We loved visiting here for our date night. The ambiance was perfectly lit, the drinks got me a good buzz and were tasty. We ordered the blackened chicken burger which had an amazing smoked taste to it. My husband ordered the loaded grilled cheese which he said was just fine. But I liked the salad option of quinoa with beans. Overalls a great experience with servers and food. Will come again read more

Whats not to like. (New)American pub food. Cozy but not small pub with tasty twists on everything and fun background music of course. I had The House Boat. (A kicked up chicken sandwhich ) and the Wasabi green beans as an included side ( see what I mean?). Delicious , well put together and plenty of options to come back for. Wasabi greens didn't have much kick but were delicious and well prepared. That and not taking credit cards keep the fifth star in my pocket. read more

Alchemy, Where did you find your employees? Marissa & Patrick are TOP NOTCH!! can we clone them? Maybe in Patrick's yurt? Let me know! Serving the most delicious chicken sandwich & fries until 1AM Thank you! Food quality (and hospitality) at literally 12:59 was beyond 5 star. As my good Arnold Schh once said "I'll be back" UPDATE ~ *as my good FRIEND Arnold.....‍ read more

What keeps me coming back? Hmm, perhaps the fresh food? The simple yet delicious specials? Or maybe the friendly staff and quick service? Yup, yup, yup. I have nothing but amazing things to say about the Alchemy. This is not a place for the finicky eaters. I am impressed by the seasonal fare. The veggie of choice on your special is usually the seasonal vegetable. The fresh food is apparent and is in an incredible value. For $15, I ordered a braised short rib with shiitake Parmesan risotto and mustard glazed Brussels sprouts. I have never so willingly eaten Brussels sprouts in my life. They serve Honeybee bakery desserts. I had the vanilla raspberry cheesecake. My only complaint? That I did not get two slices. Parking is doable in the area. They do not have an official lot but I have never had a problem getting a spot within a block of the area. You will probably need a little walk after eating all of their delicious food. On another visit I ordered a burger with greens. Their seasonal dressing was a tangerine vinaigrette. I found myself eating the greens instead of the burger. Alchemy's motto should be: Getting everyone to eat their veggies. I will go back. Again and again. read more

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Alchemy - Transforming simple ingredients into great meals The dictionary defines alchemy as any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value. That pretty much sums up how I felt about my recent lunch visit. They transformed a group of simple ingredients (spare ribs, a roll, swiss cheese, some greens and mayo ) into a memorable dining experience that far exceeded my expectations from a bar and grill setting. I visited Alchemy on a Sunday morning after a leisurely October bike ride. As soon as I walked in I realized I used to frequent this location years ago when it did business as Wonder's Bar. Frankly, not much has changed and that''s a good thing. Back in the day, I was a fan of the elevated bar, all the rustic woodwork and lots of natural light and the new owners maintained all those features. The tabletops were clean as were the floors. The volume level of the TV was a little too high for my liking, but most of the bar patrons were there to watch the Packer game, so that was expected. Service was great as well. Our server was energetic, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The drink and food orders were delivered promptly and our server stayed on top of beverage refills. I ordered one of the daily specials, the pulled spare rib sandwich. It was a good concept that was well executed by the kitchen. The tender spare ribs were moist without being greasy. While I'm usually not a huge fan of tarragon, but I liked the hint of tarragon in the mayo. it worked well with the other ingredients. The sandwich was topped with a handful of fresh watercress that added a nice textural contrast. An the roll used for the sandwich was fresh and was in proper proportion to the fillings. The sandwich came with a side of wasabi green beans which I thoroughly enjoyed. I usually avoid green beans since they tend to be overcooked, but I appreciated the fact these beans had a little crunch to them. The wasabi seeds were a nice accent to the dish. I was expecting the wasabi to dominate the dish, but it did not. I was a little disappointed in the much-hyped sweet potato fries. I thought they were fried too long, so the natural sweetness of the potato was masked by a bitter aftertaste. Some of that bitterness was overcome by dipping the fried in the jalapeno - blackberry jam that accompanied this dish. The tarragon mayo that worked so well with my sandwich did not work as well with the fries. Overall, I was impressed with the food and service offered by Alchemy - definitely a step above the typical bar and grill experience. I plan to return to try more of the menu items. read more

