A solid spot for lounge-lizarding at Genna's Lounge. Â We sat outside on a warm summer Madison evening enjoying mojitos. Â The waitress asked if we'd like to start a tab...seemed like a good idea. Â She then asked to take my credit card and hold on to it...not a good idea; we'll pay cash.
The other odd thing about the evening was the homeless dude who shambled up to the table next to us and started a conversation with them. Â After the usual exchange of pleasantries, the gentleman shambled off to parts unknown. Â What was remarkable about this situation was the killer bike he had; I wish I could afford a $2k bike. Â Was this bike a gift? Â Was it obtained mischievously? Â I'm not sure, but I do know that he can cruise Madison with the minimal effort that only carbon fiber can bring.
I like this place; it feels a touch like the place to go if you want to be seen - you know, similar to LA's "The Ivy" or "The Palm" but without the celebrities or paparazzi.
The outdoor seating area is enjoyable; table service was fairly prompt, despite the sea of people doing their best to impede the servers path from bar to patio. I saw some pretty talented manuevers from the servers as the night progressed.
Drink prices were a tad high - $5 pints for most things; happy hour does afford a 40% discount for certain brews and drinks.
And, I did (insert loud gasp) visit the restroom here... and I don't understand some of the reviews that reference how sketchy or bad they are. Seemed like a normal, well lit, clean restroom to me (and I'm a neat freak).
So... I'm unlikley to make this a regular, must-stop place for drinks, but if I found myself on the square, thirsty and wanting to enjoy a good pub, I'd swing by.
There's a spot within my heart reserved exclusively for Genna's. Â Great weekly Happy Hour pricing, fun and friendly staff and location relative to the Capital Square make this a "must stop" on Saturday mornings after the farmer's market. Â I did read prior comments about the upstairs bathroom, and yes, I agree, it's a total disaster zone up there (I wonder if the lock has been fixed). Â I generally stay on the main floor.
The outdoor patio area is the place to be mid-afternoon on a sunny day!
I like that Genna's in the early part of the day. Â You can have a seat and enjoy their vast selection of beers. Â I am always impressed by their staff and their service..
HOWEVER! Â After 9? Â Not my scene. Â It is SO loud and so packed. Â The bathroom upstairs is place right off of the path to the bar. Â It is so congested and never comfortable. Â The music is not very trendy so they have a niche crowd. Â
If you plan to drink a ton, do not go upstairs if you are wearing heels. Â The stairs are steep and as a lady who likes to wear wedges, it is not conducive to boozing. Â Â
This is definitely a place I like to hit up early evening on a summer day. Â They have a nice outdoor patio.
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.
Now that I've had an opportunity to sit upstairs at Genna's and downstairs at Genna's I can safely say I'm a fan.
Ah who am I kidding, I was a fan the moment I walked in on a blustery day in December when everything else was closed because of the snowpocalypse but they opened up to serve me alcohol.
Well, not just me. There were a couple of other people there.
Genna's would totally be my "Cheers" if it weren't for the following things:
1. There's no great seat at the bar, you're always in someones way.
2. It's a who's who of Epic employees and it fills up fast on the weekend when they reunite on the capitol after not seeing one another for a day.
3. There's no live studio audience.
There are a ton of things though I dig, including Ale Asylum's Nutbrown on tap (please never do away with this), the cool nooks and crannies upstairs for sitting, the local music scene, the SUPER attentive staff and the random ass wreath situation that was going on in December. Whacked out greenery decked the walls by a local artist and I have to say there was more than one occasion where $45 seemed like a fair price for a one of a kind wreath on crack. I distinctly remember one night looking at 3 different ones wondering which was better, but I was never drunk enough to go through with it and always wondered what it would be like to walk my purchase down East Wash back home.
Ahhhhh, why am I so practical!
Genna's has quickly become a favorite place to stop after a dinner or show downtown. It's got a cool atmosphere, isn't overrun by college students, and has a good beer and drink selection.
My only complaint was the lack of cleanliness in the bathrooms. I'm cool with the way the embrace graffiti-ed walls, but that doesn't mean that the facilities can't be clean!
