If you’re looking for an easy, local “what should we do tonight?” answer in Madison, First Friday on Monroe Street is a reliable one. On the first Friday of each month, Monroe Street turns into a low-pressure community stroll: shops stay open later, you’ll see pop-ups and small surprises, and it becomes the kind of night where you don’t need a reservation to have a plan. The simplest route ends at Garth’s Brew Bar (1726 Monroe Street)—across from Orange Tree Imports and about a block from Trader Joe’s—for a guided beer flight or a non-alcoholic nitro pour.
Quick takeaway
First Friday on Monroe Street is a monthly Madison tradition: show up, browse a few local shops, and treat it like a “walk and wander” night rather than a scheduled event. If you want a natural finish point, head to Garth’s Brew Bar for something you don’t have to overthink—rotating taps, a big cooler of packaged options, and staff trained to help you pick based on flavor (crisp, juicy, rich, tart, low bitterness). Not drinking? Nitro coffee and nitro tea are on tap.
What First Friday on Monroe Street feels like
Think “neighborhood energy,” not “festival chaos.”
You can expect:
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Shops open later than usual
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People walking in small groups
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Occasional pop-ups and surprises (varies month to month)
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A vibe that works for dates, friend hangs, and casual family strolls
Best mindset: it’s a choose-your-own-adventure evening.
The easiest First Friday plan (three versions)
Option A: The 60–90 minute quick loop
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Arrive and browse 1–2 shops (20–40 min)
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Stroll Monroe Street (10–20 min)
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Finish with one drink (or a small flight) at Garth’s Brew Bar (30–45 min)
Option B: The 2–3 hour “we’re making a night of it”
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Shop + pop-up browsing (45–75 min)
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A longer wander (30–45 min)
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Settle in for a flight, conversation, and a cozy corner (60–90 min)
Option C: The “we just want something easy” version
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Start at Trader Joe’s (quick errand)
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Walk one block
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Reward yourself with a guided pour (beer or NA nitro)
How to order at the bar without studying the tap list
First Friday nights are not the time to take a quiz on beer styles.
At Garth’s Brew Bar, ordering is easiest when you choose a flavor lane:
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Crisp + clean (refreshing, easy)
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Juicy + bright (citrus/tropical vibes)
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Rich + smooth (roasty, cozy)
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Tart + lively (bright and tangy)
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Low bitterness (the “I don’t like bitter beer” lane)
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Non-alcoholic (nitro coffee or nitro tea on tap)
One sentence that always works:
“We like ___ and we don’t like ___ — can you guide us?”
Our team is Certified Cicerone Beer Server–trained, which basically means you can speak normal human and still get the right pour.
First Friday “flight idea” (make it a ritual)
If you want one simple tradition that makes First Friday feel special:
Ask for a 4-pour flight with this structure:
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Reset (crisp/clean)
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Anchor (something you know you’ll like)
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Bridge (a nearby flavor lane)
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Wildcard (the fun one)
It turns “we went out” into “we discovered something.” As a bonus: Garth’s Brew Bar First Friday deal is you can bump any 4 ounce pour to an 8 ounce pour when you mention the First Friday deal!
Tips that make First Friday smoother
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Check the monthly details before you go (participating businesses and pop-ups can change) (View them here)
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Show up early if you want it calm, later if you want it lively
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Dress for Madison weather (layers win)
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Plan your finish point (ending somewhere cozy is the mov
First Friday on Monroe Street is one of the easiest “things to do” nights in Madison: show up between 4 –10 PM, browse local shops, and treat it like a neighborhood stroll instead of a scheduled event. The simplest plan is to wander for a bit and finish somewhere cozy—like Garth’s Brew Bar on Monroe Street—where you can order by flavor (crisp, juicy, rich, tart, low bitterness) instead of trying to decode beer styles. Not drinking? Nitro coffee and nitro tea are on tap, so the night still feels like a real bar stop.
FAQs
What time is First Friday on Monroe Street?
Most events and special offerings tend to run between 4 – 8 p.m. on the First Friday of each month.
Is First Friday on Monroe Street free?
Yes — it’s a neighborhood event format (walk, browse, pop in), not a ticketed festival.
Do the same businesses participate every month?
It can change month to month. Check the monthly list before you go.
Is First Friday good for date night?
Yes. It’s low-pressure and built around walking, browsing, and ending with a cozy drink.
Is First Friday good for groups?
Yes — it’s easy to meet up, wander together, and choose a finish spot.
What if I’m not drinking alcohol?
You can still do First Friday. At Garth’s Brew Bar there are NA options, including nitro coffee and nitro tea on tap.
What’s the easiest way to order at a craft beer bar if I don’t know beer styles?
Order by flavor: crisp, juicy, rich, tart, or low bitterness. The staff can translate.
What’s a simple way to make First Friday feel like a tradition?
Get a 4-pour flight: reset → anchor → bridge → wildcard. Mention the First Friday deal at Garth’s Brew Bar and you can increase any one of the flight pour sizes to an 8 ounce.
Low-pressure next step
Next First Friday, don’t overplan it. Just stroll and then come in and say:
“We’re doing First Friday—can you build us a flight that starts crisp and ends fun?”
We’ll take it from there.