Madison, Wisconsin’s bar scene has achieved one thing exceptional: It has preserved the previous whereas embracing the brand new. Filled with charming dives that will be priced out of different cities, Madison comfortably shares house with a wide range of brewpubs, supper golf equipment, beer locations, and craft cocktail lounges.
Brandy old-fashioneds are a lifestyle in Wisconsin. If you happen to’re undecided the place to begin, begin there—you’ll be able to inform quite a bit a couple of bar by how they make one. At any time when we’re on the town, we get pleasure from traditional variations paired with fried cheese curds—a neighborhood delicacy—and newfangled takes that style directly thrilling and acquainted. Talking of brandy, it exhibits up in one other timeless cocktail: the Brandy Alexander. If you happen to’ve solely examine this creamy drink spiked with crème de cacao, we prescribe a go to to at least one (or extra) of the supper golf equipment beneath specializing in them.
You’ll need one thing to snack on whilst you drink. Save room, as a result of this metropolis is severe about its snappy beer brats and heaping walleye sandwiches. Listed here are the tried-and-true favorites and scintillating new spots that rise above the remainder, just like the foamy head of a crisp Wisconsin lager.
Tucked inside a comfy two-story home decked with classic décor, Gib’s is the spot for progressive and stunning craft cocktails. Along with beer, wine, and a set of classics, a broad menu of signature sips contains the Nitro Amaretto Bitter with bourbon, pineapple cordial, orange, and argan oil; and the Donna Summer season Radio with gin, mezcal, watermelon, lime, ginger, and chile de árbol. Every month, proceeds from a “Group Cocktail” go to a neighborhood trigger; lately, it was a pho-inspired riff on a margarita, full with beef tallow-washed tequila, star anise, lime, and Thai basil. —Alex Testere, Senior Editor
It’s a fact that needs to be universally acknowledged: Good issues await in strip malls. Positioned in a shopping mall close to Lake Monona, this ethereal, classic-meets-modern tavern is price a go to. Regardless of the identify of the bar (a play on the phrase muskellunge, which, for the uninitiated, is a sort of freshwater fish) and the copious quantity of fish taxidermy on the partitions, the Muskellounge—or The Musky, because it’s recognized regionally—isn’t only for anglers. You can even play a spherical of Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, or an arcade sport like Bullshooter or Massive Buck Hunter. Or can we what we did and are available purely for the wonderful cocktails and snacks. We beloved their draft boulevardier and brandy old style, and don’t miss the comfortable pretzels with beer cheese and mustard. —Frances Kim, Digital Director
Sporting classic beer indicators, stained glass pendant lamps, and a show case brimming with luggage of cheese curds, this cozy tavern is the proper spot to submit up for some day consuming and snacking. You may’t go incorrect with the bar’s namesake cocktail—freshly muddled and made with Korbel California Brandy—or its different signature drink, the Brandy Slush, a frozen concoction of orange juice, lemonade, extra Korbel, and a splash of soda water. Hopheads can select their very own Wisconsin beer journey many occasions over. The Previous Customary carries 52 varieties on faucet and greater than 100 completely different bottles and cans. The very best half? The bar’s well-known beer-battered cheese curds pair effectively with every little thing. —F.Ok.
A few native buddies first introduced me to this beautiful Midwestern dive, and at any time when I’m on the town, I at all times return. You gained’t discover fats washes, foams, or infusions on the 60-year-old establishment, however in the event you fancy an expertly crafted ice-cold martini with a aspect of tiger-themed kitsch, that is the place for you. Wedged in a strip mall beneath a Freeway 14 overpass, Le Tigre Lounge is an informal spot with its personal refreshing model of etiquette. There are not any TVs on the wall, and proprietor Paul Josheff maintains a strict “no swearing” coverage. Come ready with money for oh-so fairly priced drinks, a time capsule of a jukebox, and some rounds of pull tabs. —Kat Craddock, Editor-in-Chief/CEO
Chef Joe Papach’s elevated ode to Wisconsin supper golf equipment is sort of probably the most well liked desk on the town—and with good motive. Papach and his spouse and enterprise companion, inventive director Shaina, minimize their chops in temples of American advantageous eating equivalent to Gramercy Tavern, Quince, Chez Panisse, and the French Laundry. They returned to the Midwest to make a go of it in Shaina’s residence state. You may completely go all-out on dinner in the principle restaurant, constructed right into a retrofitted Nineteenth-century practice depot, however I’m particularly keen on the shiny upstairs bar. There, informal diners chat with cheerful bartenders whereas having fun with classic drinks like sidecars and whiskey sours alongside relish trays for 2 and fried walleye sandwiches. Simply don’t neglect to save lots of room for one thing candy: The bar’s tackle old-school à la mode supper membership tipples just like the pink squirrel and Brandy Alexander make for distinctive drinkable desserts. —Ok.C.
I at all times go to the Crystal Nook after I’m on the town. Strolling via the doorways is like stepping again in time. The bar has remained remarkably unchanged because it first opened within the Nineteen Thirties, and simply as spectacular, their web site appears the identical as when it launched in 2004. The Crystal Nook hasn’t tried to reinvent itself in many years as a result of it doesn’t have to. The pool tables, the jukebox, the neon lighting, the pleasant bartender who lives proper above the bar—all of it simply provides to the attraction. It is a particular spot the place time slows down a little bit. You may have an trustworthy drink and dialog with a stranger, and the night time will inevitably stretch on longer than deliberate. —Toni-Ann Gardiner, Model Partnerships Lead
Genna’s Lounge is a beloved Madison establishment that provides a laid-back ambiance with a contact of classic attraction. Identified for its inexpensive drinks and nightly occasions—together with trivia and karaoke—this welcoming watering gap attracts each locals and guests alike. It’s the proper spot to soak within the metropolis’s eclectic power and seize a fast pint (or two). Bonus: The out of doors patio is a favourite when the climate warms up. —T.G.
The Robin Room is a trendy cocktail bar the place skilled mixology meets a comfy, refined setting. A rotating menu options traditional cocktails with suave twists, equivalent to a barrel-aged Negroni and an old style tweaked with honey and thyme. The bar’s dedication to high-quality, seasonal components shines in each sip, making it a refined however unpretentious expertise that’s excellent for a low-key night time or a particular celebration. —T.G.
Camp Trippalindee is a throwback to the ’80s motion pictures that after outlined American popular culture. Impressed by the carefree days of summer time camp, the bar dietary supplements an intensive beer listing and playful cocktail menu with an enormous choice of nostalgic board video games. If you happen to’re hungry, staples like burgers and brats are there to supply a filling meal, whereas a make-your-own s’mores equipment roasted over a rooftop firepit supplies the proper DIY dessert. —Ryan McCarthy, Editorial Assistant
Positioned on the high of the AC Lodge, Eno Vino’s floor-to-ceiling home windows lend the house a vivid, open really feel and supply sweeping views of the State Capitol constructing. A strong wine listing and cocktail menu pair completely with the setting, which incorporates an outside terrace. Snacks like truffle fries with cheddar fondue present an ideal base for the drinks to return. For me, the Inexperienced Goddess cocktail with gin, elderflower, and arugula was distinctive. —R.M.
The Nice Dane Pub & Brewing Co. has a number of places in and round Madison; I drank the day away at their Hilldale location on Worth Place. It has a real, cozy pub really feel that’s excellent for a pint after a day of purchasing. —Thomas Payne, Visuals Director
