Shady place. Came from about 5 hours away to see Morgan Jay and ate here. I paid, left a tip, and the screen at the counter went black. Girl behind counter said it didn’t go through so I did it again. Get home and a couple days later I see I’m double charged. Owners r supposedly the ones that can fix it but are never there and won’t return emails. My bank took it over and they now blocked the banks emails. lol. Good business practices there. Bank said they have never had this happen before where a “legit” business blocks them. So they got an extra $27 from me. I wouldn’t pay with a card if you’re going there.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Free Humans
Food inside plus reasonable prices and a big screen at one end but the bar tender can't figure out to serve a drink on a coaster or napkin. Is it too much to ask for some Wisconsin pub etiquette?
Chris Parisi
Go somewhere else if you’re looking for a sports bar
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
O B
I've never been but numerous reviews indicate that they turn people away who are 21 and claim that the IDs are fake, and the owner does not even bother to respond to those reviews. In one review, he even responds that they don't serve oysters but doesn't respond at all to people being turned away because their bouncers are falsely identifying IDs as fake. Sounds like the owner is okay with age discrimination.
Thomas Scoggin
Waited 10 minutes for bartender or staff to acknowledge us - curly headed guy - he couldn't be bothered despite no other people at the bar, so we left.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kim Yocum
Worst burger I have ever had. Burnt bun rock hard waiting over 45 minutes for it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Chris Weihert
Nice place to grab a bite.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jim Weiler
My wife and daughter and I stopped in while visiting Madison for dinner. We had the tuna melt, cheeseburger and blt and cheese curds. Most of the food was pretty good. My daughter did not care for the cheeseburger. Service is a little weird - a waitress will take your drink orders, but you have to go to the counter to order your food and you have to pick it up when they buzz you. They had outdoor seating which was great for people watching as it's on a street with no car traffic, just people walking, biking skateboard, etc. Fun atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Bertha Bitch
Maybe hawks should learn how to identify a 21+ I.d.! Embarrassing
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Beth S.
I have never met a more egotistical and unprofessional group of employees in my life.
A group of friends and I (all 21 or older) walked into the bar, had our IDs checked, and were allowed in by the bouncer. We were then asked for our IDs again by the bartender for “looking young.” We willingly handed them over because we were all of age. The bartender proceeded to look at two of the IDs and then confidently—and incorrectly—said, “Here’s how I KNOW these are fake,” referring to our completely real IDs.
When we explained they were real and said we would call the police, he realized he was wrong but was too egotistical to admit his mistake. With a major attitude, he went from accusing us of using fake IDs to shouting that Hawks was a private establishment and he didn’t have to serve us if he didn’t want to.
When we said we’d be happy to be served by another bartender, he screamed at our group to get out. On our way out, the bouncer made a comment about how he “tried to give us a chance”—which is, first, absurd that he is implying he was knowingly letting in underage patrons (which we are not), and second, proof of how unprofessional the staff is, considering every one of our IDs was legitimate.
This establishment needs a complete reevaluation of its employees.
Absolutely pathetic staff and bouncers. My entire group, all of us 21+, got accused of having fake IDs. First they singled out two of us, which was already ridiculous, but then suddenly all our IDs were “fake” and we were thrown out. Their excuse, just “private establishment” for their complete incompetence. How do you even have a job when you’re this bad at it? Embarrassing for whoever owns this place, I feel for them. I used to love this bar, but haven’t stepped foot back in. And guess what? Every time I pass by now it’s fully empty, but not surprising, considering the way they treat people. If you want to stay in business but still manage to turn away actual paying and legal customers because your staff can’t do their job, then maybe it’s good no one’s coming.
The Boys
The bouncer denied me and I’m 21 and he wouldn’t budge either. Also, the other day I had their Oysters and literally got food poisoning.
Sasha Kryazh
My best friend was celebrating a bday here today but, had the worst experience at hawks tonight. We got told we were “underage” even though our whole group was over 21. Bouncer let us in but the bartender was so rude and said our ids were fake and when we pulled out passport verification told us it was not real and to get out. Love looking young but never thought I would get kicked out because of my skincare routine 💀. Don’t go here if you look below 25 because they will deny you!
Karla Canard
If I'm only rating the service here it's a 5 star. Myself and husband wandered into Hawk's to find a new spot. I see a lot of potential here. However the entrance smelled a bit like urine. I've lived in Madison for over 30 years so I imagine it is due to the homeless folks. I'm not suggesting in any way shape or form to not shelter them. I'm just making an observation. After walking in we grabbed a menu. The fella behind the counter immediately noticed us and became very attentive. My husband and I looked over the menu. We noticed that there were only four burgers on your menu and one of them was vegetarian. This was a Saturday night. The bar wasn't nearly crowded, only a couple patrons. Due to the wonderful service from the Man behind the counter, that would typically be enough to at least stay and check out the food. Due to the lack of choices we didn't. Heads up, one of your competitors, I can only assume is Whiskey Jacks. They close their grill around 6pm. Do reconsider your menu. I bet many more wanderers would then stay. Good luck.
