One of the best bars in Madison! It's always a fun time, and the staff is truly excellent. They always have super fun nights including beer pong, karaoke, a DJ, and a mechanical bull. If your looking for a bar with plenty of things to do in Madison besides sitting on a bar stool, come check this place out! read more

Despite being a hangout for the drunk and the disastrous, Whiskey Jack is a pretty solid place to grab a drink. As a young, female, college student, it's fun to head to a bar where there's a dance floor and where there's also a place to sit and hang out. The bar is pretty standard, and the staff is pretty normal, so it's a good place to go for cheap drinks and dancing. read more

Whiskey Jacks (formerly Whiskey River I guess) is the only place to go on a Wednesday Night in Madison! Awesome drink specials...$4 Rockstar Vodkas and $2.....ye $2 Schlitz Tall Boy beers! Super Cheap! They also have a mechanical bull. I haven't got the nerve to get on it my self yet but it is so fun to watch people try it. It's a little less busier than the weekends there but busy enough. Great music too! DJ's keep the party upbeat and movin! Able to get drinks easily and still be at the "hotspot" for Wednesdays. read more

Usually at most bars there's always a handful of fun people to meet up but I have never met anyone interesting or cool here. So many weird creepy guys who only want to get into my pants. And no one has a decent sense of humor here. Save your time and money, go elsewhere to meet cool guys. read more

Had a very negative experience with the bouncer who would not let me in because he thought my out-of-state license was fake, but he didn't try to scan it or use a legitimate way to check. In addition to incorrectly telling me my license was fake, he was extremely rude and condescending. Apparently many underage college students try get in using fakes, but if that's the case they should use a more foolproof method to check IDs because they essentially turn away anyone who doesn't have a Wisconsin or Illinois ID. read more

My review is a little different that most, I was there on a Saturday afternoon after the farmers market. The bartender, Jimmy, was as nice as they come and made sure everyone was served and happy. There were only 20 people in there, but I think it is very safe to say that we were all enjoying ourselves. Thanks Jimmy and Whiskey River Saloon for a great time and now you know how to make a Gin Rickey :-) read more

I had a friend in town from Europe and it was a Thursday so there were good drink deals and a lot of people at Whiskeys, so we tried to go and the jerk at the front door wouldn't let my friend in with his foreign driver's license, which has his birthdate and refused to let us in unless he had his passport or a photocopy of his passport.... I'm not that pissed that we missed out on the bar itself, but thats just stupid. You should not have to carry that kind of thing around on a night out, especiallly in a bar as packed as Whiskeys. Just unreasonable. read more

If I could not give a star I would. The bartenders are horrible because they only help themselves of people they know. My friend who is diabetic asked for water and was kicked out because she got mad after watching for 20 minutes of the bartender catering to an "attractive" young lad(ies). My friend and I quickly got kicked out because we simply wanted water. read more

Two stars are for spaciousness and the availability of pool table and darts. To start with, the pool tables (2 out of 3) had problems with bills inserting. And the bar tender not sure what's his problem. Clearly not wanting to be a bar tender or what. And they don't carry any quarters? (for the pool table and games) and not even be enthusiatics to serve you drinks. The other girl bartenders later on were much sweeter, so as the security staff. read more

I stopped into whiskey river on several occassions, during both the week and weekend. I have NEVER had a bad time at this bar. The music is good, the bartenders are friendly(if they're not busy they actually chat with customers, and always seem to be very personable), and the new set up is more functional, and looks way better than "The Pub" ever did The bar has live music every weekend(which is very rar downtown), it has been renovated, and look SOOOO MUCH BETTER than what use to be "THE PUBE". They have created a space that is open, free of riff raff for the most part (the usual drunk get the boot most times, and is usually entertaining for the onlookers) As for the "meathead bouncers" that are at the door, they couldn't have been nicer. The guys gave me and explination as to why we had to wait instead of the usual "hand in your face" stop motion that i recieve time and time again downtown, when having to wait in line. They enforce a strict dress code, which as one of the bouncer told me, was to; "Get away form the old pub crowd". This doesnt seem to be a problem unless some loud mouth has to make a big deal of it at the door. If something does happen in the bar the "meathead bouncers", I've seen, are quick to control the situation, and deal with it swiftly and nip it in the bud before anything gets outta hand. Maybe this is why the bar owner hired "meathead bouncers". The bar can get cluttered and you may have to wait for a drink for a minute or two, but the only people I saw complaining about not gettting drinks were the young college kids, who seem to be entitled to everything, IMMEDIATELY, and have no idea that sometimes you have to wait. The theme seemed country-esque, with all the decor and cowboy refrences they have in the bar, but the most part it seems to be just a loud, noisy, party bar where everyone can have a good time. THe owner is usually watching over the bar every weekend and is very personable, and is willing to chat with customers and say a friendly hello. The other nice aspect of the bar is that the clientel is not just "frat boys" sorority girls" or "just college kids". The bar is always packed with people of all ages, and always seems to be a little more on the older side, than other bar on state street. Never had a bad time or dull time at this establishment, nothing but good experiences. I even have clients that I take call me back asking about the bar when they leave town. The bar did a complete 180 from what use to be "The Pube", and it looks like they are taking every precaution to keep it that way. This is why i rated this bar 5 stars, and plan on coming back, as well as giving me a great place to entertain clients., read more

