About BAR

BAR pairs ultra-thin, cracker-style pizza with a busy bar vibe and its own brewed beers.

Pies arrive with a pronounced char and a crisp snap that reviewers praise for holding bold toppings without collapsing.

Service is frequently described as attentive and friendly, and the space shifts from casual dining to a nightclub mood later in the evening.

Expect inventive toppings—mashed potato & bacon, lobster roll, BBQ brisket—served on that signature thin crust.

Location & Contact

What to Expect

The menu leans hard on New Haven–style thin crust: cracker-thin, charred, and sturdy enough to carry both classic and offbeat toppings.

Reviewers repeatedly call out the Mashed Potato & Bacon pie, Lobster Roll pizza, BBQ Brisket, White Clam, and Mexican Street Corn (Elote) as standouts.

House-brewed beers and a focused cocktail list complement pies and the single large BAR salad, giving a balanced, party-friendly mix of flavors and textures that locals keep returning for.

Hashtag Pizza Fact's

UNESCO Honors Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo

In 2017, UNESCO added the art of Neapolitan pizzaiuolo to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognizing the craft and social significance of Neapolitan pizza-making. This accolade celebrates the traditional skills and community role of pizzaioli in Naples, highlighting pizza not just as a food but as a cultural and historical emblem of Italian society. The recognition was widely celebrated in Naples, reflecting the pride and passion of its pizza artisans.

Culture

From the Community

On Crown Street, BAR has carved a niche by marrying paper-thin, charred pizza with an energetic bar and in-house beer program.

The kitchen turns out what many guests call “cracker-thin crust,” a base that reviewers say is both flavorful and sturdy enough for inventive toppings.

Signature nontraditional pies — Mashed Potato & Bacon, Lobster Roll, BBQ Brisket, and a notable Mexican Street Corn — echo the city’s taste for bold combinations rather than strict tradition.

Service is often highlighted as a reason to linger: staff are described as attentive and knowledgeable about beer and pizza pairings.

One regular put the crust plainly: “Some of the thinnest pizza I have ever had,” Brad Elliott noted, while Frank Zocco praised the house style as “cracker-thin crust, flavorful, sturdy, and perfectly charred.” The result is a downtown hangout that functions as both a pizza stop and a social hub—dinner crowds share large, square-cut pies and linger over flights of house brews and seasonal cocktails.

For diners who prize crisp texture and imaginative toppings, BAR is a repeatable, flavor-forward destination in New Haven.

Why Locals Love It

Kaitlyn Cooper ★★★★★

Kaitlyn’s long review boils down to habit and genuine enthusiasm: she said she would “eat a slice of Bar pizza every single day if I could,” which locals hear as a declaration of trust. That kind of repeat patronage matters in New Haven because it signals consistent dough, dependable toppings, and bartenders who know their regulars—qualities that turn a good pizza place into a hometown staple.

Marwan Saidi ★★★★★

Marwan focused on the basics that win neighborhood loyalty: thin, crispy crusts and well-chosen toppings. He described the small pie as still generous and praised the thin, crispy crusts and excellent toppings. For locals, that combination—big flavor without heaviness—makes BAR ideal for sharing on nights out or for bringing visiting friends to taste New Haven’s pizza scene.

Frank Zocco ★★★★★

Frank’s visit reads like a field report: he admired the airy, industrial room and singled out the pies as finely balanced, calling the restaurant’s dough “cracker-thin crust, flavorful, sturdy, and perfectly charred.” That technical praise resonates locally because it highlights craft: the crust is treated as a foundation, not an afterthought, meaning toppings—from Lamberti sausage to roasted peppers—show up with clarity and texture.

Customer Reviews

Brad Elliott
★★★★★ 2 months ago

"BAR was incredible. Not as old as the other New Haven pizza spots, but definitely worth trying a pie. Some of the thinnest pizza I have ever had. Their Lobster Roll and Mashed Potato and Bacon are great non-traditional offerings at this bar that also serves as a nightclub at night. Definitely recommend to anyone on New Haven Pizza tour."

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Frank Zocco
★★★★★ a month ago

"Today, the Slice Mob rolled into New Haven in the Slice Mob Mobile, hungry and ready to tackle some legendary New Haven–style pizza. This month’s meetup brought us to BAR Pizza on Crown Street. Cool spot. Long communal tables flanked by towering fermentation tanks, not for their dough, but for their beer. But I digress. Inside, it’s got an easygoing, open vibe. No wait, plenty of space, and enough table real estate to handle the sprawl of pizzas this crew is famous for ordering. Some of today’s hits (that I didn’t personally try) included the Margherita, Elote, Lobster Roll, and Smoked Brisket pies , all earning rave reviews from the table. Me? I stayed true to form with a Red Pie and the Portrait of New Haven. Both came on BAR’s signature cracker-thin crust, flavorful, sturdy, and perfectly charred, holding the toppings like it was born to do so. The sauce was balanced and fresh, lightly seasoned, and topped with a light snowfall of grated Parmigiano. The Portrait of New Haven used the same crust-and-sauce base, then leveled up with locally sourced Lamberti sausage (the kind that makes you remember what sausage should taste like), roasted red peppers, house-made sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. The result? A perfect symphony of sweet, creamy, and umami-rich flavors, with smoky undertones from that charred crust. This was my showstopper, had my name written all over it. BAR is an excellent downtown hangout, feels like a weekend staple waiting to happen. Cool atmosphere, top-notch pies, and absolutely Slice Mob Approved."