Sure, the staff can be rude and the bathrooms are never very clean...but Genna's attracts such an eclectic crowd that you sort of give them a pass on the minor imperfections. Â They make great drinks which don't break the bank, there are never throngs of college kids here, and the outdoor seating is among Madison's best. Â
It beats having a drink at TGI Friday's, kids...
Great outdoor seating. Â Great happy hour deals. Â However, there are no food or snacks available for purchase. Â They do, however, have chips and nacho cheese, meat balls, veggie sticks (such as carrots or celery with ranch), small cuts of cheese, etc available inside near the bar area for you to grab.
Maybe I was expecting bar food just like everywhere else I've been to. Â Our party was quickly seated outside after a pretty long drive from Chicago. Â We were hungry and exhausted. Â Unfortunately they didn't have food :/ and their Mojito was pretty bad, to a point where I didn't drink mine. Â
But I did enjoy trying out their beers :)
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...
Genna's is one of the best bars in Madison, hands down. Â
If you are up by the state capital, and you want a frosty beverage, head to Genna's. Â Genna's is special to locals and grad students. Â It is mainly free of undergrads, so if you are looking to meet someone they will most likely be over the age of 21. Â
It also has that cozy, yet slightly retro vibe to it, that makes it feel like the bar hasn't changed in 20 years. Â They have an upstairs where they have a DJ on the weekends that spins solid tunes. Â 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. Â All in all its good people watching and good times. Â Don't miss out if you are in Madison for an evening.
Genna's has got a very classic feel. Â I dig this place.
It's welcoming, the staff is decent and the drinks are solid. Â It's a place to relax, grab a table with some friends, have a few too many drinks and listen to some GREAT music - You know a place is good when they take their jukebox seriously. Â
If you're looking for a college bar, this isn't it... Â It definitely can be a hip and pretentious at times, but who cares. Â Have another drink and quit worrying about it
If you aren't wearing toms, skinny jeans, and those large hipster glasses, do yourself a favor and don't come here. Â 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. Â When the door guy is mean to you because you smiled... you know you're in the wrong place. Â 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. Â Try King & Mane.
Pretentious hippies and rude staff, but cheapest happy hour.
As a grad student I was looking forward to going to a non-college bar in Madison but was extremely disappointed with Genna's. Â Even tried the bar two separate times to give it a fair shot after reading the stellar reviews.
Drink prices aren't great outside of happy hour. Â The guy who works the door purposely slammed it in our faces on the first visit (in a blizzard no less) and made rude comments to a birthday girl on the second. Â Asked the bartender for a beer recommendation and he brought us the most expensive beer available without warning us.
Even though you can't beat the drink prices during happy hour there is no way I'd go back. Â Not worth the crowd and the discourteous people who work there.
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.
Often I find myself wanting to find another place to hang out and imbibe. Then I go and try them out, only to find my way back to Genna's again wondering, "Why didn't I just come here in the first place?"
The only thing I can say that is negative, is its proximity to the Best Western/other tacky places around the Square and State Street mean Genna's is frequently overrun with bachelorette parties/stag nights/obnoxious wedding parties. Inevitably some drunk dude will try to hit on a woman and get surly, or a drunk bridesmaid/bride to be will scream unmentionable things, leading people to stare, and necessitating the surlier of the staff to ice the party out.
I almost forgot to mention, Genna's patio during the summer is _the_ place to be. Gorgeous capitol view, Madison summer, and liquor, what could be better?
Ahhhhh. I love coming home to Wisconsin. Where I can get great beer for less than $4 a pint.
This is what dawned on me while enjoying a holiday weekend at Genna's. I generally make a stop at Genna's whenever I'm home to meet friends because of it's relaxing, welcoming atmosphere. Sure, on busy nights, things can get really crowded... but in general this is a great bar, with nice bartenders and both upstairs and downstairs space.
Also, the juke box is great! And I recall there being a great happy hour which I frequented... full with free snacks. Thumbs up!
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.
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 film noir meets dive bar, it's the place where I hide in a corner on the second floor nursing a cocktail on a cold winter's night, Genna's is where I meet friends on the patio in my summer pilgramage home. It has a decent draught and bottle beer selection, full bar, table service, college kids checking your ID when you walk in, sports on the downstairs TV, crap on the walls and darts upstairs. I love the smell of stale beer on the floors and graffiti in the bathrooms.
