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.

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, 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 only. On busy weekend nights you may wait a bit for a seat, but we’d rather you have a great pour than a confirmed table.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is free on Monroe Street and the side streets after 6pm and on weekends. There’s a public lot behind Sequoya Library a block south.

Is Garth’s family or kid friendly?

We welcome guests of all ages until 8pm. We’re a quiet bar — board games, low music, no sports TVs — which makes us a good spot for a low-key family stop if you bring food.

Are there TVs?

No. Garth’s is built for conversation, not for catching the game. Board games, books on the shelves, and music low enough to hear the person next to you.

Do you take credit cards?

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

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 don’t run a kitchen, so we don’t compete with whatever you brought.

Do you serve food?

We sell a small selection of locally-sourced snacks at the bar. For a full meal, BYO food is your friend — there are great spots within a block, and several deliver.

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.

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.

Do you have non-alcoholic options?

Yes. Cold brew coffee on nitro, nitro tea, Wisconsin-made craft 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 also fill 32oz crowlers from the draft list, and we sell mix-and-match six-packs from the bottles and cans.

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.

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 (he passed on the third try). 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 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.

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. /shop/