Wow! I was in Madison working for a few days and just happened to find this place while walking around the capital one night, and man, was I impressed! Such a great vibe and nice atmosphere! I was with a coworker and we ordered beers and found a table and watched as the locals piled in, and suddenly it was packed and hopping! I ended every evening here, the beers were cold, and even though busy, service was friendly and fast. Downstairs is great, but the upstairs is even coller, and had an even better vibe. If I lived here, I would definitely be here every night! read more

Cue the music... "Where everybody knows your name!" This is the absolute vibe of Genna's and even though no one knew our name, we felt like they were at least interested in learning it. We belied up to the bar and ordered a few cocktails. The bartender was super welcoming and friendly and had the best pour of my trip! As the afternoon progressed, more locals and regulars continued piling in, each welcomed personally and in some cases were greeted by their favorite beverage. The space is divey, but not dirty. It's eclectic, local, retro and homey. Downstairs has a simple local dive bar feel, while upstairs has more of a "scene" vibe. Overall, really enjoyed Genna's and is definitely on the "visit list" for my time in town! read more

See all

The quintessential locals bar. Fun space, friendly staff, and cheap drinks! I actually stopped in twice while in Madison and was able to find space at the bar both times! read more

When I was in Verona for business a couple weeks ago, a group of us went out on a Wednesday night and this was our first stop after grabbing some dinner. And after walking around a bit more, making a couple more stops, we stopped here again on our way back. It was really busy, which is normally a good sign. The drink prices were on par with everywhere else. They have really nice outdoor seating, which is the main reason we stopped here. The bartenders were good but you could tell they were a bit overwhelmed. All in all, this was a fun bar to grab a drink or two at. read more

Being relatively close to the University and the Capitol building most bars in this part of town are either filled with college kids or lobbyist/professional types. However, Genna's is your working class dive bar oasis from that. Hang out and watch some football (sadly the Packers lost the day we were there) and have a could of brews. This is a dog friendly bar so heads up on that. Bartender is excellent. read more

See all

Love the No BS, chill vibe of Genna's and even more so love their Bloody Mary and the Bloody Mary bar! There, you can get all the fixings to customize your Bloody Mary the way you like it! What I also like is: They even allow well-behaved leashed dogs inside and on the patio (as long as they aren't annoying). Any time on the square or tooling around the farmers market is a great time to pop on over to Genna's for a drink. Parking nearby is pretty easy, just depends on the day or events going on around the place. Ample space is available to sit inside and an outside patio. I've never been here when the upstairs is open but I hear it's also nice. read more

Genna's Lounge - Well-behaved leashed or strollered pups allowed inside - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Here late on a Sunday night, so one of the few places open in Madison at that time. I arrived separately from my group. No bouncers so no door based ID checks. I neither interacted with bartender or paid so can't speak to those elements. My large glass with beverage handed to me by friend held a fair pour. No available seats so standing room only this night. I can say volume level was the kind where you have to shout into someone's ear and any convo was pure shout or just nod and smile. Not much ambiance here. If you want to visit a long time Madison staple to have your adult beverage though, Genna's Lounge can meet that. read more

Really, just a treasure. Wonderful bar in a great downtown location. Experience it for yourself. A rare treat.

Genna's is always the best to get a casual couple drinks. It has gotten pretty crowded on the weekends but if you go a little earlier and get a spot at the upstairs bar, you could chill there all night. Bartenders and patio in the summer are also electric. read more

A fantastic dive bar right off the square. You don't come here for fancy cocktails you come for the cheap drinks & solid environment. The large patio seating is great when it's warm out to kick back with friends & lose track of time. read more

Genna's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I used to hang out in the original Genna"s on University Avenue. I spent quite a bit of time there and knew Frank Genna pretty well. At that time it was a place for students and dart players. Because they never gave up there dart board which was a fad in the late seventies. If you were a regular you could play for cash and drinks all night and have extra money once you got home.Was the first bar to win a city dart title, and some very good softball teams. Nevertheless, Frank's daughter Christy started influence this bar,by adding a couch and potted plants much to the chagrin of the regular customers who laughed that it was a fern bar. I've been to the downtown location a few times but it can never compete with the original 50 years ago. Still it's a great bar, with more history than most people would ever think. read more