Alchemy - One of the cooler tap handles in Madison these days - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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We stopped here for lunch today - after a morning bike ride we were really hungry! My Zaremba burger was cooked perfectly although I thought we had to wait a while for our food. This is a strange complaint, I'm sure, but I really wished my burger came with lettuce. It had bacon, cheese, and a delicious green olive and shallot spread. But no lettuce. I did ask (and got) no tomato, so maybe the lettuce got forgotten? Fries were good but unremarkable. Our servers were very attentive (lots of refills on soda and water!) nice interior with a raised bar area; there's also a few tables outside. A few TVs but not too many. Cash only (they have an ATM) and no separate checks. You're going to have to do the math yourself! I really liked this place and I'm sure I'll be back at some point. read more

Alchemy - Zaremba burger with fries! - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great food! Very imaginative menu with many flavors and themes. Seems very farm to table, with local foods and offerings. Daily specials, it seems, that the staff seemed very knowledgeable on. I will say, that they (as many other reviewers stated) that they are a cash establishment only. Nor do they split checks. This is noted on the very top on the menu. Starting your menu off with all the things you won't do just sets the tone for a negative experience. Re word it, or hey, better yet - take cards. You are charging enough to pay the fees. Or add a 3% convenience fee. Something. Also, they do offer a dog friendly patio. With that being said, the couple seated next to us allowed their dog to meander under our table, sniff our feet and generally just be in our space. This is not the fault of the restaurant, but for all that is good and holy, control your dog. Honestly, this is for selfish reasons only, as I (as a dog owner) would like to see more dog friendly establishments and don't want to see the privilege ruined by assholes. I would definitely visit this location again. read more

I have been to Alchemy twice recently. Last night I shared the Beef Brisket and the the Daily Seasonal Salad with my partner. The sandwich was absolutely yummy. The meat was cooked in a beer concoction and it was tender and incredibly flavorful. The meat was nicely shredded and the sandwich didn't fall apart when you bit into the bun. The salad was less successful. The wimpy greens just couldn't stand up to the strawberries and Gorgonzola. The greens became mushy a word that should only be used to describe your lover's Valentine card. We finished off the meal with a delicate Tres Leches cake. It was the epitome of restraint and delicately delicious. Recently we went to Alchemy in the evening just to have dessert. We had an amazing tort and were treated to the sounds of the Oak St Ramblers. How cool to walk for a few minutes, eat a homemade treat and revel of the sound of a truly east side institution. I love my neighborhood! read more

Alchemy was a hit among my roommates and I! We don't live near the Atwood area, but based on the crowds it seems like a neighborhood favorite. The food definitely matched the bustling atmosphere. I was really a surprised to see the balance between vegan dishes and meat. This is rarity in the Madison restaurant world. We chose this spot based on recommendations from friends that it's gluten friendly, but we were disappointed to find out that they don't offer gluten free bread. My roommates' pulled pork sandwich slightly lacked, because she wasn't able to eat the bread. That being said, my Zaremba burger (grass fed) was so juicy and delicious. The green peppercorn aioli paired well but was not overpowering. Overall, I will definitely be going back to alchemy to enjoy good drinks and good vibes in the Atwood neighborhood. read more

Alchemy - Zaremba burger and sweet potato fries - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Fantastic! I absolutely love coming here & am never disappointed. I have yet to eat something less than delicious and memorable. My only complaint is that we never have room for dessert. And that I can't choose between menu items ;) This place is not for you if 1) you are offended by tattoos 2) you like substituting ingredients in every dish instead of trusting the combinations planned 3) you insist on credit cards (as they only take cash, ATM on site though)... For the rest of Madison area though, enjoy!!! read more

