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    Cordial

    4.9 (29 reviews)
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    CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE

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    Rhythm Nation
    Yolanda G.

    Happened to be in the area over the weekend. This place is a gem! While they have the classic drinks a mojito or Moscow mule. Their original drinks have a charm all on their own! The drink names are just as fabulous as the drinks themselves. My husband loved the Fifty Shades of Black, while I thoroughly enjoyed the Rhythm Nation. The service was quick and it's great setting to hang with friends. Cheers!

    What amazing little Place the atmosphere is great music. If you're ever in this area, check it out you won't be disappointed..
    David C.

    The most awesome Bar and bartender and owner are great looking for the outside and going in it surprises you. I hope to revisit in the future if you're ever in the area stop check it out.

    Eric B.

    Check this place out. The cocktails are on point - hand and well crafted. If you're wondering where this place is... it's the old "Rustic"... and that sign is still on the exterior of the building. But, don't worry the interior has been tastefully redone. If you're in the neighborhood, I recommend popping in and checking it out. I'll be back.

    part of menu
    Julie D.

    From the outside Cordial seems like a dive bar, but don't judge a book by its cover. The inside is cozy and moody. The drink list includes NA and alcoholic beverages so everyone can hang out here. I ordered the Once Upon A Time in Mexico and it was really good! The black salt cut the sweetness of the coconut foam and pineapple and really rounded out the flavor. Prices were very fair especially for the drink quality. I recommend visiting here!

    a couple of drinks on a table
    Tom S.

    Cordial has been on our list for a while now to check out! And we are so glad we did!! The cocktails are incredible!! The have a short menu with plenty of favorites The atmosphere is such a change from what you'd expect, you have to look past the rustic outside. It gives speakeasy vibes. The service is incredible! Very personable They also have a ton of events coming up, including Mixers and drag bingo. Definitely follow them on social media to stay updated. We will definitely be back!!

    Espresso martini
    Becky V.

    We went to Cordial for the first time on the Friday after Christmas and loved it. The drinks were amazing and well priced and service was exceptional. The bar tender, Travis, was super friendly and fun. The ambience was laid back with chill vibes. We tried a number of drinks and all were delicious. The food espresso martini and army and navy were the crowd favorites. Highly recommend!!

    Espresso martini
    Cristin N.

    Been on my list to try, and we stopped in before a Badger hockey game. Plenty of street parking, not crowded full of students, and overall great experience. The dark bar is pretty and the bartenders were just the right amount of chatty. Couple TVs so you don't miss any WI sports action but definitely not a sports bars. The espresso martini was so good. I am not even a big coffee person but it was balanced and flavorful and not syrupy sweet. The rest of my group enjoyed their drinks.

    Bye bye Yellow. Mezcal cocktail. All types of yum
    Bobb S.

    A very nice upgrade to the former Rustic Tavern. Parking can be kinda tricky as their is no dedicated lot but plenty of street parking around the area. Classy creative cocktails. Awesome bartenders. And I refined interior which would make a great date night stop or just a place to hang on a random Wednesday evening. We need more cocktail bars like Cordial in Madison. I'll be back.

    Chass C.

    When I heard that one of my favorite bartenders was opening up a bar I knew I had to visit. Jenny worked at Cask and Ale and she and her friends/business partners opened Cordial. I visited for the first time yesterday and I must say that I am impressed. Yesterday they hosted a pop-up for Jacknife and I've wanted to try both so it was perfect. I ordered a non-alcoholic drink-lavender lemonade and it was perfect. Not too sweet or sour-just right and the lavender taste was not too overwhelming. I will definitely be back!

    Ohio vs. Badger Game face
    Victoria K.

    Cordial is a great place to watch the game for those of us who want chairs while we cheer on the Badgers to victory! Regent Street is for 20-30 year olds. The Cordial is for 40-50 year olds that are still Badger hard core fans!!!!

    South Park and Hemingway Daiquiri cocktails

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    13 days ago

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    16 days ago

    A great place for a drink. Classic Madison tavern on the outside, cool laid-back vibe inside. My marg was spot on and not from a mix.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Wait a minute.... They serve a small food menu now and it's actually delicious. This is kind of a game changer.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We've been to the Cordial a couple times now. Excellent drinks; soft, cozy surroundings; and great bartenders.

