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    Imaginary Factory

    4.9 (24 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Imaginary Factory Photos

    IMAGINARY FACTORY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Imaginary Factory

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    Tony S.

    Cool take on a cocktail bar. Everything decor wise is white like it was bleached. Refreshing cocktails and ping pong, open air with a few roll up garage doors. Great stop before a Madison concert!

    Pineapple drink with sage foam. Plus a sample of a spicy more savory drink. Yum!!
    Steph B.

    Went here with a three year old and still had a grand time! The bartenders here are always so kind. I've been when the place is busy and when it's more empty and the service always feel personal and genuinely kind. Sadly they were no longer selling rap snacks when I went this time so there wasn't food to purchase. However, the drinks were amazing! The first one I had had an herbal foam on top and fruity refreshing. I got some samples of other which were good too, including a spicy and more savory one.And of course the vibe in the space stands out. The white decor and weird and cool chairs are fun. Also discovered there are board games around the space. Definitely worth a visit!

    Prickly Lime Cider and 75 Bees
    Michelle C.

    This place is a lil hole in the wall. It's kinda tucked away but very fun on the inside. It is startlingly white, head to ceiling, with neon lights thrown here and there. There's board games, ping pong. A recipe for a good time plus the drinks were excellent! We got 75 bees (so sweet) and prickly lime cider (no booziness just delicious). Garden salad (tastes like a red bell pepper, it's novel but maybe not my fave) and pineapple sage (the foam on top is so yummy, and it's a classic fruity cocktail) We brought a deck of cars and played games at the bar. There's couches. Strangers talking to strangers. The bartender was super kind. Great for a chill night out.

    Brown derby
    Cherise K.

    Been here a couple of times and just like the vibe. It's usually on the quieter side, but that leads to a unique experience with friends and the bartender. I really liked the Fake fernet, which I believe was told is used semi in the new old fashioned mix. Definitely recommend sitting at the bar and seeing what is new and tasting whatever you fancy! Be warned the drinks are strong! But for down easy! Definitely also check out the bathroom, I love their use of block color and is just a cool concept. Happy drinking!

    Gabriela D.

    Cute hipster bar. The ambience is great there's a ping pong table and outdoor space. The staff here is so friendly and kind. Kelsey is the best. The drinks are creative and very refreshing. It's a great spot to hangout and chat with friends.

    Tom Collins
    Alexandra K.

    IF is hands down one of the most creative and unique cocktail bars I have ever had the pleasure of going to. Hastings and Kelsey come up with the most interesting and tasty drinks and there is always a ton of unique flavors and combos. They are also just two amazing humans and my husband and I are so lucky to know them. The service is amazing and we bring as many people possible there so that they can also experience this spot. The ambiance is also just SO COOL. The all white interior is funky and it just has the aura of a creative space. Our favorite cocktails are the Tom Collins, the Grapefruit Slushie, and the Ginger Old Fashioned. An absolute must stop if you are in Madison!

    Erin M.

    Talk about a vibe. This hidden gem is fantastic. Located on a dead end street with an unassuming entrance, you step into an alternate reality. The bartender was ready for me before I was for her because I was too excited taking it all in. Once I calmed down I ordered the Rhubarb Spritz, my friend got the Pineapple Sage. The menu is misleading because it looks like you're getting some ordinary drink, but these were imaginative, unique, well-balanced, refreshing and delicious. That sage foam/fluff, whatever you want to call it was out of this world. This place has to be on your list for a bar hopping night.

    Boozy Old Fashioned
    Allison G.

    Blink and you might miss it! Imaginary Factory is a new cocktail bar right next to State Line Distillery. It's only been open for about 2 months but is off to a great start! When you pull up, there is a small neon sign that reads ''IF'' (for Imaginary Factory). You really have to know what you're looking for which adds to the mystery of the place. There isn't a parking lot so you'll need to find a spot on the street. It was super easy to find parking because it's in a less busy location. When you walk in, everything is white. It almost feels like you walked into a cloud. It has a very trendy, mysterious vibe. It's also very clean, which is hard to do with white! For drinks, my husband and I both got their famous Boozy Old Fashioned. The name doesn't lie, it is boozy! We absolutely loved it! If you're looking for a sweet, sugar Old Fashioned, this wouldn't be for you. If you really love to taste the brandy in your Old Fashioned, this is for you! They also has other cocktails and boozy slushees at the bar! The one thing that was not white was the ping pong table. My husband and I enjoyed a few games while enjoying our drinks. I won, of course. :) Super fun that they have that option! The furniture and decor was super modern and sleek! I loved all the different shapes and sizes for the tables and chairs! We also enjoyed that the garage doors were open at the front and back. It gave the bar a beautiful indoor/ outdoor feel. There was also the perfect breeze next to the ping pong table! I'd definitely recommend Imaginary Factory! Go check it out.

    Purple
    Billy D.

    A distillery & cocktail bar shrouded in mystery. You might not even notice it, surrounded by mundane industrial buildings of the isthmus past. When does it open? Why is it all white inside? How long will the walls stay this white? Does anyone even like squirt classic? Are the honey jalapeño chips too sweet? Is the grapefruit slushy the drink of the summer? Does this place have anything to do with the distillery next door? Only you can find out.

    Cocktailin' at IF!
    Vicki A.