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Limited for vegans. I had their curry dish but it was primarily carrots, very few other vegetables and nothing special. Cocktails were good though. read more

Yelp, yelp, yelp. Sometimes you really need to have a half star option, because this place is really 3.5 stars in my book. Three seems too little, four too much. I've been hearing good things about Alchemy for years, and finally made it out there for a business lunch last week. Service was a little slow and disorganized. We sat for a while before anyone came around with waters, and then almost simultaneously two waitresses showed up to greet us and with glasses of water. Neither asked if we were ready to order, and both disappeared just as quickly. It was a while longer before our server returned to take our order. This being my first time, I asked the server for a recommendation out of a couple of items and she wholeheartedly recommended the BLFT. There are a lot of things to like about the sandwich. The fried tomato lends a nice warmth to the traditional BLT, but tasted more like oil than tomato. The aoli, which I was concerned would be overpowering, was much more subtle and blended into the overall taste quite well. The fries were something special. No one came by to refill our waters, and when I asked for more it took long enough for someone to return with a pitcher that we had finished our meals by then. We were brought the wrong bill, but our server noticed (I didn't), and fixed it for us - it then took a long time for our server to pick up our payment and bring change. Alchemy seems like a great fit for the neighborhood, and I'd definitely go back, but so far it's not top of my list. read more

Truly delicious food! The sweet potato fries and the stuffed grilled cheese were great!

Decided to come here based off of a recommendation from a friend. Parking was a breeze. Let me say this; it was a pretty hot day out and be warned that the restaurant doesn't have any AC but they do have ceiling fans. Also let me add that they only accept cash and check only. I'll go right in, we decided to order the sweet potato fries (house sliced and twice fried sweet potatoes with tarragon mayo and local jalapeño blackberry jam) as an appetizer. This was seasoned wonderfully and sultry. Flavors of sweet and spicy. Crisp and light. For my entree I had the beer braised brisket sandwich with mustard BBQ sauce, homemade pickled egg, Swiss cheese, and snug haver spinach and red onion. The signature drinks of the day were really good. The sandwich was DELISH with lots of flavor. Also ordered a side of steamed seasoned kale . All in all a hearty, healthy and delectable lunch. The bartender was very knowledgable and really energetic. Definitely would recommend to anyone in Madison and I would go back again. The only reason I'm giving them a 4 is because of the AC and cash only, otherwise this place is easily a 4.5 stars. read more

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We had always wanted to visit for dinner or lunch rather than evening out for drinks. Riends out on Fridays, everyone wants to be there as well! It was very busy but the wait staff was very quick with clearing tables and getting people seated without feeling rushed. The food was fantastic! I had the Yellow Curry (sooo good). Smaller plate but the combination of rice, squash and sweet potatoes filled me up. My boyfriend had the House Boat (chicken sandwich) and a warm quinoa salad; positive reviews. Great variety on the menu however be aware that the menu changes. It may only be on Fridays because of the fish fry. It's a very small kitchen so items like the sweet potato fries and wings aren't available. Outdoor seating available that allows dogs! Beer prices are awesome ($2.50 Tall boy PBR and craft beers averaging $5/pint). Enjoy! read more

Haven't had a bad experience at Alchemy. What I like the most is for the price of what your paying to what you get. The quality of there food is so good and everything is delicious. I can't believe I only pay $14 for their hanger steak entrée. They could easily charge more and other restaurants probably do. Besides their hanger steak they have excellent burgers and sandwiches. Last time we were there my husband and I shared a salad. I forget the name but it had a ton of veggies and garbanzo beans with sweet and tangy dressing. They also have a good selection of beers and cocktails. They also have nightly specials but come early because they often sell out. Its a smaller space so sometimes there is a wait but definitely worth it. You can sit at the bar and kinda see into the kitchen which is fun to watch too. read more

