Village Bar

Welcoming "dive" place. Nice atmosphere. Decided on a 'Brick' burger. Turns out to be grilled burger with ample Wisconsin cheddar just the way it ought to be... Man food. Seasoned fries were perfect. Add your favorite adult beverage and watch the game. Close to heaven for you, your friends and even family friendly. Papa G approved!!

Usually love it here, but the service was quite bad this visit. Additional info - we visited around 7:30 on 6/25. The bar was full, but most of the tables were open. After taking a table I went to the bar to order, ordered a couple burgers, fries, a beer in a can and one on tap. Got the can right away. Stood at the bar for 5 minutes for the tap. The younger female bar tender was at the other end of the bar engaging with patrons that seemed to be regulars. I finally got the attention of the guy at the grill and he got the beer. Food delivery and food were fine. Same type of delay when I paid. Waited and waited at the bar while the same bartender was serving a group that she seemed to know. Finally, another customer at the bar flagged her down. I paid and left.

Doing the simple menu right. No lettuce or tomato but my burger didn’t need it, it was fantastic! Bar, grill and bar tables were clean and kept well. Staff was very friendly, I was able to watch the golfers across the street and fellow regulars were also quite nice. Highly recommend for a beer and burger!

Some of the best burgers you will ever have. Get the brick burger! Unbelievable atmosphere with a view of the golf course that can’t be beat. Quick service from people that care. This is a quintessential Midwest bar, mixed with the best burgers you will have and great views. Check this place out.

I love this place! Simple food in a comfortable old school tavern atmosphere. The hot dogs and burgers and fries are well made to order and served hot on little paper plates. Prices are very modest.

A nice little bar to experience and appreciate a quaint Wisconsin welcome, hidden right in the center of the greater Madison area. The drinks are priced at a point where they seem to keep on flowing. The food is made with care having a very classic, home sort of style, although I'd tell my old uncle on the grill it's time to go to bed if he wanted me to pay him 8 bucks for the same burger as here.

First time eating here, and it was excellent across the board. My brother and I rolled into to town late looking for a place to eat, but there were not many options on the West side apart from a few bars and fast food. So glad we decided to come here. We got the Brickburgers with large fries and it was perfect. The menu is simple, but if everything is as good as what we ordered, then you can't go wrong with anything. So many bars/restaurants over think the burger with all the special sauces, unnecessary toppings, and then they over cook the meat or ingredients are too salty/just don't work which leaves me disappointed and out $15-$20. I've become so disappointed with many restaurant burgers, that I usually just make them at home instead. I just want a good, solid burger for a decent price... ENTER VILLAGE BAR TO THE RESCUE!!! Their burger was basic (buns, caramalized onions, brick cheese, pickles), but very affordable ($7-8) and absolutely delicious. The chef was not only hilarious and great to talk to at the bar, but he cooked everything perfectly. Meat was juicy (not close to overcooked), generous amount of cheese was well melted, caramalized onions seasoned nicely, (not too salty), buns were soft but had a nice toast crisp, and pickles were spot on. This location has restored my faith in bar/restaurant burgers, and at the price there is zero reason/excuse to go to a fast food joint especially when this place is serving this quality at this price. The fries were also spectacular. Big, crispy, well seasoned but not too salty, and the large basket is a perfect size to split. The chef said that he is trained in multiple areas of the culinary arts for many years, so it was fun to talk to him briefly about food. It seemed like he could probably start his own Michelin Star restaurant, but his gastronomical overqualification did not diminish his energy and passion for cooking something as "simple" as a delicious burger to serve a hungry customer. His sunny disposition, energy, and masterful cooking really made it an excellent experience. The atmosphere is cozy but not overly small, and it has enough decorations to keep you visually stimulated for a while. It also has quite a few large TVs, so it would be great for watching sporting events. Maybe it was coincidence or maybe it was fate that brought us into this bar late last night, we are so thankful that we chose this spot and that our glorious gastronomical gourmet guardian kept the griddle going. I don't live in Madison and I rarely eat out, but if I did, I would become a regular here. An absolutely outstanding establishment that has restored by faith in the good ole burger and fry combo. Ditch fast food (for a variety of reasons) and restaurants that overcharge for mediocre burgers and come here instead. More is not always better for a burger, and you won't regret adding this location to your evening.

