If you’re looking for something to do in Madison on a weeknight, the best plans share one trait: they’re easy to say yes to. You want a place that feels welcoming, doesn’t require a complicated itinerary, and gives your group a reason to show up. On Monroe Street, that usually looks like themed trivia, board game nights, and pop-up events—with a great drink in your hand whether you’re beer-curious, beer-nerdy, or not drinking alcohol at all. That’s exactly the lane Garth’s Brew Bar (1726 Monroe Street) was built for.
Quick takeaway
A strong Madison weeknight plan is: pick a simple activity (trivia, games, pop-up), choose a cozy spot on Monroe Street, and order by flavor instead of beer styles. At Garth’s Brew Bar, the vibe is low-pressure (private nooks + communal tables), the staff is Cicerone Certified Beer Server–trained, and you can choose from 18 taps (16 beer + 2 non-alcoholic nitro coffee/tea) plus 95+ cans and bottles in the cooler. If you want the easiest “bring your friends” night, check the event calendar, show up, and let the night do the work.
Why weeknights work (and weekends don’t have to be the main character)
Weeknights are underrated in Madison because they’re:
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Less crowded
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More conversational
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Easier to coordinate
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Better for “regular life” energy
You don’t need a big night. You need a good place, a small plan, and a reason to leave the house.
Three easy weeknight plans (choose your vibe)
Plan A: Themed trivia night (the “we need structure” plan)
This is for the group chat that never decides anything.
How it goes:
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Pick the theme (or just commit to “we’re going”)
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Arrive, grab a table
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Order a round built for the group (flight, pints, or NA nitro)
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Let trivia carry the rest of the night
Best trivia ordering move:
“Can you build us a flight that starts crisp and stays low bitterness?”
Plan B: Board game night (the “we want to talk” plan)
Board games are a cheat code: you’re doing something together, but you can still have real conversation.
How it goes:
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Pick one short game (30–45 min)
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Order one “safe” pour plus one “try something new” pour
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If you like it, take a photo so you remember what you ordered next time
Best board game ordering move:
“I want something crisp and easy for playing—what’s the most refreshing option right now?”
Plan C: Pop-ups + surprises (the “let’s see what happens” plan)
Pop-ups are perfect for couples and small groups: you get novelty without needing to plan the whole night.
How it goes:
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Show up curious
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Try something you wouldn’t normally pick
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Leave with a story (and maybe a new favorite)
Best pop-up ordering move:
“What’s new or just landed this week?”
How to order without decoding beer styles
You don’t need to know beer terminology to have a great drink night. Order by 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 (toasty/roasty, cozy)
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Tart + lively (bright and tangy)
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Low bitterness (beginner-friendly, crowd-friendly)
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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?”
The “group order” that makes everyone happy
If you’re with 3–6 people, this structure keeps the table satisfied:
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1 crisp + clean option
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1 low bitterness option
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1 juicy option or 1 rich/smooth option
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1 wildcard (seasonal or weird-in-a-good-way)
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1 NA nitro option if someone isn’t drinking
It’s inclusive, it reduces decision fatigue, and it turns “ordering” into part of the fun.
A great Madison weeknight plan doesn’t need a big agenda: pick one simple activity (themed trivia, board games, or a pop-up), choose a cozy spot on Monroe Street, and order by flavor instead of beer styles. At Garth’s Brew Bar, you can ask for “crisp and clean,” “low bitterness,” or “something smooth and cozy,” and the staff will translate that into the right pour from a rotating tap list. Not drinking? Nitro coffee and nitro tea are on tap. The result is the kind of weeknight that feels effortless—and still feels like you did something.
FAQs
Do you host trivia nights?
Yes—there weekly variety trivia on Tuesday nights from 6-8 and themed trivia nights like Star Trek, Sports, Music and more. Keep an eye on social for for themes and start times.
Do you have board game nights?
Yes—board game nights and casual game-friendly hangouts are part of the vibe. Every Thursday from 5-9 p.m.
What time do events start?
It varies by event. The fastest way is to check the latest posts to Instagram (or ask in person).
Is this good for groups?
Yes. There are communal tables and cozier private areas, so groups can match the vibe they want.
What if someone in our group isn’t drinking?
No problem. There are non-alcoholic options on tap, including nitro coffee and nitro tea.
Do we need to know beer styles to order?
No. Order by flavor (crisp, juicy, rich, tart, low bitterness) and the staff will guide you.
Do you offer flights and samples?
Yes—flights are great for discovery, and samples are often possible depending on what’s being poured.
Where are you located on Monroe Street?
1726 Monroe Street, Madison WI—across from Orange Tree Imports and about a block from Trader Joe’s.
Low-pressure next step
If you want the easiest weeknight win, do this:
Check the next trivia/game/pop-up night, show up, and say:
“We’re here for a weeknight hang—can you guide us to a crisp option and a low-bitterness option?”That’s enough to get the night rolling.