    Leaving State Line Distillery we came upon this fun place. Thought it was a pop-up, but isn't. Of course had to try! I had the South Side-my best one yet! Everyone tried different cocktails and loved them. And a random ping pong table! Great bartender and place!

    There is a pingpong table in back.

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    4 months ago

    We had no idea this place was open for five years. Exceptional cocktails. The pineapple with sage combination is crazy good. Check it out!

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    2 years ago

    Creatively curated, delicious flavors fill its unique ambiance. At the intersection of Jamba Juice, Korova milk bar, and Willi Wonka.

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    Ask the Community - Imaginary Factory

    Review Highlights - Imaginary Factory

    Imaginary Factory is a new cocktail bar right next to State Line Distillery.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Merchant

    Merchant

    3.8
    (753 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    My wife and I stopped in yesterday to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and we couldn't have picked a…read morebetter place! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the host, who we later found out was a AG Manager Dillon. He immediately made us feel welcome. After we were seated, Dillon brought us water right away and let us know that our server, Kyle, was helping a few other tables but would be over shortly to take our drink order. We really appreciated the communication, as so many restaurants leave you wondering where your server is. We had seen the Date Night menu online, which included a choice of wine. Since we don't drink alcohol, we asked if we could substitute a pitcher of iced tea instead. Dillon was happy to make that happen, which was such a thoughtful touch. We also had a wonderful conversation with him while getting settled. Seems like he has a wonderful future ahead with schooling. Always wonderful to see kind and hardworking young matured adults. Kyle soon came by with our tea, introduced himself, and took exceptional care of us throughout the evening. He made sure we were comfortable, anticipated our needs, and even surprised us with extra desserts alongside our beignets to celebrate our anniversary. His hospitality was truly top notch, and he made our evening feel special. For dinner, we ordered the etouffe and the shrimp bbq dish, and both were absolutely delicious! There were so many other menu items that caught our eye, so we'll definitely be back to try more. What impressed us most was watching the team work together. It seemed like they might have been a little short staffed, with Dillon and Kyle constantly moving throughout the dining room alongside the bartenders and kitchen staff. Despite that, they never missed a moment. They were attentive, friendly, and genuinely cared about every guest. We even overheard other tables complimenting the service and food they received. This was such a wonderful place to celebrate our anniversary. Merchant delivered outstanding service, incredible food, and genuine hospitality from start to finish. If you're looking for a restaurant with amazing food, exceptional service, and a great atmosphere, whether for dinner or drinks, Merchant is the place to go. We will be back for more soon!

    I was out and about, exploring Madison, and Merchant looked like a cool place to stop for happy…read morehour. I sat at the bar, and Mi took great care of me. I had dinner plans, so I just wanted to stop in for a drink and snack. They have some really good offers for HH and their cheese curds are half off. I had never had one, so it sounded like the perfect time to try. I got a glass of wine and the curds. They came out quickly, hot and fresh. It was a big bowl of fried cheese. They come with ranch and hot honey, and apparently they recently won best cheese curd at the cheese curd crawl. They were super tasty. Well seasoned, perfectly fried, and kind of chewy. I am not on the hot honey frenzy train, but I tried it and thought it paired well, just wasn't for me. The ranch was tasty though. Even the happy hour portion was hefty and I couldn't put down half. A little wine and cheese on a beautiful day, just makes for a good experience. They were making some pretty interesting cocktails behind the bar, and it is definitely worth coming back to try out their other options.

    Photos
    Merchant
    Merchant
    Merchant

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    Eno Vino Downtown

    Eno Vino Downtown

    4.1
    (436 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    We had a great experience dining at Eno Vino Downtown last Saturday evening. The service from Abby…read morewas simply amazing, and it made the whole evening event so pleasant. We went there to celebrate the 50th birthday of a friend from New York who was in town for the art fair. Abby was attentive, with good recommendations. She's such a sweetheart. We really had a wonderful time chatting with each other and eating the great food. The mocktails were excellent, and we decided on 2 sets of their special - a two-to-tango meal. The dishes were very generously served and delicious. I would highly recommend Eno Vino Downtown for any celebration.

    I was staying in the hotel on a business trip and arrived later on a Sunday evening. Most of the…read moreother restaurants in the area were closed, so figured it was easiest to have dinner here. As a solo female diner, it's always intimidating to eat alone. When I arrived, I asked to sit at the bar, but saw free spots at the tables along the window. It was a beautiful night and I figured I was alone and could watch the sunset. I asked the bartender if I could sit there and she said yes, but I would have to order with a waiter. We'll I waited for a good 20 minutes without anyone checking on me before moving to the bar. The bar was really no better. Service was abysmal and the bartenders were not so friendly. The bar was also not well kept with glassware and napkins still in my space from the previous patron. I had to ask for water, napkin and utensils after my food came. I also had to ask for another drink, while the 2 girls next to me were attended to constantly. I ended up ordering the shrimp risotto and while tasty, it was too salty after a few bites. I'm giving 2 stars because they have a decent wine selection.

    Photos
    The Pearfect Elyx-ir - delicious
    The Pearfect Elyx-ir - delicious
    Grilled lettuce - something new for me.
    Grilled lettuce - something new for me.
    View from the restaurant

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    View from the restaurant

    Imaginary Factory - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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