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    Ohio Tavern

    4.2 (100 reviews)
    ModerateDive Bars, Tacos, Karaoke
    Open 4:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Ohio Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    OHIO TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Hipster
    Casual
    Very loud

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    Recommended Reviews - Ohio Tavern

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    Reviews With Photos

    Courtney T.

    I can't stop thinking about the taco I had last week. The Bo Gia deserves much attention. With pickled relish, this pork taco is the perfect combination of smoky, spicy- goodness - topped with crema of course! I'm so obsessed. You can't beat the delicious $8 margs either! @theohiotavern will always have a special place on our Madison Must lists. This dive bar just got a makeover and she's looking cute. Make sure to bring cash for this cash only gem. I will also always love the PBR taco which is now called the bud light- And the New guy.

    Hours as of 12/17/23
    Lauren E.

    We had carryout tacos and they were amazing! Service was friendly and quick! I returned about a week or two later for their Brunch hot dogs and bloody Mary's only to discover they had new hours and were NOT OPEN! I was so disappointed! They do not have a phone, so I had no way to verify before heading out there.

    House Street Corn
    Hanna G.

    Finally had a chance to check this place out- it has with very laid back vibes, seat yourself and order at the bar. It was quite crowded on a Tuesday at 6 PM- all spots outside were taken, but we were lucky enough to snag the last table inside. Once we ordered, it took about 30 minutes for the food to arrive, but it was worth the wait. I ordered a margarita ($8), it was tart and strong- but I enjoy a good lime margarita and could have had a few more. Then I got the house street corn, it was pretty good! The toppings were tasty and mixed well together. This one was pretty mellow and not spicy. I got 3 tacos and they were HUGE, double tortillas and stuffed to the brim- I was soooo full from these. I tried the Scorcher (warning, it was spicy lol) The Travelling Matt - DELICIOUS The Old Boy - my personal fave All tacos were super unique and had tons of flavors- I would definitely come by again to try more. I got all this for $26 and I left quite happy.

    Hannah C.

    what a gem!!! honestly coming here gave me a bit of stress because the name of the place isnt immediately obvious but tbh if u see a bunch of hipsters / bikers chilling on a crowded patio/bar you're in the right place also ordering was difficult during rush hour -- you order at the bar no one really comes to get your order i think that being said. their margs on tap are incredible !! and it was dinner rush so our food took quitw some time but let me tell you!! all of the impatience/anger in my body completely disappeared when i took that first bite. the tacos truly are so so good especially the steak/beef ones. i feel like i truly saw the light/tasted tacos w flavor combos ive never hit before 10/10 i would like to come back again soon ohio tavern

    Nicole K.

    I drove past this bar and had to stop, there is street parking but if you like Street tacos this is the place. The seating is very limited but you have to check it out, the menu is just tacos but oh my goodness you will love it

    Tacos
    Sydney R.

    YUMMMM. Ohio Tavern is such a wonderful hidden gem in an amazing neighborhood. My husband got a table outside which was first come first serve. We had to take turns going inside to order which wasn't a big deal. We both had a couple of tap beers and ordered tacos. I was so pleasantly surprised with the large variety and selection of tacos. We both loved all of our tacos and could have ordered two more orders because they were so dang good. This bar is CASH ONLY. They do have an atm inside. To our surprise they also had bingo at 7pm on Wednesday which was super fun. You had to pay for the cards after a couple of free games. We will be back!!!

    Robyn L.

    Ohio tavern is one of Madison's best kept secrets for amazing tacos! They are packed full of flavor- my personal favorite is the PBR. The street corn is amazing too- a must try! They also have really unique hot sauces on each table as well. Tacos and drinks are great at Ohio tavern. Other things to know (why it's not 5 stars for me): - cash only - it is a pretty small establishment so getting a table can be challenging. There have been multiple times I've gone in and waited and left because it was unlikely anything would open up -they have live music often, which is cool and I usually love when places support local artists; however, the size of the establishment makes this tricky- taking away table space and making it really tricky to have a conversation Overall I recommend Ohio tavern- you will not be disappointed with the tacos. You might just have to try a few times before getting a table there. I have been more successful later in the evenings 9pm or so on weeknights.

