After nearly a decade on hiatus, The Daily Cardinal is reviving its annual Local Bar Guide for 2024, letting Cardinal readers vote on their favorite bars near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
The guide, which will be published on Feb. 22, will feature winners in five categories: Best College Bar, Best Cocktail Bar, Best Bar Food, Best Atmosphere/Vibe and Best Weeknight Special.
Each category has five nominees, in total encompassing 16 campus-area bars and cocktail lounges. Nominees were selected by Cardinal staff.
Voting will open on Thursday, Feb, 15 at 8 a.m. via an online form at dailycardinal.com. Readers can vote for one bar in each category. Voting will close on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.
Here are the nominees for each category:
Best College Bar
Have a favorite campus bar? Is there a bar where you regularly spend your Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays? These bars were nominated for their long-standing histories, sentimental values and overall excellence for the college experience.
Best Food
Have a favorite dish? A go-to place before or after games? A place you regularly bring your parents? Most bars have some form of food, but only the best have truly memorable dishes. These bars were nominated for their excellent food, and some folks even head to these bars solely to grab a bite to eat.
Best Cocktail Bar
Do you like upscale drinks? Prefer a more laid-back bar? These bars were nominated for their tasty, original mixed drinks.
Best Atmosphere/Vibe
Some folks head to a bar for the drinks, but others prefer to choose a bar based on the atmosphere. These bars were nominated because they’re known for being a great place to hang out, socialize and relax in addition to having great service and friendly patrons.
Best Weeknight Special
When all else fails and choosing a bar for the night becomes too difficult, weeknight specials help make the decision much, much easier. These bars were nominated for having memorable deals that attract a large number of patrons throughout the week.
The Kollege Klub (Tuesdays: $4 Berrywater Limes; 2-for-1 on all drinks)
Mondays (Thursdays: $8 champagne bottles)
Red Rock Saloon (Wednesdays: $2 burgers, $3 taps)
SconnieBar (Tuesdays: $2 tacos, $5 margaritas)
Whiskey Jack’s Saloon (Thursdays: 25-cent rails 7-8 p.m., 50-cent rails 8-9 p.m., $1 rails 9-10 p.m.)
Voting
Voting will open on Thursday, Feb, 15 at 8 a.m. via an online form at dailycardinal.com. Readers can vote for one bar in each category. Voting will close on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.
