The Social Bar & Kitchen

208 Bank St, New London CT 06320
$$ American

Reservations

Business Info

  • Address: 208 Bank St, New London CT 06320
  • Cross Street: Bank Street Connector
  • Cuisine: American | Hamburger | New American | Seafood | Steak | Sunday Brunch | Vegan |
  • Cost: | Inexpensive
  • Category: Casual Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Brunch | Lunch | Dinner | Late | Other |
  • Parking: Street | Public Lot | Private Lot |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Cash |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: 8604426900
  • Features: Full Bar, Sunday Brunch, Late Dining, Live Entertainment, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Winning Wine List, Wheelchair Access, Happy Hours, Lounge / Bar, Healthy Options, Free Wi-Fi,
  • Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip, Date Night,

Photos

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Dinner 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Happy Hour 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Dinner 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Trivia 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Happy Hour 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Dinner 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Happy Hour 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
Dinner 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Happy Hour 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
Dinner 5:00 PM - 11:45 PM
Lunch 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Happy Hour 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Dinner 3:00 PM - 11:45 PM
Brunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
Dinner 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brunch 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.69 out of 5 stars based on 356 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 28, 2025
Patricia B.
It was excellent! We go there alot but had been trying to catch the NL Big Band. They were awesome! Really enjoyed it.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2025
amy h.
We had another fantastic experience at the social! Brian was attentive and very helpful making sure my reservation requests were met—thank you!! Our server was excellent as well. Food was good, drinks kept coming, atmosphere was fun and safe.. Music by the Franklin brothers was over the top exceptional! Wonderful place to have my birthday party. Highly recommend!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 17, 2024
Kathy G.
Fun evening great music and dancing.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 06, 2024
Victoria L.
We love The Social. We are there for N.L.Big Band and the Holios were great. The kitchen was behind in food prep. The waitress had to delay taking our orders. The waitress was very attentive.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 22, 2024
Carey Anne M.
We had a wonderful time. We did not eat there, only drinks, but the food that other people were eating looked amazing. Talented and engaging entertainment that even got people up dancing. Also band was not overly loud and venue spacing was was great as you could move around with ease. Overall great time!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 03, 2023
Mandy F.
What a gorgeous venue to watch a great show! Drinks and food were great!Our waitress, Liz, was incredible! She was constantly checking on her customers in a packed house with a smile the entire time! We’ll be back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 09, 2023
Pat R.
Great night

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 23, 2023
Paul C.
Great food, friendly service, we’ll be going back again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 21, 2023
Karen W.
It was my first time at the Social and it certainly will not be my last. I loved the whole night..the music, the food and the great vibe.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 03, 2023
Joy T.
Delicious food, attentive staff, comfortable chairs and great music venue. I love bringing new people to this gem of a club.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Mar 13, 2023
Yvette D.
The setting is wonderful. The server was exellent! Food was lovely and healthy! Music was amazing! Just a great night over all.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 13, 2023
Harrison V.
I had the brussel sprouts appetizer. For me there was a little too much honey and too much oil but otherwise I tried to eat them without the sauce. I am more of a plain person but I did eat them all. Unfortunately my fiance did not like the sauce. Drinks were good & the wait staff very friendly & helpful. Fun night dancing to the Carleans & Hoolios

Overall: 10/10
Food: 4/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jan 16, 2023
Debra M.
Ok overall experience was a 10!! That’s because of there was a group of 12 best friends and we had so much fun! Also due to Fusion!! Such a great band!! The food (I ordered spicy turkey burger) which didn’t CJ one to me the way I ordered it. A salad was ordered and that was wrong. The kitchen took forever for us to receive our meals. My burger took 1 hour. Service from our waitress is a 10!!! She took our complaints like an angel and only tried to make everything better and everyone happy!! She was the best! We know the good delay was not her fault. We still had an absolute great time. Kitchen was the only problem. We would go back but maybe eat first.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 03, 2023
Kristin L.
This was the first time I experienced the social having a breakfast buffet, and I was quite pleased. A great selection of food and plenty of it! And Liz our server was just the best! :)

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 31, 2022
Paul B.
food was good, service good, and the music as excellent, the place seems clean, its roomy and open comfortable place over all, we will be back for more music and food

