I REALLY wanted to love Crystal Corner, but sadly after our recent visit, popping back by on my next trip to Madison is not looking very likely. Crystal Corner is located in the famed Willy Street area of Madison, sitting on the corner of Willy Street and Baldwin Street. Crystal Corner has the vibe of the neighborhood, as is it divey, funky, nostalgic and truly local. However, even with all those things, this spot missed the mark for me and my buddy. We swung by on Sunday afternoon for a few drinks while wandering around Willy Street. We bellied up to the bar and ordered a couple of Bloody Mary's, to which the bartender said "Oh, I need to make up some mix. I can't believe people still drink those things around here.". Which was odd, as that was about to be our third bloody of the day, with neighboring restaurants going as far as having special bloody menus. The bartender pulled a can of tomato juice out, dumped it in a pitcher, added a few dashes of hot sauce, Worcestershire and some seasonings. And that was it. She then took some rail vodka, mixed it all up, and topped with an olive and pickle. While I know this sounds phenomenal, it was in fact one of the worst bloody's I have had. Additionally, the olive and pickle were a weird, almost rubbery texture. The combination of everything was off putting...and that was just the start. Next up is the space itself. While I appreciate a good dive bar that is full of nostalgic artwork, furnishings, lighting, etc...but it shouldn't be visible that the place hasn't been cleaned since these things were added. The ceilings and floors were the worst part, with the ceiling tiles being caked with black dust and dirt. Again, being worn is part of being divey, but being dirty doesn't have to be. In addition to the the main room ceilings, the bathroom ceilings were awful, missing tiles, moldy pipes exposed and just an overall feeling of ick that is beyond a normal bar bathroom. Last, but certainly not least, was the service and vibes. They were off, and kind of weird. When we arrived, there were a few locals and regulars, and then a few folks, including us. While the bartender was friendly with us, she was very rude, uncomfortably so, to another patron when he pulled out a credit card instead of cash (cash only spot). There was a little back and forth, then he left. Even after he left, she was calling him names and such to the other patrons. Again, uncomfortable, especially as a new patron to the bar. Overall, the bloody wasn't the only thing that left a bad taste here. From the bloody to the service to the dirtiness, this place needs some love and was just not it for us. read more

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It looks like an average corner dive bar from the outside but wow, was this a fantastic place a see live music in Madison! Heads up: cash only at the bar. Come prepared. Bartenders were very nice. Tip them. There is an ATM near the restrooms if you run out of cash. The acoustics are fantastic and I loved the St. Patrick's Day weekend concert! It was packed, but we still found space to dance. Plenty of free street parking. I'm not used to that as a Chicagoan. That was a nice surprise. read more

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The Crystal is a Madison dive bar, yes - but it's so much more! Amazing place to see bands, lots of local color, fun bartenders, friendly regular customers and a great look/vibe! Check it out some evening - cheers! read more

Crystal Corner - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This was a stop after our meal on the way home. It's a classic WI dive bar filled with locals. It's got cool glass block windows on both sides of the front door. It's got a mini arcade with like four machines that includes a pin ball and a golf simulator. The walls are covered with pictures of musical people with some signed probably from all the bands that have played there over the years. The bar is a long oval basically with pool tables on one side. The locals were friendly as well as the woman who was bartending. The have a popcorn machine behind the bar which I couldn't tell if it was free because we didn't have any. It seems like a cool place to have drinks, play games and catch some live music. read more

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Stopped in here late after a wedding and had so much fun. I don't get out much and especially don't drink much so I am not super familiar with a lot of dive bars but I know I really enjoyed this one. Patrons were kind and staff was helpful. Bathrooms were clean. A very cool place! read more

A very hip and cool divey bar that fits the neighborhood. A few darts boards and pool tables, although a couple of the tables are a little too big for the room. Drink prices were fair and cash only. Bartenders are nice as well. I will definitely be back. read more

