Cask & Ale

Ironically, even though The Old Fashioned is known for having the best cheese curds in Wisconsin…read more(Food Network said so!), I still haven't tried them. What I can tell you is that the walleye and eggs brunch entree was the best breakfast I've ever had. The portion is huge for the price, which is a big deal in this economy. The walleye was cooked perfectly. Their rosemary potatoes were a great take on a classic. Maybe I'm gassing this place up a lot, but those potatoes were life-changing. The atmosphere is lively and buzzing in the best way, so it's a fun spot to hang out after going to the Dane County Farmer's Market. I also picked up a cool shirt that shows how to make an old-fashioned one, which is the perfect souvenir. Next time, I'm finally getting the curds.

Food Network rated as the BEST Fried cheese curds. Not sure about that. They were squeaky, salty,…read moreand greasy. Not pleasant at all. I heard the Doubletree does a better job. We had the special BBQ plate on Thursday night. Additionally we had the pickled beet salad. Now the ribs were fire. Tender, moist, and delicious. Beet salad was ok, but nothing special. Ambiance was a very old lodge-like atmosphere. Make sure to get there early as the place gets busy. We had to wait 25 min for a table.

0.3 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol

Inside bar

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Schlitz beer with a pickled egg on the side.

Whiskey Jacks Saloon

2.6(107 reviews)

OK I am going to date myself. This was one of our go to college hangouts when it was The Pub. I…read morewas crushed when it closed years ago but I wasn't living here anyway - it was more about the memories (both good and bad) of hanging out at this dive. Though we have been back in Madison for three years I had yet to step inside WJS until this past weekend after the Badger football game. Every place had a line but this one was short so we waited about 10 mins and got in. Better then waiting in traffic after the game. In many regards nothing has changed about this place especially the incredibly sticky floors. Ahh just like the old days. We were surprised that it was not more jammed but I guess that was the purpose of the line controlling the crowd. We could move around easily and order at the bar without much of a wait. No we did not sit in the window, always a prime spot in the past for watching the crowd on State Street. The first bartender we encountered was clueless. Yes they have a ton on draft (not like the old days when Strohs was the beer of choice) but I practically had to walk behind the bar to show her what beer tap to use for my order. Now that I have been here I really have no need to return. We will leave it for the current group of students.

It's a pretty cool dive bar for college kids. My days of college bars have passed, but since we…read morewere visiting I would say it absolutely checked the box of having a few cheap drinks in a pretty cool atmosphere.

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The Free House Pub

3.7(290 reviews)

6.4 mi

I'd checked the menu on-line before going and probably shouldn't have, everything I wanted to order…read morethey no longer serve . We ended up ordering 4 different dinner items. Everything was good. Not spectacular, but good. The service was very good and the restaurant was clean. I'd go back and try it again.

We had outstanding service in the front house room. We had a table with a great view of the tv…read moreduring the Packer game. Their winter cocktail menu was fun, and the Love on the Brain was a standout. Everything we ordered was hot and fresh. We ordered our standards, and they never disappoint. Our friends had the wedge salad and the mac and cheese. Would definitely like to try those next time.

WISCONSIN CHEESE CURDS hand-breaded Wisconsin cheddar curds, buttermilk ranch

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Front outside patio

The Stillery

4.6(206 reviews)

63.3 mi

The food is very delicious and large amounts are given…read more.. The hostess Kim was very attentive to the group we had...She was making sure that we were well taken care of... I like the fact that she not only brought us to our table but also shared the specials of the day... The atmosphere inside was very pleasant...The wait staff were all on their feet and ready to help out with the menu... The entire time we were at The Stillery in Grafton everything went so smoothly... There's only one thing I would suggest is keep the temperature inside the restaurant a little bit warmer... I definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends and family...

The Stillery serves up drinks and elevated pub food in a casual setting…read more We stopped by on a Sunday evening after a trip to nearby Cabela's. We started with drinks. I got the Manhattan off their specialty menu and my husband got their autumn barrel Manhattan. After trying both--highly recommend the one off their specialty menu. It was definitely superior quality. It's served over a block of ice so if you want it up, you may want to mention that when ordering. It tasted more like a classic old fashioned than a Manhattan but I'm not complaining because I love classic bourbon old fashioned cocktails as well. For a starter we got their much raved about bang bang shrimp. It came on a bed of greens and was good! For my dinner I got their seasonal chicken and dumpling soup and a side salad. Both were solid. The salad was definitely more ample than I was expecting. My husband got some sort of salmon alfredo pasta dish that came with roasted asparagus mixed in. I had a bite and he ordered well--it was decadently buttery and delicious. The service was super kind throughout our stay. Our server checked in on us regularly without being overbearing. Get to it!

