This is your typical sticky floor downtown State St bar. Depending on the time of day the crowd of people 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. read more

Unfortunately, my first experience here will probably be my last. The red-haired bartender was extremely rude and had a terrible attitude toward us throughout our stay. The way we were spoken to and treated made us feel unwelcome and completely ruined our experience. I was excited to check this place out for the first time, so it was really disappointing to have an experience like this. Afterward, I noticed other reviews mentioning similar experiences with the same bartender. I really hope management takes this seriously, especially since these concerns have been brought up before and clearly continue to be an issue. read more

they have a huge fake tree inside it is so funny. aside from that banger of decor, theres lots of bar, tall table, and lounge seating. read more

Paul's Club - huge tree moment - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My husband and I had a terrible experience today when trying to enter Paul's Club. We had our passports with us, as well as our translated marriage certificate. I am 19 years old, and my husband is over 21. As soon as we presented our passports, the security guard at the door refused us entry and would not even look at our marriage certificate, which showed that my husband would be responsible for me here in the U.S. In addition to that, he was extremely rude and disrespectful. He raised his voice at both of us while forcing us away from the entrance, used his body to block us (even though we were not trying to force our way in--we only wanted him to review our documents), pointed aggressively at a sign stating that alcohol consumption under 21 is prohibited, and told us to "get out." The issue is that I am visibly pregnant--38 weeks--and I do not consume alcohol. We were only there to celebrate a friend's birthday. Shortly after, our friend tried to speak with him and explain the situation, but once again he showed complete indifference, simply stating that he was "doing his job." My husband and I would not have had an issue if the bar had a strict policy of not allowing me to enter, even accompanied by my husband. However, the level of rudeness and lack of professionalism we experienced was completely unacceptable. He did not seem qualified to be in a security position, as he refused to review documentation and treated people in a disrespectful manner, regardless of whether they were customers or potential patrons. After reading other reviews, I noticed that poor service appears to be a common issue at this establishment, which is disappointing, as the venue itself seems comfortable and appealing. However, after today's experience, I have no interest in trying to visit again or recommending it to friends. I hope you take this feedback seriously and consider hiring staff who know how to perform their roles with professionalism and respect. Situations like this are embarrassing and ultimately damage the reputation of your business. read more

I am tremendously disappointed in the behavior of Paul's Club this evening. It is true that I visited in the setting of many people this evening, many of whom were not on their best behavior. A set of bartenders asked us for our orders and we gave them. Shortly thereafter, a bartender confronted us - me, in particular - and demanded details of which entity was ordering drinks on our behalf. This was news to me, so I balked, and the bartender proceeded to kick me and my co-customers out, for no apparent reason. I could not make sense of a Christian woman being abused in such a basic manner. I do not know what went on this evening, but I certainly was far from the source of whatever ground-scraping fodder the Madison Symphony Orchestra might have dredged up for this evening's entertainment. The symphony always was more diverting than the smut. Sincerely. Lera O'Sullivan PGY-2 read more

A+ for the girls!!!! Caroline and Austin are amazing employees! They made my friend and I feel safe during a night out when a guy was making us feel uncomfortable. They made sure he left and walked us all the way to our vehicle in the parking garage. Thank you!! read more

Meh. Skimpy pours. Bartenders not friendly - act as though they would rather be somewhere else. Asked for napkins because our drinks were sweating all over the table and were begrudgingly given one cocktail napkin. The barstools were cheap as was the bar and back of the bar. The good points - great location, comfortable sofas, good prices on drinks, good atmosphere. read more

Paul's club is a classy bar/club in the heart of Madison. They have a great alcohol selection with many specials including my favorite, $2 mystery shots. The staff is quick and friendly. The bar is itself is very cute with a tree decoration that makes it very cozy inside. It's a great spot to meet up with friends for a quick drink. read more

Great service! Good drinks and pours- and it's a decent place for people a little older in a college town

Stopping here for a cocktail with my friend was a bit disorientating. The last time I was at Paul"s was 10 years ago. It has moved and flipped to be a mirror image. The bartender was a great help telling us where we should go next. We were in early so it was quiet and easy to get the low down on the local night life, and a bit of history as well. He also makes a mean drink. I highly recommend a stop by Paul's if your a bit older like me maybe earlier in the evening. It is a collage town. read more

