I REALLY wanted to love Crystal Corner, but sadly after our recent visit, popping back by on my…read morenext trip to Madison is not looking very likely. Crystal Corner is located in the famed Willy Street area of Madison, sitting on the corner of Willy Street and Baldwin Street. Crystal Corner has the vibe of the neighborhood, as is it divey, funky, nostalgic and truly local. However, even with all those things, this spot missed the mark for me and my buddy. We swung by on Sunday afternoon for a few drinks while wandering around Willy Street. We bellied up to the bar and ordered a couple of Bloody Mary's, to which the bartender said "Oh, I need to make up some mix. I can't believe people still drink those things around here.". Which was odd, as that was about to be our third bloody of the day, with neighboring restaurants going as far as having special bloody menus. The bartender pulled a can of tomato juice out, dumped it in a pitcher, added a few dashes of hot sauce, Worcestershire and some seasonings. And that was it. She then took some rail vodka, mixed it all up, and topped with an olive and pickle. While I know this sounds phenomenal, it was in fact one of the worst bloody's I have had. Additionally, the olive and pickle were a weird, almost rubbery texture. The combination of everything was off putting...and that was just the start. Next up is the space itself. While I appreciate a good dive bar that is full of nostalgic artwork, furnishings, lighting, etc...but it shouldn't be visible that the place hasn't been cleaned since these things were added. The ceilings and floors were the worst part, with the ceiling tiles being caked with black dust and dirt. Again, being worn is part of being divey, but being dirty doesn't have to be. In addition to the the main room ceilings, the bathroom ceilings were awful, missing tiles, moldy pipes exposed and just an overall feeling of ick that is beyond a normal bar bathroom. Last, but certainly not least, was the service and vibes. They were off, and kind of weird. When we arrived, there were a few locals and regulars, and then a few folks, including us. While the bartender was friendly with us, she was very rude, uncomfortably so, to another patron when he pulled out a credit card instead of cash (cash only spot). There was a little back and forth, then he left. Even after he left, she was calling him names and such to the other patrons. Again, uncomfortable, especially as a new patron to the bar. Overall, the bloody wasn't the only thing that left a bad taste here. From the bloody to the service to the dirtiness, this place needs some love and was just not it for us.

It looks like an average corner dive bar from the outside but wow, was this a fantastic place a see…read morelive music in Madison! Heads up: cash only at the bar. Come prepared. Bartenders were very nice. Tip them. There is an ATM near the restrooms if you run out of cash. The acoustics are fantastic and I loved the St. Patrick's Day weekend concert! It was packed, but we still found space to dance. Plenty of free street parking. I'm not used to that as a Chicagoan. That was a nice surprise.

I've heard people rave about The Mason, and it took me far too long to finally come in here, and it…read morewas honestly entirely by accident. I was supposed to be meeting a group elsewhere nearby when our original place closed without warning. So we headed to The Mason and it was a delightful experience. It was very busy with one bartender, so it took awhile to get your drinks, but they were still well made and the bartender was very friendly. It's a small place so it can get loud when busy, but our group had a great time and we enjoyed the place. It is a dark, neighborhood type vibe. And the sealing the deal of the 5th star for this place is that they were dog friendly. My pup had a great time getting pets from customers. Great find!

I can't believe I haven't been to the Mason Lounge yet the vibe was amazing I feel like you could…read morecome in whatever fit and feel chill! The live music area was one of the coolest things I've seen and we got yummy Moscow mules. The bartender (Tracy I think) was so kind and so amazing!

Literally have no idea how this place has 4 stars. The regulars are absolutely terrible (minus a…read morefew decent ones) and basically own the bar. Good if you want to be overcharged for drinks unless you're an old man.

I walked in this bar and could not stop laughing, the crowd that was there was such a hoot…read more Gretchen the bartender was great, it was an all around fun time. It is a neighborhood bar so everyone knew everyone.

Another first-time experience in Madison, and this spot came highly recommended if you're a true…read morewhiskey or bourbon lover, and wow it did NOT disappoint! It happened to be near the theatre we went to, so we decided to stop in and check it out. They have nearly 775 different types of whiskey to choose from, which is wild! I loved that they offer different ounce sizes so you can sample a few, and they even pair it with water so you stay hydrated while tasting (smart touch). Price ranges between ~$7.50-$20.00+. The place had a cozy, lounge-like vibe and was pretty busy, but the staff was friendly and helpful. It's first come first served for seating, just like any bar. We sampled a few whiskeys and also tried their premade espresso martini. The whiskey selection was phenomenal, the espresso martini was decent, not the best I've had (it was premade), but still enjoyable (it's made with Tito's, which isn't my favorite base, but I appreciate the fresh coffee beans they used). All in all, this place is a hidden gem. Great whiskey, friendly staff, and the perfect cozy spot to escape the rain for a while. I'll definitely be back next time to try even more from their list!

The perfect chill spot for a couple, if you need a cozy booth with dim lighting & good cocktails…read morethis is it! We also loved that the football game was on and it wasn't too loud. It's intimate and the drinks are fire. We stuck with the classic old fashioned and felt they were strong and well crafted - thank you for a true luxardo cherry too! We ordered at the bar but chilled in a booth. So many whiskey options!!! Service is friendly & quick!

The Missouri Tavern is an awesome country bar; open since 1940, you should definitely drop-in for…read morebeverage or two. It offers the perfect rural Wisconsin country bar vibe: after 86 years in business, it is the real-deal. Great bartender: good guy. The food seems to be mostly limited to bar pizza [which *did* smell amazing] The patio looked beautiful on a sunny afternoon.

Historic, iconic , small , with some damn good bartenders , shout out to Debbie for being the best…read morebartender along highway 12 . Food is decent , pizza, fried food , kind of what you expect in a dive bar. Great outdoor seating on a beautiful day . The clientele is much better than random bars in Waunakee as the people are all pretty friendly. Would go there first if in the area

Although I rarely smoke cigars, this bar was welcoming and fantastic. Within minutes I was chatting…read morewith the bartender and some patrons, smoking a cigar, and sipping on a creative cocktail! The atmosphere is eclectic, and it is filled with locals. Although I live on the other side of town, I will be back for the excellent service and good vibes!

It is a good friendly neighborhood tavern, with friendly bartenders, and nice enough customers,…read moreI've yet to be asked to leave.

This spot is quite classy and serves the kinda cocktails that are full of fancy ingredients I…read morebarely recognize! I've been several times and the drinks are always delicious. The bartenders are nice and welcoming! It's a bit pricier than other spots in Madison, but it feels fairly priced since they are doing so much more than just cracking open a can. These bartenders are really more like cocktail artists!

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

I really enjoyed my quick stop in. The slushie was delicious and the chat with the bartenders made…read moreme feel at home. This place is cute, clean, and has a great spirit selection.

Pay with cash or massively incompetent and "not able to read words good" bartenders will hand your…read morecard off to someone else and then play it off like it's not a big deal because again, they can't read words and just give anyone with the same type of credit card your credit card and then pretend it's not a big deal or a massive inconvenience to cancel and reissue a credit card. This place used to train and produce talent. Now it's not functionally literate. Totally pathetic. Won't ever return. Will tell them at tales and Portland what's happening in Madison. Total losers.