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Not much to rave about from our experience here. Food- The Friday fish fry came highly recommended, so all three of us ordered it. The fish looked amazing, however the it was as over cooked and under-seasoned as it could have possibly been. The house made tarter sauce was bland and the fries were decent at best. Service - The service was marginal, but not because of the server. She was given a section that was much too large for one person - this is most likely due to management understaffing the front of house. She was so busy that she barely even had time to make recommendations. Her advice on the menu was rushed and she kept glancing at her other tables and the kitchen instead of keeping her attention on our table while taking our order. In 2018, an establishment that refuses to accept credit cards is nothing but cheap. Some of this is on me because I failed to notice until after our table received our food, but refusing to set up a merchant account is just short-sighted and bad customer service. Build the cost into your menu and move on - this isn't some hole-in-the-wall diner in a small town. Accepting credit cards is a cost of doing business. On top of that, there is an ATM inside the restaurant that the owner's probably own or at least get a cut of the fees. Alchemy gives off a vibe that the establishment is progressive - my experience tells me that this vibe is a facade and management is nothing if not greedy and blind to their customer's wishes. read more

The cheap and good burger bar place. Gem of the Atwood area. AWESOMO. I love the beef thingies like burger, steak sandwich etc etc, chicken thingy was good and fish thingy was good. Lol, I'm terrible at names, but hey they change the menu often enough. Get the sweet potato fries here, awesome dips and HOW do they make it so tasty!?!?! Just a note, the normal fries give the same goodness but are made of normal potatoes. The wasabi peas, ooooohhhhhh good. Seriously, not very spicy but full of flavor. And my newbie today, quinoa salad, WOOOHOOOOO. My dish tonight was FANTASTIC. I've never had a better steak anywhere. I had the daily special honey and bourbon steak sandwich. Flavors were bursting in my mouth, the steak was so nice and chewy, and it has the cream cheese I love, reminding me of Bob's bad breath. mmmmm mmm mmmmmm. I usually have only half a burger, but I'm proud to say I FINISHED IT ALLLLLL. Other favorites of mine are stuffed grilled cheese and the regular menu burgers, all done really well! My man had the pineapple BBQ ribs, the flavor was top notch, but the ribs wasn't fat enough, so it wasn't soft and chewy.. Bring some cash, come on by (if you forget, there's an ATM). Might be crowded, even on weekdays, but its worth the wait!!! read more

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I tend to either have the stuffed grilled cheese, the applerum burger, or their Friday fish fry each time I come (or carryout from) here. My favorite item has to be the stuffed grilled cheese sandwich, which is smothered with fresh veggies and layered in melted cheddar and swiss. Truly think it's the best stuffed grilled cheese in all of Madison. Alchemy also has a signature jalapeño jam that is so delicious with their sweet potato fry appetizer. A real bonus is that you can purchase a jar of this jam for only 5 bucks. I have like 60. Definitely my favorite spot to frequent. Although quite small and sometimes crowded I have not once been disappointed with taste, atmosphere, or service. If I could give more than five stars I would. read more

For a bar, this place has some seriously good eats. I agree with Heather, though, when she said that it's vibe is....different. It wasn't bad at all, just...odd. With such a great menu, I guess I expected a different decor than...well, it's hard to describe. I ordered the BLT with beer battered tomatoes, which was very good. The garlic mayo was a little bit too garlicky for me...on a BLT, anyway. I also ordered a side of sweet potato fries, which came with tarragon mayo and a blackberry preserve sauce--which was so fabulous. The chips were really excellent, and I could have made a meal of just those. Being the nosy person I am, I watched the waiter take several other dishes to customers. The onion rings looked awesome, and next time I'm DEFINITELY getting a stuffed grilled cheese! Go for the food, even if you're a bit thrown off by the setting! read more

Bison burger. That's all you need to know; this place has the best burgers in Madison, hands down. The atmosphere is great and the bartenders are nice, but the burgers man. We have been here a few times now, and they have great drink and food specials, live music, and a quaint atmosphere...whats not to love? read more