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    3 years ago

    Simply a top notch cocktail bar. Creative drink menu and the bartenders are fantastic at what they do. Great spot in Madison.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Tastiest and most consistent cocktails in town. Super chill atmosphere. Inventive drinks that change regularly. I'm here way too much!

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    3 years ago

    Friendly and funny bartenders, very chill and serene vibe, yet classy also gave us a recommendation for where to go next - thaaaanks!

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    4 years ago

    Great new place to the Madison night life! Great feel to the space and good cocktails! Will definitely add to the stops.

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    4 years ago

    Every drink that was poured looked more fun than the last. We tried a few and can't wait to test drive the whole menu.

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    Ask the Community - Cordial

    Review Highlights - Cordial

    I think it has been one of the best cocktails I have tried called 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Everly

    Everly

    4.1
    (502 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    We found this absolute gem for Sunday brunch after seeing great reviews for their gluten-free…read moreoptions, and it did not disappoint. We made a 12:00 PM reservation, which was definitely necessary because the place was full. Right off the bat, our server asked if anyone had food allergies or dietary restrictions. When I mentioned I have celiac disease, he confidently assured me they could absolutely accommodate it, which immediately gave me peace of mind. I ordered a strawberry spritz and we shared the gluten-free donuts to start. A huge win for the celiac community is that they have a dedicated fryer, so we also safely shared the truffle fries. For our main entrees, I had the fried rice which was excellent. My husband ordered the skirt steak hash with gluten-free toast and loved it, though it is worth noting for others that it packs quite a lot of spice. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive regarding the allergy protocols. The overall service ran a little slow, but it was understandable given how slammed they were for the Sunday rush. As an added bonus, the restaurant has its own parking lot, making the logistics seamless. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this spot, especially fellow celiacs looking for a safe and delicious meal!

    A solid 3 stars…read more Arrived around 1130am on a gorgeous Saturday. The parking lot was full, which is a great sign. I was able to easily find a spot at the bar, another great sign. The bartenders were personable and competent (I watched them deftly make multiple drinks at once). The space is large and well lit, and the outdoor seating looked nice. I'm sure it's a vibe when the temps are a little warmer. I ordered 2 drinks. Haley's Comet - tasty, albeit a little sweet for me. Call Her Daddy - def my favorite, better balanced imo. I ordered the brunch fried rice and it was a letdown. It was advertised as having bacon and there was none to be found. The food was not hot, leaning towards cold. Like it had been sitting out. Oddly the poached egg was perfect. The rice itself was clumped, as if they didn't use dried out rice (what I'm used to for fried rice) As a rule, I tend not to send food back, so I ate the shrimp and let it be what it was. I was sorely disappointed though. I saw people ordering the brunch burger and honestly that looked way better than what I ordered. I'd be willing to give it another go, as the service and drinks were lovely

    Photos
    Everly
    Truffle Fries
    Truffle Fries
    Honey mustard fried chicken sandwich

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    Honey mustard fried chicken sandwich
    Lallande

    Lallande

    4.7
    (58 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    It was our first time here, so we asked for seats at the bar, which looks directly into the…read morekitchen. We had so much fun, and we could see that all of the staff were also having a good time. Nothing but positivity, and it transfers into each and every delicious dish! We absolutely loved the complimentary cheese puffs (Gougeres). It was the perfect start to a fantastic meal. I enjoyed a starter of beet, walnut and cheese tart, and my dining partner thought his French Onion soup was stellar. I chose Monkfish stew for my main dish. It was incredible....silky, savory broth with melt-in-your-mouth monkfish plus tender shrimp and asparagus. The bread served with the stew was so delicious to soak it all up. My dining partner thoroughly enjoyed his Bistro steak with king trumpet mushrooms. The mushrooms were so elevated and so delicious. We shared a side of charred carrots and thought very highly of them, too. We closed out our epic meal by sharing one slice of Gateau Basque cake. It was served with a side of a tart cherry compote, and together this dessert was perhaps THE BEST dessert outside of France. Incredible! Sitting at the bar, our server was bartender Nina W. She was entertaining and didn't mind all of our ongoing questions. She added a another level of true enjoyment to our experience. Just as we were finishing up our dining experience the orchestrating chef stopped over to introduce herself. Once Annemarie said her name, I knew she was one of the founders of Lallander and next-door Bloom Bake Shop, having been a customer ever since their first bakery in Middleton. I told Annemarie how impressed we both were with the food, and how all the staff seemed so happy. She said something like a restaurant is only successful with good people. It seems she is keeping her people, and her customers, very happy.

