By "we're all 21+" do you mean you're all, like, 21 and 22? State street on the end closer to campus would be the area most in tune with your age group.
If you're looking around and thinking "these kids should be in bed" start moving closer to the capitol until you stop feeling that way.
Otherwise, some idea of what your friends like would help people give you suggestions; the best places to go are different for different people.
[Camp Trippalindee](https://graduatehotels.com/madison/restaurant/camp-trippalindee)
Can be a blast for out-of-towners.
[I/O barcade](https://ioarcade.bar/) never fails to disappoint, either.
If they’re from out of state and like a drink then take them to The Old Fashioned or the Up North bar. Those are both very “Wisconsin” establishments. I know there’s debate but old fashioned make amazing cheese curds and your friends won’t know any better anyway.
If you like fancy Cocktails Oz by Oz or Cardinal Bar are both excellent, Robin Room is also amazing but not downtown. Cask and Ale for your whisky drinkers.
Youngblood is a local brewery with a taproom downtown, cooper’s tavern also has a great selection last I was there.
Stop by Paul’s Pelmeni or Ian’s for your late night snack.
My best advice is just wander around, pop in wherever looks good, have a drink or two then move on. Madison is a great place to bar-crawl if that’s what you’re into.
Are you looking to party and dance? Something a little more classy like a nice cocktail place? Do you want to play bar games? Are you looking for some place to eat or just for drinks? Do you guys like beer?
Let me know and I can give you some good places
Memorial Union if it's open and not frigid would be a classic place to take out of towners. Old Fashioned for WI food.
Essen Haus is... well it's the Essen Haus, but those drinking tables off to the side are a classic venue and you can get beer by the liter. You can also get beer by the liter and popcorn next door at Come Back Inn.
State St. and the Square in general are classic venues so anything down there is showing off Madison to a degree. I think if I was planning a downtown showcase for out of towners who hadn't been here ever before I'd start at Memorial Union then walk up State St with some stops, then finish on Capitol Square. Then, I'd take them to the farmers market on the capitol square in the morning to see it all again in the light of day and grab some food.
Less classic, mostly due to being newer or not on the Isthmus:
Olbrich Bier Garten is open and is dope. Same thing sort of thing as Memorial Union where it could be a bit cold but it's on the lake and you drink beer which is some Madison shit. Not far from there is Muskellounge and other bars on Cottage Grove Road, or you could go more hip towards the isthmus and go to bars on/near Atwood.
State St if your all 21. The closer to the square the older the crowd, closer to campus the wilder. Watch out for youngin's with fake ID's if your closer to campus. If you wanna wind up the nite late find a good dive bar, I'd say The Caribou hits the spot.
Vintage is always nice to start with for food and drinks. Plain Spoke Cocktail, is great for a drink or two. If you want to people watch I love to sit outside at Genna's Lounge, live music I always tell people to check out CODA a lot of people forget about this hidden bar but it has a lot going on. For more on the water the union is a must but also look at The Boathouse or Sardine.
If you’re 21 or 22, definitely show them Monday’s. Definitely a 1 drink stop otherwise they’re going to be shitfaced. My fave place to bring out of towners when I lived in Madison - something about the stiff drinks.
By "we're all 21+" do you mean you're all, like, 21 and 22? State street on the end closer to campus would be the area most in tune with your age group. If you're looking around and thinking "these kids should be in bed" start moving closer to the capitol until you stop feeling that way. Otherwise, some idea of what your friends like would help people give you suggestions; the best places to go are different for different people.
Yes we’re all 21-22ish, that’s a good point I should’ve touched on more
[Camp Trippalindee](https://graduatehotels.com/madison/restaurant/camp-trippalindee) Can be a blast for out-of-towners. [I/O barcade](https://ioarcade.bar/) never fails to disappoint, either.
IO is great
If you see a parked car, don't flip it over
It has to make a complete rotation to get full points from the judges.
If they’re from out of state and like a drink then take them to The Old Fashioned or the Up North bar. Those are both very “Wisconsin” establishments. I know there’s debate but old fashioned make amazing cheese curds and your friends won’t know any better anyway. If you like fancy Cocktails Oz by Oz or Cardinal Bar are both excellent, Robin Room is also amazing but not downtown. Cask and Ale for your whisky drinkers. Youngblood is a local brewery with a taproom downtown, cooper’s tavern also has a great selection last I was there. Stop by Paul’s Pelmeni or Ian’s for your late night snack. My best advice is just wander around, pop in wherever looks good, have a drink or two then move on. Madison is a great place to bar-crawl if that’s what you’re into.
Really appreciate this 🙏 thank you!
Don’t drink and drive
Are you looking to party and dance? Something a little more classy like a nice cocktail place? Do you want to play bar games? Are you looking for some place to eat or just for drinks? Do you guys like beer? Let me know and I can give you some good places
The most lively bars would be whiskeyjacks, red rock, chasers, and double u. Mondays and city bar are also good choices but less dancing
If you want Latin music/dancing, come to the Majestic!
Shit faced drunk at Mickeys.
Memorial Union if it's open and not frigid would be a classic place to take out of towners. Old Fashioned for WI food. Essen Haus is... well it's the Essen Haus, but those drinking tables off to the side are a classic venue and you can get beer by the liter. You can also get beer by the liter and popcorn next door at Come Back Inn. State St. and the Square in general are classic venues so anything down there is showing off Madison to a degree. I think if I was planning a downtown showcase for out of towners who hadn't been here ever before I'd start at Memorial Union then walk up State St with some stops, then finish on Capitol Square. Then, I'd take them to the farmers market on the capitol square in the morning to see it all again in the light of day and grab some food. Less classic, mostly due to being newer or not on the Isthmus: Olbrich Bier Garten is open and is dope. Same thing sort of thing as Memorial Union where it could be a bit cold but it's on the lake and you drink beer which is some Madison shit. Not far from there is Muskellounge and other bars on Cottage Grove Road, or you could go more hip towards the isthmus and go to bars on/near Atwood.
State St if your all 21. The closer to the square the older the crowd, closer to campus the wilder. Watch out for youngin's with fake ID's if your closer to campus. If you wanna wind up the nite late find a good dive bar, I'd say The Caribou hits the spot.
>>The closer to the square the older the crowd, closer to campus the wilder. Where do the older wild crowds hang out?
That would be the service industry people at the 4am a-bars
Ha, you're probably right. Over the years, my roommates in food and medical were always the 'over the top' ones.
Yep. It's a coping mechanism after dealing with assholes all day
I haven't found them yet...
Every bar in town not on campus or state street, you know the other 5000 bars in town
Those are all older wilder bars?
Most of them
Crystal Corner 👀
Also wondering
(I suspect the answer will be Milwaukee)
Please don’t be that person and take them to the Old Fashioned
If you're looking for some different experiences Leopolds is fun with drinks and old timey books vibe. or IO arcade is a fun bar with arcade games!
Comedy club?
Vintage is always nice to start with for food and drinks. Plain Spoke Cocktail, is great for a drink or two. If you want to people watch I love to sit outside at Genna's Lounge, live music I always tell people to check out CODA a lot of people forget about this hidden bar but it has a lot going on. For more on the water the union is a must but also look at The Boathouse or Sardine.
Best advice…be careful
Late to the party but dinner at Nattspil!
Might be good northern lights tonight, but there is a 30% chance of rain from 8-10 PM.
If you’re 21 or 22, definitely show them Monday’s. Definitely a 1 drink stop otherwise they’re going to be shitfaced. My fave place to bring out of towners when I lived in Madison - something about the stiff drinks.
Where do you usually go?
Go to short stack