Bars in Madison, WI: a neighborhood guide

Capitol Square and downtown

• The Old Fashioned (23 N. Pinckney St.): hand-muddled Old Fashioneds and 50 Wisconsin beers on tap, with a Wisconsin menu from cheese curds to walleye.
• Eno Vino Downtown (1 N. Webster St., atop the AC Hotel): an open-air rooftop wine bar with Capitol views, 45 wines by the glass and tapas.
• Genna's Lounge (105 W. Main St.): a family-owned cocktail lounge on the Square since 1993, with a Bloody Mary bar after the Saturday farmers market.
• Merchant (121 S. Pinckney St.): a craft cocktail bar and late-night spot with weekend brunch.
• Settle Down Tavern (117 S. Pinckney St.): smash burgers, free bingo some Wednesdays and a Friday fish fry.
• The Coopers Tavern (20 W. Mifflin St.): a craft-beer and soccer pub at the top of State Street.
• Ivory Room Piano Bar (116 W. Mifflin St.): all-request sing-alongs midweek and dueling pianos on weekends.
• Woof's (114 King St.): downtown's gay sports bar, with a Sunday Bloody Mary bar. Nearby, Shamrock Bar & Grille (117 W. Main St.) is a neighborhood bar and grill.

State Street and campus

• Memorial Union (800 Langdon St.): the lakefront Terrace is UW–Madison's most famous spot for a beer, open for the season from spring to late October; inside, Der Rathskeller is a German-style beer hall open year-round with live music. To buy a drink you need to be 21 and hold a Wisconsin Union membership; day memberships count.
• Moon Bar (328 W. Gorham St.): live music Thursdays, DJs and lots of gluten-free options, in the former Danny's Pub space.
• Wando's (602 University Ave.): a three-story Badger game-day bar, "Home of the Fishbowl."
• The Kollege Klub (529 N. Lake St.): a campus bar since 1953 that opens early on game-day Saturdays.

Willy Street, Atwood and East Washington

• Weary Traveler Freehouse (1201 Williamson St.): board games, live music on Thursdays and homemade food like the Bob's Bad Breath Burger.
• Gib's (1380 Williamson St.): craft cocktails in a two-story Victorian house, with a monthly Community Cocktail for local causes.
• The Green Room Public House (2001 Atwood Ave.): a dog-friendly neighborhood bar and lounge with live music, trivia and watch parties.
• Working Draft Beer Company (1129 E. Wilson St.): a brewery taproom with events; see our breweries guide.
• The Malt House (2609 E. Washington Ave.): 18 rotating drafts, 100-plus bottles and 70-plus whiskies with flights.
• Ático (823 E. Washington Ave.): an eighth-floor Latin American restaurant and cocktail lounge at the Moxy hotel.
• High Noon Saloon (701 E. Washington Ave.): a live-music bar and venue with shows most nights.

Monroe Street, Regent Street and Park Street

• Greenbush Bar (914 Regent St.): a speakeasy-style basement tavern with tavern-style pizza, a Thursday piano bar and a monthly Italian Disco night.
• Garth's Brew Bar (1726 Monroe St.): 16 rotating craft taps, 95-plus bottles and cans, and Cicerone-certified servers; carry-in food welcome.
• Laurel Tavern (2505 Monroe St.): a classic Wisconsin neighborhood tavern with a Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib.
• Mason Lounge (416 S. Park St.): craft beer and cocktails with Falbo Bros. pizza and a patio, serving the Vilas neighborhood since 2010.

Around the area

• Middleton: The Free House Pub (1902 Parmenter St.), with 22 rotating Wisconsin and Midwest drafts and a Friday fish fry; and Longtable Beer Cafe (7545 Hubbard Ave.), with about 300 craft beers in a self-serve cooler and communal tables.
• Monona: Tully's II (6401 Monona Dr.), a sports bar and grill with a Friday fish fry and a heated patio.

More nights out: breweries, Friday fish fry, live music and comedy and every bar in the directory.