Not to be confused with the Crystal Meth Bar, which is where I got arrested for supposedly dealing. I was not! Like I told the officer, YOU'RE METHING A BIG METHSTAKE. He disagreed with meth ough. Super cute Dive Bar in Madison which is mostly full of college students even though it's about a mile away from the college - maybe a little bit more. East of town on the way out on a little backstreet, boys, and definitely well worth you stopping in here because it's got great live music and a really good atmosphere and lots of cute young people and definitely the kind of place where you will have a good time in Madison if you like bars. The drinks are a little expensive which is why I give it 4, but that's the case at almost every bar now especially in college cities like Madison. read more

Crystal Corner - We're like crystal - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Fix your sketchy ATM if you're going to expect cash only in the 21st century. I got kicked out because I was $1 short on a tab and the ATM was not working. Sorry, most of us carry an iPhone, an ID, and 2 credit cards. I was told, if you can't pay for your drinks, you need to leave. Yep, I left, but because their ATM didn't work. I can pay for my drinks. I make six figures. Crystal Corner can't pay for/afford the era we live in. The 2030s won't be so kind to an outdated bar on Willy st. read more

This was my second home when I lived a block away (not sure if that says more about me or the Crystal itself). Though I don't get to the bars all that much anymore, this is still my favorite spot for a night out with friends. If you like dive bars, the ambiance is great. I've always liked the bartenders here, though it can get busy, so some weekend nights you might have to wait a bit to get a drink (no knock in the staff, just a result of having a big bar lined with people). They offer foosball, pool, darts, and pinball, though it can be hard to enjoy the pool or darts on busier nights, given the layout of the place. The live music tends to enhance the experience, at least for me. There is no other place quite like it. read more

Cool, divvy neighborhood bar. It's cool in that it has a pin ball machine, roll-bowling game, a few pool tables and two dart boards. Yet, it's not so divvy that the bar patrons stare you down when you walk in. We ordered two rail vodka seltzer for $7. Not bad. Friendly bartenders! read more

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Don't stand to talk to other people if you're supposed to be sitting at the bar while your drinks are sitting there more than half full because the bartender will just assume the change that's sitting on the bar top is his tip. Cheers. read more

If you like dive bars, this is the place for you! We enjoy the un-polished side of Wisconsin, and the Crystal Corner is exactly the kind of place we enjoy. The clientele are an interesting mix of your standard Willy Street residents, with an eclectic combination of backgrounds and cultures. Everyone is friendly, and the bartender is welcoming. They are a cash-only place, with an ATM stuffed into the old phone booth. but it just seems to work. The decor is solidly music based. And we are sad we weren't there to enjoy their live music (which seems to happen every night except the one we decide to show up). The only reason for not 5-stars is the place still reeks of cigarettes, and the ceiling is frighteningly disgustingly dirty. Like "What the hell is that" kind of dirty. Come here for good drinks and apparently good music. We are sure you will have an awesome time!! read more

I loved the Crystal Corner when I lived in Madison in the late 70's and early 80's. Great music and dance floor. Merlyn's was a tie back then but didn't flourish like the Crystal has. read more

Best live music in Mad Town. If you see Joe, thank him! David Day, the owner is a Madison treasure. He's never there after 4, but that's cool too. The bar is circular, so no matter where you are, you're not far from your friends. If you're a dick, don't go, there's a Bears bar downtown for you. Just kidding. All are welcome at the CCB. Lastly... You wanna blow your mind? Watch Jeopardy at 4 at the Crystal. a bunch of regulars who seem to hate each other watch every day. Not real fun...just very surreal. No music, just ... Just go see it. read more

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Never judge a book by it's cover...or at least in this case do not. A drive-by down Wiley St might have you thinking not to try, but pull down a side road, park the car (not in the Harvah Yaah) and go on it. The insides are very nice. I sat at the bar both visits. The bartender was super attentive; really good. The bar has a lot of seating. There are pool tables as well. All in all a nice place for a beer, to people watch, to watch some sports. Give it a try on your next drive-by. read more

Justin bar tender was a straight up asshole to me and the few other customers I'd witnessed. I tucking left because of his attitude.