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 22, 2022
Maddy H.
Service was great! Live music was AMAZING!!!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 07, 2022
Kelly G.
This is my favorite place in the area!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 26, 2022
Joe M.
The place was well kept, and was fairly busy, even for just being open an hour into its operating hours. The menu was all digital (very thoughtful), and was easy to navigate. Food came out wonderfully, and my guests had an excellent time!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 23, 2022
Bruce C.
Our server - can't remember her name - was awesome. She was very funny, served us fast, checked in just the right amount of times. Rockstar! The atmosphere was very cool. Wings were some of the best we've had. And there's a pool table! We are definitely coming back!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 22, 2022
Treva C.
Great atmosphere! We really enjoyed the live music. The restaurant was having some issues with their WiFi and some electrical issues, but they did their best to accommodate us on what must have been a stressful day for the staff. Everyone was super pleasant and helpful, and the food was good.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 08, 2022
MICHAEL R.
Our server Jarreau was superb. Brussels sprouts were to die for. Sandwiches were juicy and delicious.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 16, 2022
Blair Y.
It was our first time there as we just moved to Waterford. We loved it and will be back.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 24, 2022
Frank M.
Everything was great: food, music, service ! I'll go there again, and again, and again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Dec 22, 2021
Larry L.
Great place!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 20, 2021
Vincent D.
Everything ok , but service was slow

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 13, 2021
Maggie B.
Great food and ambience. I would highly recommend the breakfast flatbread and a Bloody Mary for brunch

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 29, 2021
Jerry M.
Great food, friendly staff. Manager came around to ask how everything was. Everything you would expect in a good restaurant.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 11, 2021
Anne R.
Server was great we were seated promptly and experience was great!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Sep 13, 2023
Tiiu P.
The burgers were a bit greasy, but overall the food and beer were good.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Nov 15, 2021
MARC S.
We arrived 20 minutes early and were greeted by someone we thought was the hostess, but turned out to be a server doing dual duty. She immediately informed us that we may experience a long wait to be seated. We noted our reservations and she repeated her long wait discussion; but, she had a change of heart and seated us (we were kind to her). She informed us that they were operating at half-staff, but would do her best to serve our needs and we said we understood. As we ordered, she reinforced to us that the kitchen was short staffed and tickets were backed up. We decided to order anyway. As it turns out, the drinks and food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Kudos to the server for her ability to accommodate us, under staffing shortages. We will certainly return again. Best wishes for overcoming the staffing issues.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Nov 07, 2023
Toni P.
Food was fine. Took a long time for our checks to be collected and returned

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 12, 2023
Joy T.
Waitress was great. Food was a bit disappointing. Fish a bit too greasy. I had the rib eye over Mac and cheese The meat was overly cooked even for medium well and full of grizzle. I could not eat it. Waitress just charged me for Mac and cheese which was appreciated. The cakes were delicious. We had pistachio and the chocolate mouse cake.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jun 17, 2023
Tom A.
Good food and ambiance. Definitely a return is in order!

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Feb 20, 2023
David H.
Our server was delightful. Very attentive.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 10, 2022
Judy P.
No complaints, I just never give anyone a 10 because then they don’t have anything to strive for. Service & food were good.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Feb 28, 2022
James G.
U need to make a better effort to have the Server check on your patrons sooner. We sat for a while waiting for some contact to get a drink. Also the Mac & cheese was dry and not good. The burger kicked ass and the waiter was charming. I dig the extensive beer choices too.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 22, 2021
LORI L.
Great evening. Our server was fabulous and the food was very good.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 06, 2021
Debbie F.
Loved Justin - best waiter!!! Unfortunately, the poor guy was like the only one working so things were a bit slow, but not his fault - he was all over that restaurant working his butt off! Food wise there were hits and misses. Drinks - fabulous! Hits: Hot chips, tofu, cauliflower, wings, mac-n-cheese, burgers (veggie burger as well!)! Misses: 1) Fries (partly my fault because I missed the “you can leave off the wheat coating”) They tasted dusty and were not crisp at all. I have no idea why they don’t just make regular fries. This is a big miss. No one I know has ever enjoyed them. 2) Pork tips: Over fried and dry. No flavor to them. Rice was clumpy. Sauce was non-existent. Will I go back? Absolutely. Two misses on food dishes don’t make me want to not go back. There are way too many positives!

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Mar 24, 2025
Christy K.
We ended up with a good server eventually but we were ignored for several minutes when we went to sit in the bar area from the bar and my friend had to go up and ask who was taking care of us.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 6/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 15, 2024
Deb T.
It was ok. Truffle parm fries were burnt and soggy. First server was awful…but then another took over and she was very good.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Jul 08, 2023
Ashley P.
Our server was personable, but we waited over an hour for our food. We had reservations at 5 because we were catching a 7pm show and had to ask for the bill to come with our food so we could make a fast exit.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 5/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
May 23, 2022
Sloan K.
Love the room, band excellent! Drinks, excellent. Reservation was not clear to book and follow thru was kind of odd. Requested to be in view of band but got the around the corner booth. Comfortable but not in view of full band. Half the party couldn’t see it. Burgers 4 ordered, 2 cooked wrong. Great wings. Great waitress. Would return but not so much for food. For beer and music I would return.