Paul's Club - Can you be trendy for over 40 years? - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

"The bar with the tree" - the signature tag line of this restaurant, and the description each time I want to bring an out of town friend out to their favorite Madison bar. Cozy and dimly lit environment, which has a nice area along one side with leather chairs for chatting the night away. Just be sure to snag a seat when you see one open up, as it's pretty limited. read more

Went to this place as a spot to chill out for an hour before we went to another place. Moderately busy. Went up to the bar and asked a bartender in his 40s - ish with a large beard for a brandy old fashion sweet and a cosmo (for my date) he swore at me saying "are you kidding me? I'm not mixing that f***ing s**t!!" And walked away to go serve other people. Me and my group immediately stood up and left, not a word to the bartender because we were so shocked. Would never go back again! Person should be fired! Never had such bad service! read more

You know the Three Little Bears story? One porridge is too hot, the other too cold, one just right? It was like that on our State St. pub crawl. HopCat was a bit slick; Side Door had terrible acoustics; Coopers we didn't even bother because it's so pricey. But Paul's Club was just right. A really satisfying range of beers at decent prices (the Victory Saison for $6 was super); amazing, caring bartender who really went out of his way to make people happy; a relaxing, cozy atmosphere with bar stools or cushy chairs, nice lighting, and a pleasant ambiance all around; and then there's the tree. You might just want to hug it when you go. read more

Paul's Club - Happy PC denizens - - tree in background. - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

What the eff? There's a tree inside! Great location, though I had to have passed by this place at least a dozen times before I realized it was a bar, and not, like, a place where a guy named Paul and his friends go to smoke and play poker. The bartenders are a little apathetic, at least this one guy, a total sourpuss, who was serving when a friend and I stopped by on a Friday during happy hour. Like, we're giving you money! We expect happiness during happy hour! Etc. Maybe he was tired. Came here again late-night one time with a group of people from work. That's when Paul's Club goes from being a somewhat sketchy local joint to being a hoppin' bar. Love the Christmas lights! read more

Paul's Club - a tree with lights in the background - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Stopped by Paul's club on a Sunday evening, Madison was very quiet. Raul the bartender was great!! Told us a lot of local knowledge with a few great beers and shots. I will definitely be back !! read more

Any place known as the "tree club" I've gotta see, and the first thing I asked the bouncer at the door was whether or not the tree was real. Apparently, it is! It was cut down a few decades ago and then...I'm assuming, reconstructed? in the center of the club. They also spray the leaves periodically with some sort of chemical to keep them green. Basically a mummified tree. COOOOL. Good enough for me. I'm not here for the tree. Pros: Full bar. Good selection of ciders. Nice, fun crowd. Con: Awkwardly narrow and elongated bar/seating area - if you don't have a big enough group to fill up an entire table, you will be sharing it with another group. Be prepared for a night of awkward stares and unintentional eavesdropping. read more

Don't forget to water the tree during your visit... I'm kidding! It's probably fake, but that dust on it isn't a sure-fire indicator. This is a great spot to go before and after the show. It's centrally located between the Orpheum, Overture Center and the Comedy Club. The bartenders have worked their for years (I think my bartender mentioned that the average is around 15 years)! But, you need to be careful when you choose to go. Be aware of when shows are and that it may be packed just before and after. If you're lucky, you can get seating for your group on one of their low and comfy couches/chairs. But, I did say low seating, not the most ideal if you want to set your drink down or carry a conversation with your buddy across said table. Overall, Paul's Club has a great location and I will continue to go here before a concert (and after)! read more

Perfect go-to for drinks before a show, either at the Overture or the Orpheum. It's so close you can see the front doors of the Overture, allowing you to be able to leave 1 minute before meeting friends or 5 minutes before in seats. No food here, but I've heard you can carry in food without an issue. Before shows, this place can get completely packed then will empty out nicely. Their "new" location is now just great (and has been around for years). Paul's has the large, lit tree that adds a level of charm and chill. Staff are hit-or-miss but that's par for the course in the area. Fairly good beer selection; not all IPAs and APAs like many bars around. I stick to beer here as I enjoy their choices, prices, size of pour, and preparation speed. read more

