Mickey's Tavern

We stopped by to pass some time and found a great place to have a drink and talk. The soup and a beer hit the spot. Bartender was super friendly and gave us some suggests of places to check out. Excellent stop!

My experience was probably not better because my server seemed very disinterested in my experience, but the bartender I first met was very pleasant and friendly, the beer selection was descent, and my food (curds and chicken sandwich) were satisfactory. Nice little corner spot but I'm not in a hurry to go back but that's probably because I was by myself. This place seems like a great spot for a few friends to gather

Very cool spot in Madison's East side. The food is delicious and is delivered quite quickly for the volume they often sit. Specials are top notch. My favorite is their brunch specials, but they have a special every day! Lots of drink options, their house cocktails are fun and delish. Fantastic patio (dog friendly!) is open from spring to fall. Inside, you get a classic but classy dive bar feel. There are multiple different rooms to hang out in, each with a different vibe. There's a spot with couches for large groups, a smaller dining room for groups of 2-4 and a pool table in an adjacent room. Some nights they have live music (typically heavier genres) and they regularly have events like trivia, bingo, etc.

It’s a nice bar with great food. However the staff has been rude to either me or a member of my party every time i’ve gone there. Additionally they have a different rule, that you can’t order drinks at the bar it must be with a waiter? And when K first went to get a drink at the bar (as you traditionally do) the staff was very rude about the rules. I blame corporate or whoever is deciding these things.

We went for a low key brunch and it was awesome. Very cute and kitschy, the mimosas were awesome, bloody Mary's looked great (we didn't have them), and the food was phenomenal. The serves was great and the patio was cute and provided us the opportunity to get chatty with an a durable couple who shared our table with it.

LOVE this place! The atmosphere when you first walk in way the stage and the amazing staff and tasty food made my time here incredible! I highly recommend! Great bloody!!!

Had the Mickey's burger with super sexy fries and the Green Chili Pork appetizer. Everything was really good. Great hometown bar atmosphere and very good service. I didn't get my bartender's name but it was her birthday and she was really sweet.

Great brunch and wonderful server! Brunch runs on Sundays until 2. The server took our order 5 min. before 2 just to ensure our order was in! Didn't realize the cut off time. They also have good GF options. We will be back!

Mickey's is such a fun brunch spot! Hell - Mickey's is good any time of day! The food is always superb, no matter what you order it's gonna be great! Strong coffee, strong drinks if you wish & the best-lit patio in town! What are you waiting for, Mickey? lol Also very cozy & cool when it's winter or other inclement weather! GO NOW! You're gonna love it!!!!

When I found out that we were going to have brunch and a bar (you know, take the preggo to another bar) I guess that's only in Madison ha ha, I was a little disappointed. It's no fun to be around other people drinking when you can't. However, Mickey's definitely exceeded expectations. The food was really good. I had the scramble of the day which was bacon, chèvre, tomatoes, and sunflower sprouts. My son had a half order of biscuits and gravy. My scramble was so good-I ate every single bite. My son ate about half of his biscuits and gravy, so we took the rest home and shared it for breakfast the next day. I love that they do half portions of some items and that they have a bottomless coffee and tea bar. Our waitress was really friendly and it was a fun environment. I would definitely like to come back sometime when I am able to have a breakfast cocktail too!

Fun spot to stop for live music, drinks, and food. Have visited a lot but never actually tried the food. Their Mac and cheese is probably in my top 5! Also loved the fries. Bartenders and staff are what makes Mickey's to great. They are wonderful and so friendly. Sitting on the patio is great in the summer, inside is a chill vibe too. Drinks are always great and strong. Not pictured is the Bloody Mary which is also one of my favorites in Madison. Comes with good amount of pickled veggies. Overall, I think everything is super reasonably priced for the great food it is.

From its eclectic look to great prices and very cool, pleasant customers and bartenders this old tavern is the place to be. Check out the jukebox! We didn't have food but the menu is bar food and I heard it's good. It's the 2nd oldest longstanding bar in Madison. A day of Arboretum and hotel stay in the city and dinner out made us happy and the short hike from Pewaukee was a mini vacation getaway. Don't miss it- they have weekend bands too!

Sweet spot to stop in for a quick bite. Old Madison meets New Madison. You can count on anything and everything on being delicious! Fabulous Reuben, sexy fries and slaw. They should have won the WORT chili cook off 2024 #rigged! Great bubbly staff!

I'm a fan of Mickey's Tavern, but it's mostly for the vibe. The location is great, especially if you're near willy street and looking for a casual place to eat and drink, or even just start/end your night. I will say though, outside of the vibe the food is just fine and same with the drinks. Nothing super wowed me, but the entire experience was still a 4 just for the entire once more, vibe that I experienced. Casual, inviting, and overall just a good place to catch up with friends.