Be still my beaten liver. We have indeed stumbled upon the alcoholic's Shangri La. I went here every single night but one during my fortnight in Madison. If this isn't one of the 5 best bars I've been in, then I don't know bars. And damn it, I KNOW BARS. I loved my nights at the Crystal so much that I was inspired to compose a sonnet about the place. I call it: LONNY'S SONNET 46 Shall I compare thee to a Maker's Mark? Thou art as classic and as wonderful: The staff was surly and the lighting, dark. Pool, darts, live music, not a moment dull: I drank, and laughed, and danced, and eased my mind, Though years of drinking has left my mind dimm'd; Still I dare not stem my brain cells' decline - I'd rather they be bourboned, whiskeyed, ginned. But thy eternal last call shall not fade Nor lose possession of the tab I owe'st; Nor shall I kiss and tell, if I get laid By a drunk lass who makes my member grow'st. So long as I have cash, and you've whiskey So long l drink, and give tips to Patti. read more

Honestly, the Crystal Corner is about the best example of a neighborhood bar I can think of. Great taps, comfortable feel and quick and competent bartenders are the norm here. I can still remember the first time I went - my friend and I had just turned 21 and we were exploring the non-State Street parts of Madison for the first time. My buddy's father must have heard the same things about the Crystal because he told us to "never go to that place - people get killed there!" So of course we went and the warnings of imminent demise proved incorrect. For a neighborhood bar the Crystal Corner is remarkably friendly which for me is the be-all end-all. I've always found the insular nature of some places off-putting - the "swivel-factor" of regulars looking you over when you walk in is an immediate strike against for me. That's why the Crystal Corner is the best, because the atmosphere here is the perfect mix of casual, friendly and fun. If it were just a comfortable place to hang out the Crystal would still be one of my favorites in Madison. But the reason I think the Crystal is a five star joint is because of the great live music. I've gone to shows here both large and small - sometimes the place has been so packed that I've watched the band from across the bar. Most shows tend to be a bit more low-key, with plenty of room and good sightlines. I wouldn't have ever thought it, but looking back on the last five years I've got to say a couple of my favorite shows have been at the Crystal. And last (but certainly not least), this place is frickin' famous - Okkervil River namechecks the Crystal Corner in "A Girl In Port". So they've got that going for them, which is nice. read more

Neighborhood bar with a steady clientele. Drinks extraordinarily strong to the point of being gross. Really nothing else positive to say about it. Lots of bands I like end up playing there, no idea why as it barely has enough room for a bar band that draws nobody, with a real local band the place is packed and poorly oriented for watching anything. The main thing it has going for it is inertia. read more

Loveeeeeeeee! Ok, disclaimer: This IS a dive bar. So do not expect anything fancy. The staff is friendly, the beer is cold and the prices are great. I felt comfortable the moment I walked in. I came in for a drink while waiting for my table at Grampa's. I love the regulars. read more

LOVE the CCB. Backstory: Though I have been many times, I have one story that stands out. The Tuesday before my college graduation, I ended up at Crystal Corner for a night of debauchery (which, among other things, involved my boss sucking Jim Beam she had spilled off the bar with a straw #classyplace). Flash forward to the next morning; I woke up and realized my dental flipper (a la a partial denture-type thing) was nowhere to be found. Missing two teeth and three days to graduation, I of course panicked. I figured that I MUST have left it at CCB, so I swung by early the next morning before they were open. I spoke with who I assume was the owner, who seriously didn't bat an eyelash when I asked, "did anyone find some teeth here last night?". He apologized and then said, "nope," as if it was a daily inquiry. It's that kind of place. Go. Have fun. Lose your teeth. (I also once tried to commandeer the intercom they use to announce last call. Didn't get too far. Oops...) read more

