I've been coming to this establishment for a long time. New owners have taken over and they have kept the traditions going. My Best Friend lost her Mother this week and we decided to come here for drinks and pizza. We lucked out tonight!!! Michael Moncada was playing. He's awesome and plays a lot of great covers. We ordered a pepperoni, green olives and banana pepper pizza. OMG. Amazing thin crust! Riley our bartender was very good!!! He was busy but, never missed a beat!!! Go to Riley Tavern read more

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Poor drinks(no booze) Overpriced shots Clueless on food Please come back Chuck 85 degree Saturday and the place was dead- a band u couldn't hear Sad- this place used to be great read more

With all the C19 issues me and some of my good friends decided to stop here to hang out for awhile and talk with some drinks on a very beautiful Saturday afternoon. The bar building was closed for indoor gatherings but huge out building bar was open and the huge lawn had picnic tables with umbrellas spaced nicely so you could enjoy tavern. We probably got one of the last open tables because as I looked around after being there for the first beer they were all full. The space is very dog friendly because our party had a dog and a few other tables also and nobody said anything. The beer menu was decent with bottles and cans of various beers from domestic to craft. The food menu was small and included burgers to nachos and an amazing looking ice cream cookie sandwich. Parking can be tough and it's mostly street but I got the last open spot. Over this is a great tavern outdoor space that is way more than just a patio so see my pictures. read more

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Maybe it was the hype how everyone brags about it , I was expecting a much more friendly staff that what I got, just had a couple of beers but I want to go with some friends next time because I would like having a conversation with someone on a slow day. read more

Got takeout here on a Friday night. The process was super simple, as you order online, choose your pick-up time, & then call or walk up to the door when you arrive. It was all ready when we got there. We were quite impressed when we got home and saw how large the piece of cod was. It had almost a crisp outer and was very well seasoned, definitely the highlight! The coleslaw was also pretty good as it was more tangy than creamy. The cheesy potatoes with bacon were loaded with cheese, you could see the slices in them. My husband was a big fan and said they reminded him of what he used to have after swim practices, they were a little too salty for me. But with all that cheese, shoutout to Wisconsin dairy, they were bound to be pretty salty. The meal also comes with a roll and 2 chocolate chip sugary cookies. Given that the dinner was $15 and we have leftovers, I would call this a decent value. read more

Riley Tavern - Friday night fish - Bars Near Me - Verona, Wisconsin

Pizza is great and loaded with cheese. Breakfast is very solid. Limited menu but breakfast sandwiches and pancakes done well. Great outdoor atmosphere in the Yard area. Come when you have time to sip a few drinks and chat while you wait for your food. Not a rushed place. Never had a bad experience. read more

Riley's is a neat little country bar that has the best pizza in the world and it's Ambiences unique and the bar is really clean and the staff excellent!!! We live about 50 miles from there and we drive there to pick up a pizza to bring home. I don't normally like pizza but I'll eat 3 pieces of theirs read more

Riley tavern is GREAT! Its perfectly positioned for bicyclists and bikers taking their rides in the countryside. Finding the tavern by car is NOT the point: It's a serendipitous moment. Tucked close to a nonexistent train depot off military ridge, they have cold beer, snacks, shade, nice people, and specialty gigs (Thursday pizza night, Friday fish fry, sporadic Saturday bands, and Sunday Bfast). They've gotten creative during covid, and I totally recommend checking them out. "Get on your bikes and ride!" read more

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There are a lot of good things to say about Riley Tavern. New ownership has led to some pretty exciting changes, most notable being the opening of the Yard. This area in general lacks some solid patio availability and the Yard made for many a fun escape from Covid reality this summer and fall. We all know outdoors is best right now and they are doing their best to keep providing that option during this whole saga we are calling 2020. There is a lot of room for you and yours and you can bring chairs/blankets if the tables are taken up. Don't give up if you see a ton of cars - I bet there is still room for you! I won't speak to the newest changes that are a bit more enclosed as I haven't and won't likely experience those until next year when things calm down, but I can speak to a few other things.... Pizza. Get yourself some pizza. I honestly crave it nearly weekly and have yet to be disappointed. There is a ton of cheese on it so ask for them to go light if that isn't your style. And sadly it's only available on Tuesdays right now. The infamous Riley Relaxer, while still available, has been usurped by the featured Ridge cocktail. It is a good drink but every single bartender makes it a bit differently so you'll never know quite what to expect. Sometimes it's nearly clear and sometimes it is pink. Sometimes you can drink two and sometimes you really probably shouldn't. Sundays are still all about pancakes. Nothing has changed, they are still awesome and a perfect post-run or bike ride treat. So glad that the new owners are so invested in making this a local destination and happy to live so close! read more