    Tacos
    Mag L.

    My dad and I came here for a late dinner, and it was such a delicious stop! I had heard good things about the tacos, and they didn't disappoint. My dad and I each ordered three, and they were huge and filling. I would recommend any of the tacos honestly. They were all flavor bombs. For how hefty they are, I think the price is well worth it. I would 100% return! Service was great as well.

    the outside of the restaurant
    Geoffrey P.

    Oysters, beers, good music, and an excellent atmosphere. I spotted the vintage Blatz neon sign and knew I had to check this place out. Happy to report it is awesome.

    Ericka B.

    Went here on a Saturday for dinner. The place was pretty busy so we ended up sitting at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in explaining the spice levels of the tacos and gave some great recommendations. We ended up getting the special taco, which was beef heart and pineapple, the old boy, travelin' matt, scorcher, and lenny special. The travelin matt was the favorite out of the first three as it had a great balance of how the components played together. The taco had a nice spice that the queso cut and complemented. The brisket provided a comforting and dynamic base. And the chow chow gave a great crispness. The scorcher was definitely spicy and messy. It was very helpful that they gave a spoon with it to scoop up everything that fell out as there is a single corn tortilla with the tacos. The lenny special is the vegan option on the menu and I was quite impressed. It was also the less messy of the last two. It really had a great flavor, but I wanted a little extra spice, so I added some of the homemade hot sauce. The poblano plantain and the 3 pepper were our favorites. The price point of $4 for a taxi might seem like a little much, but its definitely worth it as they pack the tacos full of ingredients. We will definitely be back to try out some of the others!

    Bar
    Matt W.

    Wow, just WOW, the tacos served by the new and improved Ohio Tavern are the real deal. And kudos to the new owners for converting a gritty, rough and tumble dive bar into an inviting comfortable space. The craft beer selection is top notch and you can still score a PBR if that's your thing. Because the venue is small and open, the noise level can make it difficult to carry on a discussion at conversational tones. In the evenings, there are live acts or karaoke. But it's the food that makes the Ohio stand out. The $4 price is on the high side, but the portion sizes are more than generous. Plus if make it before 7pm, they knock off $1 from the purchase price. To make things even better, there are a half dozen homemade hot sauces that will knock your socks off. Cash only, but there is an ATM available.

    Karaoke

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    6 months ago

    The perfect dive bar in the middle of Madison. The specialize in tacos which are excellent.

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    3 years ago

    Great food, low key and enjoyable atmosphere. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a casual bite and beverage.

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    Crystal Corner - Ahhh the lights

    Crystal Corner

    (49 reviews)

    $

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    It looks like an average corner dive bar from the outside but wow, was this a fantastic place a see…read morelive 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.

    I REALLY wanted to love Crystal Corner, but sadly after our recent visit, popping back by on my…read morenext 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.

    Mickey's Tavern

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    Mickey's Tavern may be one of my new favorite spots in the Madison! Located on the eclectic…read moreWilliamson Street, Mickey's is divey, local, welcoming with a tinge of new age and it works, really well. The exterior is quintessential old school dive bar from the worn paint to the old school PBR sign. When you walk in, you are quickly transported into a retro, yet new age space that features old school lighting and artwork mixed with new age neon's and a creative menu. Staff were excellent at the bar. They hooked it up and helped us choose just the right drink, and chatted us up for a while. Patrons were equally friendly, which was nice. With that, it has the vibe of Wisconsin from decor, menu, staff to patrons. We hung out in the main bar area for a while, and then discovered there was a whole other section with a pool table and more cozy style seating areas. They do offer your standard bar food, which looked and smelled good. However, we were there on a liquid diet, so cocktails is all we got, and we were not mad at it. Overall, absolutely in love with Mickey's Tavern. Will absolutely be back on my next visit to Madison!

    Mickey's is a proper local pub, right on Willy Street,…read moreRegardless of your sex/age/race, it's a great place to meet, We were told "you must try the food & sexy fries", We weren't disappointed, they weren't telling lies, So next time you're in the area, relax and follow your feet!

    Ohio Tavern - divebars - Updated May 2026

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