I've fallen both up and down that rickety staircase, too.
. . .(and, yeah, at one point everyone did know my name.)
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.
Genna's really is as good as it gets.
It's cool without trying to be cool. Â It's part townie bar, part politico meet up, part hip kids hang out. Â It's quirky without being cliche. Â It's low-key without being dive-y. Â
Genna's has the cheapest and best happy hour in town. Â There's free chips and salsa, meatballs, etc. Â The drinks are 40% off during happy hour. Â It's a great way to kick off your evening.
Genna's has a great outdoor patio that fits about 50+ people. Â It's great during the summer. Â
The staff... They are always entertaining and very friendly. Â They make really good drinks. Â Try a sidecar. :)
Genna's used to have one of the better jukeboxes in town. Â Once in a while they'd have a DJ upstairs. Â There's not really room to dance, but it's usually good music. Â
Genna's really is the best bar in Madison.
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. Â 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!
LO-O-O-O-VED it. Â How could I not. Â I saw the leg lamp from "A Christmas Story" on a shelf behind the bar. Â
Genna's gives off a great vibe. Â Very comfortable, yet not dive-y. Â Loungey, but not swanky. Â It's a great atmosphere, with soft lighting, warmly painted walls, and tons of interesting stuff on the walls/shelves to look at. Â The jukebox remained busy on this Saturday night, as did the bartenders. Â Prices were very reasonable ($2.75 for bottles of bud light, $4+ for delicious microbrews) and the crowd was friendly. Â My main beef had to do with the bathroom door upstairs having no lock. Â The entertainment of the evening consisted of counting the seconds someone could make it peeing in privacy before someone else yanked open the door. Â (I made it about 37, thankyouverymuch).
BOTTOM LINE: Â Great atmosphere, fun crowd, super bartenders, good prices. Â Fix the stinkin' lock on the bathroom door and I'll have found my utopia.
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. Â 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! Â 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. Â
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? Â
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 Â 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! Â I'd definitely go back the next time I find myself in Madison, WI.
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. Â
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!
Genna's has a little something for everyone.
During happy hour (4:30-6:30 M-F), you get free chips, salsa, hot wings, and an assortment of other snacks plus 40% draft beer - but they don't just discount the cheap stuff. Â They give you that deal on Stella, Hoppalicious, etc.
On Friday and Sat nights, this place is full of graduate students and young professionals - a mixture of different types - hipsters, intellectuals, etc. Â During the week you can catch a game here. Â And you can usually see the Badgers play too. Â They're mixed drinks are pretty good, and they have all the standard beers for reasonable prices. Â Its location next to the capital makes it pretty convenient as well.
Genna's is a pretty chill joint with a very welcoming atmosphere (I think it's a product of the architecture). The beer list is better than most and and the seating is plentiful.
However, the fact that the restroom door doesn't lock, let alone latch closed, drastically increases the odds of very awkward introductions. Consider yourself warned.
If I were a bar person, or had friends we hung out with there, I am sure I would have given this 4 stars. We went on Thursday night and it was almost completely packed. We found the upstairs bar and it was cool, except for the DJ and his speakers almost next to our table.
It was easy getting drinks, the price was right, the atmosphere is great compared to other bars we've gone to. I dunno, I guess I'm probably never going to enjoy the bar scene.
Genna's is awesome at almost all times. Â Occasionally it teems with d-bags, but not too often.
Beautiful view of the capitol from upstairs, two bars to serve you, attentive & friendly bartenders, strong drinks (for cheap), a superior happy hour (with snacks!), good patio outside, nice atmosphere/decor, a *great* jukebox, AND as an added bonus, you can see the guy from Garbage just about every time you go there. Â You have to admit, that's just a little bit cool (even when you've seen him 50+ times in 5 years).
One of the best nights of my senior year at UW Madison was had at Gennas, a hot summer night spent sipping Grey Goose & cranberry and becoming increasingly sweaty in the middle of a dancefloor with my friends, shakin' it to 80s music and loving life.
Fun, chill crowd, drinks to please everyone, a classy Capitol Square locale, and two floors to accomodate you & all your friends. Â Such a nice break from the fratty bars on State St.
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