The "beer tent" was very reminiscent of beer tents in Germany! Nice and clean friendly staff and the pizza was really good read more

Riley Tavern - a beer bottle on a table under a tent - Bars Near Me - Verona, Wisconsin

What a disappointment to see what Rileys has turned into. Our group was there on a recent Friday evening as we have done so for many years. The lone bartender was working very hard to keep up with the drink orders. We were in the main building and had one of the tables on the deck on a beautiful Wisconsin evening. When it was time to eat we were told there was a TWO HOUR wait for all food including chili, burgers and pizza which is pretty much everything they serve. The fish fry is long gone with the previous owners. Two hours? We all needed sometime to eat after a few drinks and settled for the only thing they had available, potato chips, and then left for other places that do serve food. The beer garden next door was busy and had a very long line to get beer. Staffing problems or what? This was never an issue before, they always had food and good service. Most of the other reviews are not from 2022 so am not sure if this is the new normal for Rileys. Word gets around and it's days are numbered if the new management doesn't do something quick. If you go you better bring your own food or maybe this was just a fluke and the staff walked out or something. Who knows? We do not plan on meeting here again until we hear of a change. read more

We love to visit Riley Tavern and enjoy a beer and delicious pizza in their spacious yard. Great customer service and delicious made-to-order homemade pizza. read more

Great old timey tavern out in the country with an amazing patio open in the warm months. Some of the best pizza to be found in the Madison area. Friendly staff. Great old fashioneds in a big ole glass. read more

Nice place to stop for a beer when on the Military Ridge trail between Verona and Mount Horeb.

Simple tasty breakfast and excellent friendly service. We stay at a cabin nearby once a year, and always stop here for Sunday breakfast on the way out of town. The service is very friendly and accommodating--we were picky about our food, and they made everything cheerfully to spec. If you're here in the autumn, try the pumpkin and chocolate chip pancakes. And if you don't have much of a sweet tooth, ask for 5 chocolate chips in the pancake it's perfect! read more

This is our favorite hidden Gem dive bar for breakfast. The biscuits and Gravy are to die for. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. Get there early as it fills up fast and has limited seating. It is Cash Only service but they have an ATM. read more

We went for the pancake breakfast on Sunday and the place was packed. The place is very minimal, we had 3 menu options, Blueeberry Cranberry Chocochip + self-service coffee and tea + OJ. $6 per person and basically you get what you pay for. But somethign about the secretive location made me give an extra star. read more

no frills no thrills...great beer and great PIZZA....tavern style is running rampant out here....great service...full dive...please enjoy!!! as true as it gets read more

What everyone else said. Nice job Reviewers! Ok, Yelp is making me say more to pet review... Tara T nailed it. Friendly. Fun. Good service. Did not have food but drinks and beers were great. Tuck Pence gave a great performance - so kudos to Riley Tavern for booking great performers. read more

Friends have dragged me out to the Riley Tavern a few times, and every time I hoped I might actually enjoy myself. No luck there. I have to agree with other reviewers that the staff can be very rude. One filtered positive review states that you will get along fine as long as you're not a snob ... and that about sums up the vibe at this place. If they don't know you, or you don't fit in, you won't be welcome. Everything about the place was very 'meh'. Pretty location, though. It's really too bad, if the vibe was better I'd come back. read more

Awesome sandwiches, friendly staff. The value couldn't be better. Nothing too fancy, but solid all around! read more

Riley Tavern - Cool bar true to its heritage! - Bars Near Me - Verona, Wisconsin

Boy was this place unfriendly or what. The rudest customer service i have ever had in madison. we just went in to scope the place out and grab a cold drink while on our bike ride. first of all, its just a bar. when they say bike friendly, they are talking about the motorcycle type and not the bicycle type. its as far from the bicycle type as they come. we saw a bunch of guys sitting at the bar watching a soap opera on the tvs. not making it up. we were treated like we interrupted their quality time. the food we got was mediocre at best. too bad i dunno of any other nearby stop over for those on the bike trail. i wouldnt go back unless im desperate. read more

Don't come here for fine dining and fancy cocktails. Do come here to have a good time. Love to run or bike here on the trail on Sunday mornings and enjoy brunch or come later for a drink. Here's the deal with brunch on Sunday. Pro's: There are pancakes. And the most delicious, amazing, drooling, sausage in the world. That's what you can have. Don't ask for anything else or the sassy waitresses get crabby. They have coffee, tea, orange juice or alcohol. Drop a pancake on the floor? There's a dog roaming around, so don't worry. Line up at the door, ten minutes later the place is packed and the bar seats are full of old men, bikers, cyclists and neighbors. It's got great atmosphere with a covered deck looking out over the trail. PS They will not serve you breakfast outside. Added bonuses, they claim its ten minutes from anywhere, Riley Fest, alcoholic drinks in glass jars, snowmobile trail, bike trail, nature, and I always love seeing bikers and cyclists together in spandex and leather. read more