Hmmm I love that this bar has a tree in it, what I do not love is the weird bar smell that makes you question what it is they are trying to cover up. I stopped here before a show and ordered a margarita that came garnished with not one but two....Fruit flies. The jokes on me... I drank it anyway after a amateur level bug water rescue, I'm not proud. Anyway I probably won't rush back to Paul's. read more

The drinks are strong and reasonable for state street but the furniture could use a facelift. I sat down and almost spilled my drink as my ass practically hit the floor and a puff of dust blew up around me. I felt like Pig Pen from the Peanuts. After about 20 minutes my eyes started to itch and my nose was stuffed. I'll be back for the stiff drinks and the atmosphere. Oh they had a nice variety of beer too! read more

Nice spot for a night cap. Great behind the bar. I left my phone and they had it when I went back 30 min later. Tells me it's a good clientele and staff read more

When Paul's Club first moved, I wasn't completely sold. For years I've been referring to it as "Bizarro Paul's Club" because they took a bulk of the old location's interior and moved it, but in a mirror image of the old place. The bar was wider, and while the extra space was appreciated, everything looked just slightly out of place. The clientele on many of my first visits was also a little different than how I remembered Paul's - these newbies were young, loud, and the best of bros (aka the worst of bros). On my last visit, I was really pleasantly surprised. Patrons were chill, and most seemed to be a party who was potlucking and watching the Packer game. The average age had gone up by a decade. Paul's had replaced many of their old, green chairs with ridiculously comfy black ones. They were low to the ground, but fit my short frame as well as my 6-foot-plus friend's. I can't say I didn't entertain the idea of trying to drag one out of the bar without anyone noticing and putting it in my apartment. It's true that Paul's has changed, but I've now found the right night to visit for what I want Paul's to be - a cozy hangout spot where I can be psuedo-classy. read more

I have a lot better things to do than go into a bar that's big claim to fame is the fact that it has a big tree with a string of christmas lights on it. I've been in here once, and once was enough. If you are actually sitting in one of the few places to sit, all that means is that you are such a huge lush that you got there at 6 o'clock. So, you can wipe that smirky look off your face, drunko. read more

This is State Street's hidden gem for over 50 years. Great micro brews on tap, whiskeys, bourbons, and bloody mary's. It is a great place to watch the game or sit out on their patio. If you are headed to downtown Madison this is a place you must hit up. It was also selected as one of Wisconsin's Top 10 bars: http://bestthingswi.com/bars/ read more

Paul's Club is not your typical I wanna get sloshed bar when I was in undergrad. It was the cool, 'swanky' if you will type of drinking establishment. More for your 5th year senior. When you walk in it's super dark inside, carpeted (unusual for a bar), loungy couches, and a HUGE FREAKIN TREE in the middle of the place. Christmas lights round out the cozy vibe along with a killer jukebox. Paul's Club most definitely serves up tasty drinks, nice variety of beers, and the BEST Bloody Mary I have ever had. Try it! Seriously. read more

THE TREE IS NOT REAL...I REPEAT THE TREE IS NOT REAL! For the last three years I have been listening about the cool bar with the tree growing in the middle of it. So this year I decided to go with them to see that tree...only to find out it was fake. The sad part is that one of the guys is from Oregon and he should know trees...they hug trees there. I tried to get the bartender to settle our dispute but he just stood there and smiled. The smile seemed to lean towards plastic tree...dont get me wrong it looks cool and real but then when you realize the tree is growing out of the middle of a bar with a roof over the top it starts to get a little suspicious. Okay enough about the fake tree...Paul's Club is a cool little bar with great beer prices...I love Madison. Such a cute downtown with out the crowds of a major city. I will definately come back here for a few drinks in the future and relax under the shade of Paul's Big Fake Rubber Tree!!! read more

Paul's club is such a right of passage for any true Madisonian! Nothing too special about this bar. The selection of beers are great. The place has a lounge vibe with low tables and chairs. It's famous for a large tree in the center of the bar. Location is great, in a row with some other Madison bars and close to the capital square It's generally really busy all the time, but worth the stop! read more