Best brunch & staff. Patio vibes immaculate. For the love of god, stock a bottle of cherry doctor for cherry bombs though :)

My husband and I visited Mickey's Tavern for the first time yesterday and were pleasantly surprised with it! As we walked up to the door, there was a sign that said ''when you're here, you're not at Olive Garden''. We got a good laugh out of it and could tell this would be our type of place. I've heard good things about Mickey's Tavern from my aunt, but always assumed it was a dive bar. That was definitely not the case! The ambiance is really nice. It's dimly lit with neon lights, feminist signs (yes!!!), a cozy bar, a pool table in the back area. We love a good bar and this one was so cute and fun! I ordered a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned to drink and we ordered ''Sexy Fries''. The fries were thin cut potato slices with truffle oil, Parmesan, crushed red pepper, and salt. They were so flavorful and crispy! We loved them and would definitely order them again. We can't wait to come back and try more things!

Was pretty excited to try the brunch, had heard it was spectacular! We sat down at 11:20, and ordered at 11:30. Our food came out at 1:15. It wasn't our waiters fault, and I'm sure they were short staffed or something, but we were starving. The food was pretty good, a standard Belgian waffle with bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. Friend said the biscuits and gravy were delicious. The food was decent. Outside there were a million flies, gnats, and other bugs, and normally I don't really notice them in outdoor restaurants, but every minute I had to swat a few off my leg and hand, which definitely also was not fun, but also not their fault. Would definitely go back, and the staff was super friendly, but there was a long wait and I would probably sit inside next time if possible.

Popped in for breakfast on our way through Madison - it was such a pleasant surprise! It's like having breakfast in someone's Victorian home that also happens to have a sweet bar. Staff is super friendly and we took a few recommendations from our server for breakfast options. I wish I took more photos of everyone's food because it was so good. It was filling but didn't leave you with that heavy brunch feeling you can get sometimes after a big breakfast. Bloody Mary was super fresh tasting and was accompanied by a chaser. The pickle and pickled brussel sprout were particularly delicious. A few in our squad ordered the breakfast burrito and they loved it though all of us were jealous when a friends "Special" came out. It was just what we needed and we loved it.

I loved the bartenders and service. So kind and welcoming. They check in with you and make it an enjoyable hangout.

I can't get over how much I love Mickeys! I'm new to Madison, WI and I have found my spot! The food is incredible! Have tried the super sexy fries, flank steak sandwich, green chili pork appetizer, and Mickey burger....everything has been top notch. As for the ambience it is the perfect combination of dive bar charm but with cocktail class and service. Our server Gabby was sweet, funny, and super attentive! Bar tenders are great and the live music is the cherry on top!

I went to mickeys and was accounted by a women who obviously was a regular got super drunk was allowed by the staff to be anything but relavent and I was asked to leave bra cause she was offended now I don't know whom she had had relationships at that hippy country club but I don't do you doing nothing to protect your clients ever since the whole Grandpas pizza thing it's just been awkward and I believe these people whom own grandpas and the bar next door mickeys and the bar across town ..they are just too good for you and not good people if you spend your money there do it wisely get all your station in writing put your situation up front .. those people are indigent of kindness and not worth your money or time... reject the uselessness of promise and enjoy finding new places and new ways to enjoy your life.

So fun and cozy. Plus Adriane bartends here so obviously a rad place to hang :) Highly recommend

Food was ok. Not a lot of food that I would eat, to choose from. Bartenders ok. Took a minute to get drinks. Stuff to look on the walls okay. Probably won't go back though.

Super friendly server, must have been the owner. Huge portion of walleye on Friday night. BTW not on the menu I had to ask. Delicious beer. Just wish there was another option besides fries with the order.

Stopped in for a late lunch. I ordered the Deluxe Grilled Cheese with cheese curds. My girlfriend ordered the Mickey Burger with sexy fries. We typically hit this spot for breakfast but, lunch did not disappoint!

This is the quintessential Wisconsin tavern. Lots of old hippies and young students. Eggs Benedict are worth the visit. Include a stroll along the Yahara River for a pleasant taste of Madison.

I loved the atmosphere when I got into the bar, it was pretty busy but it was the regulars that ate there for happy hour. I just loved the feel of the atmosphere here.

