27 Best Cocktail Bars in Madison

“I went here with a few of my friends and had a BLAST. The ambience was just amazing. There was very nice, dim and colorful lighting. Lots of board games were available as well as a free snack table full of tasty looking treats. My friends I had played an overwhelming amount of rounds of Sequence while we sipped on our very unique and I am not quite sure how else to put it other than 'exotic' drinks. I was experiencing flavors I have never had before and loved every moment of it. I highly recommend letting the bartenders just do their thing for you!“

“We had heard good things about Lallande and we were not disappointed. We ate at the bar which I would highly recommend. Our server was Nina and she made the evening fun. I had the salmon and my husband had the lamb chops. Generous portions and absolutely delicious. We also had the chicken pate which was so good. But the highlight for us was the carrot tarte. A must have, if you go.The owner Ann Marie was working in the kitchen keeping all the balls in the air, but she took time to visit with us and made us feel extra welcome. Do yourself a favor and dine at Lallande on Monroe St. Perhaps we'll see you there because we'll be back! Five stars.“

“Classic must try pizzeria. Absolutely delicious, they come up with great pie ideas and they are ALL hits. Their service is impeccable and their excellent cocktails give the experience the cherry on top . To add to that the prices are super reasonable. Great atmosphere, can't recommend this enough. It's become a go to return spot over the years, wether I go for a nice dinner with my partner, or getting "fancy" pizza and drinks with friends, this is the place to go.“

“Absolutely amazing. The sushi is so fresh and the flavors are unique and delicious. I’ve come here a hand full of times for special occasions and it never fails to impress! The cocktails are also phenomenal.
We love!! Highly recommend.“

“You must come here!!! What an experience.

I love creative drinks and eats, I do it as often as I can. I would say I have a refined palette from cooking and eating high end meals myself.

The bar is gorgeous, the restrooms are clean and nice. The DRINKS! The quality of the liquor, the mixes, the garnishes. I can’t say enough good things. We came back to this bar twice because we couldn’t get enough. The drinks are strong so one was plenty for both us.

We both ended up getting NA cocktails just so we could keep trying the drinks when we were out our limit for drinks.

Please come and try. You should sit at the bar to see these drinks get created.“

“Stiff drinks and a loose time“

“We thought this place was a gem! The bartender Jon was able to make a Ramos gin fizz and hit it out of the park!“

“One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time! My husband and I had a great date night. Fabulous meal, service and atmosphere.“

“I never tried a Moscow mule before until I went on a trip for a family reunion. I tried a sample at total wine and more. Let me just say this company’s mixed drinks are fabulous!!! I absolutely love the Moscow mule and the old fashioned. I’ve tried other brands Moscow mules and nothing, nothing compares to this company’s Moscow mule!!!! I tell people that are looking for a good drink to try, I tell them to try plain spoke’s drink because they don’t disappoint!!“

“Very clean, cozy, comfortable lounge bar.

Staff is friendly, attentive and hard working.

Stopped in with my friend visiting from out of town, perfect place to kill an hour with a couple of drinks.

Nice if you are a local or just passing through.

They also have a pool table, video games (real video games, not poker) and a streaming jukebox.“

“We recently had the pleasure of dining at AmarPeru today, marking my first experience with Peruvian cuisine, and it did not disappoint! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance struck us as both elegant and inviting. The decor was sophisticated, setting the perfect tone for a delightful meal. Upon our arrival, the executive chef greeted us with a warm smile, which immediately made us feel welcomed. With our excitement, we dove into the menu and decided to sample a variety of dishes: lomo saltado, paella, ceviche mixto, truffle yuca fries, and anticucho. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing just the right balance of flavors. We savored every bite, feeling completely satisfied yet still we left a room for dessert. We chose to indulge in alfajores, arroz con leche, and pisco tres leches. She even has us try the passion fruit juice and one of their specialty dessert. Desserts were the perfect ending to our meal, the ideal balance of sweetness and texture that we wanted. Overall, our experience at AmarPeru was fantastic! We left feeling full and happy, already planning our return to explore more of their culinary offerings. It was a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in a different culture's cuisine, and I can't wait to go back! Highly recommended for anyone looking to try something new and delicious. Thank you to the chef and the entire team for crafting such a delicious meal. 🫶“

“I have been here multiple times, and every visit is nothing short from amazing! Wait staff are always unbelievably friendly and attentive, the food is always made fresh to order and comes out looking beautiful every time. There isn’t a single item on the menu that I haven’t liked. Prices are more than fair, and competitive with most State St restaurant prices. The owner is very sweet and is always happy to see you! Every time I’ve come alone she makes sure I have a stuffed furry friend to keep me company.