Whether you're in your car, riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, or out for a run, there's no place quite like the Riley Tavern on a beautiful fall Sunday. Get there early for the pancake breakfast or come later just to relax and take in nature on the front or side porch. During the summer, the last Sunday of every month is the Rag Tag Market. A kitschy conglomerate of artists, henna tatoo purveyors, homemade soap and exotic scent sellers, jewelry makers, and the ubiquitous chiropractic/masseuse. You probably find something you just can't live without. Alas, no velvet paintings of dogs playing poker or of Elvis. As small as the place is, on these Sundays, they have a live band with no cover. The several that I've seen here were actually really good! Bands play from 3-6 p.m. You won't find Malört, or craft cocktails ala Merchant or Heritage Tavern, but you'll get a good strong pour and reasonable prices. Just remember to bring cash. They don't take credit cards but there is an ATM on site which will hit you for about $2.50 to access your money. (plus what your bank will charge you) It's a little hard to find but the perfect place to end up on that leisurely drive in the country. read more

A gem located in the middle of no where. The Riley Tavern is a classic Wisconsin tavern. They don't try to be anything besides that. A simple tavern selection of 4 local beers on tap, a modest bar food menu, a decent porch and STIFF drinks. The place is perfect for an afternoon of day drinking. I have heard that they breakfast is awesome but i have yet to experience it for myself. This is the type of place that would be awesome for a Packer game. Maybe next Sunday... read more

Riley Tavern is a wonderful place to stop. If your looking to just sit on the beautiful porch or enjoy a drink inside the bar...Look no further to experience authentic feel of an old tavern. Great drinks and daily homemade food. The bar is extremely clean and bartenders were "Johnny on the Spot"! I can't wait to go back! ! read more

Avoid at all costs - If I could give negative stars I would. Not only was this the worst food related experience in my life, it was the worst experience with any establishment I've ever had. We placed and order for a carryout pizza and should have been skeptical upon the rude service encountered when trying to order. Looked past that as everyone can have a bad day, we're only human after all. We had a couple pieces then found a long brown hair baked into one of the pieces. Upon further inspection, found two more hairs in two more pieces. We did not inspect the other half of the pizza. We called to report the incident and were accused of making it up. I was told that "in 16 years there had never been a complaint." Well, I am 31 years old and this is the first time I've ever found hair in my food from a restaurant. Nauseated and infuriated, this incident will be reported to the Wisconsin department of health services. Even a sincere apology would have helped but was not offered. read more

We are looking forward to visiting you on August 3, 2013. "Ride to the Angels" will be arriving and having some fun with you all. If anyone is interested in joining us for the day check out our facebook page (Ride to the Angels) or the website at www.RidetotheAngels.webs.com read more

This is a small, but great Wisconsin tavern in a county setting. If you are not a snob, you'll fit right in. The lunch specials & burgers are fantastic, the Sunday breakfast is that of what you would expect from a pancake breakfast at a small tavern, but always delicious! The drinks are worth every penny, and there are always friendly, happy folks. Biker or not you can always strike up a conversation anytime, with anyone. read more

I have to second the review about the unbelievably rude customer service. The bartender/cook made us feel like we interrupted her day. The food was decent although the fried onions were barely cooked. read more

We love the Tuesday night pizza: wonderful! It is crispy and full of whatever ingredients one chooses: $12.50. Fabulous people who wait on you and bring you into conversation. read more

The Baked Cod and Cheesy Potatoes on Fridays are the BEST in the AREA! Short drive from Madison's West Side and you will come back once you taste them. OUTSTANDING!! read more

I LOVE this place! I have been going for years. and stop in at least a couple of times each year. The food is always fabulous and the drinks are very cold, great deck to sit on in the summer and great bands on the weekends. AND I have to say Riley Fest is a rip roarin good time! read more

A disappointing trip. I've loved going out to Riley for years - haven't been there in awhile so tried Sunday pancakes today. Busy but got a table within 10 minutes. Unfortunately the food really wasn't worth the wait. The 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of OJ was too little, sausages weren't browned and too greasy (weird aftertaste) and pancakes were rubbery. Love the atmosphere, love Murph, drinks are wonderful but won't be going back for pancakes anytime soon. Hoping that they have a Friday night fish fry we can try instead and hoping that will be better than Sunday morning pancakes. =( read more

I'm astounded by the negative reviews. This is one of the most popular watering holes of Madison area bicyclists. Has been a tradition for years. These people must have just had a bad day. That happens when you are bicycling. A friend and I were at Riley Tavern this week and the service was great, the food (ribeye sandwich) perfectly done and the Spotted Cow was being milked and flowing. read more