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Weishun Lu
★★★★★ 3 months ago

"Super thin crust pizzas. We tried the famous/notorious mashed potato + bacon pizza. It was really yummy and scrumptious. (Should have ordered a small pie for two people; the medium is huge.) We also recommend the beers they make! The space itself is really cool. It’s divided into several rooms."

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Jacob Y. Finley
★★★★★ 3 months ago

"Great beer, food and service. Conversation at the bar was great. They take care of you and make your visit better. On my list to come back again for more pizza because after this visit chain pizza just won't cut it."

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Hashtag Pizza Fact's

Chicago Deep-Dish: A Pizza Innovation

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a revolutionary take on traditional pizza, created at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. Unlike the thin-crust pizzas of New York, Chicago's deep-dish features a high-edged crust with thick layers of cheese, toppings, and tomato sauce on top. This style has become synonymous with Chicago and represents the city's innovative spirit and love for hearty, filling meals.

Culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pizza crust thin or thick?

BAR is known for ultra-thin, cracker-style crusts. Reviewers call it crunchy and slightly charred, which helps the pies hold heavy toppings without getting soggy.

What’s special about the mashed potato pizza?

The Mashed Potato & Bacon pie tops the thin crust with creamy mashed potato, bacon, and sometimes garlic mashed notes. It’s praised for being indulgent but not too heavy thanks to that crisp base.

Does BAR make clam pizza like other New Haven spots?

Yes. White Clam pizza appears on menus and in reviews. When clams have been unavailable, reviewers noted shrimp as a substitution, so seafood flavors are part of the lineup.

How big are the pizzas and slices?

Small pies are described as generous—about eight square-cut slices—and mediums are larger. Many reviewers say a small is plenty to share between two people.

Are the toppings creative or traditional?

Expect both. Reviewers praise classic red pies and pepperoni, but also highlight creative combos like Lobster Roll pizza, Mexican Street Corn (Elote), BBQ Brisket, and Eggplant Parm.

Do they have good vegetarian options?

Yes. Vegetable-forward pies like Eggplant Parm and the BAR salad were mentioned as satisfying choices for diners who avoid meat.

How are the beers and drinks paired with the pizza?

BAR brews its own beers and offers cocktails; reviewers say the house brews and seasonal sours pair well with both simple and richly topped pies, cutting richness and refreshing the palate.

What makes the Portrait of New Haven pie stand out?

The Portrait of New Haven uses Lamberti sausage, roasted red peppers, ricotta, mozzarella, and house sauce. Reviewers say the combination delivers sweet-roasted and umami-rich flavors on the charred crust.

What pizzas are most popular at BAR?

From the menu, people often pick New Haven Pizza, Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza, Beer Sampler, Bar Salad, Bacon Mashed Potato Pizza, IPA. Reviews highlight consistency more than novelty, so these are safe, crowd-pleasing choices.

Do they make classic grinders like meatball or eggplant parm?

Yes. Meatball, sausage, and eggplant parm grinders are mentioned among the sandwich options.

Pizza Consumption by the Numbers

In the United States, approximately 3 billion pizzas are consumed each year, translating to around 100 acres of pizza eaten daily. On Super Bowl Sunday, one of the busiest days for pizza orders, national chains report selling over 12 million slices. These staggering figures underscore pizza's role as a favored, comforting food that transcends age, occasion, and social setting.

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Connecticut's Premier Pizza Destinations

Current location in red, 8 nearest in blue, all others in gray

BAR

254 Crown St, New Haven, CT 06511
4.4
(3368 reviews)

The Rise of New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is characterized by its large, thin, hand-tossed crust, laid liberally with tomato sauce and mozzarella, allowing for easy folding. This style emerged as Italian immigrants adapted their traditional recipes to New York's fast-paced lifestyle and available resources. Today, it remains a quintessential element of New York culture, and its influence can be seen in pizza parlors across the United States.

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Roman vs. Neapolitan: A Tale of Two Italian Pizzas

While Neapolitan pizza is renowned for its soft, chewy crust and simple, fresh ingredients, Roman pizza offers a distinct contrast with its crispier, thinner base. Romans typically bake their pizzas in electric ovens and favor a wider variety of toppings, often experimenting with ingredients like truffles and prosciutto. This diversity reflects the regional nuances of Italian cuisine and the adaptability of pizza to local tastes and traditions.

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