Old time neighborhood bar with affordable, good bar including great hamburgers & french fries. Food is delivered to tables. Free, hilly offs-street parking lot with somewhat difficult parking. Not extremely accessible entrances with numerous steps. Limited table and bar seating. Great sports memorabilia.

I stopped by to have a quick lunch. I went for their signature item - Brickburger. It was good. It had a thick slice of cheese on top of burger patty. The fries were real crisp. Prices were reasonable. They now take credit card. The place has an old but lively vibe.

Not a very busy day for some good burgers. Lots to look at while you eat. Bar is comfortable not too loud and many regular patrons made it a nice place

Amazing burger, nice char, perfect bun cooked to perfection with the works. Great friendly service & a great sports bar vibe with some cool vintage decor. If you like it hot ask for the scorpion hot sauce! Wowsers!

I really wanted to love this place, but it was just okay. We went shortly after opening one Sunday morning to watch football games (non-Packer). You order at the bar and the staff are very friendly, but it's hard to know the options since only one limited beer list and one limited food menu are displayed. I didn't know I could get a bloody Mary until I saw someone else with one. I also didn't know you could get double burgers as this isn't listed on the menu either. Or the onions. The atmosphere was really nice and I loved the sports and other decor, plus the golf course views and large windows, but a better way of providing menu options would have helped improve the experience.

I can see why this is such a Madison staple- what a charming little neighborhood bar! Fun tchotchkes on the walls and ceiling, and a gorgeous backdrop of windows that looks out to the golf course across the street. It was a sunny day, so it was nice sitting at the bar and watching players on the putting green. The menu is hung up on the wall, and I noticed that the Brickburger was featured on the Travel Channel! Of course I had to get it, and I was definitely not disappointed. SO. MUCH. CHEESE. Smother everything in cheese, please. The fried onions were the perfect accompaniment. The fries were so-so, so I asked for some ranch, but that was bland. I was so full from the burger that it didn't really matter though. The bartenders were super friendly and attentive! I really hope the Village Bar sticks around forever.

I had eaten at Village Bar years ago, and recalled it being very good. Just went again and can confirm - yes, very good! For starters, this place isn't very big. And parking is very limited. If you can't park in the tiny (and hard to navigate) parking lot, you'll probably walk a good block or so (still worth it). Inside, things are fairly cramped. My mom said that some of her elderly friends, especially those with walkers, would not do well here. Floor space is hard to find as they put as many tables out as they can. The bathroom is small and cramped as well. Need a menu? It's up on the wall (bring glasses if you need them!). Ready to order? Head up to the bar to order. Very old school. Staff were plenty friendly. I ordered their famous "brick burger". I *definitely* recommend getting fried onions on it - it's an amazing combo! The fries are fresh and tasty.

Village Bar - across the street from The Glen Golf Park. The Village Bar (and its kin) are *exactly* what bars ought to be. No arugula here and no need :) prowly not a lot of gluten-free either. Food is amazing and a bargain - look at the menu. Service is fast and friendly & generally-gentle with the post-Badgers victory 'hangover' crowd. Ambiance is full-on Madison, WI. Aside from a flat-panel monitor or two, you can't tell exactly what year it is & timelessness is a good thing. Head on in to the Village Bar, have a burger & beer and enjoy some genuine Wisconsin hospitality.

