Maduro

Maduro is a classic Madison beer destination that I'd somehow never been to before this past Wednesday night. It's a brick-walled bar right downtown with a patio out front. Classic bar space. One bartender, she was experienced and quite good. The tap list is really unusual, good mix of traditional Belgian and American crafts and there were some rare Bell's kegs from an event the night before when I visited. Extensive wine and whiskey menu, as well. The only downside - for me - is that they allow cigar and pipe smoking. Get rid of that and the place is perfect. But I know it's the point of the place. Regardless, the beer list makes it worthwhile and you can always sit outside.

Stopped in during pre Great Taste party. I like the ambiance and do not mind the cigar smoke, on a warm day, with the door open. It might be a different case in the winter. Solid selection of Bells and I get the impression taps tend to change quickly. Staff was very friendly for as busy as they were. Large sidewalk patio in the summer. Unexpected menu of mostly ramen that I wanted to try but didn’t have the time.

Visited for the Bells pre-GTMW tap takeover. Maduro’s a cigar bar that also features a pretty big craft beer selection. The ambiance is fairly comfortable (leather couches, earth-toned interior, low lighting). Plenty of outlets were available to charge phones/laptops. The tap list seemed to number about 15. No food was available. Service was lightening quick and staff seemed generally quite friendly. If you can tolerate smoke, then this doesn’t seem like a bad hangout.

Nice small bar downtown Madison. As advertised it is a cigar bar also. Decent tap list. Did not see a bottle list. Service was not a problem. Believe it deserves the overall rating it has. Did not have that much smoke when I stopped in.

A cigar bar and beer bar combined, which for me is an odd combination. A smallish bar in a dark room which (predictably) reeked of cigars. Small patio out front on the sidewalk to escape. Service was find considering it was Great Taste Eve. Selection was solid as well. No food available. Prices seemed inline with the area. I can’t get over the smoke unfortunately.

Smallish place with a small patio space. Very smokey, but I knew that up front. Nice tap list, pre-GTMW. Staff was sort of gruff hipster, but I am told that is unusual. Worth a stop.

Stopped by here on the Eve of the Great Taste of the Midwest, on the recommendation of Nuplastikk. There was a pretty damn impressive Bell’s tap takeover in progress. Apparently they do it every year, and you can tell. Great tap lineup, lots of Bells rarities, lots of free swag. Good takeover. They didn’t officially do tasters, but my bartenders were willing to do half pours for me, even though the place was PACKED. It’s a smaller place, a little crowded and loud for my taste, but I can see how it would be very chill on a less busy day. Nice ambiance, big comfy leather couches, etc. Patio out front on the street. Overall, I was pretty impressed. It was crowded so we just kind of ducked in, got our beers, took our notes, and ducked out. But the place left a good impression on me. Would return, preferably when it’s not so crowded. Would be a good spot for a week day night. I would avoid it on a weekend, unless I had a good reason to go.

A great place to have a cigar and a beer. They always have interesting draft options. Great in the summer time when you can sit on the sidewalk patio and enjoy a cigar outside with a beer. Worth stopping by to see what they have on draft.

Its a cigar bar so you should be ok with that if you stop there. As such, don’t expect to come here and get all ocd with your beer rating. Just relax, unwind, enjoy your beer. Awesome relaxing atmosphere. An adequate but not large selection of taps that are diverse, unique, and well selected.