with local, US, and international options
Standout selections
- — Peroni Lager — Italy, 5.1% ABV; $5 at happy hour
- — Two Roads Lil Heaven IPA — US, 4.8% ABV; $5 at happy hour
- — East Rock Brewing Co Vienna Lager — US, 5.3% ABV; $5 at happy hour
Pricing: Happy hour beers $5 each
Nonalcoholic
Handcrafted mocktails are part of the bespoke seasonal cocktail menu. The happy hour drinks menu also lists Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA, a US non-alcoholic IPA. The nonalcoholic program is deliberately light but offers both a mocktail route and a packaged non-alcoholic beer option.
Menu strengths
- — Handcrafted mocktails included in the seasonal cocktail menu
- — Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA available as a non-alcoholic beer option
Standout selections
- — Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA — US non-alcoholic IPA listed on the happy hour drinks menu
Pricing: Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA listed on happy hour menu
Spirits
Gin is the stated focus, with a dedicated in-house gin menu offering a global range from London Dry to contemporary botanical expressions. Each gin pour is paired with premium tonic waters. A reviewer also praised the lemon drop martinis made by the bartender as very good.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated gin menu with a global range of expressions
- — Each gin pour paired with premium tonic waters
Standout selections
- — Gin pours from the dedicated gin menu, paired with premium tonic waters
- — Lemon drop martinis — praised by a reviewer as very good
Community reviews
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