Weekly Bar Specials not to be missed include:
Monday:
Vintage for $1 Wisconsin Taps from 9pm-close - you can't beat dat
Kollege Klub (also known as the KK) - just cuz
Tuesday:
State Street Brats for Flip Night - 75% off your order if you call it right - can be dangerous
Wando's for $1 Coors Light, Miller Lite, PBR and free bacon (yes, you are in Wisconsin after all and yes, it only tastes good after several beverages)
KK - just cuz
Wednesday:
Wando's for $10 Fish Bowls if you feel the need/is your first night with a real ID
Chasers for $4 Jumbo Margaritas and 0.50 tacos
KK - just cuz
Thursday:
The Plaza Tavern for $2.50 Long Islands, a "Hipster" bar but in reality, it's just an old school bar that hasn't been updated in years which it totally respectable
KK - just cuz
Choose your own adventure.
Below is a rundown of lively places (at least when I went to school there) around the State Street area and what you can expect.
Kollege Klub (the KK) - you go to the KK if you're a jersey chaser, frat bro/wannabe bro, sorority sister/wannabe sister or you want to dance your butt off. I always want to dance my butt of so I always want to go to the KK. Even in my "old" age. Dress to impress (and by impress I mean show as much skin as possible) if you're heading here - sweatpants will fo sho get you sent packin. Jeans and a top for girls will get you in but you'll most likely be waiting a long time at the bar for a drink - yes, it's that type of place. The music/dance floor is too legit to quit.
State Street Brats - fantastic place to go day or night for sporting events, has an outdoor area right on State Street with outdoor TVs so you don't miss a play, upstairs dance floor that gets pretty cray cray at night.
City Bar - dungeon-like place, strong beverages, pretty sure they claim to infuse their own vodka but you would never know it with the lights so low and the ceiling feeling like it will collapse on you at any moment. Only went here when my sista friend (cough, Lo, cough) wanted to - I am a great friend!
Red Shed - small, shed like bar with cheapo drinks and Long Island Ice Teas in mason jars. The rents like to visit this spot on game days...I oblige with a Bloody Mary in hand. Pool tables and darts are a hot commodity here.
Wando's - it's a place to go, once or twice, see what they are offering and then probably never go back. Unless it's Tuesday and you are broke and need free bacon - on wait, that's every college student! No wonder they stay in business. Gut rot will ensue if you even dare think about that Fish Bowl.This bar has 3 or 4 floors with a line to get to each floor, making you feel like only VIPs make it to the top floor but once you get up there you will realize it's just like every, other, floor.
Nitty Gritty - known for their Gritty Burger - it's legendary - and also their "Power Hour" from 10-11pm every night, ending with The Final Countdown that signals everyone's last chance to bang shoulders trying to get a drink before the hour is up. Save your hour and go to a legit bar - this place is dead after 11pm. Known as the birthday bar, you do get to drink for free on your special day.
Vintage - chill place with outdoor seating right on University Ave, laid back, mellow crowd, hipster-ish vibe but not full force, great arcade games inside if that's your kind of jam. I really like this place. A lot.
Church Key - it's a bar, nothing fancy, set up like a row house, super long and narrow, never room enough to dance and the second floor has little to no head room for tall ones like myself so it's not a place that's on the top of my list. What am I thinking? This bar isn't even on my list. Forget I mentioned this - don't go here.
Karaoke Kid - tiny karaoke bar located on University Ave. If you want to get in, you better get there early or get lucky. The people make this place so if you're with a fun crowd, it is bound to be a good time.
Whiskey Jacks - this place. It probably changed names 4 times while I was at school. No clue what it's like now but from my memory, it's a large bar with pool tables in the front, dance floor with live music in the back and sticky floors everywhere. It's a younger crowd and for no good reason, it always has a long line to get in. If you like live music and sweaty dancing this will be your go-to.
Mondays - they call it the blackout bar for a reason...the drinks don't even taste good they are so overly poured. Do yourself a favor and get a beer or save calories and get a shot. Don't stay long.
MadHatter - two story bar. That's all I got. Sorta the same crowd as the KK but "more sophisticated". I never understood why this bar was either ridiculously packed or ridiculously empty. Maybe everyone knew something I didn't...
Chasers - always a good time. Food specials + drink specials every night made me keep coming back.
Red Rock Saloon - I believe, if memory serves me correctly, that this was Jack's/Jake's when I was at school. Either way, they had insane pint deals and a magic dancefloor that just seemed to appear. Always a good time. Not sure about Red Rock. Sounds country. I am skeptical already.
The Plaza Tavern - a must visit for anyone. The old school decor will transport you to another era. Not sure if they accept credit cards. I usually hate that but this place can do no wrong. Thursday night Long Island Ice Tea special - say what?!
Sotto - I'm still trying to figure this one out...it used to be our underage bar as they let anyone with a face and some form of ID through the door. Now I think it's a gay bar but I never see anyone going in/coming out.
Essen Haus - I went a bit rouge here since my list consists of all bars that are located on State Street or are slightly off State. The Essen Haus is on the other side of the Capital, a side that is not frequented by the college youth too often but this place is worth a shoutout. Young or old, this is a great, lively and very friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy. I can't imagine what they would say to you if you tried ordering a mixer, it's a German Beer Hall people, show some respect and PROST!
Sunday: Bloody Mary's are available everywhere you turn, by Sunday, you will need one. Bluephies off campus has the most spectacular Bloody Mary's but you can also go to any bar/restaurant on campus and they do them right.
It is key to remember that this is the After Dark Madison edition meaning these deals attract very young, usually intoxicated people so please do not visit any of these places thinking you're going to be eating your free bacon and 0.50 wings in a peaceful and clean environment. Don't say you weren't warned!
Cheap Eats:
Ian's, Ian's, Ian's - or I guess there is Ian's on State Street too.
Cheap eats at bar time usually consist of fried, fast food that you can get in any city and if you've never had Ian's Pizza, it's a must try. Day or night it tastes fantastic.
There are two locations: State Street and Frances Street. Both will be crowded around bar time but if you want an easier in and out experience, State Street up by the Capital is where to go. Frances is just a nightmare around bar time to put it lightly. What people do for some Ian's pizza is B-A-NA-NAS.
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