Bar

Side salad

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Manhattan x 2

Greenbush Bar

3.8(253 reviews)

0.8 mi•South Campus

The Greenbush is a Madison staple. The basement is dark and lit with Christmas lights, which gives…read moreit an undeniable charm. We went with a party of seven understanding that we might have to wait. We were able to get drinks at the bar during our wait and the service was great. At the table, our server was amazing and the food was delicious. Can't go wrong with giardiniera on a pizza!!

Skip the spaghetti and get the yummy pizza! We've been here multiple times, and always arrive early…read moreto get a table without a wait. The venue is old school Wisconsin with wood paneling and strings of colored lights in the ceiling. If you're tall, be careful, you might hit your head on the low ceilings. The "house wine" choices are Red or White, and the cocktails are good. We build our own pizza, and everything we've tried is wonderful, the thin crusty crust is beyond perfect.

Pepperoni pizza while sitting at the bar

New Haven clam pizza

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Sunday night vibes

Whiskey Bungalow

4.5(15 reviews)

79.9 mi

If you're looking for a great bar in crystal lake this is the one to go to. Great selection of…read morewhiskey and the staff can talk with ya for hours. They do a good job too with making sure their atmosphere fun with the darts, pool, and slot machines. Thanks WB!

Attentive bartender! Little dive bar! One pool table and…read moredarts, good for a night cap.

Bar area

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Big win

Blaum Bros Distilling

4.5(185 reviews)

69.4 mi

•$$$

Discovered this place off of Highway 20 while staying in Galena. We had the place to ourselves on…read morea Friday night. Barkeep was a friendly, helpful young lady along with the large house cat, who we enjoyed getting to meet. Drinks were really good, and menu was unique with lots of great options. Spacious inside with a nice gift shop - lots of options on that end as well. Really enjoyed our visit, and the drinks and service were top notch too.

Came in at 5:50 to purchase a bottle of rye and a bottle of bourbon with cash. Establishment was to…read moreclose at 6:00. Two people finishing up at bar and a table of four still seated. I was told by bartender that the register was closed and I could not make the purchase. Never had Blaum Bros products, wanted to try. Never will

Old Fashioned

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Chocolate Martini

Whiskey Ranch Bar and Grill

4.1(190 reviews)

32.8 mi

When you are planning a return trip to a restaurant you're currently at, you know it's a good spot…read more Such a cool restaurant, that is put together so well. The staff attended to us like we were long time regulars, never hesitating to offer recommendations or samples of things. We loved everything we ate, ESPECIALLY the Fried Green Tomatoes. Every drink that we ordered was also excellent. Based on my personal experience I ABSOLUTELY recommend you visit Whiskey Ranch Bar. I cannot imagine a circumstance that would lead to disappoint.

The night we visited, streets were blocked, and event was going on downtown, food trucks and a…read moreband. We parked three blocks away....meaning we had to walk three blocks to get there. An ominous start....before arriving we wondered if it was even worth it ...It was!! After finally arriving we were quickly greeted and seated. Our server Angelica brought menus and took our drink orders promptly. The menu was quite impressive, many different choices and priced quite reasonably. My lovely bride ordered the Whiskey Ranch Chicken Sandwich w/waffle fries and for myself the Slow Smoked BBQ Beef Brisket that came with two sides and a salad. I chose waffle fries and mac and cheese. My bride called dibs on my salad with thousand island dressing. The side salad was a more than generous size with fresh greens and a very tasty salad dressing. After an appropriate amount of time the entrees arrived hot, fresh and more than generous proportions. Seeing that, we asked Angelica for carry out containers ahead of time in attempt to portion control. It was a good thing we did. My wife loved her Whisky Ranch Sandwich that came with Jack Daniel's glaze, bacon, lettuce, tomato onion, onion straws along with waffle fries as a side. The smoked beef brisket had the right amount of being smoked, not overpowering, a drizzle of bbq sauce, garlic bread and amazing waffle fries. I have to mention the brisket was so tender and was able to be cut with a fork. Angelica was an amazing server, excellent food at a more than reasonable price. I normally post a receipt, but the serving size and food quality and value was simply amazing. It was a good thing we had to park several blocks away, we definitely need the walk back to the car to burn off some calories. Kudos to Whiskey Ranch Bar and Grill for such an unexpected great meal.....also to Angelica for amazing service too.

