The Top 3 Bars in Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, is home to many unique and popular bars. With so many places to choose from, it can be difficult to decide just which bar offers the best in drinks, ambiance, and entertainment. The following bars have been listed as Madison's top 3 bars because each bar surpasses the others in at least one (if not more) feature:

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company. The Great Dane (GD) is actually comprised of a chain of breweries/pubs that are scattered throughout Madison and even Wausau. The original GD is located in downtown Madison, right by the Capital building. Here, one can sit down and have in-house microbrewed beers such as the Crop Circle Wheat, Old Glory Pale Ale, and Stone of Scone Scotch Ale. In the summer months, GD offers Watermelon Wheat, while wintertime brings on stronger brews such as the Old Scratch Barley Wine.

The atmosphere at all of the GD locations is casual, and the clientele ranges from university students to businessmen to runners. Dark wooden bars are located at several areas of the restaurant, and one can view the stainless steel tanks that hold freshly brewed beer. There is also an area set aside for playing pool. Another portion of GD contains tables and booths for patrons who wish to dine while sipping their microbrews. GD's food menu includes typical American fare such as burgers, pizza, chicken wings, pastas, salads, and the place's well-known beer bread.

Smoky's Club. Smoky's Club, in operation since 1953, is purported to be one of the best steakhouses in Madison. However, the place also has another reputation: being the #1 martini bar in town. Smoky's Club offers a martini menu that contains over 150 different martinis. Typical martinis include all types of Cosmopolitans, vodka martinis, gin martinis, and James Bond martinis. Patrons can also design their own martini, have it made by "Martini Bob," the bar manager, and then have it named after them and added to the martini menu.

Steaks, prime rib, and seafood are the main dishes served at Smoky's. The atmosphere inside is subdued and dark, with the ovoid bar dominating a sizable portion of the restaurant area. Clients typically include families and seniors, with many customers knowing the owners on a first-name basis. Smoky's is currently located nearby the University of Wisconsin, on University Avenue.

The Cardinal. The Cardinal Café & Bar is one of the oldest night clubs in the USA, having started its operations in 1974 in the Cardinal Hotel on Wilson Street. Here, patrons can come and dance to salsa, techno, rock, funk, hip hop, house, and other styles of music. For those who do not know how to dance, there are dance classes offered on Saturday evenings.

Because dance clubs in Madison are rare, The Cardinal attracts all kinds of clientele, from young couples and university students, to artists, Latinos, and people in their 50's and beyond. The atmosphere inside The Cardinal hearkens back to the early 20^th century; one can admire the place's stained-glass windows, mosaic tile floor, dark mahogany bar, and brass light fixtures. One half of The Cardinal is reserved for the bar, where all manner of drinks can be ordered, and where a nightly drink special is advertised on a small chalkboard. The other half of The Cardinal is reserved for dancing and is outfitted with a state-of-the-art sound system and hickory wood flooring.