I enjoyed this place. I enjoyed the vibe. Friendly service and the food was delicious as well. It's definitely a Madison institution and what they serve is right up my alley. They keep it simple, with quality. I ordered the Brick Burger w/grilled onions. Quality item and I love brick cheese. It's my favorite cheese and you'd be hard pressed to find that as an option for a burger. I didn't order the fries, but they looked crisp and delicious as well. My only qualm is the prices. Either I don't make enough money, or I'm out of touch. Any way you hash it, It's no bargain. Madison is a beautiful city to visit and the drive through the neighborhood is very nice. Cool, niche place, with cute decor. Definitely worth a stop. Have a King Kan and enjoy yourself.

I absolutely love the atmosphere of this place! My coworkers and I come here often to grab a couple beers and wind down after extensive lab work. The staff here are super friendly and the locals here are very inviting and friendly as well. Shout out to Alice for making our experience memorable with her nursing stories. She's a a sweetheart with a mighty voice. This place can get packed during/after Badger games. However, the Village maintains their ability to provide great customer service, strong cocktail drinks, and delicious food no matter what the crowd may be. The cheeseburgers here are absolutely delicious! You won't regret stopping in.

Great Burgers , great service , great decor , awful parking . I suggest you carpool to the place friendly neighborhood vibe , great bar staff with sense of humor . A landmark in Madison bar history!

Came here with my son as we've heard about their famous brick burgers. Bartenders are friendly and there's a regular crowd, even on rainy days across the golf course. Fries were fresh and crispy. Burgers and chicken sandwich were juicy and loaded with hunks of melted cheese. Has firefighter and old car/racing theme.

Amazing burgers overall, but exceptional when you consider the price. So many places overcharge, add too many ingredients, overcook, and think the customer wants a pile of salt. The burgers we got were cooked PERFECTLY to retain the juices and seal in the flavor. Fries are also flavorful, crispy, well seasoned, and a good size. Enjoy the wonderful service, atmosphere, delicious burgers, and a pitcher. Highly recommend.

My favorite bar/grill in Madison. Simple and perfect. Oktoberfest on tap all year round and the Brick Burger is excellent. No need for condiments just onions. Love this place.

We had lunch here today. My pepper jack burger was delicious - fully cooked and juicy! The Brick burger was great too and the fries were seasoned, hot and crispy! You order at the bar and they delivered it quickly to our table. We'd never been there before but it's a favorite of our family. When we entered, we were surprised to see all the cool things hanging from the ceiling and loved the shadow box style table we were seated at - it was full of PEZ dispensers! The guys sitting behind us were playing cards and all in all, it felt like a perfect neighborhood bar!

Great neighborhood bar that also offers a nice selection of burgers, sandwiches, and fries which are cooked right in front of you behind bar. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Place isn't real large, so get there early if you want a good seat. They also offer one authentic German beer on tap...nice to see with so many places offering only the ubiquitous Anheuser Busch swill. Dae on the grill does a fantastic job @ cooking and assembling the food. Class act.

Friendly place with great staff and excellent food. The bar is perfect size with a nice view of the golf course.

Great burgers & great fries! Plenty of parking, lots of seating & cool memorabilia. Service was excellent over the top for local bar! Tables reminded us if Ellis Deli with cool UW Madison nicknacks!

The Village bar is a must go to for our family! When Covid hit and they closed we truly craved a brick burger and their fries! They have changed ownership since reopening but the food remains just as good! It's a small place, but the prices are great, and the quantity of food you get can't be beat! The tables are all different themed with different memorabilia in them which are fun to look at. There is also memorabilia all over the place, I think every time I have been there I have found something new! When you go get a brick burger!!! They are amazing! We always get our fried extra crispy! Staff is friendly and make sure you get served in a timely matter!

My first visit to Village Bar did NOT disappoint! It started raining during our golf game at The Glen so we headed over for some food and drinks. The staff strongly recommended the brickburger with grilled onions and it was awesome. Great flavor and lots of cheese. The french fries were super hot and crispy. My friends got brats and really enjoyed them. Friendly staff, fun atmosphere. Limited parking in the back, but we would've walked from the golf course if it wasn't raining!