Stepping into the Crystal Corner is like stepping into every man's dream about what a bar should be. You see fifty feet of curved bar filled with bottles from all over creation, microbrew specials proudly broadcast on the wall, live music stage in the corner, jukebox on the wall, pool tables, darts, and a few old school video games. They're live music is always great. I'll miss the Hometown Sweethearts, but Brown Derby is a solid substitute. I'd go here every night, but then I'd be an alcoholic. read more

Crystal Corner - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Twenty years is a long time to drink at one bar. I can barely even remember why I liked this place to begin with. Perhaps the strategic location between the Willy Bear and Mother's (both gone). Maybe they'd call the latest last call. I don't know. Don't go here. But then again you can smoke outside in their new loungy area with your drink, and play pool inside if there isn't a band. And if there is a band my best friend Tad will be working the door plus all the old bartenders are still there and are kind and interesting folks. Everyone should go and remember to tip my friends. read more

Dive bar. And it's supposed to be. Don't expect fanciness or staff bending over backwards to accommodate you. In fact, you might have to flag them down - and that's okay. Despite my best efforts to forget the era of my life, at CC there is evidence on the ceiling and walls that Wisconsin actually allowed smoking in bars (apparently this was still within the last 10 years!). This adds to the charm (I think?). I appreciate their attempts at diverse beers on tap, however in my last two visits either my of my partner's beer was stanky. I think this comes from unclean beer lines; it's that sweet taste. I really appreciate the friendly staff, as well as the handful of dollars we found in one of the bar cubbies, though it was mostly in pennies. I went for live music recently with a $5 cover. Music on the non-live night was also fitting for the bar; the classics. Though I haven't use them, the pool tables, darts, and --if I remember correctly-- pinball machine add to the charm of this place. Drinks are cheap and there aren't many places like this in the Willy St. area. It's a good bar for a casual group of friends to drink and enjoy a night. read more

CCB is my favorite neighborhood bar. As a life-long East sider, I always know at least one person sitting at the bar. Live bands can be a bit loud... So if you aren't in the mood for live music, maybe avoid those nights. read more

I told my friend to meet me here... she says she's never been there and was a little hesitant. Ends up its a good place to go! Very relaxed bar with no need to get all dressed up to impress. The night I was there (Thursday) we had a live band rocking out. I love live music so I was very happy to be there on a cold Wisconsin night. You know you have driven by a zillion times.... now its time to stop in at the Crystal! Don't be scared... read more

Sketch-tastic. Just take a look at the neon lights and you won't argue. This is where the east side meets willy street with a little downtown thrown in the mix. The crowd is very entertaining- anyone you could think of could be in at a given night. Lots of beer, darts, and pool. All things considered, it's a pretty solid place. Plus - it brings back the innocence of smoking: a vending machine with candy cigarettes. Recently though- did the beer get more expensive or is it just me? read more

The Crystal Corner should impress, as the place has grown on me after being a regular patron for only a matter of months. I'm usually very picky when it comes to bars, and few of them enter my 4/5 star league. The Crystal Corner is also not the typical bar I would frequent, but it has all the right elements to just make it one of those places worth being at. What amazes me the most about it is the variety of ages and personalities. On a typical weekend night you're bound to see everyone from the punk gother, the trendy hipster, the preppy 20-somethings, the middle-aged cougars, and the averge joes. There's a good reason why everyone is there though, and its that the setup and atmosphere is perfect. From music that is almost always spot on for your mood and at the perfect volume (sure that's all relative but it just seems right to almost everyone there), to a long circular bar where you can schmooze with your electric peers, the Crystal Corner has got it going on. The bar itself definitely resembles the typical neighborhood bar as others on yelp have mentioned, with a few TVs and an old hand-me-down feel. But aside from that, it's unique in almost every other aspect and promotes good times. If you get bored of just socializing and having drinks, they have a few pool tables where you're bound to catch a game, and darts for those of you who like to do that sort of thing. Prices for drinks are reasonable, although nothing here nor there. The only drawbacks that I'd say (and nothing to take away a star) are the lack of comfortable chairs and the always busy bartender. If you can deal with that, you're in for a treat. read more

