Madison, WIDive Bars

A small family-run lounge decked out in serious tiger decor, holding one of the oldest liquor licenses in the city. Cash only, with free popcorn and no kitchen, which is why it appears in the liquor registry but not the food one. Madison Magazine put it among the city's dive bars worth a closer look.

A north-side tavern bought by two locals in 1978 and still under that ownership, known for no-frills bar food, a strong Friday fish fry and a deep local beer selection. Madison Magazine counted it among the dive bars that reward a second look, and it carries a current food license alongside its liquor one.

A cozy East Johnson Street tavern where most people come for the Bou Burger. Madison Magazine included it in a survey of dive bars that are more than they appear, and the kitchen carries its own food license, which matches the burger reputation rather than a bar-snacks-only operation.

A purportedly haunted Atwood Avenue landmark that was the third bar to open in Madison after the repeal of Prohibition, in a building that started life as a bank. It has changed hands twice since early 2025, so the room is under newer management than most write-ups reflect.

A small neighborhood bar that once drew workers from the Ray-O-Vac plant, with a 22-foot vintage shuffleboard table running along the front wall. It traded for years as Woody and Anne's and was renamed in January 2025, so older coverage and signage still carry the previous name.