I am an elder queer and have been around the block a time or two. I almost chuckled reading the bad reviews here because sweetie, if you are having a bad time at this bar, it's because of you. IYKYK. I'm not saying this bar is for elders, in fact I suspect just the opposite. It's just that if you are at a HISTORIC LGBTQIA establishment...in ALL the grand stand up letters...and you don't know the "procedure" or you don't respect the time of your elders, then yeah...a bit of snark comes with the place honey. It's called respect. There is a great song with that name, look it up! Anyway...back to me and my experience. This place is a GEM. I am from SF and have traveled to queer bars all over this grand nation of ours...(and I say grand as in queer) this particular one has been here since the 1970s they said. At least. Always out. Always proud. Let that out and proud history sink in next time you are here...I suspect that if you aren't brain-rotted, you will get stellar service. Noone has time for someone who calls them slurs and uses their bodies as a weapon. That's not cute in Beyonce's internet sweetie. We don't use the work fat as a slur these days dont-cha-know? I had a wonderful few late afternoon hours here between appointments. Everyone was super friendly and engaging. The bartender even bought me a shot. That is the ultimate in gay-bar respect! They were setting up for mahjong when I left. This is a lovely spot. They even have bar bites! Sad I didn't get a pic of the inside with the lovely bartender, and I am too old to remember his name!!! Lol. All-in-all this is a steller locally owned and operated establishment that I pray never changes. Thank you for a fabulous time! If I am ever in the neighborhood again, I will be stopping by and bringing my friends. read more

Shamrock Bar & Grille - Old school! - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Just scooting around for a dive bar when the Shamrock rock came about. Looked very busy but looked interesting. We stopped and were greeted almost immediately by the bartender and asked what we'd like. The place was jumping with college students and we felt a bit out of place being in our 70's but were greeted kindly by many of the crowd. We got some drinks and of course a Guinness. We ordered a calamari order ( only fried foods were served at this hour ). The food came quickly and was nice and fresh and tasty. We drank up and finished our food and called it a night. Nice place; great staff and tasty food! I'd stop again. read more

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Stopped into Shamrock on what happened to be Customer Appreciation Night, so my review might be biased, but it was amazing! The fact that there is such a night is so cool - everyone got a free drink ticket, there were free snacks, and raffles (I won!). Very fun vibes and reasonably priced drinks! read more

The RUDEST employees i've ever encountered in my entire life. Asked for my groups IDs, gave them, and got the nastiest attitude (for not knowing a procedure I've never experienced at THIS bar before). After deciding not to purchase drinks after said attitude, got another employee coming to our table to check. Willingly gave IDs despite being told we "had to be 21 still" to be in here, then employee just checked and left without saying anything. Not to mention, the entire bar smelled like cat pee. DONT COME HERE!!!!!! had previous good experiences but the nastiest employees this time. read more

Been around for years, always consistently there for the neighborhood, and surprisingly decent bar food especially the fish sandwich. Nice to still have a place where you don't have to be college age to go to and enjoy yourself, gay or straight. When I first started going here more than 3 decades ago, it was definitely for the LGBTQ gang, but over the years has kind of morphed into more of a gay/alternate kind of place and it has, in my opinion, actually gotten cleaner and less seedy than it used to be years ago. Definitely a treasure of a place for Madison! read more

This review is based on the evening of September 30, 2023. The Shamrock is a drinking establishment that caters to a predominantly LGBTQ+ clientele. You might not know it's a gay bar by the name. I work within a block of it and never knew it existed, much less that it's a gay bar, until I was a plus one for a couple of guys The Shamrock caters to who wanted to go here for after dinner drinks and dancing. Be a patron at your leisure! I was easily able to order a drink at the bar. This drink was strong! I like a heavy pour from the bartender. Shows the bartender know what's up. If you're coming to a bar, you want a strong drink, right? We were able to get a clean hi top table. The music being played was at a volume appropriate enough to talk with tablemates. A jukebox exists. Ambiance can best be described as dark and dive bar vibe. Small, unglamorous, eclectic, old-style drinking establishment for new-style people with local flavor at the forefront. I mean the capitol building is *right there*. See it on the right as you exit. All in all, a great bar (of any kind) worth your patronage. read more

I came here with some friends a couple months ago. The bar was closing, but my father was still in the bathroom. I wanted to wait for him, in case he needed assistance, but was then rudely ushered out by one of the workers. He grabbed me by my waist and arms and shoved me outside the doors. I told him that my father was in the bathroom and he will be out in a few minutes. The worker rudely replied back with "Your father is a grown man. He will be just fine." This was not the case. My father is disabled and was diagnosed with severe stenosis to the point where he could not walk properly. The worker did not seem to care at all, and he had no right to use force to shove me out of the bar. There were also plenty of people still inside the bar at this point. Terrible staff. read more

Dark, great music, friendly bar staff, affordable pricing. Special shout out Wes, excellent service!