This was on our list of places to check out so we stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night after a Badger football game- off the beaten trail enough so no big post-game rush. We grabbed a couple stools at the bar, if it had been a bit warmer we would have sat in their big outdoor patio in back. The bar itself is really a great authentic piece of Wisconsin tavern history - love the vibe. We ordered a couple well made Old Fashions and then checked out the menu. They do give 10% off food items with the Bike Benefits program - another plus especially since they are right off one of the busier bike paths on the east side. Warning - another cash only place in this area of town... I ordered the beef brisket special - it was excellent, tender and flavorful without being too fatty. My wife ordered the World's Best Sandwich - it was pretty darn good. We will be back!

The restaurant itself was cute and the server was very friendly. However, our food took over an hour to get to us after we ordered. It was room temperature and just tasted okay. It was our first time, and I'm sad to say we won't be back.

Bad service waited over an hour for food and when it was up watched it sit for another 15 minutes

Super cute local spot with great bartenders and kind staff. We are in town from Chicago and enjoyed the chill ambiance on the patio with friends. My gin martini hit the spot!

Stopped in for a drink on a Saturday afternoon. Restaurant was packed but we found a little spot at the bar. Servers were nice enough. Went for the Bloody Mary and it was okay. Toppings were good, the mix had good flavor but it was very thick and highly seasoned. It was almost a little too much to drink. Not awful but probably wouldn't get it again. Not my style. FYI- cash only

We've been here a few times now and it is definitely one of my favorite food spots in Madison. I haven't had anything bad here yet. The waiters/waitresses are very friendly and will give recommendations for what to try. Its also a really fun setup for the restaurant as there is a patio, bar area/restaurant, and more of a lounge area with a pool table. This time we ordered the Mickey burger and the lonestar. Their namesake burger is very flavorful and well balanced. On the lonestar the tofu had a great marinade and the bread was excellent, nice and soft. The highlight for me however was the cheesecurds. These are the best that I have had in Madison this far for stand alone cheesecurds. The sauce with it could maybe be upgraded, but the curds themselves had a thick enough breading that you could tell it was there and they weren't greasy! We will definitely order these again!

Food was very good. I had a burger here and really enjoyed it. Nothing crazy nice but worth the price.

I've never felt so at home without being at home. Go past the bar into the seating table area and you'll find yourself thinking you're not at a restaurant. Sofas, side tables, dinner tables, everything is fair game. The food was decent. The eggs Benedict was good but nothing that I can say sets it apart as being a signature dish. The biscuits and gravy were okay despite the huge portion of gravy (which I'm always okay with). It's a good place, but at the moment it's not one that I'd be dying to go back to.

Dark bar with TCM playing, umm hell yes!! Food is fabulous, drinks are cheap and decor is cool. I wish I could remember our bartenders name because she was amazing however the alcohol has erased that memory from my brain!

I really like Mickey's. It's a nice little spot that offers a creative (albeit limited) menu, drink specials, and a cool atmosphere. I've been in a handful of times now, and each time has been just fine. Last summer, I was in and had lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. We opted for the outdoor seating and it was wonderful! It's like a little secret garden back there. So cute. It was fairly busy but service was still on point. The food was delish and the drinks were refreshing. I was there again this past weekend for dinner. One bit of advice I would offer is, if you're coming in for dinner, sit in one of the back dining rooms. We took a table up front in the main bar area, and although the table itself was fine (a little chilly in front of a window) the dining room was super loud because of the bar. It was Sunday, after a Packer game, so I would imagine a lot of the patrons in there had been there a while, and they were loud, obnoxious even. It was our own fault for not choosing a spot outside of the bar area, but still annoying. Aside from that, service was good and the food was great! The chili was fantastic! It had HUGE chunks of the most tender, delicious beef. And they didn't skimp! The BBQ pork was very good, and the Sexy Fries were awesome as well. Overall, everything we had was spot on. The ambiance of the bar area is dark and divey, which is a stark difference from the other areas. They are clean and well lit, done in a sort of vintage-chic decor. There is a pool table in the back and lots of little seating through out the various rooms. Super cool place, all in all!

Surprised. It'sa local joint with folks who have been long term patrons and employees there. I was on a long bike ride when I came across this place by accident. Came in and decided to get their Burger. It was one of the best burgers I've had in my life. This experience solidified my impression that Wisconsin has some of the best burgers in the United States. The peppers!