There's a freakin' tree in the bar! It'd be pretty sweet if the bar had a pet squirrel or something. A great low-key place to relax earlier in the evening, which makes this one of my bars of choice. I really like the atmosphere, where you have the seats grouped together, making this a great bar for taking it easy with friends with a good conversation and a tasty beverage. There's a couple small tv's (installed exclusively for watching Badgers games no doubt) but in no way to they take away from the relaxing group atmosphere. There's a jukebox for those of you who like to be their own dj, and most importantly there's a nice selection of beers. When in Wisconsin, drink Wisconsin brews. They're all delicious, and they serve a whole bunch of 'em. Gravitate toward the tree. read more

Besides Brats, Mondays, Brothers, Gritty and maybe maayyyybbbbeee the City there is no bar I cringe more hearing when suggested than Paul's Club. (yes Wando's over Paul's) Since when did the presence of indoor botany lull is into accepting the constant overcrowding, bottleneck seating design, overly loud music, selectively chummy bartenders and trifling higher prices. Honestly, besides the tree there is really nothing cool about this bar. You rarely can get a seat and movement between the beanstalk and the couches is irritatingly entrapping. If by some miracle you go on a weekday and the place isn't swamped, it's tolerable and offers something a bit classier than a dive or a college intox-fest. ....but almost always the coastie sorority girls and their male shadows just run this place. I'm not even that offended by the coastie-presence as I live amongst it now but Paul's bartenders are just really chummy and the place isn't well laid out. I guess I'm not in, so I'll happily be out. read more

From what I had heard, I thought this would be way more of a dive bar. Definitely not. It had a nice feel and cute couches if you were lucky enough to get one. However, the actual people who went there were a bit much. If you have a bouncer, please escort the rowdy persons out. I was sitting at the high top tables and a drunk patron kept running into me. I ended up wearing half my drink. The staff saw this and did nothing. Overall the rest of my experience was ok. I liked the tree. It is just kind of an average, everyday bar with a great tree. The bartenders were jerks. Inattentive. There was one with curly hair, she talked to me like I was an idiot. From ordering to closing my tab, you would have thought I was speaking another language. I doubt I will go back to Paul's. read more

I don't understand the allure of Paul's Club. Wow, couches! Ooooo, it has a tree in the middle! OMGWTFBBQ. That's soooo awesome! ....Not. All that damn tree does is take up valuable bar space. It's not bad if you get there early and can actually use one of the 20+/- seats in the place. Otherwise, there's nowhere to stand, and you're A) constantly being knocked into by people who, understandably, want to get to the bar, and B) being stared and snarked at by the people sitting on the couches who are oh-so-much better than you. BUT, if you get there early, it's not too bad. Strong drinks, reasonable prices, music's okay, bartenders are okay.... it's just the atmosphere that starts around 9pm. Ick! read more

1 star for strong drinks. 1 star for fun jukebox. 1 star for Christmas lights 1 star for the giant tree in the middle. read more

I like Paul's. There's a tree. It's a very fake tree, but it's a tree just the same. Feels like a deciduous Rainforest Cafe when you use your imagination. I overheard a lady telling her friend that the tree was a real tree she'd heard, and how did they get it in there? Heavens to Betsy. All you have to do is look at it to see it's fake. Some people. Oy. The drinks here are not expensive, but they're not dirt cheap either ($7 mixed rail drink--at 5:50pm--which I consider Happy Hour). You might have to wait a minute or five anytime after 6:30pm, but the service is good and the bathroom is clean. I like sitting in the comfy areas along the wall, though these are not often available when I get there, so I tend to stand and glower a bit and stare at said seating areas until my friends decide they're ready to move on to a place with chairs. As far as I know, there's no food. Not even little nibbles to calm your nerves or settle your tum before dinner. This is the place I come before a show at the Overture, but unless it's summertime and I want a pineapple cider on the patio, there are other places I'd rather be. Everyone loves a tree though. read more

I frequent this establishment quite often. It is a fun relaxed place to get some drinks with friends and has some of the most comfortable couches. Calling the bartenders mixologists would be a stretch but they make the cheap vodka go down like grey goose. The bartenders are all super friendly and always have great suggestions for places to eat and what other bars have specials right now. I came for the drinks but I keep coming back because of the bartenders. read more