If you’re ever in the downtown area, I highly recommend stopping by for lunch, dinner, or a snack, and have it accompanied by a beautiful cocktail!

(I personally love the hand pulled stir fried noodles with shrimp)“

“The bartenders are very friendly and professional, the drinks are great and the prices good“

“Cozy atmosphere, great food and drinks!“

“The catering order placed for our holiday lunch was simply amazing. Legit best value for the price, great flavor, and those homemade sauces are a true chef's kiss. Def. recommend!“

“great space, terrific staff“

“Cute atmosphere. A little overpriced. Chicken Taco way over seasoned . Recommend adding simple tacos for children or others that enjoy the basic taco. Bandito delicious ! I’ve never been where you have to pay for chips & salsa . Adding in fountain soda would be a plus .“

“This restaurant is such a great local alternative to Chipotle/Qdoba. The staff are very friendly and super willing to walk people through the ordering process. I have never felt rushed. I’ve ordered a burrito bowl and the loaded nachos before. Both were wonderful. Portions are also pretty generous, especially on the nachos! I’ve had leftovers to take home both times I’ve stopped in. All around, a really nice spot for a casual lunch or dinner.“

“I'm not much for the downtown thing but this little place was awesome last night. Super rad bartenders with great stories :) Also, I got pretty drunk, which is cool.“

“What do I recommend? EVERYTHING!“

“Kelly carried her hospitality above and beyond. I have never been here before and she was sure to engage in detailed conversation while giving exceptional service. Matt was also an amazing man to meet and sociable with our group!! Definitely recommend visiting for a quick drink or a good while! :)“

“Ive been going to the Bonfyre for years and I really love the place. For the past year it has been infested with gnats or fruit flies or whatever they are. . You cant take a sip or a bite without waving them away. Its annoying as hell and gross. Its not a one time thing, I go there often and its not getting better. This afternoon I stopped in for a couple of beers and some calamari appetizer. I love their calamari! I used to, today I got a massive plate of breaded bread. And swatted flies away the entire time. I'm not giving up on Bonfyre but if they cant fix the bug problem soon I'm done. I stopped by Badger Tavern before going to Bonfyre, the parking lot was packed as was the entire street so went to Bonfyre. Bonfyre was pretty empty. The atmosphere at Bonfyre should and could be a 5 star...get rid of your bug problem!“

“Took my daughter to this 60’s inspired cocktail style restaurant, to celebrate her birthday. We both agree that the overall vibe was sensational. The staff was amazing with our waitress being kind and courteous, as well as prompt with service. The menu is rather eclectic with various options, so there is something for everyone. The design of the place is thoughtful with the music matching the vibe. I am excited to see what the future holds for Lola's!“

“What an incredible experience! Everything from the drinks, food, service and atmosphere was amazing. We cannot wait to come back again. Gabe was an incredible server - personable, knowledgeable, funny, and had the best timing (he just knew when we needed another cocktail). I cannot recommend this place enough!“

“Love the rustic indrustrialized interior. The outdoor beer garden is absolutely charming with grape vines and lights. Staff are all very friendly and attentive. Really enjoyed the Strawberry Fields cocktail and the freshly made Ellsworth cheese curds. Can't wait to go back and try more!“

“It’s an amazing place to celebrate.“

“Probably my fave Madison bar. Snap pea gin cocktail was baller, thanks. Also had either a diamondback or jersey lightning, cant remember what was on their menu.

Personaable, fun, classic. Bar manager cares about what they're doing. Refreshing.“