The perfect first date spot. I feel like this place draws a good crowd of different people. Sure you'll find your barrage of Madison hipsters, but also a couple of parents enjoying their night out after a game. It's just a great place to sit down with friends, your SO, etc. enjoy the atmosphere and talk. Good drinks for a decent price. I'm impartial to their mules myself. The vibes is cute. I love the upstairs. Cozy seating, dark lighting, they've got board games and some weird vintage games too. When it's warmer they have fire pits going outside for you and a potential bae to cozy up in front of. TLDR; one of the best bar spots in downtown Madison. Won't hurt the piggy bank and it's a vibe. read more

Love the quirky ambiance of this bar. The drinks are good. Large outdoor seating areas. An upstairs area that I've never been to, despite 5 or 6 visits here. It goes from quaint to hopping depending on the evening. Just off capital square read more

Genna's Lounge - a restroom sign - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great bloody Mary bar loaded with options, a perfect rest stop in between shopping at at the Dane County Farmers market, one of the country's largest. Downtown Madison is a lovely place to be on an autumn weekend! read more

An awesome bar with attitude and personality. Located in Madison's downtown, Genna's is unassuming on the outside and full of personality on the inside. There's a ton of good music and the crowd is lively. Expect a range of patrons. Disclaimer: I went during a Green Bay game where the Packers won, so my review may be a bit biased. Prices aren't shabby either. Expect $-$$ for drinks. Scotch and cognac options are surprisingly plenty. Scotches will range from your standard larger single malts to Johnnie Walker blends. Cognacs include Hennessy and Martell. There is also a good mix of Canadian, Irish, and American whiskeys. The bartender was great. Tended to our needs and even walked to different tables to make sure everyone was taken care of. Wish I had gotten his name to include in this review. AND THEY SERVE FREE SOUP. What other bar does that? It may not have been a daily thing, but it was perfect for the cold Wisconsin winter. 5/5. Favorited, easy. read more

Genna's Lounge - people sitting at the bar - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Genna's is a pretty fun and well-known bar in Madison square. They have happy hours and other specials that are are fun perks. The upstairs bar gets a little more hype at times. And then there's the downstairs for more chill, relaxed convos. It's got that neighborhood bar vibe and sometimes skews in the younger side depending when you're there. But generally it's a mixed crowd I'd say. I remember having a decent bloody there on a Saturday or Sunday and they had the fixins put out for people to utilize and choose from. read more

Small and cozy. Service is pretty quick and friendly, but that may be different during busier hours. Beer selection isn't massive, and if you're aiming for a cocktail, come prepared with what you want. They have liquor to make just about anything you can think of, but they don't have a dedicated menu. read more

Genna's Lounge - Outside of the bar. - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Has a divey feel, but a delicious bloody Mary and neighborhood-like atmosphere. Be sure to visit on a Saturday when the farmers market is running for the build your own bloody Mary. The bartender will hand you a glass with vodka and you do the rest of the work will *all* the options - celery salt, old bay seasoning, multiple cheese options, homemade pickled veggies, etc... I sometimes also like to add the cheese curds I picked up from Farmer John's stand at the Farmers market to add to my bloody. Shhhh read more

Came here for happy hour. They have 40% off select taps and rails, drinks were around $3! Ok selection on tap, maybe around 6. Tried an old fashioned here and it was not very good. I'd stick to the beer. I didn't know this before but they served free apps starting around 6. They had chips, salsa, meatballs, carrots and dip. Was a pretty pleasant surprise and was good! They had the upstairs closed during this time, so the first floor got a little crowded. Cheap drinks, chill place, free food read more

Genna's Lounge - Free apps around 6ish! - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Stopped for a weekday happy hour after seeing the reviews and a recommendation from a more recent UW grad. Grabbed a table outside and ordered 40% off rail drinks inside. We then loaded up on happy hour snacks: chips, salsa, meatballs, carrots, cheese and crackers. A decent spread for free. Nice outside - dark and small inside. We will be back. read more