I am extremely disappointed in this place. I went here on Halloween to participate in their advertised costume contest. I arrived before 9 pm. I asked the bartender about it a few times. They kept say it was soon. It wasn't until nearly 1am and they wouldn't even let me enter the contest. Apparently the owner went around and gave cards to people who were allowed to participate. He only selected slutty girls with short skirts and form fitting clothes. I arrived there before everyone who was allowed to enter. My costume was homemade, and took me months to complete, and it turned out great . I was princess zelda, and I had my link with me. They allowed a generic, store bought Mario and luigi enter the contest, because they had short shorts on. My dress went all the way to the ground The bartenders were very rude and had no idea how to make drinks. I ordered a fuzzy navel and got peach schnapps with lemonade. I will not be bringing my business back there. If I could give it negative stars I would. read more

Their dress code is completely racist. They claim that they don't allow baggy, oversized t-shirts. However I, a small white woman, have entered this bar wearing a t-shirt dress multiple times without anybody batting an eyelash. If I were a black man wearing the same article of clothing, I would've been denied entry. Even without the dress code, it's still a really crappy bar. If you're a young woman, be prepared to be ogled by creepy middle aged men that like to stand off to the side and watch the dance floor. It's really loud and over crowded. There are so many better bars in Madison, don't bother with this place. read more

Got not one but two dirty glasses and the place only has one bartender. Won't be coming back

I've heard stories from my friends about this place -- they were literally thrown out (one sprained his wrist!) because the employees decided to not let them ride the bull despite that their names were called. I went here on my own to see if I could get a better experience -- nope! I expect to be ID'ed, but they take this to a whole new level. The employees at this establishment are straight up douchebags. Rude on every level. Left no tip. The service is horrible, the bouncers are horrible, and the environment and atmosphere reeks of douchebaggery. AVOID. Please do not support this business. Trashy establishment, shitty employees, and shitty drinks. Worst.bar.ever. Update on this horrible place: Tried, one final time, to meet a friend and catch up on a Friday night. Despite having another form of photo ID, 2 credit cards, and perfectly knowing my own VALID ID, Bouncer Boy decides to confiscate my drivers license. He told me to call non-emergency police, and the dispatcher told me that they don't deal with these types of situations. After arguing with the dispatcher over the phone for ten minutes, she said she wanted to talk to the bounces. He refused to talk to and cooperate with the dispatcher over the phone, so the nice dispatcher sent an officer which took about twenty minutes. He asked me my sign, when I graduated high school, my address, gave the bouncer a "thank you for wasting my time look" and handed me back my ID. I've never had problems with my ID ever at any location. This douchecanoe was the rudest man ever and also took someone else's ID that they needed to get on an airplane. Unfortunately, the officer left before this happened. I hope this place goes out of business as soon as possible! read more

I waited at the bar for 15 minutes trying to get a drink for my girlfriend and I. Every attempt at making eye contact with a bar tender was denied. Horrible service, never go here. read more

I had a really awful experience while visiting Whiskey Jack's. I am Canadian and after waiting 30 minutes in line to see the bouncer and was not allowed with my Canadian drivers license due to the fact it was an international form of ID, something I have never heard of before. When I asked what forms they do accept the bouncer stated passports. WHY WOULD ANY INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLER RISK LOOSING THEIR PASSPORT (and on top of that my visa allowing me to go to school in the states)TO GET INTO A BAR? Such a ridiculous waste of my time and awful customer service by the bouncer. read more

Place is huge but I'm not entirely sure about the integrity of the bartenders. When I looked online at my bank statement I was overcharged by a couple dollars. I called about it and was told someone would get back to me, they didn't. Called again, same deal. If you do go here don't use a card. read more

Listen to all the people that gave this place bad stars. This is one of the worst bars on campus. Not only are the other reviews about the horrible employees true (I watched this one guy who worked there hit a customer hard with his elbow from behind because he didn't move fast enough) But the general crowd that goes there are a bunch of stuck up pedantic people who think they are far superior to all others. I have been unfairly kicked out twice and will never ever go back. The first time I was kicked out I figured well maybe it was just a cruel employee but the second time has made me see the light. AVOID AVOID AVOID! read more

Amateur bar tenders have no clue how to make a drink, bouncers are always on a power trip, attracts the worst crowds every single night.