The Crystal Corner is a Madison Establishment in the truest sense of the word. I am surprised that I'm a Madison Lifer - but don't manage to his the Crystal Corner more often. It is widely know for it's music scene. the place hasn't changed in decades. Atheistically it's not much to look at - but it has a vide, it has regulars, the booze and beer are affordable - there are nightly drink specials. Tuesday night is everything Irish is $3. You can't go wrong with that. Although note that the Irish Whiskey shot is $3... If you want that Irish Whiskey with a mixer you will be penalized an additional dollar. Perhaps this is a not so subtle message... Drink it neat or order a pint of Guinness instead. The Crystal Corner is a drinking establishment... Food options consist of wall fries (aka chips)... Frozen Pizza or Warm Nuts... Yes sir, there is a warm nut dispensing machine behind the bar. My guess is that it has been there for decades as well. The next time you find yourself in the Williamson St. Neighborhood and are in the need of libation, check this joint out! read more

Crystal corner is your typical neighborhood bar, full of townies and cheap drinks! They also have live music here a lot, so if you like that then this is the place for you! There isn't much to say about this place, its an experience that much be lived in order to be appreciated! read more

Not a regular. We were in town for a night and had our Uber drop us off on this street to check some places out. The place was really hopping on a Saturday night around 7. So it took a while to get a drink and the service was fine albeit a little gruff. I do like we could use a credit card and start a tab. Loud, plenty of drink choices and popcorn, so it's not too shabby. read more

This place must have improved over the years, because when I tell non-Madisonians about going to the Crystal they give me that look. You know, the "Eek. Scary, Scary" look. I think it's fine. Great live music, casual feel, and WOODCHUCK on tap--this is what sold me. Besides, any bar that has chalkboards to doodle on in the ladies stalls is a friend of mine! read more

The archetypical come-as-you-are joint. It may look somewhat seedy from the outside, but it's really one of the most welcoming, comfortable, casual bars in town that I can think of. Now -- what 'ill it be? read more

Home to good microbrew tap specials, the Hometown Sweethearts, and my upcoming new favorites, Brown Derby! I find it both fun and relaxing to sit inside and have a nice, cold beer with good company and good tunes going on. They have a good jukebox if there's no live music. Occasionally, the service leaves something to be desired, but I just pave over that feeling with more beer. ;) read more

This place is neat. The neon and glass block look is pretty, and the place is as casual as it comes. The bartenders there are nice, they have a great S.I.N. on Sundays.... I am a fan. read more

(To Be Updated) This bar looks kind of iffy on the outside, but definitely worth the try! They have a variety of deals that makes it more than worth it to visit. Based on the reviews below, it sounds like this bar has a good reputation on bands and performances. I will definitely have to revisit when those events are happening! read more

The CCB has been my third favorite bar in Madison for 19 years. Number one and two can change, but this staple dive will always remain. They bring vibrant local music, have a strong 2 am club scene, prices are fair, drinks are strong, bartenders are attentive, ambiance is unique. It's where I bring a friend to introduce local Madison. read more

I hold this bar near and dear to my heart. It has been something like a home to me for the better part of six years. There's a revolving cast of characters that have all proven to be great people, each in their own way. The staff is unique and attentive, and the live music is always a hit. Be prepared for a busy night Thursday through Saturday. Look on the wall for the drink specials ($6 domestic pitchers on Thursdays!) and do not underestimate the deliciousness of the Emil's pizza. These are my people. read more

We stopped in here for an after dinner beer and I really liked it. It's not a fancy place but is your classic neighborhood bar. There was a lot of seating around the large bar and plenty of tables surrounding the room. The bartenders were great and the beer was delicious. Crystal Corner is a great place to hang out at. read more

When bartender walked up to us I asked how her day was, her response was "what do you want?" Waited 20 minutes after we finished our first round, never checked in on, so we left. Band was great, though. read more