Many towns in Connecticut are transforming. When manufacturing jobs left the state, local economies were hurt badly. The recession in 2008 made things worse. However, as towns recover, many are making worthwhile improvements. I lived in New London, Connecticut from 2011 through 2015, and the transformation was incredible. Where a seedy sex shop* once stood, The Social Bar + Kitchen now stands. On December 29, I tried it for myself.

Although I now live in South Korea, I am still a member of the Connecticut chapters of Drinking Liberally, a left-wing political discussion group. The Windsor chapter meets at The Union Street Tavern, which I have reviewed here. The New London chapter meets at The Social Bar + Kitchen.

For a starter, I ordered the corn fritters. They were quite bland, despite the accompanying sauce. I was not impressed. I did not end up finishing them, although I absolutely despise wasting food.

I ordered the shepherd’s pie for my entrée. Shepherd’s pie is lamb and vegetables, baked under a layer of mashed potatoes. Many people confuse this with cottage pie, which is the same, but with beef instead of lamb. The Social Bar + Kitchen made this very mistake. The asparagus was superfluous and the meat was too juicy. My dinner was filling, but, like the corn fritters, it was very bland.

The Social Bar + Kitchen is great for meeting friends, but not for a meal. The bar is quite impressive, with over 50 craft beers on tap. The food was definitely more expensive than it was worth. There are better restaurants in downtown New London to choose from, but, if I were a serious beer drinker, I might have a different opinion.

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Rating: 

Tasteless  |  Bad  |  >> Okay <<  |  Good  |  Tasty

Name: The Social Bar + Kitchen
Website http://www.socialnewlondon.com
Phone +1 (860) 442-6900

Credit Cards? Yes
Apple Pay ^[?]? No
Bathroom? Yes
Reservations? Yes
Take out? Yes
Delivery? No
Wifi? Yes
Outside seating? Yes
Wheelchair friendly? Yes
Alcohol? Yes
Dogs allowed? No
Bike parking? Yes
Car parking? Yes

Date night? Yes
English-speaking staff? Yes
English menus? Yes
LGBTQ friendly ^[?]? Yes
Information updated on: February 7, 2017
Prices ^[?]: $$$$

Hours:
Monday: 15:00 – 23:00
Tuesday: 15:00 – 23:00
Wednesday: 15:00 – 23:00
Thursday: 15:00 – midnight
Friday: 15:00 – 01:00
Saturday: 15:00 – 01:00
Sunday: 15:00 – 23:00

Address (Korean) Not available
Address (English) 208 Bank Street, New London, Connecticut 06320-6054 U.S.A.

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* Not all sex shops are seedy. This one was.