Come here if you're not a fan of those Barbie mimosas. Here you are served a PINT of mimosas like a proper tavern. Pro Tip: get it with no ice = more mimosas. The OJ tasted fresh and not from concentrate, the champagne was a little more dry than I expected, but nonetheless delicious (who complains about a mimosa?!). Oh the Bloodys. $6.50 with lime and lemon wedge, a pickle, and pickled Brussels sprout, onion bulb and a radish. You can choose a craft beer back, we decided on a PBR back that ended up almost as big as a pint. They are busy busy busy, tables are first come first serve. Grab a mug and fill it with Joe or order some drinks from the bar while you stalk a table. Eggs Benedict - Light Hollandaise sauce. Canadian bacon with perfectly poached eggs. The crusty, saltiness of the meat paired well with the quintessential eggs. Arrived with skillet, skin-on potatoes. Mickey's Burger - one of the best burgers I've had around Madison. 1/3 of punch-you-in-your-face meaty goodness with spicy giardiniera and onions strings. House made slaw and kettle chips on the side.

We started of our Sunday Funday with brunch at Mickey's Tavern on Willy Street. It was the first real warm and sunny weekend of spring so their outdoor patio (smoking allowed) was quite crowded. But we managed to get seating for our group of 7 without too long of a wait. We started with drinks- mimosas and their famous bloody mary. I liked my bloody mary (you can order it with or without a beer back, and in a smaller size about the size of an old fashioned glass). It was on the spicy side, heavy on the horseradish but very generous with the pickled garnishes (my fav part!). As for food, don't expect fancy schmancy gourmet dishes. Instead, look forward to enjoying solid, classic brunch dishes. It took some time for our food arrive but we were happy hanging out savoring the sunny day. I had an over easy egg with bacon and potatoes. The egg was cooked just right, bacon was on the crispy side, potatoes were crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside.. yums! You can also substitute the potatoes with greens. My friend had the waffles with fruit and it looked great- with a generous serving of whipped cream. I've also had drinks inside indoors and love the deco. Eclectic vintage mirrors, couches, lamps and art- a cool place to chill with friends. Mickey's is cash only, but they have an ATM in the front.

As a patron of this tavern and friends with many of the people recently described in a review by a person going by the name "Spike H." I felt the need to call this person out. His real name is Ron Witt. He has a history of stalking, some of which have resulted in restraining orders. He has a history of making false allegations and hateful, almost violent speech towards many members of the Willy. St. community. He has stalked a number of close friends of mine to the point of them feeling very unsafe. Don't take my word for it. Search for Ron Witt on facebook and you will see the results of his harassment and vile language towards contributing members of our community. He also seems to have a personal vendetta against people in bands or anyone he considers "hipsters". I would also suggest avoiding online conversations with him as he will send violent vulgar messages to you and harass anyone on your friends list. Beware of RON WITT.

Sunday brunch, not hung over, delicious all the same. Food is so good! We had a variety of menu items among our group of 5, from the biscuits and gravy to the breakfast burrito to the specials du jour, scramble and lox Benedict. Top it off with a waffle with fruit and whipped cream and you'd be hard pressed to leave without a food coma. I've never liked tomato juice and I could take or leave a bloody Mary. But wtf does Mickey add to their bloody Mary? Sooooo good! And a full veggie pickled salad on top really drives it home. Way to go, Mickey! Self-serve coffee was just right. I like being able to warm up my mug at my leisure without having to wait for someone to come check on me. Our server - I swear it's always the same guy - really does a great job of taking care of us. He knows his stuff. Thanks, man. Started our Sunday off right. Remember: this is a cash-only establishment with ATM on site.

Outstanding as always. Sandwich was fresh and delicious. Service was kind and attentive. Rum rickie was on special and I looveed it.

Five stars just for the cheese curds. Also five stars for being a safe/welcoming place to the madison LGBTQIA+ community!

I want this to be a five star place, but I almost always leave brunch at Mickey's a little disappointed. The bloody mary is a must. Although it's sometimes a little too spicy, the garnishes are spot on. I also love the rosemary toast that is an option with most brunch entrees. Plus, there is great outdoor seating (smoking is allowed outside), and dogs can dine on the patio. And inside is also pretty great - quirky and comfortable. But, it's too inconsistent for me. On my most recent visit, they had no breakfast specials - which is kind of a big deal because the brunch menu is relatively small. I ended up with two eggs, toast, and bacon. More of a problem, though, the service on the last visit wasn't very attentive. The wait for everything was VERY long even though there were many open tables. Also - cash only, ATM on site.

Tried the pork sandwich and it was really really great. The meat was juicy and tender. The BBQ sauce was tangy and sweet and paired amazingly with the meat. This is my second time at this place and both times I've been very happy with the food. The decor is also fantastic.

