Frequently asked questions about Garth’s Brew Bar

Common questions about Garth’s Brew Bar. If we missed yours, email heythere@garthsbrewbar.com or stop in — we’d rather answer it in person.

Have a quick question? Call our beer line: (353) 201-7011. It’s our automated assistant, available any time for the basics like hours, parking, and what we’re about. If it can’t help, it’ll take a message or point you to heythere@garthsbrewbar.com.

Visiting Garth’s

Where is Garth’s Brew Bar located?

1726 Monroe Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. We’re on Monroe Street between Spooner Street and Edgewood Avenue, about a block from Trader Joe’s (an easy landmark most folks know), and a short walk from Camp Randall and Edgewood Campus.

What are Garth’s Brew Bar’s hours?

Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 9pm. Friday from 4pm to 10pm. Saturday from noon to 10pm. Sunday from noon to 7pm. Closed Monday.

Do I need a reservation?

No — Garth’s is walk-in friendly, so no reservation is needed. For larger groups we can reserve our long tables — just email us ahead and we’ll set it up.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is available out front on Monroe Street and the side streets — it’s free in the evenings and on weekends, but during the day it’s metered or time-limited, so check the posted signs. There’s a public lot behind Sequoya Library a block south. Otherwise, turn one street off Monroe and you’re sure to find parking!

Is Garth’s family or kid friendly?

We welcome guests of all ages. We’re a quiet neighborhood craft beer bar — board games, low music, and a calm, conversation-friendly room — a good spot for a low-key family stop.

Are there TVs?

We have a couple — but we’re not a sports bar. Most of the time the screens are displaying some nature scene or quietly cycling Garth’s own updates. We do put the major Wisconsin games on, though, so you can catch the big matchups here over a great pour.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and contactless mobile payments. Cash also works.

What are your hours on Badger game days?

On UW–Madison home football Saturdays we open earlier than our usual noon — Camp Randall is a short walk away, and game day is one of our favorite crowds. We set the game-day schedule each season once kickoff times are published, so check our Instagram.

Are you open on holidays?

Almost always, yes — most US holidays we keep regular hours. The only days we close are Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. (Monday’s our day off year-round, so a Monday holiday is closed regardless.)

Is Garth’s wheelchair accessible?

Yes — the entrance, seating, restroom, and parking are all wheelchair accessible. If there’s anything we can do to make your visit easier, email heythere@garthsbrewbar.com ahead of time and we’ll have it ready.

Can I bring my dog?

Service animals are always welcome anywhere. Beyond that, dogs are welcome out on the patio but can’t come inside — that’s a Dane County health code rule, not us being unfriendly. Grab a patio seat and your pup’s good to go.

Do you have outdoor seating?

Yes — a small patio that seats about a dozen, first come, first served. Dogs are welcome out there, so it’s a favorite on a nice Madison afternoon.

Food and drink

Can I bring my own food?

Yes — that’s part of the design. Order delivery to the bar, pick something up from a Monroe Street neighbor, or pack a sandwich. We keep just a small menu rather than a full kitchen, so bringing your own is always welcome.

Do you serve food?

We do — a focused little menu rather than a full kitchen: Batch Bakehouse soft pretzels, Fraboni’s pizzas, landjäger, popcorn, and nuts. Want a full meal? You’re welcome to bring your own food or order in — there are great spots within a block, and several deliver right to the bar.

What’s on tap right now?

Sixteen rotating taps of American craft beer plus two taps dedicated to nitro cold brew coffee and tea. The lineup leans Madison breweries first, Wisconsin breweries second, independent American craft third. Live tap list at /on-tap-and-in-the-cooler/.

How many beers do you have?

Sixteen rotating drafts, two nitro coffee/tea drafts, and 95+ craft beers in cans and bottles in the cooler. The cooler is mostly mix-and-match — buy one beer, buy six, take them to a table or take them home.

What about non-beer?

We also carry hard cider, hard seltzer, hard kombucha in our cooler. We do not have a liquor license, so no hard liquor or wine here.

Do you serve coffee?

Two of our taps pour house cold brew coffee and nitro tea — that’s the entire coffee offering. Garth’s is a craft beer bar, not a coffee shop, but the cold brew is treated with the same care as the beer. We even source our cold brew beans from a brewery, in keeping with our mission to support craft brewers.

Do you have non-alcoholic options?