I love this bar! This is my favorite bar in Madison. The people are friendly and drinks are perfect. They have a wide back bar selection and the music is always on point. The brunch here is awesome! Delicious comfort food and it always comes with a little something added to the plate (usually a small piece of fruit or candy)- super thoughtful and fun. Always have a different scrambler to choose from and some yummy breakfast staples. Bloody's here are the best! - and the Shamosas will kick your mornings/afternoons up a notch! We also stopped in for their Friday Fish fry and it was outta this world! Fun selections on the menu and generous portions! We came here to try it one Friday and will Definitely be back for more! They also have great bar sammies and burger options the rest of the afternoon/nights for dinner to both dine in and to go. When we were here for the fish fry there were at least 2-3 fish fry orders people purchased to go. They also are very attentive to the Covid atmosphere and we felt very comfortable and safe here given the heightened safety measures of the pandemic. Was very clean and all protocols were taken here to ease any worries we may have had of dining out. Reasonably priced and great service, happy hours are a great time as well and a good deal. Always a fun time here! Come for a good time at night or stay for a sports game. Order some food or a gift certificate to go- it's all amazing at Shamrock! read more

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Great brunch spot on the weekends. Nothing fancy but stiff drinks and good, honest food will keep you coming back from more. I like that it flies under the radar for brunch and when the lines get obnoxious for the trendy brunch spot of the month, it's nice to find a place here. Special call out for their omelet of the day-it never disappoints. read more

Well there is a First For Everyone. Ok. I'm a tourist who walked into this bar. No big deal except I'm straight and this is a gay/alternate pub. I didn't know that when I walked in which I thought was funny. I'm usually a stickler for details and living in South Florida with one of the biggest LGBT populations in America I'm familiar with this lifestyle and have no problem with it. You think I could have know this was gay bar, but nothing lead me to believe it was. Maybe that was done on purpose as a social experiment to see how a straight person would react when walking in. Do you leave? Do you stay? Do you hope no one sees you? Crazy $hit like passes thru everyone's mind, I don't care who your are. I just have the guts to type it. The Awaking So I order a beer and ask if the jukebox is on. The Bartender who's name is also Dan says yes. I then look up by the TV and see the Rainbow Flag. I look to the left and see a bigger Rainbow flag on the wall. Well I'll be damn, I walked into a gay bar and didn't even know it. It felt like something out of comedy and I had to chuckle. Now I'm comfortable in my own skin and I don't panic and look for the quickest exit. I stay. Ambiance Very nice pub and Dan was really cool. I come clean and tell him that I didn't know what type of bar this was until I walked in. He says it happens to people all the time. So enough about that. I got my beer and shot the $hit with Dan. I played some songs on the jukebox. I noticed that this joint is very clean and more updated than the place next door, Paradise Lounge. I finish my beer and Dan asks if I want another one. Fuck it, why not LOL. I have another and then pay my bill. Verdict If I was gay I would love coming here, You can tell that it would be lots of fun plus it's a sharp looking pub. I will honestly say I would not hang out here because it's not my gig but the place deserves 4 stars for sure. Stay Hungry! read more

Shamrock Bar & Grille - Very nice in here. - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Fun vibe, dart boards in the back. Good music. Fill yourself up with all the pride at this divey gay bar! They have food during normal hours and I hear they host card game leagues during the week read more

My favorite bar downtown! I absolutely love this place. Even when it's super crowded, the service is still fast and all the bartenders are fantastic. I also LOVE coming here for brunch and mimosas. So delicious! Everything I've ever ordered has been fantastic. This is a great place for people that want to have a good time but aren't in college and don't necessarily want to be surrounded by rowdy 21 year old students. It's so much fun and there's always fun lights and dancing. We always bring our friends from out of town here. Whether it be during the day for brunch and day drinks, or at night for drinks and darts. It's welcoming and the ambiance is lovely. Highly recommend! read more