Okay, it's been over a year since I visited Genna's Lounge in Madison, WI....but part of my New Years Resolutions include getting to and reviewing all the places I have bookmarked on Yelp. So here I go...and from what I can remember... Genna's Lounge...well, after getting off a flight from Seattle to Denver to Wisonsin, grabbing a shuttle to my hotel, I walked my way downtown Madison and found myself in a quaint little bar....oddly enough it was Genna's! Waiting for the steak place to open up next door so I can have dinner I decided to have one beer....after another.....HAHA...no seriously. The barmaid took the time to explain the different local brews to me so I could make an informed decision, the local wildlife was friendly enough as I engage in conversation with total, yet friendly strangers discussing Seattle transportation issues, the Seahawks and Mariners....is it me or do people like to ask alot about Seattle? Then someone bought me a round....then of course I had to buy one of the bar T-shirts to commemorate my visit...yet another local thought that a large would be too big and said I needed a medium, something that would show off my chest and arms....yes I think he was gay, but it's all good, he was nice enough ....and I think he was the one who bought me that next round, maybe not...regardless, I probably could've done with out it, especially when I had more to drink at the steak house with dinner.... Anyhoo, bottom line, it was a nice comfortable atmosphere, the bar and it's patrons had a lot of personality and were friendly, the local brew was good...only took about 3 bottles for that happy buzz....not that I stopped at 3......and I came away with nice tight T-shirt! I'd definitely go back the next time I find myself in Madison, WI. read more

Genna's Lounge - Genna's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I went to Genna's Lounge for the first time last Saturday night for the monthly Madison Urban Spoken Word event. It featured a slam, an open mic, and a feature poet, all accompanied by sweet live music (mostly percussion). I really loved this event so I naturally liked the venue. The event was on the second floor of Genna's which has a bar of its own, several tables, a bathroom, and a stage. There were a lot of people there so it was very packed! The room shape didn't really facilitate the best viewing experience because in many seats it was hard to see around walls and stuff to the stage. It is a tiny place. It was a very cool environment and place to be. As most of these reviews say, the place is pretty divey, and the bathroom pretty gross (reusable towel on a roll, I hate those!), but the event, ambiance, and people more than made up for it. I'll definitely be going again. read more

Genna's Lounge - Urban Spoken Word night - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Genna's always provides exceptional service. We visited a few weekends ago, and they've done a really nice job expanding their patio for the summer. Our waitress recommended a fun, new drink she whips up with Door County cherries and we were in love! read more

Genna's Lounge - Door County Cherry Margaritas! - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I'd been avoiding this place because one of our friends told us it was cash only... should know better than to trust Kevin... Well here I am and I'll be damned, what they say is true, the drinks are cheap and they do not skimp! I ordered a French Martini and it was delivered to the table with the full martini shaker and martini glass. I believe there was about 3.5-4 pours out of that bad boy. After buying everyone a round of mixers/tap beer for 5 (likely due to the inhibition of one or two orders of the martini), the total only came out to ~$45 before tip. Amaze. read more

Happy hour!! The best time to go here. Kind of a small place if the weather isn't great, but the outdoor patio is perfect for nice afternoons. Happy hour is weekdays from 4:30-6:30 with 40% off selected beers and rails, making them about $3. The free food consists of meatballs, cheese and crackers, carrots and dip, and chips and salsa. All of it is pretty good, especially considering the price! Lol Inside has some cool decorations and character. Fyi, $10 Minimum on any card purchase. read more

Genna's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great spot for a late night drink or three off the Capital square! You buy at the bar and then bring your drinks to your seat. Staff were friendly and fast. The patio is really fun (if you can get a seat), inside is pretty loud and would be tough to hold a conversation if that's what you're looking for. Strong drinks and good prices. I'm looking at the other Yelp reviews and am definitely going to be back for some of the other cocktail options! read more

