The Malt House- For true beer connisseurs, not Miller Lite drinkers

This is the place in Madison if you want " real" beer ! The former historic Union House tavern ( est. 1860's- Civil War era) is now known as the Malt House and is very popular among local micro/import and craft beer connisseurs. It is a small, casual establishment, with a large outdoor front patio, perfect for sitting outside and enjoying a pint( or more) socializing with friends. Featured nightly are strong and flavorful Belgian Ales,  such as my fiancée's favorite the raspberry Lindemann's Frambois, and my new favorite, Bruxelles Blonde Lager, which actually has a white beer flavor. There is also an abundance of strong English and Scottish Ales ( ex. Skullsplitter- from Orkney Island) along with German Lagers and Weiss beers, fresh from the tap. A chalkboard posted above the restrooms lists the nightly beer specials and the alcohol by volume (ABV) content. There are not too many watered down weak beers here, and no sign of Miller, Pabst, Coors, or Bud Light. New Glarus, Potosi, and Capitol craft beers from Wisconsin are also popular here. There is no food available, but there is live folk/rock music on weekend nights. On the walls are some portraits of Civil War era Madison and the Union House( once a pay station and stagecoach stop for Union soldiers during the war) The Malt House always has a friendly atmosphere, (although it can be somewhat loud inside) and is a great stop for visitors coming into or leaving town on East Washington as well as locals. It's just not recommended to drink these strong beers too fast or come here on an empty stomach !

David's Jamaican Restaurant- A True Taste Of The Tropics

This small establishment on Monona Drive in Madison( possibly a former Taco Bell by the looks of its structure) is owned by Jamaican natives, and is as authentic as it gets as far as Caribbean island cuisine and ambiance. Of course there are as many jerk dishes, most notable is my personal favorite; the chicken and ribs with a beans, rice, and slaw mix. The jerk salmon with mango and the shrimp are also  worth trying also, and there are other very authentic native dishes such as oxtail and curried goat. There is a reasonably priced weekday and Saturday lunch buffet featuring all these items.  The appetizers are quite unique also, the fried plantains and beef patties are difficult to resist.  Then there's the drinks- of course Red Stripe beer, Appleton Plantation rum and several flavorful Jamaican sodas- the ginger Ting is my favorite. Blue Mountain coffee can also be purchased to take home here.
The atmosphere is very casual, posters of Jamaica and Bob Marley line the walls, and Raggae is always playing in the background. There is also a cozy little new bar next to the kitchen which reminds me of one at a rustic Caribbean resort. This is the perfect place to go for dinner on a freezing cold and dreary winter night in Madison, to think warm and get an island feel.

Coppers Pub- Fun and unique beer, wine, and martini clubs

This charming and cozy hotel pub- located at the Country Springs in Pewaukee off I-94 and Golf Road is well worth a visit even if you're not a guest at the hotel. There is an abundant selection of beers- over 100 mainly imports and micros, wine- over 50 different kinds, and flavorful fruity and dessert martinis- my favorite one is called Scooby Snack ( like the dog treat) which is a mixture of Malibu, dark rum, pineapple, and midori. Copper's offers club cards for its regulars or frequent patrons where you have a full year to purchase 100 beers, 52 glasses of wine, or 52 martinis or perhaps a combination of two, or all three, to win cash and food redemption, or even a one night stay at one of the hotel's beautiful executive whirpool suites. One individual proudly has completed the beer card a total of 68 times, being named Copper's "King of Beer"  On top of these fun and unique optional memberships- Copper's is a suitable place for group business or social gatherings, or just hanging out with a friend or two,  and a place to converse and maybe make new friends, along with watching sporting events in a relaxed environment. Their Friday fish fry is as good as any nearby establishments and their homeade pizza quite tasty. The atmosphere is a bit European like with French paintings and some other artifacts around the bar/dining area- no typical Milwaukee Harley/Nascar stuff here. No pool tables or pinball machines, pull tabs or bar dice here. It is a classy, but casual place. The bartenders( mainly the evening ones)- are  friendly and helpful with their knowledge of the pubs many beverage selections. This place is not your typical drab and stuffy hotel lounge.