Went to Shamrock for food and drinks at around 11am. I got a Shamosa to drink, which is basically a mimosa but with some tequila as well. It is slightly on the pricier side, but it does the trick. I also got a cheeseburger, which was grilled perfectly and tasted great, not to mention a great price compared to surrounding restaurants. There are not many windows here, which makes the inside pretty dark, but the staff are friendly and helpful. There are a couple of TVs but they are pretty small, so it would not be my first choice to go to to watch a game, but overall there food, drinks, and staff are great and I would definitely come back! read more

Shamrock Bar & Grille - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Walked into this place not knowing it was classified under gay bars until later. I found out later the next day by reading it on Yelp. My husband and I were never made to feel out of place. The friendly server was attentive. The establishment was clean and the food (eggs Benedict) was delicious. Not that I would expect differently. The only complaint I have is that all the tables were high top which is uncomfortable to me. read more

Shamrock Bar & Grille - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I (gabby) and my roommate Rachel love Jensen. They greeted us immediately and their energy never diminished the entire night. Even when the bar was packed they didn't lose their smile or their service! read more

My boyfriend and I (hetero) stumbled upon this delicacy. The service was amazing, food was quick and hot off the grill. Prices are great and it's lovely to get away from campus kids. Nothing but good things to say about this establishment. read more

Had a great time at this bar during a recent Saturday evening. The drinks are good, bartenders are very good and the patrons are very nice. There are a lot of TVs for watching the Badgers. Just so you know, this is a gay bar, but it wasn't initially obvious to me. I was there with gay friends, and I knew that it was a gay bar before arriving, but it might have taken me a while to realize it had I not been with friends. Depending on when you're there it may be really hard to tell. It became more obvious as the really good DJ was spinning great tunes later in the evening. Speaking of tunes, the noise level was just right. Loud enough to be motivated to dance, but not so loud it would pierce your eardrums. There was a great vibe overall, and I'd love to hang out there more often. read more

Robert Mahr has really turned this iconic bar into something to be proud of. Remodeled bar area and interior had made it more modern but yet kept the feel of the previous Shamrock and it's roots. Food is delicious with their new menu and of course check out Brunch every Saturday and Sunday, you will be hooked! DJ's every Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Happy Hour is always fun and drinks here are inexpensive but yet really good! read more

Great spot! We have always had stellar service from Luis. He's hilarious, attentive, and hard working. Even when he was slammed with customers (after the women's march), he remained friendly and focused. The food is delish, too! The grilled cheese is simple but yummy, as were the chicken strips. We shall return! read more

This is exactly what I was looking for. Gay bars are where I feel most comfortable, and this place is exactly that. Drinks are cheap, paint chipping off the bar... Even a little cockroach visited us tonight. Not disappointed. 10/10 would recommend. If I'm back in the area again, I'm coming here. read more

Shamrock Bar & Grille - cockroach. Exterminator came a few days ago. Missed one. - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The new Shamrock is amazing! I love the updates and the new owner Bob Mahr did! The food is 10x better than it used to be. Yes, it's bar food but it's REALLY good food! Their brunch on Saturday and Sunday is absolutely the best!! I never thought I'd say it either but their Fish Fry on Fridays is delicioius as well! I love the crowd here. Very mixed. From gay to straight from college kids to older peeps. It's really a bar for everyone. I love the DJ's they have on Friday and Saturday nights. Tim was DJ'ing on a Saturday and played all of my requests! DJ's don't normally do that either. Music wasn't too loud and everyone seemed to be really having a great time! The only Cons were some of the tables were wobbly and the bathrooms can be a little dirty sometimes (standing water, or pee, next to the urinal was not very fun to step in) happens a lot. read more

Reasonably priced food in high quality. All the food is made from the heart with home cooked recipes. Bobby and Danielle are incredibly nice and so are the bar staff. A nice and welcoming place for not only the LGBT community but also its allies. I recommend the bacon or the shamrock potatoes! read more

A friend and I stopped at the Shamrock while looking for a place for a drink and food prior to a show. Had I researched we might have noticed it was a gay bar before we ordered, but neither of us really cared to leave. The staff was exceptional and our food was absolutely amazing. I had cheese curds and they were steaming hot, fried to perfection. The bar itself was clean, service was great and there was a fun happy vibe in the bar as friends hugged and regulars chatted. I'd happily go back as the food I didn't order looked really great! read more