Great food, fantastic taps, and the best sweet potato fries in town. I probably eat lunch here more often than any other single venue. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. The sweet potato fries are well-executed, and are incredible dipped in the jalapeno and blackberry jam. I seldom eat there without ordering them, though it's best to share the platter with a friend. (Note they reserve the fryer for fish on Friday. No fries for you!) If I can resist the daily special, I'll order a small maize salad. (The large is too much with the sweet potato fries.) The spicy garbanzo beans are a delicious way to deliver protein in a tasty vegetarian entree. When introducing friends, I also recommend the stuffed grilled cheese (my wife's favorite), which incorporates veggies in with the cheddar and Swiss. The toasted sourdough holds up well to the filling. The hanger steak makes for a fantastic dinner. The wine reduction with rosemary complements the beef well, the gorgonzola providing sharp contrast. read more

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There are fancy burgers where you wish you had just ordered a regular fast food burger and there are fancy burgers where you remember why you order fancy burgers in the first place. This place was definitely the latter. I ordered the Deluxe Applerum Burger (medium rare) and was served a deliciously messy meal. The buns - which I think come from Batch - were delicious. The patty was large and juicy. There were wonderful flavors in the burger itself. A nice sweet taste (apple), a creaminess from the aioli, and a good crunch from the veggies (pickles?). This is not a takeout burger because it would definitely not be as fresh when you get home and the bun would probably be soggy from all the delicious sauces and juices. Aside from the burger, I enjoyed their fries as well as their wasabi green beans. We had a grilled bread appetizer and LOVED the spread. I forget what was in it aside from mushrooms, but it was definitely a great order. We liked the setup of the place and were happy to sit by the window. We had to wait for our table but there is a bar to hang out at - even eat at if you prefer. Prices were pretty fair. They had some drink specials for the day as well - we enjoyed our Moscow Mule. The staff was very nice, and they have a solid hot sauce selection if that's your thing. Do remember that it's CASH ONLY here. read more

No CREDIT CARD!! ONLY CASH! Also they dont want to give receipt because they dont have enough receipt!!!! If u ask they will write a new one give u that! Food was good, environment was noy that cool, more like old place! read more

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I like this place a lot. The wait can get obnoxious since it's fairly small, but the excellent beer selection at the bar makes it worthwhile. The food is great. I loooove the sweet potato fries. The one thing I could do without is the live music. The space is way too small to be able to hold a conversation over some crappy jam band. read more

Been here twice, and so far...my favorite restaurant in Madison. First time I went we went on a weekend night and it was extremely busy, with a long wait...but worth it. Sat up at the bar while we waited and kinda took in the atmosphere then. It is a pretty dark lit place, but I think it makes it more intimate. The crowd really ranges from children to elders...they bring in everyone. This visit I got one of their burgers and a bottled hard cider. The second time went in for lunch during the week, it was tremendously less busy than on a weekend night. We ordered the sweet potato appetizer with the jalapeño jam I believe it was. I ordered the BLT and a tallboy PBR and my cousin ordered the stuffed grilled cheese, we gave each other one half of the sandwiches so we could try both! They were fantastic! Both times service and staff are great! Always a go to when I'm in town! :) read more

Alchemy - The Matilda. Vegetarian friendly and so so good:) - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

While the food is really good, it takes for bloody ever to come out. 40 plus minutes from putting the order in to getting food. If you have a lot of time to kill and are willing to wait patiently for your burger then you should eat here. If you're hungry and want to eat quickly there are other choices that are just as close and just as good. read more