Genna's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

My friend and I got to Genna's around 8:30 after dinner, figuring we would start our night early. We got there and found ourselves surrounded by married couples and older collegues. What. But we figured we'd give the place a shot anyway - the raving reviews from our friends couldn't have been for nothing. The bar is a repurposed apartment unit, and it definitely has the cozy/homey feel to it that is hard to find in most late-night establishments. I loved the decor and the high ceilings. The fireplace and the doorways were also a nice touch. But that is where my fascination with Genna's ended. Two big no-nos for me: First, the restroom was disgusting...All I could think about when I was in the restroom was how many people had done the dirty in that one filthy little stall. Gross. Minus one star for you, Genna. Second, I asked for a whiskey sour for my first drink and got a whiskey soda instead. Big difference. Big booboo on the part of the bartender. But the drink was cheap and so I didn't complain. Booze is booze is booze. Then, I headed back to the bar for a second drink, looking for something sweet&sour but not knowing exactly what I wanted. I asked the bartender for a suggestion and he made me a Moscow Mule. Once again, the drink was cheap, so I didn't complain, but if you've ever dissolved an airborne tablet in water...that's what it tasted like. Minus another star for you, Genna. Other than that, the service is friendly and attentive, and the place seems to attract a good crowd that slowly transforms as the night goes on (30-40s around 8PM to 25-30s around 9:30PM). It was actually pretty fun to watch the transformation as it happened! Final verdict: I don't think I'd mind coming back with the right group of friends, but Genna's is far far down the list from my go-to bar... read more

This is a great little bar a stone's throw from the Capitol. At Genna's they always have a great beer selection, knowledgeable and friendly bar staff, and a welcoming vibe. In summer, there's decent outdoor seating available as well. Every time I'm in Madison, I try to make it a point to stop in at Genna's for a drink. read more

Genna's is where I would hang out if I lived in Madison. It's a cute little European-like escape from the college bars that blanket State Street and University Avenue. The crowd seems to lean toward the hipster/grad student-types. It was Saturday night and packed to the brim when I was there with my friends. I ordered a strong Jameson and ginger ($4.50) downstairs and then we headed upstairs. We thought it would be less crowded. It wasn't. We were lucky enough to snag a big table and another small one on this little raised stage area though. The decor is really cool--like a cross between a Parisian theater and a Barcelonan wine bar. There's even a fireplace upstairs! The jukebox music was up to snuff and the other patrons seemed friendly. Genna's comes out with four stars instead of five for two reasons. 1. The upstairs bathroom was an abomination. It's a one-person deal, and there was no way to lock the door, hang up your coat/purse, wipe yourself or dry your hands. To make things harder (when you're trying to hold the door closed AND pee at the same time), the toilet seat had been broken off and was laying next to the sink... had to pull The Hover. Ugh. I found a credit card nesting in the used towel roll piled on the bathroom floor, and I brought it up to the bar. And this brings me to gripe number two. 2. One of the upstairs bartenders was really bad. He was practically having (and yelling) an entire conversation with his friends from behind the bar, all while ignoring me. I finally got his attention to give him the lost credit card, and then he gives a hearty thanks and immediately walked away without letting me finish telling him about the broken bathroom situation. Plus, I had wanted to order a drink. It was just kind of weird how he walked away so abruptly and didn't look back when I was waving him down. I ended up leaving and coming back a little bit later. Someone watching me wait again at the bar said, "He's great when he's actually serving you... but not when he's not." You said it, man. read more

Genna's Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Genna's is one of the best bars in Madison, hands down. If you are up by the state capital, and you want a frosty beverage, head to Genna's. Genna's is special to locals and grad students. It is mainly free of undergrads, so if you are looking to meet someone they will most likely be over the age of 21. It also has that cozy, yet slightly retro vibe to it, that makes it feel like the bar hasn't changed in 20 years. They have an upstairs where they have a DJ on the weekends that spins solid tunes. And outside they have a large patio where you can enjoy a cold spotted cow (local beer, try it, you'll be happy you did). They have a solid beer list as well, and the drinks are reasonably priced. All in all its good people watching and good times. Don't miss out if you are in Madison for an evening. read more

I've only been here a few times, but I love this little bar! It's small, unpretentious, and has a really nice mix of patrons. I've been told that the members of the band "Garbage" hang here on occasion, which is super cool! read more

Staff is not very welcoming to new comers. Came here with my friends and immediately felt the glares from the bartenders. We put it behind us and tried to be friendly with the staff while ordering and only got one or two word answers. It was so uncomfortable I will never be going back and have already told all of my friends to not waste time going here. read more