Shady place. Came from about 5 hours away to see Morgan Jay and ate here. I paid, left a tip, and the screen at the counter went black. Girl behind counter said it didn’t go through so I did it again. Get home and a couple days later I see I’m double charged. Owners r supposedly the ones that can fix it but are never there and won’t return emails. My bank took it over and they now blocked the banks emails. lol. Good business practices there. Bank said they have never had this happen before where a “legit” business blocks them. So they got an extra $27 from me. I wouldn’t pay with a card if you’re going there.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Food inside plus reasonable prices and a big screen at one end but the bar tender can't figure out to serve a drink on a coaster or napkin. Is it too much to ask for some Wisconsin pub etiquette?
Go somewhere else if you’re looking for a sports bar
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
I've never been but numerous reviews indicate that they turn people away who are 21 and claim that the IDs are fake, and the owner does not even bother to respond to those reviews. In one review, he even responds that they don't serve oysters but doesn't respond at all to people being turned away because their bouncers are falsely identifying IDs as fake. Sounds like the owner is okay with age discrimination.
Waited 10 minutes for bartender or staff to acknowledge us - curly headed guy - he couldn't be bothered despite no other people at the bar, so we left.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Worst burger I have ever had. Burnt bun rock hard waiting over 45 minutes for it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Nice place to grab a bite.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
My wife and daughter and I stopped in while visiting Madison for dinner. We had the tuna melt, cheeseburger and blt and cheese curds. Most of the food was pretty good. My daughter did not care for the cheeseburger. Service is a little weird - a waitress will take your drink orders, but you have to go to the counter to order your food and you have to pick it up when they buzz you. They had outdoor seating which was great for people watching as it's on a street with no car traffic, just people walking, biking skateboard, etc. Fun atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Maybe hawks should learn how to identify a 21+ I.d.! Embarrassing
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I have never met a more egotistical and unprofessional group of employees in my life.
A group of friends and I (all 21 or older) walked into the bar, had our IDs checked, and were allowed in by the bouncer. We were then asked for our IDs again by the bartender for “looking young.” We willingly handed them over because we were all of age. The bartender proceeded to look at two of the IDs and then confidently—and incorrectly—said, “Here’s how I KNOW these are fake,” referring to our completely real IDs.
When we explained they were real and said we would call the police, he realized he was wrong but was too egotistical to admit his mistake. With a major attitude, he went from accusing us of using fake IDs to shouting that Hawks was a private establishment and he didn’t have to serve us if he didn’t want to.
When we said we’d be happy to be served by another bartender, he screamed at our group to get out. On our way out, the bouncer made a comment about how he “tried to give us a chance”—which is, first, absurd that he is implying he was knowingly letting in underage patrons (which we are not), and second, proof of how unprofessional the staff is, considering every one of our IDs was legitimate.
This establishment needs a complete reevaluation of its employees.
Restaurantji Recommends
Absolutely pathetic staff and bouncers. My entire group, all of us 21+, got accused of having fake IDs. First they singled out two of us, which was already ridiculous, but then suddenly all our IDs were “fake” and we were thrown out. Their excuse, just “private establishment” for their complete incompetence. How do you even have a job when you’re this bad at it? Embarrassing for whoever owns this place, I feel for them. I used to love this bar, but haven’t stepped foot back in. And guess what? Every time I pass by now it’s fully empty, but not surprising, considering the way they treat people. If you want to stay in business but still manage to turn away actual paying and legal customers because your staff can’t do their job, then maybe it’s good no one’s coming.
The bouncer denied me and I’m 21 and he wouldn’t budge either. Also, the other day I had their Oysters and literally got food poisoning.
My best friend was celebrating a bday here today but, had the worst experience at hawks tonight. We got told we were “underage” even though our whole group was over 21. Bouncer let us in but the bartender was so rude and said our ids were fake and when we pulled out passport verification told us it was not real and to get out. Love looking young but never thought I would get kicked out because of my skincare routine 💀. Don’t go here if you look below 25 because they will deny you!
If I'm only rating the service here it's a 5 star. Myself and husband wandered into Hawk's to find a new spot. I see a lot of potential here. However the entrance smelled a bit like urine. I've lived in Madison for over 30 years so I imagine it is due to the homeless folks. I'm not suggesting in any way shape or form to not shelter them. I'm just making an observation. After walking in we grabbed a menu. The fella behind the counter immediately noticed us and became very attentive. My husband and I looked over the menu. We noticed that there were only four burgers on your menu and one of them was vegetarian. This was a Saturday night. The bar wasn't nearly crowded, only a couple patrons. Due to the wonderful service from the Man behind the counter, that would typically be enough to at least stay and check out the food. Due to the lack of choices we didn't. Heads up, one of your competitors, I can only assume is Whiskey Jacks. They close their grill around 6pm. Do reconsider your menu. I bet many more wanderers would then stay. Good luck.
Rude owner
Service: 1
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