Kenny's Gin Mill- The hotbed of( and only bar in) Monterey

About 5 miles north of Oconomowoc off of hwy. 67, lies a cute little village not too many Waukesha County residents may be too familiar with. Monterey ( unincorporated) consists of a couple of houses, a shallow millpond with a bridge and dam being rebuilt, the remains of a feedmill and general store, an auto mechanics shop, a cemetary, and a unique little tavern next to an antique shop(  the Monterey Mall, which is open by appointment only. This tavern was once called Louie's( est. 1950's) and it served nothing but Blatz beer for four decades. Louie's reopened in the early 2000's after the original owners death, but struggled and was sold and refurbished. It is now known as Kenny's Gin Mill and it draws many Oconomowoc and Lake Country area residents,( mainly 40+, but there is an occasional group of 20-somethings who drop in) as well as local regulars. Kenny's is a simple bar with a modest beer selection ( but there are imports as well as micros available) so it has expanded beyond Blatz. The only food available is Emil's pizza and chips. There are two dartboards and a jukebox and a couple of machines for amusement. Bar dice is frequently played here as well as horseshoes in the backyard during warm weather months. The decor is appealing to nostalgia buffs with vintage beer signs and antique knick-knacks. There are occasional live bands playing here, outdoor folk music jams where the regulars bring their instruments, and an outdoor canopy to sit around and chat with drinks on warm summer evenings ( dogs welcome!)

So what is the draw about this establishment which is smaller than some living rooms and has the appearance of an Arkansas hillbilly shack on the outside? simple, everyone who patronizes it seems to be friendly, laughter is frequently heard, and the staff is very welcoming, you can always engage in a good conversation about any topic here, and you feel right at home. It is a "come as a stranger, leave as a friend" type of place, like Cheers where everybody will know your name after a couple of visits. Rudeness and fighting is very uncommon here, almost non-existent, and there are no established uninclusive social "cliques". Kenny's is open 7 days a week, even on major holidays. Its' weekday happy hour is busier than most downtown Oconomowoc bars. It is also a great place to watch a Sunday Packer game and enjoy pot luck dishes and apple pie shots after every GB touchdown. Give Kenny's a look, its' worth a visit( if you can find it !)

The Fountain- Live jazz, cozy atmosphere, and great food

When I first visited this bar located on State Street in Madison near Capitol Square, I didn't think too much of it, it was small and simple, although kind of rustic looking. That was only the front bar. I recently discovered there is also a very popular back bar area, where you can enjoy live jazz three nights a week ( music every night except Tues.) performed by some of Madison's most talented local jazz musicians, along with a great food selection featuring all Wisconsin products ( i.e. every type of cheese from the state on mouthwatering burgers, the Cajun bleu cheese really stands out) and all WI. craft beers and microbrews. There is also a delicious Friday night fish fry. The most enjoyable event here is the Sunday evening jazz open jam, where the musicians are graded on their playing abilities. Saturday nights feature a jazz showcase, and Friday there's the Piano Man, a typical fun to listen to lounge singer/player, he does pop standards and oldies, and takes requests. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere warm and cozy and kind of resembles a living room with books on shelves and portraits of Madison in the 1800's. This establishment is well worth a visit, especially on a winter weekend.

Milwaukee's Most British British Pub

I have visited England and the U.K. several times and I know what an authentic British pub looks like having been in several.  A visit to this fairly new establishment( going on two years old) known as the Three Lions Pub in the Milwaukee east side suburb of Shorewood took me back to a feeling of being across the big pond. This pub has the authentic English atmosphere down with the  wooden oak paneling, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, English ale and lager signs and small corner tables. The food is tasty, and comes in generous portions. It consists of traditional English pub fare such as Fish and Chips with mushy peas, Sheppard's, Cottage and Cheese and Onion pies, and Chicken Curry and Chips. Most of the time, foreign football( soccer) matches are shown on big screen tv's. The owner is also a U.K. native, coming from Lancashire on a soccer scholarship to Cardinal Strith College and some of his employees have an English accent too. You'll hear a lot of " aye  mate" and "cheers" here. I would recommend this pub to anyone craving a bit of unique atmosphere,  and wanting a change from the typical Wisconsin bar ambiance ( Packers, Nascar, Harley stuff).

Sweet Mullets- A gem of a little brewpub

There is a fairly new brewpub in Oconomowoc with a cozy atmosphere, good food, friendly service and some excellent, very flavorful beer which is brewed right on the premises called Sweet Mullets. Their 401 Red Ale has won the 2012 award of 'Best local beer" by Milwaukee Magazine. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a change from the ordinary bar atmosphere and beer selection.

My favorite sports bar in Madison is Pooleys. I love the atmosphere with all the classic sports memorabilia on display and I think it is a perfect place to watch any NFL or college football game on tv. Does anyone who has been to Pooley's prefer BW3 or another privately owned sports bar in Madison as a place to watch games with friends or just hang out. If so, why?

This blog is for reviewing, critiquing and discussing the different atmospheres, ambiances, food and drinks selections and quality of service in various bars and restaurants visited throughout the state of Wisconsin. Anyone's tips and input regarding the establishments discussed, whether positive or negative, light or heavy is most welcome !!