Genna's Lounge

Great experience tonight. Ordered drinks that came out to about $15 and left a $4 tip (which is more than 20%), and the bartender was super appreciative and friendly about it. We were excited to try out Genna’s since we’d heard great things, and it looked super cool when we walked in, even though it was busy. We were already planning our next round. After that interaction, he totally made our night. Will definitely be coming back!

Farmers market stop everytime! Delicious Bloody Mary's and Pimms! Badgers on the TV...perfect spot!

Bar upstairs is the hidden gem 💎! Genna’s is a Madison institution and a must go.

Genna’s is an iconic Madison bar! The patio is excellent in the summer to take in some sun and the view of the capital square. Service has remained amazing over the years and the bartenders truly make you feel at home. Stop by on the weekends for the best Bloody Mary ever!!

Terrible experience tonight. Ordered drinks that equaled to about $15 and tipped about $4 (which is more than 20%) and the bartender had the audacity to complain about the tip. We were excited to try out Genna’s since we’ve heard great things and it looked super cool when we walked in, despite it being busy. We were already planning our next round. But after that comment, he totally ruined our night. Will definitely never come back.

Didnt try the food but had some beers and shots and had a blast! Bar tenders were cool and was a fun place to hangout!

Great bar. Big shot pours. Good prices service and vibes.

My favorite bar near the square - staff are always extremely friendly even when it’s busy.

Genna's is undoubtedly a Madison favorite, and if you find yourself in need of a cozy spot post-Saturday Farmers Market, look no further. Their bloody mary bar stands as a testament to excellence, offering a build-your-own adventure brimming with an enticing array of toppings, from savory sausages to tangy pickled okra, and of course, indulgent cheese! Nestled in their inviting outdoor area, you'll find the perfect retreat from the city buzz. We cherished every moment spent here, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere and enjoying top-notch service. Without a doubt, we'll be making a return visit to Genna's.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Best local bar in madison. Great music, fun atmosphere, friendly staff and cheap beer. I love the patio and the upstairs dance floor. Genna's is a stop on any great night out.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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...

This is a good middle ground between the college bars on state street and the more upscale bars on the square. They often have munchies around happy hour time. I go most often in the summer when you can sit outside on the patio.

I Love Genna's. Genna's is classy dive (if such things exist). They are generally my last stop after drinking beer all day for the killer cocktail. They have a good beer selection and a cool funky decor on two floors, plus an outside area. They are on the block of two other favorite spots of mine, "the Paradise Lounge" and the amazing steak house "Tornado". Sizable bourbon pours and nice martinis. There motto is "If you don't like Genna's, well, F@&$ you"

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.

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.

Being on a corner of the square, with great outdoor seating, and a Madison institution, Gennas could slack off and still stay in business. But they don't, making it one of places locals call the favorite hang out spot. It's one step below fancy, and one above a diver bar. Whether it be the bloody mary bar, the juke box upstairs, late night shenanigans, or stiff drinks, they do it up right. The bartenders are friendly, and so are the customers. Your only problem may be getting a seat.

This is the epitome of a come as you are bar. From the bartender to the waitstaff it is a welcoming place that is perfect for relaxing and having a drink.

Best bar on the square and possibly Madison. Every time I go here I'm treated like it's my first time. The bartenders ensure you are comfortable and enjoy your drink. They make a mean old fashioned and the bartenders a so friendly.

This place was great! Loved the build your own Bloody Mary bar, aside from the bottles/shakers etc being sticky....no Bueno. The patio was really nice to sit on for a sunny day and the service was friendly!

I've only had one bad experience with service here, other than that it's always been a great place to hang out at! Beer and mixed drinks are fairly priced relative to other places on the square. If your dinner plan's wait list is longer than 45 minutes to an hour, this would be a great place to kill time! Pro-tip: Outdoor seating to enjoy Wisconsin summer nights.

Love the poetry slams, original atmosphere, and affordable drinks. Within walking distance of lots of other bars and restaurants, so you'll have plenty to do!

So, I really dig Genna's. Went here after work with a co-worker for a few drinks before a show. Sat upstairs at the bar. and the bartender quickly came over and gave us a warm greeting. He made a pretty stiff vodka and cranberry for me that was pretty fantastic. Ended up getting a shot of tequila as well, and the bartender kindly shared one with us. Loved the atmosphere her, dark, cool lights, cool decor. Sadly there is no food here.. not sure if they never have food, or just at that hour. But they have snacks that we munched on till we decided on the next place to grab food.