Loaded Philly Cheese Steak

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Burger

Champagne On Main

4.5(33 reviews)

69.7 mi

A bar that celebrates all things bubbly? With lovely decor and tasty bites?…read more Count me in, cause ya' girl loves Champagne! You can order in flights which are thoughtfully paired (generally a well known producer with something less well known). There are also cocktails, small bites and macarons. The people that work here are really nice.

Stopped in for an afternoon bubbly on ladies weekend. We were greeted immediately and wished to sit…read moreon the patio but it was unfortunatly full so we sat upstairs close to the window, which had a lovely sofa and comfy chairs seating area. The four of us had planned to each order a flight to try however our server suggested a bottle as an option that was the same price but would offer more drinks, so of course we opted for that! The champagne was perfectly chilled and delicious. We enjoyed the atmosphere and service.

Upstairs

Bourbon Flights!

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The Mason Lounge

4.5(80 reviews)

1.0 mi•Greenbush

i love the vibes inside this bar. it's retro, quiet, beautiful and playful. they always have a…read moregreat selection of draft beers, and the bartender always offers a tasting beforehand. the price of drinks are on the heftier side but i don't mind it because the ambience is so excellent in there. a nice bar if you like a place that's calmer and quiet so you can have a conversation with your buddies.

I've heard people rave about The Mason, and it took me far too long to finally come in here, and it…read morewas honestly entirely by accident. I was supposed to be meeting a group elsewhere nearby when our original place closed without warning. So we headed to The Mason and it was a delightful experience. It was very busy with one bartender, so it took awhile to get your drinks, but they were still well made and the bartender was very friendly. It's a small place so it can get loud when busy, but our group had a great time and we enjoyed the place. It is a dark, neighborhood type vibe. And the sealing the deal of the 5th star for this place is that they were dog friendly. My pup had a great time getting pets from customers. Great find!

Tamara C and Corey D debating the merits of the #YelpPizzaBracket slicetestants. Photo bomb courtesy of Bryce G.

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Cask & Ale - lounges - Updated November 2026

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Genna's Lounge

4.1

(161 reviews)

Wow! I was in Madison working for a few days and just happened to find this place while walking…read morearound the capital one night, and man, was I impressed! Such a great vibe and nice atmosphere! I was with a coworker and we ordered beers and found a table and watched as the locals piled in, and suddenly it was packed and hopping! I ended every evening here, the beers were cold, and even though busy, service was friendly and fast. Downstairs is great, but the upstairs is even cooler, and had an even better vibe. If I lived here, I would definitely be here every night!

Cue the music... "Where everybody knows your name!" This is the absolute vibe of Genna's and even…read morethough no one knew our name, we felt like they were at least interested in learning it. We belied up to the bar and ordered a few cocktails. The bartender was super welcoming and friendly and had the best pour of my trip! As the afternoon progressed, more locals and regulars continued piling in, each welcomed personally and in some cases were greeted by their favorite beverage. The space is divey, but not dirty. It's eclectic, local, retro and homey. Downstairs has a simple local dive bar feel, while upstairs has more of a "scene" vibe. Overall, really enjoyed Genna's and is definitely on the "visit list" for my time in town!

Paul's Club

3.5

(113 reviews)

This is your typical sticky floor downtown State St bar. Depending on the time of day the crowd of…read morepeople changes. Earlier in the day you will see an older generation, sipping drinks relaxing. This is the best time to head for a drink. You don't have to push your way to the bar and you can actually grab a spot to sit on one of the many couches. As the night goes on the atmosphere changes, the younger college generation comes in. Depending on your age and what you are looking for this might not be the spot for you. The bar is jam packed, seats are typically all taken. Its loud (not necessarily from music) from people trying to talk over one another. The biggest down fall is trying to get to the bathroom. The space is long but narrow and there really isn't much room to move from the front to the back where the restrooms are located.

Was kicked out because we mentioned our political views. Would not return. Did not cause a scene…read morejust asked to leave.

Drackenbergs Cigar Bar

4.1

(12 reviews)

Although I rarely smoke cigars, this bar was welcoming and fantastic. Within minutes I was chatting…read morewith the bartender and some patrons, smoking a cigar, and sipping on a creative cocktail! The atmosphere is eclectic, and it is filled with locals. Although I live on the other side of town, I will be back for the excellent service and good vibes!

It is a good friendly neighborhood tavern, with friendly bartenders, and nice enough customers,…read moreI've yet to be asked to leave.