Great burgers, brats, summer sausage, pork, chicken and, yes, liver sausage on rye sandwiches. Local meats and award winning cheeses. Reasonably priced food and cocktails. Friendly staff. Wonderful view of golf course.

Excellent service. Impenetrable vibe. Game is one. View of the golf course is stunning. Most excellent tavern cheese burger.

Look, I love The Village. Been going for years. Love their burgers and fries and the fact it's in the neighborhood. But some of the staff is truly the worst, rudest and antagonistic people I've ever experienced in a restaurant and after today my twice a week visits are ending. I'll go somewhere else. I don't care if you mess up an order. Mistakes happen. And it's the neighborhood so we're all gonna go with the flow. But to treat customers with such disdain, to get sarcastic with us when we point out NICELY that we got half of the food we ordered, and then to charge us full price anyway??? Worst. Service. Ever. The rude vibe used to work at Ed Debevic's. But this ain't Chicago. It's Westmorland. I'll go to Blue Moon or G&B where they at least pretend to give a crap. I'll go there until the owners realize how uneven their service is. To quote our lovely bartender today...read the room. I know it's hard to find good help. Is it worth having rude help when you start to lose the neighborhood? Bye, Village!

I only had a cheese burger and a beer, so hardly seems like I have enough to write a review with, but this seems to be a simple no-nonsense kind of place with a small menu board (on the wall above the window next to the bar and front entrance), so maybe I did get the gist of it. One gentleman was bartending, nearly all of the bar stools were full, but none of the tables. The bartender was busy enough, yet I did not wait long to be greeted, and he was ready to take my order. I placed my order at the bar (as a sign on the wall directed) and went to a table. The entire place looked clean and well-kept. I grabbed a table near the window and was amused by the collection of Pez dispensers under the glass. Each table had it's own theme. The table to my left had baseballs and baseball bats under the glass. The bartender brought my cheeseburger out after a few minutes and complimented my beer choice, Schlitz. It seemed like this was the kind of bar and bar crowd where I'd fit in better with a Schlitz. I read the room right, apparently. The cheeseburger (with American cheese, as I requested) was served on small Styrofoam plate with a few pickle slices. It was simplicity at it's best. The burger patty was somewhat thin but stuck out around the soft, yet toasted, burger bun. I loved every bite! My bill was $8.75 for a cheeseburger and a bottle of beer. This is my kind of place. I can see myself coming back here again, and I recommend it.

friendly staff and lively environment. The burgers are very good for bar food, and the prices are not bad. It is especially nice after a round of golf

Outstanding brick burger. Full of flavor and steamed melty cheese. Great service. Can't wait to be back!!

Love this place! Friendly, welcoming and a great cheese burger! Perfect example of a Midwest pub.

Brick Burger was unreal! Service was great and so was the atmosphere! We will be back!

The spot. I've only been in dreams, because it's always a dream come true. They don't make em' like this anymore.

A Madison landmark. Probably the best burgers in the city,the beer is cold and the view of the golf course is amazing.

Should be on your list of great Madison burgers to try. Tons of cool Badger memorabilia

Brick Burger! As in, the thick slab of soon-to-be melted gooey-ness cut straight from a "Brick of Wisconsin" Cheese! "If I new nothing else about you at all, that would be enough"-A Knight's Tale! But let's get down to why we are here... gastronomic bucket list... also known as, Chowdown Countdown. Watch the YouTube video! Who throws ice on the grill? Oh yeah... anyone who knows how to "steam-fry" (is that a word) a moist delicious burger, that makes people travel from all over the country to this non-credit card taking dive bar! If you really want to get in good... you can sit at the bar and talk football! Although the Packers are obvious, a lot of good Cleveland football was discussed in this bar as well! Let me tell you something... Burger, Cheese, Salt & Pepper-... everyone else is just covering up their own inadequacies! 5 STARS!Pickle on the side

I went there and had the brick cheeseburger that was featured on a TV show and it was awesome! I now know why it has been on TV. Much better than a lot of other burger places that I've been to, they actually season their burgers! The brick cheese (made in nearby Green County) made it deliciously ooey-gooey. Good thing the staff is super quick with loads of much-needed napkins. The place was extremely clean. The owner stated he has deep cleaning done every few weeks in addition to daily cleaning. It's just incredible the amount of things he has shown all over (even on the ceiling) and they're all clean. Unbelievable for a local "dive bar." My wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly and will definitely go back several times.