Perfect mix of capitol workers, lawyers, Teaching Assistants, random hipsters that were looking for Merchant but decided to stay, and me and my girlfriend. Seating is at a premium (especially if the upstairs is closed). People are friendly, there is a decent tap list, and one of the few places that serves a Pimm's Cup with the required cucumber. Be sure to check out the Happy Hour...good specials on rail drinks and beer of the day but the clear highlight is the meatball, cheese, and chips/salsa table where you can gorge to your hearts content. During Farmer's Market Saturday, the outdoor patio is stellar for people watching. read more

How have I not reviewed Gennas yet? Love this little corner bar, this is probably my most frequent stop for drinks on the way out of the office. Friendly bartenders, good prices, good selection of local craft beers. Just a nice little bar. Not a lot by way of food options, not a whole lot of cocktail/wine drinkers either, just as a heads up. They have all 3, I just didn't see many folks partaking. read more

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Excellent cocktails and if those walls could talk! I like the meatballs and fresh veggies for happy hour. The cocktail wieners, well, they're wieners. Good place to both people watch or sullenly nurse your beer, depending on your mood. read more

If you aren't wearing toms, skinny jeans, and those large hipster glasses, do yourself a favor and don't come here. And that applies to the guys as well as the girls. Older (30ish) crowd, pricey beers, RUDE staff, bartenders who don't know the beer, gross bathroom, massive amounts of hipster/hippie pretension. When the door guy is mean to you because you smiled... you know you're in the wrong place. I've heard the happy hour is good, but I will never try it. Yes it's free of college kids, but when the alternative to that is a bunch of older judgmental people trying to be scene, I'd rather hit up Great Dane or one of the other places with a friendlier crowd and better beer specials. Try King & Mane. read more

Genna's is my favorite bar in Madison. The bartenders know how to pour a drink and mix a cocktail, they have a great jukebox, and it walks the line perfectly between a nice place to chill and a great place to have a crazy night out. The crowd skews a bit older in the sense that you don't have to put up with underage kids using fakes, and people meld nicely despite the wide range of ages - patrons seem attracted to Genna's on sensibility more than scene. Try the root beer float - a sweet & satisfying alcoholic concoction that seems to have been invented by one of the bartenders there (when requesting it at other places they have no clue what I'm talking about). Avoid the upstairs bathroom unless you have a friend to stand guard (there's no lock on the door) or want a ridiculous story (I've walked in on people getting...frisky, and nearly everyone's been walked in on). Either way, you can always just hit the downstairs bathrooms for a lock and some privacy. read more

LO-O-O-O-VED it. How could I not. I saw the leg lamp from "A Christmas Story" on a shelf behind the bar. Genna's gives off a great vibe. Very comfortable, yet not dive-y. Loungey, but not swanky. It's a great atmosphere, with soft lighting, warmly painted walls, and tons of interesting stuff on the walls/shelves to look at. The jukebox remained busy on this Saturday night, as did the bartenders. Prices were very reasonable ($2.75 for bottles of bud light, $4+ for delicious microbrews) and the crowd was friendly. My main beef had to do with the bathroom door upstairs having no lock. The entertainment of the evening consisted of counting the seconds someone could make it peeing in privacy before someone else yanked open the door. (I made it about 37, thankyouverymuch). BOTTOM LINE: Great atmosphere, fun crowd, super bartenders, good prices. Fix the stinkin' lock on the bathroom door and I'll have found my utopia. read more

The most reasonable and properly mixed martinis in Madison! I have been a patron of Genna's since my late college days, and I have always enjoyed the ambiance. Yes, there can be a bit of a hipster pretentiousness at times, but overall the customers are friendly, and the bartenders and waitstaff are laid back yet get their jobs done. It can be fun to chill outside during the warmer months in their outdoor seating area. I also enjoy lounging upstairs depending on who is bartending up there. I was sold on the place for life, as I once fell, ass bouncing on every step, down the stairs. I barely spilled a drop of my martini, and the bouncer just looked at me and stated, "dude, that was awesome." If you want good drink specials, especially martinis that are not overpriced, this is a great spot to hang. read more

Ew. Ewww. Dirty dirtiness. Not bad if you don't touch anything, and you aren't partial to friendly, prompt service. read more