Yes. Cold brew coffee on nitro, nitro tea, sodas and juices, and a rotating non-alcoholic beer selection. We take NA seriously enough that there’s almost always something interesting to pour.

Can I buy beer to take home?

Yes. Most of the cooler is to-go, we fill 32oz crowlers fresh from the draft list, and we sell mix-and-match six-packs. Heads up: a Madison municipal ordinance sets last call for to-go beer at 9 p.m. — earlier than the state’s midnight cutoff. After 9 we can keep pouring for here, but nothing can leave with you. So on Friday and Saturday nights especially, grab your cans or crowler before 9.

What’s the difference between a crowler and a growler?

A growler is a 64oz reusable jug you bring back and refill. A crowler is a 32oz aluminum can we fill, seal, and label fresh. Crowlers stay fresher longer and don’t require returning the container.

Can you fill my growler?

Yes — bring your growler and we’ll fill it from the draft list. Two small favors: give it a good rinse before you come in, and bring your cap so we can seal it for the trip. If you’d rather not haul a jug back and forth, we also fill fresh 32oz crowlers — sealed and labeled on the spot, and they keep your beer fresher.

Do you do tasting flights?

Yes — build a flight of four 4-ounce pours from the draft list, and your beertender will walk you through what you’re tasting. It’s the best way to explore a few styles you don’t know yet.

What makes Garth’s different

What is a Cicerone, and why does it matter at a bar?

A Cicerone is the beer equivalent of a wine sommelier — a certification that tests beer knowledge, serving technique, beer styles, and food pairing. Garth Beyer is a Certified Cicerone. Every beertender at Garth’s is trained for the Cicerone Beer Server certification at minimum. It means when you ask “what’s this one like?”, you get a real answer.

Who owns Garth’s Brew Bar?

Garth Beyer and his wife Briana. Garth opened the bar in December 2019 after years of writing about craft beer for the Cap Times, the Badger Herald (where he founded the “What’s On Tap” column in 2014), and other Madison-area and beverage publications.

What awards has Garth’s won?

CraftBeer.com named Garth’s the Best Craft Beer Bar in Wisconsin three months after opening, in March 2020. We’ve also been a consistent Madison Magazine nominee for best craft beer bar in the years since.

How is Garth’s different from a brewery taproom?

Brewery taprooms pour their own beer. Garth’s curates beers from many breweries — Madison first, then Wisconsin, then independent American craft. We do the work of finding what’s best so every tap is somebody else’s great work.

Do you offer beer tastings or classes?

Yes. Cicerone-led tastings, brewer meet-and-greets, and Cicerone Beer Server training are available for individuals and groups. See /tastings-and-trainings/ for current offerings or to book.

Can I host a private event at Garth’s?

Yes — for small groups (around 15 to 30 people). Private buyouts and curated flight events are a regular thing. Email heythere@garthsbrewbar.com to start the conversation.

Do you have gift cards?

Yes — available in the shop and at the bar. E-gift cards are available here.

A few things Garth’s isn’t

We’re particular about what we are, which means there’s a short list of things we’re not. None of it is an accident.

No liquor, wine, or cocktails. Garth’s is built around craft beer and a deep non-alcoholic lineup — sixteen rotating drafts, two nitro taps, and 95+ cans and bottles. We don’t pour liquor, wine, or cocktails, but tell us what you usually drink and we’ll help you find a beer you’ll actually love.

No ice. Our cooler runs cold, so cans and craft sodas come to you chilled — but we don’t pour over ice, and we won’t ice down a beer. 

No full kitchen. We’re not a restaurant — but there are snacks and a couple of warm options at the bar (see the food question above), and you’re always welcome to bring your own or order in.

Events & private bookings

What events does Garth’s host?

Weekly Tuesday trivia from 6–8pm hosted by America’s Pub Quiz (free, walk-in), plus brewer meet-and-greets, bottle shares, Cicerone-led tastings, beer launches, and the full Monroe Street Craft Beer Week lineup every November. Keep an eye on our Instagram for all our events.

Can I host a private party at Garth’s?

Yes — birthdays, anniversaries, work meetups, D&D nights, brewer gatherings, all of it. Capacity is ~30 comfortably or 60-80 if it’s more come-and-go style. Most private events happen Monday nights when we’re regularly closed, or before/after open hours on other days. BYO food, optional Cicerone-led tasting flights. See the private events page for the full setup, or email heythere@garthsbrewbar.com to start a conversation.