    This French inspired place was on our list to try so with a reservation made two weeks in advance…read morewe arrived on a cold snowy Friday evening. We were ten minutes early and they had just opened - strangely they would not seat us though our seats at the kitchen bar were open. So we huddled on the bench five feet away from our seats. It was not a great start but that was soon forgotten given the rest of the evening was fun. When I went on-line to make a reservation the only seats available were at the kitchen bar - that turned out to be fortunate because it was highly entertaining. When we return we will book these seats again as a couple (if you are with a group it is not a good place to hold a conversation). The bartender/ our server Jackson was super friendly and did a great job answering all our questions as we quizzed him on the action in the kitchen which was right in front of us (it's a small tight space). We ordered a beer and a wine followed by a small cup of French onion soup which was very tasty and a serving of their pate which was also very good. It was good that we had these front row seats because for some reason the kitchen appeared to be running a bit slow so the wait for our mains was pretty long. We did notice that when the owner arrived she started to direct the kitchen staff and the pace picked up! I got the pork tenderloin which was very flavorful and done with a bit of pink so it was not dry. It was a large serving. My wife got the sea bass in a puff pastry which was beautifully presented. The sauce was essential otherwise the dish would have been a bit plain. She really liked it. We were too full for desserts but they looked tempting though they did give us some savory cookies from their Bloom Bakery which is next store. This is not an inexpensive place to dine but it was well worth it. We will be back!

    Photos
    Open kitchen.
    Open kitchen.
    Beet, walnut & chevre tart
    Beet, walnut & chevre tart
    Aviation cocktail. Pretty and delicious!

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    Aviation cocktail. Pretty and delicious!
    Laurel Tavern

    Laurel Tavern

    3.6
    (78 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Laurel Tavern sits on Monroe Street and backs up to Wingra Park/Lake, which makes for a great…read morestroll before or after stopping by! This spot is a true local tavern from decor, furnishings, exterior, service, locals lining the bar, old school arcade games and classic tavern food. I swung by recently after grabbing a coffee across the way, then wandering around Wingra Park for a bit. Figured I worked up a thirst, so we bellied up to the bar and had a few Spotted Cows! While we did not eat, we browsed the menu and gawked at a few plates that came by. Food looked decent and as we were leaving they were tossing up the Friday Fish Fry sign, which I hate we missed. But what we didn't do in food, we did in beer. We each had a couple of rounds, all draft. We watched what sports were on, chatted with folks and just enjoyed the chill time and cold beer. Service was friendly and helpful. Bartenders were not the quickest to check in on you, but they were nice enough and acknowledged any wait. Overall, solid tavern in Madison. Nothing special, but nothing awful. Classic tavern, and I can dig it.

    This is classic WI tavern and neighborhood bar. Two parking…read moreareas on either side of the building. Long bar, then a separate area with booths, two-tops and tall tables. Its one advantage is a lovely fireplace. Lights are dim. Has that old-wood vibe. Staff are attentive. Bartender was very personable and helpful. To that end, one of the staff recognized a member of my group from frequent carry-out orders. Food is fine, although nothing remarkable. Fried green beans were fun. All the apps are fried. Maybe it is the lower price, as more area restaurants try to morph into 'upscale' bar food. Not sorry I met my friends here, but it won't be a destination restaurant for me.

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    Laurel Tavern
    Cheese curds
    Cheese curds
    Laurel Tavern

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    Cordial - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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