I have always loved Genna's, in particular when the upstairs bar is open. The upstairs bar is usually quieter and feels more intimate to me. The drinks are hit and miss. Usually hit, though. My husband and I stopped here before his birthday dinner the other night for a pre-dinner drink and our Manhattans were far too cherry-flavored for our liking. Had a taste reminiscent of cough syrup. I think we'll stick to simpler drinks or bloody Mary's (they make a good one!) in the future. The bartender was very nice and the ambiance is great. As I mentioned, I am pleased with my drink 9/10 times and I'm always happy with the vibe as long as the upstairs bar is open or it's outdoor-seating weather. Guess I don't love sitting in the busy lower bar.

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.

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.

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.

Fantastic martinis, great prices, fun crowd and right on the square. The bathroom is sketch but I guess some see that as charming. Once I got in line to use the facilities and all the men let me go ahead of them. Cute! They have seating outside but I've never see staff taking orders, you should go see the bartender inside if you need a beverage. Genna's is divey while being right on the square. I love that.

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.

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

I like that Genna's in the early part of the day. You can have a seat and enjoy their vast selection of beers. I am always impressed by their staff and their service.. HOWEVER! After 9? Not my scene. It is SO loud and so packed. The bathroom upstairs is place right off of the path to the bar. It is so congested and never comfortable. The music is not very trendy so they have a niche crowd. If you plan to drink a ton, do not go upstairs if you are wearing heels. The stairs are steep and as a lady who likes to wear wedges, it is not conducive to boozing. This is definitely a place I like to hit up early evening on a summer day. They have a nice outdoor patio.

So I can't tell - were the drinks here cheap because it's a campus bar or is it just because it's downtown Madison and not downtown Chicago? Either way, tourists like me definitely win out. We went on a Friday night and it was definitely packed but not packed enough where it was uncomfortable. After awhile we were able to score some seats at the bar and take in the scenery. The place's decor looks like a cross between a cafe in havana, a hookah bar and a kitchen out of the Wonder Years. It's very eclectic and holds a bunch of personality. I was on a mission for a chocolate stout and was given a great recommendation by the bartender about a local brew called Oscar. Upon my first sip, I confirmed his praise for the beer and asked for another recommendation. He warned that Fuel Cafe had a smoky coffee flavor and he was right on. Unfortunately, smoky and me didn't mix. I guess he noticed I didn't fancy it so much so he recommended a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout for no charge. I tasted that one and I was back in stout heaven. Such great personable service! At the end of the night the bill came out to a measly $13 for 3 microbrews. It's a great place to chill out, have a lil convo and have the jukebox tunes playing in the background. Plus having knowledgeable bar staff is a star in itself. So far this is my favorite bar in Madison!

This is a great Madison bar. Two floors, each with its own little personality and vibe. A really chill and refreshing alternative to the regular college bar scene in this town.

Always decently crowded, Genna's is a really great place to get a drink. It's never too packed, but never empty and awkward. They have a lot of seating, so I've never had a problem finding a chair. And it's not so loud that you feel like you have to scream. They have a good selection of beers. Awesome happy hour prices. I like the two floor layout with a bar on both. I like the outdoor seating (lots of it). Lighting is good - dark but not weirdly dark. I really like the chalkboard that lists all the beers upstairs. Service: I've never felt the bartenders were all that friendly. They get your drink, you pay, that's it. Environment: Not too pretentious. Not too college-y. Good lighting - not bright, but not DARK. Not too loud. Overall, very chill.

Awesome Space, Awesome Location, Awesome Crowd. Genna's is in a great area downtown, far enough away from State Street and the college bars, but close enough to all of the action. During the summer and fall, the outdoor patio allows Madisonians to embrace the nice weather. The two story building allows for plenty of space to create your own area at a table with friends without ever being segregated from the rest of the bar. The bathrooms kick ass with all of their graffiti, props to Genna's for embracing the patron's artwork. Italian family-owned bar, makes sure its employees are top notch, doesn't sell Budweiser, and doesn't put up with dumb college kid's behavior. BEST aspect of Genna's: Genna's has the greatest jukebox in Madison.

Genna's can be really hit or miss for me. It seems to depend on the crowd. If it's full of underclassmen, I tend not to enjoy it as much as the nights it's full of Madison's professionals. Regardless, I always return and, for the most part, enjoy my evenings spent at Genna's. In the winter, it's a great little cozy spot on a snowy evening. Not sure if they still do this, but for some time there were poetry slams maybe one Saturday night a month? If it's still offered, definitely check it out. It was always really good!

If it weren't for Genna's I wouldn't be happily married. Love this bar, held my husbands 40th birthday here. Love the Bunnies on Easter Howard is the best bartender. Great place to hang out for Halloween. Reading the bathroom walls is always fun.

Cool place - older crowd early on around 7pm - 35+ ...service excellent. Younger people coming in as we were moving on - around 10pm.