Maduro

August 18, 2008
I visited here for the pre party Bells event, with 18 Bells beers on tap. Through conversation I heard that last year’s event was slightly superior (as to the Bells selections). A very impressive Bells collection of beers, however, as Bells distributes in MN, the smoked porter and spiced stout were the only ones I don’t have access to currently (unfortunately they ran out of Batch 6000 by the time we got there). Small bar, reminded me of my college days, long and thin with not much breathing room. Obviously, cigar smoke permiated the air, although it wasn’t unbearable.

August 12, 2008
Fun place. Second time there was smokier than the first. Lots of good booze to choose from.

April 7, 2008 [ Updated May 19, 2008 ]
This is the place in Madison, and quite frankly stands up to many of the ’famous’ beer bars in larger cities. It’s laid back and perhaps only flawed by cigar smoke. Service is near perfect compared to any famous beer bar...Vanessa runs a tight ship. The tap selection is always interesting/pleasing...only draw back is lack of bottles...if they had a massive bottle list...this place could probably compete for best bar in the midwest against the Maproom and such. No food.

March 22, 2008
Great atmosphere here. The cigar part of it does subtract a point or two, but I’d take this over a cigarette filled bar any day. Great tap and bottle selection including bells (hopslam, expo, two hearted, etc.) cantillon, duchess, and others. Bartenders know what they are doing and serve your beer in the proper glass and don’t dump out the head. One of them came up to me and chit chatted about the beer as well as any beer geek could. Very clean, very comfortable. They had a guy singing some lounge tunes one of the night we went. I’d come back any time.

January 8, 2008
I hit up Maduro the night before GTMW for the Bell’s event, which will certainly influence my review.. There were 18 Bell’s beers on tap, which was entirely amazing! The bar was crowded, and as mentioned, it’s a cigar bar, and I do not smoke.. so I’m not too likely to return (save for a similar event). Seating was eclectic and the atmosphere was dark and cool. From my understanding, the tap list is usually very good.

August 30, 2007

I am basing this review on the Bell’s pre-GTMW party. Since it is a smoking bar (cigars and pipes only) I probably won’t be back.

The tap list is usually excellent and diverse. Space can be cramped but if you can find seating there are comfortable leather couches. The atmosphere is dark and moody. I can imagine that with the regular cigar smoke it might affect the taste of beers. On the other hand it is a huge step up from cigarette infested bars and brewpubs.

August 14, 2007
I was here for the Bell party the night before GTMW. Small finger foods were served, but I’m guessing that’s not the norm. 18 taps. The smell of cigars in the air. Sort of small, but the place is kind of cool with the couches and all. I enjoyed my time there.

May 24, 2007
A cool little place. Opens at 8PM on Sunday. They don’t have food but have menus from local places for you to order in. Even empty and just opened the smell of pipes and cigars is strong. You have to go outside to smoke cigarettes. Rotating tap selection. Vanessa is as interested in new beers as you are. Only a few select bottles. Great service. Great place.

May 24, 2007
The tap selection is eclectic and great. I had a Samiclaus on tap there that night, they always have a hand pump cask of something going it was the Bell’s Two hearted and Vanessa knows her liquor, beer and in her own way hot. All in all a must visit.

May 7, 2007
Maduro has that classic "discerning man’s" (or woman’s) atmoshpere, with great cigars, wine, Scotch, and martinis in addition to a dozen or so great beers on tap. It’s relaxing in a timeless way, with solo drinkers reading newspapers at the bar while groups relax on the couches in a jazzy ambience. I suspect the tap lines are ruthlessly cleaned here, because more than once I’ve tried a new beer at Maduro and found it outstanding, only to try it a second time somewhere else and find it not quite as good as I’d remembered (or maybe the great atmosphere just biases me). The women tending bar are wonderfully knowledgable. Rotating selection, although Bell’s gets a well-deserved emphasis. Happy hour prices are phenomenally good.