We’ve already offered some tips on where to start your day in Madison with a coffee or a morning run. Now let’s talk about unwinding at the end of a long day. If this September isn’t your first time in Madison, you’ve probably tasted or heard about Wisconsin's unofficial state drink, the brandy old fashioned. While we love this classic, we hope you’ll enjoy some of our other local favorites. We recruited a few Nordic team members to share their preferred potent potables from around town.
Wonder Bar
Ben’s Favorites- Drink – gin rickey
- Best paired with – crab bisque
Brent, the bartender, is the best around. They have a very cool vibe of the prohibition era featuring a fireplace and natural wood.
The Robin Room
Merry’s Favorites - Drink – whiskey old fashioned, sweet
- Best paired with – chocolate, bananas Foster, or creme brulee
The atmosphere keeps bringing me back. Their drink lists are impressive, and the staff cares about making drinks the right, classic way. It’s far enough from the Capitol Square that it's never packed, but it’s an easy walk.
The Rigby
Amanda’s Favorites
- Drink – The Rigby has a wide selection (over 15 and counting) of house-infused vodkas (from cucumber to pear to pickled jalapeno to gummy bear). My personal favorites are the cucumber and pickled jalapeno vodka.
- Best paired with – The pickled jalapeno vodka is great for bloody marys.
The Rigby is my go-to bar in Madison – great drinks, great food, great bar games, and friendly staff. If chicken wings are your thing, they have $.25 wings during Hippie Hour five days a week!
The Waypoint Public House
Nina’s Favorites - Drink – honey chili margarita
- Best paired with – The 14-hour pulled pork quesadilla or the avocado salad
The Waypoint Public House is a spacious venue with a chill vibe. The patio overlooks the Yahara River. They have a great selection of cocktails and local brews.
Heritage Tavern
Ryan’s Favorites - Drink – Angostura sour
- Best paired with - charcuterie and cheese plate (ask your server for specific pairings)
Why you should check it out
The Angostura sour is a classic cocktail, but Heritage consistently gets the classics right. Just as enticing, Heritage specializes in wildly inventive drinks that change constantly with housemade ingredients, ensuring you can’t get the same cocktail anywhere else. Guajillo pepper and porter syrup? Artichoke tincture? Fir tips? Yeah, that’s all in just one drink. Also, Chicagoans might enjoy the “Malört Thing,” a slot on the cocktail menu dedicated to the Windy City’s favorite “hard to swallow” liquor.