Fahrenheit 364

4.4

(25 reviews)

Fahrenheit is the epitome of cozy martini bar. It isn't your typical townie bar, but has such a…read moresophisticated feel. It's in the old fire station, hence it's namesake. They even have all sorts of the building's history up on the walls! They have a TON of martini options on their menu, but they do have all the bells and whistles of a normal bar too. The only thing missing is the bar food option, but they do have chips and such if you really need a snack! They also have the most friendly dog that hangs out, Ellie. She is just the sweetest thing!

Love this place! Came back with my dad for a scotch flight and a few martinis. Got to talk with the…read moreowner Scott who was amazing! Knows his stuff behind the bar. I highly recommend taking a look at the extensive martini list and giving a couple of them a try. They have weekly specials too-- Wednesday is $6 Martini night. Say what?!? Yes, you heard me correctly-- top quality martinis (shaken not stirred) for under a Hamilton!!!

Argo Craft Tavern

4.7

(7 reviews)

An excellent cocktail lounge-type atmosphere (Stoughton level) with extensive liquor selection and…read morevery knowledgeable & friendly bartenders. Extensive selections of most liquors. I'd say they specialize in bourbons but still have many Scotch and Tequila/Mezcal choices, for me anyway. I'm not an Old-Fashioned drinker but am told they are excellent. A small but select tap beer selection as well. I believe they are currently open Thursday-Saturday. Check their website.

A quick stop for a drink before heading over to the Stockton Opera House to see Charlie Parr. This…read morebar just happened to be right around the corner from the venue. Decision made! I love the bars I've discovered since I moved to Milwaukee. Most with a classic feel, slightly dim with quirky decor. This bar is no different. There is always something new to check out and explore. I loved that my drink had a doily as a coaster. A very good cocktail menu. I found something quickly. It was relatively quiet since we arrived kind of at an off time. but there was a small talkative group of regulars (seemed to be?) at the other end of the bar. The service was somewhat sluggish. The bartender chatted with the regulars and overlooked when we finished our drinks. I never want to be that people who yell at a bartender or is aggressive about having a drink now. Did we waited longer than usual? Yes. But nothing major. And the exceptional cocktails were worth the wait!

Sundown Saloon

3.1

(10 reviews)

Sundown has amazing prices and great service. Carol is great and was fine with making a custom…read moredrink! Highly recommend.

We were looking for breakfast and a good Bloody Mary and friends recommended the Sundown Saloon…read more Jen was super friendly and makes a great bloody and Sam's breakfast did not disappoint. We'd definitely go back and would recommend you give it a try!

Rustic Tavern

3.7

(9 reviews)

Pleasantly surprised. Read the name and that's exactly what you get. Good sized inside, reasonable…read moredrink prices and the bartender we dealt with was great. We play in a dart league there some nights so while somewhat forced to visit last night I would surely come back. I like the "old" feel it has. It doesn't breach dated, no that's not what I mean by old. Its a nice neighborhood bar. Perfect place to come and just hang out on a weekday after work.

Oh hi, divey small-town Wisconsin bar in the middle of Park Street! Overlooked with its…read morenon-gentrified exterior, it's next to the Pizza Hut and down the street from the Mason Lounge and Falbo Bros. The inside features wood paneling, ESPN-tuned TVs, and a few games. The bar has a small selection of taps, liquor, Old Dutch potato chips, and packs of cigarettes, despite the smoking ban. As would be expected, the drinks are cheap: two Spotted Cows and a PBR tallboy came to $9.25. The bartender, Ben, was great, doling out the appropriate mix of sarcasm and friendliness, and by the end of the night had offered to take me to a Brewers game and invited the entire group over for dinner. Said a friend, "Now THAT is a bartender."

City Bar

3.4

(56 reviews)

As if you don't already knows City Bar's strawberry vodka press is out of this world. Super…read morerefreshing and dangerous . You will not be disappointed. My mom and my girlfriend are obsessed. This place holds so many memories. The interior is nothing to write home about but the staff is friendly and the food is better than excepted. They could really vamp this place up with a little TLC, design, and paint. The inside hasn't changed in since my first drink here 10 years ago. I'd love to see them put some effort into the ambiance but then again that would probably attract more college kids. Sitting in a basement without windows particularly when the weather is nice is such a trade off. I was really happy to see they allow outdoor seating for the time being.

Once you enter the basement, you know it's going to be a good night. Best dartboard area in Madisonread more

Missouri Tavern

4.1

(20 reviews)