3.8 Alchemy is one of those places that feels good, and so you return, even though some experiences here are better than others. Alchemy's Bloody may rival Sardine as the best one in town (see photo). They make their own habanero tequila for the Bloody Maria, which is v. spicy and delicious, and they serve it with cheese, sausage, and the usual WI accoutrements, including a beer back. The beer is great. Service tends to be better at the bar. This is one of those places that never seems to catch up with its volume, so service can be slow and spotty when the restaurant is overloaded. The food quality is up and down. The fish sandwiches are usually awesome, as are the sweet potato fries. You must try Alchemy's very own hot sauce and jalapeno jam. Many of the other dishes waver in quality. Their salads are made of uninspiring spring lettuce mix that comes out of a bag--yuck! I think you can often judge a restaurant by its dressings, and the salad dressings, though homemade, need help (as do the salads themselves). Liz Chapa is a dessert goddess and you can get her desserts here. Cash only. Update: Someone from the restaurant wrote me to say, in so many words, that every restaurant in Madison gets their greens out of the bag in winter because greens are hard to procure freshly (and to grow). My point in this case is NOT that the greens come out of a bag; I'm not naive about food & I do understand that greens cannot be grown by restaurants or food distributors in hothouses all winter. My point is that Alchemy's greens are uninspired and look like the spring mix that you can buy at any grocery store. Choose a better mix of greens is my take-home message, if greens are to be on the menu. Sardine is a great example of a Madison restaurant that has found a way to serve inspired salads using ordinary greens. I do appreciate, however, that someone from Alchemy felt compelled to write. read more

Alchemy - Alchemy's Bloody Maria with homemade habanero tequila - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Had a bison burger with a side of salad. I asked for it medium rare, but I got it well done, which I ended up not minding too much because the bun and the toppings were just right. Well balanced in texture and flavor and perfectly stacked. Salad was a real salad with beets and candied nuts and goat cheese and not just greens, which was kind of nice. BF had fried perch sandwich. It looked delicious, but he ate it all before I could try it. I could try the fries though. They were nothing like regular fries, but they were delicious! I think I will be back! read more

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Great smaller restaurant outside of the capitol square and off the main drag. They do have a smaller limited menu but all the food is fresh and tasty. read more

Alchemy - Bella burger. - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I really like Alchemy. I've been coming here on and off for several years now, and I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience. Some of the low reviews, especially the folks upset about Alchemy being "cash only" really surprise me. I guess those who are not familiar with the area might find the "cash only" strange, however, anyone who frequents the Atwood/Willy neighborhood would know that this is pretty standard practice. Players, Harmony, The Ideal, Mr. Roberts, Mickey's, Crystal Corner, (to name a few) are all cash only establishments. It's just this area of town. But back to Alchemy. YUM! Everything I have ever tried here has been delicious. A few favorites include: -Stuffed Grilled Cheese (sans cilantro) -BBQ Pork -Buffalo Wings -House Fries The atmosphere is usually somewhat upbeat whenever I am there. Live music periodically which is fun. The live music does tend to drown out all chances of a nice conversation, which can be slightly annoying. When there is room, I like to sit up at the bar. It's elevated and gives you a nice vantage over the whole place. The bartenders have always been great, and the cocktails always tasty! Service has always been speedy, as well. The inside of the building itself is quite interesting. Multi-level dining room almost gives it a snug feel. Woodwork is nice. Skylights let in lots of natural light. Rotating artwork from local artists. Overall, I really like what they have done with the space. Only downfall is sometimes finding parking can be a challenge. That's minor though. read more

Hung out at the Alchemy last night with friends. Food is flavorful with a small variety of most protein options done one or two different ways. Sweet potato fries were amazing and the bluegill tacos and 'houseboat' their chicken sandwich that has plenty of char and a jalapeño aioli. Tap beer menu consists of about a dozen brews ranging from Pilsner to double IPAs, all Midwest craft brews. Fun, sit-down atmosphere and bar space, in a fun neighborhood. read more

Cool neighborhood spot with great beer and solid food. They have an extensive beer list with great variety. I always love trying new beers when I go there. I got their honey bourbon chicken wings to eat, and they did not disappoint. You definitely need to get them with a side of Gorgonzola ranch. Totally worth it! If you're looking for a trendy local spot to enjoy some good food and a beer, give Alchemy a try. read more