A small bar with great service, even when packed. I'm on a plant based diet but cheated and had the brick burger. It was one of my great life decisions. Phenomenal burger!

Visited Village Bar for a cheeseburger and fries on a Saturday afternoon with a party of two. It's a friendly neighborhood bar, where food is ordered at the bar and made to order. The burgers were simple and delicious, and the fries were fresh and crispy. Two cheeseburgers, fries, and two Cokes was around $15. I'll definitely go back!

Mrs. T and I went here because we saw they had the "Best Burger" for Wisconsin on the Travel Channel, it was relatively close to us, and we needed a place to watch the Packer game. I was skeptical when I saw the prices were so low -- I know it's bar fare but they had television acclaim so I figured they'd be more expensive but hey -- I wasn't about to argue. Their burger deserves the acclaim -- it was amazing. The variety of bar food on their menu also deserves attention; It's very "Wisconsin", even moreso than most Madison bars. On subsequent visits I tried different items including a grilled braunschweiger sandwich. The did great with all the items I tried. Seating is limited (it's a bar after all), they are cash only (they have an ATM -- but still), and I found some of the Pez tables to be a bit campy but a little charming but those really are the only downsides. Certainly not enough to drop the 5th star. While it's not classy upscale dining there is something said about doing something simple but doing it well. That's the Village Bar.

Nice little dive bar. Decent atmosphere, cheap beer and burgers. They do not accept cards though, bring your cash. There's a Pokemon gym right inside so collect your poke swag while you're here.

I'm hesitant to write a 5 star review for Village Bar because I don't want people to go there. It's the best dive bar in town. The bartenders are always really friendly, the crowd is best during a sporting event, and you should come hungry cuz their bar food is legit. The brick burger is nothing fancy, it's just straight up good food. My only real complaint is that it's not super attractive to bring the WAGS because they don't serve any cider or wine, and the food menu is a little short. Maybe it's for the best though, we can keep the Village just for the guys.

I mean come on, it's The Village Bar! Does it really need my review, a mere mortal who's lived in the Westmorland neighborhood for a brief 18 years? I truly have nothing bad to say, why bother! Cozy, friendly and a bit grimy, this classic tavern makes golfers from the nearby Glenway golf course feel as welcome as the group of mommies from up the street. You can still see a slight cigarette smoke haze but that adds to the relaxed ambiance. Embrace it. Drinking is the primary goal here but let's face it, the Village burgers are legendary. The small menu (if you don't like it, head to your nearest Applebee's) is easy and tasty. I've always stuck with the classic cheeseburger and it's never let me down. Fries are great too. The "cheese plate" is kinda sad if you're expecting some fancy schmancy assortment of speciality cheeses, not happening here. Enjoy the saltines and cheddar cheese squares! Great beer assortment (some craft/some classic), awesome old fashioned's and a good variety of tunes on the jukebox complete the experience here. Bring cash or expect to hit the ATM - credit cards not accepted!

Very tasty and inexpensive burger-- the one star review is due to the fact that my friend and I, who both had the same thing, both got FOOD POISONING the next day.

Great place to hang out with friends and make new ones. Alice is the greatest bartender ever. She makes everyone feel like family.

Boooo. This used to be my go to spot when I came to town. I wouldn't go there again even if there was free beer! It pains me to say that; but true. Argumentative bartender and charged me wrong on the bill. Not what it used to be. If the Travel Channel ever went there again, it should be titled, "places not visit" Steer clear!

