Monroe Street has one craft beer bar in the strict sense: Garth’s Brew Bar at 1726 Monroe St. That’s the honest answer.
But Monroe Street is a beer afternoon waiting to happen — a mile and a half of independent shops and food worth walking between pours. Here’s how a local Cicerone would actually spend it.
The One Bar That Matters: Garth’s Brew Bar (1726 Monroe St)
Sixteen rotating American craft taps. Two nitro draft taps for house cold brew coffee and tea. Ninety-five-plus craft cans and bottles in the cooler. Madison breweries pour first. Wisconsin breweries pour next. Independent American craft from anywhere rounds it out. Beertenders study for or hold the Cicerone Beer Server certification.
That’s the program.
What it feels like: cozy. Board games on the shelves. Bring your own food — order delivery, pick up from a Monroe Street neighbor, or pack a sandwich. The cooler is honest beer geek territory. The taps rotate constantly; the live list is on Untappd.
Three months after opening in December 2019, CraftBeer.com named it the Best Craft Beer Bar in Wisconsin. It regularly makes the Best of Madison list, too.
What About Brasserie V?
Brasserie V at 1923 Monroe used to be the obvious second answer to the “craft beer on Monroe Street” question. Their list ran 300+ Belgian and craft beers. Owners Matt and Andrea Van Nest closed the restaurant to focus on Longtable Beer Café in their Middleton location. The Monroe Street space is becoming a new American bistro.
If you read older Madison beer guides and they send you to Brasserie V — that’s why it’s not there anymore.
The Rest of the Monroe Street Walk (Not Bars, Worth Stopping)
- Pizza Brutta — 1805 Monroe St. Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza with a tight beer + wine list. Walk a slice over to Garth’s and pair it with whatever Madison pour is on.
- Bloom Bake Shop — 1851 Monroe St. Pastries and sandwiches made with organic ingredients. Good for the start of your afternoon or a between-beer snack.
- Taste of India — 2623 Monroe St. Indian food worth the walk up the street. Order takeout, bring it back to Garth’s.
There are dozens more shops and food spots on the strip — full directory at monroestreetmadison.com. For beer, though, the answer is Garth’s.
You can also enjoy a classic Wisconsin beer from places like Laurel Tavern, Everly, and Gates & Brovi.
A Half-Day Plan, From One End of the Street
If you have a Saturday afternoon and want a low-key Monroe Street beer experience:
- Start with a pastry from Bloom Bake Shop (1851 Monroe).
- Walk west to Pizza Brutta (1805 Monroe). Order a personal pizza to-go.
- Cross the street and head into Garth’s Brew Bar (1726 Monroe). Hand the pizza to a beertender. Ask what Madison brewery just rotated in. Stay for two pours.
- Walk it off. Continue west — a mile of small shops, vintage stores, and (in summer) outdoor seating on most of the side streets.
- Loop back to Garth’s for one more pour before you head home. Saturday hours run until 10pm. Sunday until 7pm.
FAQ
Are there other craft beer bars on Monroe Street?
Not really. Brasserie V closed. The other Monroe Street establishments serve beer as a side to food or coffee — not as the main event. Garth’s is the singular craft beer destination on the street.
How walkable is Monroe Street?
Very. Monroe runs about a mile and a half from the Edgewood neighborhood down toward the Glenway intersection. Sidewalks on both sides. The Garth’s–Pizza Brutta–Bloom triangle is all within a five-minute walk.
Is parking easy?
Street parking on Monroe and the side streets is free and generally available, especially after early-evening on weekends. Two-hour limits along most of the strip during the day.
What if I have an hour, not an afternoon?
Walk straight to Garth’s Brew Bar at 1726 Monroe St. Order a half-pour of whatever Madison brewery just landed. Ask the beertender what’s pouring that you couldn’t get elsewhere. Leave knowing one new beer.