There is outdoor seating all along the street, in front of the bars/restaurants. When there last week from out of town, my friend and I got a cocktail from the Tornado Room (which was packed, no one wearing masks, a total super-spreader scene) and sat outside. A street performer with a blaring boom box was up the block. There were no people seated at the tables in front of the Shamrock, so to get further away from the noise, we sat at a table in front of the Shamrock. A bartender came out so I asked him if we could see a menu. He saw our Tornado room glasses and got super nasty, saying why would we sit at a Shamrock table if we got our drinks from next door. We thought, this is a gay bar in MADISON, where we would expect the bartender to be laid back and friendly, maybe wanting some business, as I asked to see a menu. Instead he was extremely rude and drove us off. So much for tolerance, manners, and friendliness. Avoid the jerk bartender... read more

Great service and atmosphere. The happy hour has inexpensive drinks. The bar is very clean, nicely decorated and the bartender was excellent. Plus the music was very good. read more

This is a fabulous bar! Great atmosphere awesome drinks and food. The food is way above your average bar fare. The weekend brunch is a MUST. Excellent staff and bartender's. One of the best bars in all of Madison! read more

Food was mediocre but somewhat good. Pretty average burger but still worked well for lunch. The problem came when I came to pay. The burger was a dollar more than what their online menu listed. They didn't take credit cards, and the ATM in the back was charging a fee equal to my meal. This bar did have credit card terminals, and when I stated this, the waiter became rude, saying that they were not hooked up, but they knew what they were doing. Well, obviously not, since all other restaurants (and even most food carts) take credit cards. Even I take credit cards! I had to walk an extra 20 minutes during my lunch hour to get sassed at. Honestly, I was saddened to see such poor service from a Madison institution, but I'll stick with Paradise Lounge for my lunch hour. read more

Ladies bathroom was very messy - felt very uncomfortable using it! Overall, the food was good but I would not be surprised if the kitchen was not up to food code. My husband owns restaurants and is very certain.. . Strange, rude man at the door also - clearly not made for being the face of a business ! Bartender with colorful hair was charming but did not return change when asked and acted needlessly unkind to a young man near us. Not execllent. Will certainly not be going again. -Barb read more

I love this place. The people here are all down to earth. The drinks are priced well, bartenders are super sweet! My friends and I have always had a good experience! read more

SHAMROCK forever! You really have to know what you're getting yourself into, though.... (the only way I can appropriately communicate the beauty of the Sham safely is through emojis which apparently aren't allowed here). read more

This place has amazing food - especially the brunch! Best Mimosa I've ever had - highly recommended. The staff is also super-friendly!

Great place to play darts, grab a drink, and relax with friends! Fun music, good bartenders, and a reliable fun time no matter what day of the week. Would recommend as a spot away from the predominantly college bars. An older crowd, less rowdy, and more fun! read more

One word...superficial. I wish the gay community could be more accepting. Please don't instigate a fight with one of my friends for not conforming to your version of "gay." You have a great atmosphere but just need nicer bartenders. It was my friend's birthday and you kicked him out because one of your bartenders instigated a fight in the bathroom with my friend. Please be nicer, I really want to like you. Honestly I just can't understand. Will be calling management. read more

Five stars for the Shamrock because much like the old Hard Rock Cafe motto of "Love all, Serve All" the Shamrock lives up to this. Bartenders are very approachable, the space is comfortable and not as divey as older reviews may have indicated. They make the drinks strong and they have a TERRIFIC wallet friendly happy hour. My favorite bartender is Wes and although I am sure he will not be there forever I sure wish he would stay there forever. The bar has a great neighborhood feel and it was nice to see it fill up after 10:00pm with a nice blend of guys in their 20's through....? All talking and seeming to have a nice time. The place is very straight friendly without pandering to them and I am always more than happy to pay this place a visit and that is saying a lot from a guy who has a hard time leaving the house let alone I am not a big drinker. I just go out for the social aspect every now and again and the Shamrock scratches that itch. read more

I stopped in here to see if the hype was true and I'm happy say it was. Very friendly and warm atmosphere and good music, plus bartender Trevor was cool and made me feel right at home. I didn't get a chance to try any of the food but I'll definitely give it a shot on my next trip. read more

Had the Reuben sandwich. The next day I had explosive diarrhea. This was after a sleepless night with my stomach cramping and releasing toxic methane from my ass every 10 minutes. read more

:-) Get more darts, but the staff is great for whatever you are looking for going out, pregaming, or just stopping in.

It stunk like farts. We went for drinks and not food, thank goodness since the fart smell was bad enough I probably wouldn't have been able to eat. The bartender was kind and attentive and made a great drink. Everything was good except for that lingering smell. read more