Every single time someone comes to visit me, this is where we go. I love Alchemy and feel like each time I go in, I come out a winner. I live in the neighborhood and have been so many times, I never considered writing a review. In these times of quarantine and social distancing, I thought this might be a way to give a tiny bit of support. There are days when I crave the wings. They are my favorite wings in the whole world... I don't know what voodoo sorcery they use to concoct that damn sauce, but whatever is in the potion is addictive. Keep up the good work, neighbors!!! And, thank you for being your awesome selves! read more

This is such a warm friendly place with character located in a great neighborhood. You must come see for yourself! I had the burger special of the day which was great, the fries are amazing!! Highly recommend! read more

Alchemy - Great bartender!! - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We had some time to kill before our evening dinner reservation at Bar Corallini across the street so we decided to grab a drink at Alchemy. Big mistake. $15 for a beer and the actual worst cocktail I have consumed in Madison. My drink was so bad that I set it back on the counter and walked out. We drank at the bar at Bar Corallini while we waited for our table and the cocktails were indescribably better. 2 stars instead of 1 because the staff was friendly. Would never go back. read more

If you like burgers and beers this is a nice spot! Had their Apple Rum Burger with fries and it's was delicious! Medium cooked, juicy with their homemade aioli sauce was exceptional. They also have a decent selection of beers and local breweries. Due too Covid seating was outside but I like the gastro pub atmosphere. Wished the food was a bit quicker but the waiter Kasha was superb and gave great recommendations. read more

Alchemy - One Barrel Commuter Kolsch beer. Local Brewery from across the street - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Two things: when you come here, bring cash. And come hungry. If they didn't only take cash, they'd have 5 stars from me. But as it stands, the food and drinks make it well worth the effort to find on-street parking in this trendy and slightly-annoying-to-drive-in neighborhood (yeah, I'm a snob about private lots--nobody's perfect!). Order the fresh-blended Bloody Mary with a bison burger. They've also got some INCREDIBLE vegetarian choices. This is by far my favorite restaurant in the Atwood area (and there are a few that are runners-up to each other, but none that compare to Alchemy). Stop in after an evening class at the Midwest Clay Project or Ford's Gym. :) read more

Had no idea what to expect was parked close by and walked in shortly after it opened. Greeted by a very energetic waitress which started off my experience on the right foot. First impression loved the set up of tables and bars it has different areas some elevated a bit, others right in front of Windows very cool for people watching. Had an old fashioneded with a slightly different take mixed with ginger beer very refreshing. Than ordered wings and since im world reknowed as a wing expert was excited. presentation was perfect and they did not disappoint. 7 out of 10. Will be back! read more

Alchemy - Wings - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

So my sister and I were traveling through Madison and we starving. We found Alchemy, and I figured it was a type of place we'd both maybe like - we did ... Overall Pros ... unpretentious place, good food, reasonable prices, nice menu, reasonable beer prices. Overall Cons ... Didn't see any signage about the lack of credit card acceptance. It's OK that they are a cash place, but make it obvious on the menus. Yes, that cash dispensing machine is there, but what if you only have a credit card and you don't ever use it for cash and don't know your pass code, of even if you have a pass code? Service was good, but we were not asked if we wanted a second round of drinks (we did) and we were not offered more water (which I needed). Also the waitress we had was attentive but since we were outside and she was attending to patrons both inside and out, we waited a rather long time for her to come and accept our payment - I finally walked inside and tried to pay by credit card and learned it was cash only. So my sister had the basmati rice with vegetable curry $10, and she loved it - especially the yogurt sauce. Washed it down with a pale ale from Longmont, CO and it was only $4 - which was a nice surprise. In the Chicago area we'd pay $6 for the same glasses of beer on tap. I had the hanger steak on fries with zucchini and blue cheese. The portions were just right I thought, and the steak was prepared well, but the fries were not fries about $14. They were disc-like in shape, over cooked by a lot, hard, greasy, no flavor and very disappointing. I had a non alcoholic beer and at $3.50 it was perfect for me. I would return if I come back to Madison. There are other restaurants in the vacinity I'd like to try too, but I would come back to Alchemy first - with cash next time, and I would bypass the 'fries'. . read more