We stopped in on our way into Madison for a show. It was easy to find but they don't have much parking. We were just glad we didn't have to fight the crowds on State Street. This is not a good place for large groups. There aren't many large tables, they won't split a check, and you have to pay in cash (however they do have an ATM). Also there's a small, but solid, menu so there may not be something for everyone. That being said, the service was exceptional--even when we asked for substitutions or spilled the last bit of a drink--and the food was delicious. My burger was almost too juicy and the portions of all of our orders, even the salad, were pretty generous. And we needed it, because we also enjoyed their full list of cocktails made with a heavy pour. I would definitely recommend this tavern to a friend and I hope I'll be able to visit again.

Excellent little spot to have lunch and a cold refreshment! *Friendly staff & one of the best spicy Bloody Mary's! ~ I highly Recommend, and don't forget to order their Amazing Dirty Fries.

This is my favorite bar in Madison. Always comfortable. Never packed shoulder-to-shoulder with other patrons. The staff are great, the beer taps are various and reasonably priced. Why ya really ought to go, and this is a not-very-well-kept secret, is that the food is AMAZING. The dinner is great, but the brunch is truly PHENOMENAL. Seriously, go check it out! Have a beer with breakfast, I won't judge!

I was told that this was the classic midwestern bar brunch and it didn't disappoint. My bloody mary was solid and came with (as is apparently common practice around these parts) a small cup of PBR as well. I don't know why I'd need a beer chaser but getting both for $6.50 is a steal. I am no fan of brunch generally. It's usually an expensive pain in the ass that I can't be bothered to go out for. But not at Mickey's. The prices and value are good, and it's lack of presumption means you can just enjoy your weekend morning booze and eggs in peace.

For weekend brunch, two words: breakfast burrito! I like mine with a side salad, but you can have breakfast potatoes if you don't plan on eating until Monday. Oh, be sure to have an amazing bloody with that burro.

Great college-type breakfast place. It has some seriously delicious pancakes and incredible corned beef hash!

Very good burgers-with the upgrade @sexy fries" (cottage fries with truffle oil and parm) $11! That was a something. They don't take credit cards- they have an atm - why do I want to pay$3.50 in fees so they don't have to pay 2-3%? I'd rather pay a processing fee of 30 cents or roll it into a tip. Stop doing that- no one likes that.

All restaurants were busy in this area so let's pop into Mickeys. Matter a fact I love dives as they can be hidden jewels. So maybe this wasn't the night, the service was lacking. I'm thinking maybe laughter, good music, etc (no). Food was ok as I didn't expect much but something solid. They have a great location but maybe some adjustments needed.

Came here on a weeknight. Told myself that I would only go in if I found a parking spot in their tiny lot. SO SO glad there was. Time Lapse of Night: 8:00 - walk in & had a seat at bar. 8:01 - Ordered Sexy Fries (sm) & Bloody Mary. 8:10 - Bloody arrives 8:15 - Sexy fries arrives 8:15-8:45 - Txted,eat, chatted with bartenders 8:45-? - Someone finally sat next to me. Thus chatted and meant more people. Sexy Fries your so fine.The small size could feed at least 2 people. Thinly cut. Great balance of some slices extra crispy, some soft. Drizzled with just the right amount of truffle oil and topped with a snow shower of parmesan. The Bloody Mary is so far the best on my quest to try as many at any establishment that carries them. Just look at my picture you can see the shredded horseradish and ground pepper. Almost creamy, super rich and kickin. The bartenders were on top of asking if needed anything and friendly. An atmosphere of it's own that worth checkin out. Great diverse crowd. Glad to say that my first time in bar by myself was memorable and not scary. You did good Mickey's

Ok, yeah. I'm a fan of Mickey's. I've been going there for years because they have great food, drinks, music, and especially atmosphere. But the star that's missing here is the star for customer service...actually, just plain kindness/friendliness. Too many times recently have the bartenders here snubbed me while trying to get a drink and then projected straight-up condescension when they finally "deign" to speak to me. I don't feel like the vibes here were always this cruel. But it's gotten to a point where I have to brace myself for it anytime I want to order a drink. It doesn't need to be this way. If Mickey's fixed this they'd win the fifth star, and my heart!

I had never been to this place but was pleasantly surprised by how good their food was! I had the vegetarian quesadilla and that was scrumptious. It was not just overloaded with cheese like most. My husband got the lamb burger and he really liked it. They gladly subbed out the English muffin for a regular bun with no issues. The sexy fries were awesome and would recommend the small up charge to get them. They are a cross between French fries and potato chips with a hint of truffle oil Parmesan and a few other flavors. One of the appetizers our friends got was a green chile with pork served with warm soft tortilla shells. We tried it and were blown away. Forgot what it was called on the menu but I don't think we will ever visit there again without ordering that. Highly recommend grabbing a drink and some grub here!