Good burgers and friendly service. "Kitchen" is just a nook on the side of the bar. The menu consists of 7 sandwiches, sirloin, cheeseburger, hamburger, brat, pork chop, summer sausage, and chicken breast. They don't do lettuce and tomato, only pickles and onions (raw or fried). Try the brick cheese with your cheeseburger or cheese plate. Very homey setup with family - friendly service. Tip: you must order at the bar!

I like to consider myself as a bit of a burger connoisseur - yes, such a thing exists! I will search far and wide (though, I'm not sure that's the actual expression) for a great burger. I've heard many a tale of the great Village Bar burger, that uses the power of steam to cook their burgers. But it is a mere dive bar, surely you don't mean that a cash only location such as this has mastered the art of frying a burger. Aye! I have tasted its divine glory! Now, a burger that can make me feel like I need to write in the style of a medieval knight on an epic quest must mean it's a good eat (I hate the medieval theme so much - it just happened, I'm sorry). Back to the burger. I don't know quite how to describe the 'moistness' of the actual patty - it wasn't that it was 'juicy' because often juicy means messy. No, this was something else, burgers can easily get dry if you cook it too long, this patty was far from that, in fact it was quite the opposite. Top it with cheese and place the pickles on the side (thank you - didn't realize I needed to ask without pickles, glad to see they weren't served on my burger) and I think I just enjoyed what everyone has been raving about. The Village Bar - you a quite a vintage little place aren't you? I'm not particularly fond of dive bars, but they had so much classic memorabilia displayed in the table that made for a nice little search and discover during my wait for food. They also have plenty of tvs (even some flat screens) to watch the game of your choosing. I must say, I was annoyed that they don't take cards, though I'm sure my review won't be changing that anytime soon - at least they have an ATM accessible inside the bar. There is just something about that burger that will have me stopping in again and bringing friends as they stop in town for a visit. For that reason, and that reason alone - The Village Bar has earned all five of my stars that I have to give.

Much a-do about nothing.... This pretty much explains my thoughts on the Village Bar. Since my first time included an awkward "Its not you, its me" conversation (Just a tip: Wait to have this conversation after you have eaten vs. before ordering to avoid awkward silence), I have been back a few times to see if it can deliver what people have been writing. And....it can't. Yes, it is a nice neighborhood bar. Yes, the bartenders and crowd are a decent and friendly bunch. But no, the food doesn't elevate itself from just being "bar food". If you are in the neighborhood, stop in. But if you are truly searching for great burgers, try any of the 5-10 places that do it a whole lot better.

Remember Mr. Martini's bar in Bedford Falls? Sorta like that without the Italian accents. A snug little neighborhood bar with nice waitstaff. Big TVs behind the bar mean you can watch the Brewers or Packers but the sound is kept low so you can still talk. The brick burger is awesome. The fries are hot and crisp. So basically is the best publike bar in Madison. No drink frat boys. Family-friendly for sure. Cash or local check only... but there's an ATM that charges 2 bucks. Take cash. I grew up in California, where the bars were more like Nick's bar after George Bailey never existed. This place is a treasure. Funny thing is I don't even drink and I still feel very welcome.

Cheap and delicious burgers await all who dare. Overlooking a beautiful golf course with plenty of cold PBR on tap. It just doesn't get any better than this. P.S. the bartender is a hoot!

Very simple menu, this is a bar with a small menu of food options BUT their burgers are cooked to perfection and tasty. If you're craving a beer and burger this is a good place to go. Cash only.

This is a nice little neighborhood tavern that serves up some amazing burgers. It's all I've ever eaten here, and I actually don't know if they serve anything else... I never look at the menu, I always order the same thing. If you're here to pregame before a Badger event, get a Bloody Mary, they're very tasty here.

Good excellent Service and Brick Burgers. The atmosphere is not bar like it gives me a feeling of the good old days . It feels like home