What an amazing place. Cheap drinks and there's a mechanical bull on Wednesday nights. $2 Schlitz you can't really beat it. I liked how it was a different than your average college crowd with people of all ages there having a good time. I recommend this place to anyone and be sure to get there early on Friday and Saturday nights, they had quite a line at 11:30 when I rolled through. read more

Whiskey River Saloon is by far my favorite bar. Not only is it one of the few places with a designated dance floor, but it has the best atmosphere. The djs play an awesome music selection that makes it hard not to want to dance. There's also a great selection of other forms of entertainment to chose from. With pool tables, darts, foosball, basketball, and tons of tvs it's impossible not to have fun. read more

We came in from out of town for my buddy's bachelor party and didn't really have anything planned so we asked the girl at the front desk of our hotel to recommend a good bar. She said we should check out Whiskey Jack's, so we decided to have a few drinks there and then head up to the Square. We ended up staying until bar time and never made it up to the Square. They had a sick band playing covers and a huge dance floor. Check this place out. You won't be disappointed. (And the bartenders aren't too bad to look at either) read more

Great deals on drinks every day of the week, fun events, and amazing service! I definitely recommend going in on Wednesdays to ride the bull.... for FREE! read more

Was walking home tonight and saw the most disgusting act of brutality that I have ever witnessed outside of this bar. Kid walks up to the place. Bouncer attempts to take his I.D. Kid tries to grab it out of his hands. Bouncer then gets the kid in a full nelson. Kid struggles. Eventually, the kid is subdued, is apologizing, and asking to be let go. At this point, the kid is being completely submissive and the bouncer could have grabbed his I.D. at absolutely any point. It doesn't stop there. Eventually, there were THREE bouncers just "roughing him up". For absolutely no reason at all. Again, I say they could have retrieved his I.D. at any point. They proceeded to pick him up BY HIS ARMS while they were behind his back, and drop him onto the concrete. They smashed his head into the concrete multiple times. The kid was bleeding out his nose and head. He was barely conscious at points. Eventually, the crowd stepped in and managed to get the bouncers off of him and the kid ran for his life. If you happen to be walking by tomorrow morning, you can see the blood stains on the ground it was that bad. Let's just hope that kid didn't die of a concussion before retrieving medical attention! read more

Whiskey Jacks is definitely by far Madison's best bar!! Not only is it the biggest, but it also hosts some of the greatest DJ's, bands, and staff! Every time that I go there with my friends, we're never disappointed. There not only is a great dancefloor, but also lots of TVs to watch your favorite sports teams, games with customer favorites such as pool, darts, foosball and Buckhunter as well as much more! Whiskey Jacks also is the host of weekly events such as mechancical bull riding (Wednesday) and Motha Effin Bingo (Thursday) just to name a few! Friday there's even a chance for you and your friends to get amazing drink specials from 9-11pm!!! Oh and did i mention that the Whiskey Jacks staff are some of the **BEST** looking in Madison too? ;) read more

Whiskey Jacks was so much fun for me and my girlfriends to go dancing! The mix of live music and a DJ made it such a fun atmosphere. Plus we got 2$ drinks from 9-11!?!?! best deal ever :) You can find me there next weekend read more

I am new to Madison and decided to check this place out. This is by far my favorite bar! They draw in a great crowd and the service is very fast and friendly. I would recommend this place to all crowds. read more

The folks at Whiskey Jack's treated me and my friends like lesser people because we don't look like jocks or the middle aged women that go there. Fine. But then when I look at my bank statement today I see that they decided to tip themselves double what I actually tipped them. Plus, 4 dollar PBR tallboys that were skunky like they'd been left out in the sun? No thanks. read more

I stopped in to this bar during happy hour a few weeks ago and the bartender was a really cute blonde who was telling me about the "Staff Invite" promotion. All I had to do was come back to the bar that Friday Night from 9-11 and tell the hostess that she had sent me and I would get $1 & $2 drinks for that two hours. it seemed like too good a deal to pass up so i attended. i told the hostess that "Lindsay" had sent me and I received a wristband for $1 drinks from 9-10 and $2 drinks from 10-11. I had my choice of rails, three olives vodka, jameson, and captain mixers as well as domestic taps. I like Jameson whiskey and since I was @ whiskey jacks it only seemed appropriate. i had 6 Jameson and Sevens' in the two hours I was there and my bill was $9. I was stoked cuz usually this is a five dollar drink so since I saved $21 i made my bill $20 since Lindsay had been so helpful. I would suggest going in during happyhour or any other time and befriend a worker because i later found out they have this promotion once a month, and i will surely be there for it next month. read more