Early hours (I call them "old people hours", when the folks like me 25-30 and over can chill and hear each other have conversations over drinks that taste good) so maybe before 11pm I'd give Paul's 3.5 stars. It's a bar, nothing too special. Bloody marys are good, there are nice places to sit, and I do like The Tree. It's fun to tell people it's real and they had to build the bar around it, get special building permits, etc. Just smell the tree and you can tell! lol.. The later hours, however, for me are another story. That's when Paul's caters more toward the younger "let's get wasteypants" crowd. You can't hear anyone, it's hard to move around without getting 'bowed in the face if you're 5'1 or getting beer sloshed on you by some overzealous bros, the floor is STICKY, and it's nearly impossible to get a drink if you're short and not overly aggressive. I think people got served more than once before I got a single glance from a bartender. I get that I'm not great at being loud and obnoxious and grabbing one's attention, but should it have to be that way? I guess at the undergraddy bars, it does... Not my scene, so for me this is when I give Paul's 1 star (sorry!). So the average between the two atmospheres is 2.25 or 2 stars for me as a petite-height average 30-something female... read more

Loooove Pauls Club! Ive lived in Madison for a long time and after the college bar scene becomes old and you have to grow up, but don't really want to, Pauls is the place! It has a nice, wide variety of people that come in, which always makes it different and fun. The bartenders are awesome and per the typical Paul's review--oh yeah.....there's a tree. read more

I don't know why people are so confused by the tree. It does not matter if it's real or fake (it's fake) but it's an interesting aspect of the bar!! The drinks are stiff and reasonably priced. Highly recommend their old fashioned (with woodford reserve, of course; it was one of the best old fashioneds id had ever! read more

Paul's Club is not for everyone but it has an environment I found very appealing. It's atmosphere is inbetween a college bar and the middle-aged crowd, although you'll find some of both there depending on the night you go. The bar reminds me a lot of the old lounge scenes you see in mafia movies or pool halls; older rimmed couches, dim lighting, talkative patrons, etc. The music seems to vary based on the crowd too, as the jukebox usually controls it. They have a nice selection of older hip-hop, rock, and folk, and drink prices are reasonable. It's not a bar with a lot of frills, but if you're in the mood for something casual and conversational, Paul's Club is your place. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tree. Paul's Club has a tree in the middle of the bar, nothing fancy but it adds a little classic flavor that makes the bar distinguishable from others. A friend of mine climbed it once, but I don't recommend doing this as he was promptly kicked out :) . If your going for the ideal atmosphere, I'd frequent it on a weekday night. It's a nice Tuesday-Thursday bar to get over the hump of the week and catchup with old friends. It tends to be too busy to find a seat on weekends, as is the case with a lot of state street bars. read more

Paul's Club has always been one of my favorite places to get a few drinks and mingle with some fun people. There is always a diverse clientele here, and a few of my most memorable nights in Madison included a stop at Paul's Club. The drinks are reasonably priced, and the bartenders are first rate. The place can be a bit tight due to the layout, but people here seem to be better at "thinking thin" and allowing you to slide past. Part of my love of the place is the tree. I feel like I am in Sherwood Forest or sitting around the campfire, which is a nice dichotomy being in downtown Madison. If you are claustrophobic or don't like crowded places, this is not your joint. Otherwise, give it a try. read more

Being a little behind the learning curve in my typical Capricornian fashion, I didn't start college until I was 24. Why is this important you ask? Well most college students spend their 4/5 college years at Frat parties and "binge drinking" bars with stellar $1 bomb shots and booty shaking music. Fine I confess I spent my fair share of time in those establishments as well...however, when I actually began attending the UW I spent more time at the upper end of State Street and Capital area bars. More low key than bump and grind, the type of place's that offer quality over quantity and Paul's Club is one of my three favorite bars in the Downtown Madison Area. I still go there when I go home, it is small, narrow, dark, loungey, it can feel a bit cramped on a Friday or Saturday night in the fall, but on a weekday or even a summer weekend it is pretty comfortable. They typically have a pretty good selection of music on the Juke Box. The staff is friendly and attentive, the beer selection is amazing...okay well I have to disclose my lack of objectiveness. I LOVE wheat beers...and there are a number of choices at Paul's Club. It most definitely wouldn't be a review with out the mention of the Large Tree adorned with white Christmas lights that adds to the mystical magic of Paul's Club, it feels like you are drinking in a modern day version of A Midsummer Night's Dream...so grab a Delirium Tremens and a seat at the bar under the tree and enjoy! read more