It's The Crystal - a staple of the Eastside of Madison. I see some reviews have stated that barkeeps are not attentive, but they're hit or miss. We had a male & a female tending on the Friday we visited & the male was unfriendly, but the female, while not overly friendly, was attentive to us. It was a busy night even tho' no band was playing.It's a neighborhood bar & there are frequent patrons, so don't feel left out if you're not as noticed as the regulars.*recommend for it's "institutional" value!*
Service: 4
Michael Dhani Bennett
When my buddy and I first walked in, we went to the bathroom. The graffiti on the doors was a turn off, and door not locking was another. Thank God I could wash my hands with soap. Then we ordered a drink and the lady was a little rude to us in the beginning, she warmed up towards the end, and it was a turn off because of the college vibe feel and only drinking establishment. There was a guy bar tender whom was very friendly and courteous. I wish we would have been there when there was live music…..
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 2
Sie Sar
Neighborhood bar that hosts great music.By far the worst staff I have ever encountered. The bartenders are SO rude. Our whole party of 5 thought this l. So incredibly rude.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Kara Blumer
Went for live band, quick service and great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Steven T.
This was a stop after our meal on the way home. It's a classic WI dive bar filled with locals. It's got cool glass block windows on both sides of the front door. It's got a mini arcade with like four machines that includes a pin ball and a golf simulator. The walls are covered with pictures of musical people with some signed probably from all the bands that have played there over the years. The bar is a long oval basically with pool tables on one side. The locals were friendly as well as the woman who was bartending. The have a popcorn machine behind the bar which I couldn't tell if it was free because we didn't have any. It seems like a cool place to have drinks, play games and catch some live music.
Aiki Coxhead
the only bar I have ever liked in my entire life
joshalynne renee
Good music chill
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Neil Krebsbach
Local hangout with some great music. Good beer selection. Bartenders are attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Gartzke
Fun "dive" bar with live music. No food other than snacks, but a unique and fun space.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Mosel
Packed to the gills with hipsters on the weekends but this place is great to hang out at.
Love this bar. A cool no frills place to hang in Madison. Great for pregaming concerts dates
Chris Liebowitz
Bartender asked us what we wanted, said a couple of beers and he just left and got us two random beers. We didn’t know it was cash only so said we had to go to the atm and he wouldn’t give me quarters for pool until we paid. Grabs the beers and says I’ll give these back once you figure it out. Wanted to pull him by his beard over the bar and take it off but my friend talked some sense into me. Seriously fix your attitude
Clark Potter
They don't take credit card so f them.Poor fluorescent lighting that makes you feel kinda sick inside. Gf and friend ordered White Russians and they looked great. Modest beer selection.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Jacob L
Wonderful bright bar, great selection of
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Joe J.
Fix your sketchy ATM if you're going to expect cash only in the 21st century. I got kicked out because I was $1 short on a tab and the ATM was not working. Sorry, most of us carry an iPhone, an ID, and 2 credit cards. I was told, if you can't pay for your drinks, you need to leave. Yep, I left, but because their ATM didn't work. I can pay for my drinks. I make six figures. Crystal Corner can't pay for/afford the era we live in. The 2030s won't be so kind to an outdated bar on Willy st.
It's The Crystal - a staple of the Eastside of Madison. I see some reviews have stated that barkeeps are not attentive, but they're hit or miss. We had a male & a female tending on the Friday we visited & the male was unfriendly, but the female, while not overly friendly, was attentive to us. It was a busy night even tho' no band was playing.It's a neighborhood bar & there are frequent patrons, so don't feel left out if you're not as noticed as the regulars.*recommend for it's "institutional" value!*
Service: 4
When my buddy and I first walked in, we went to the bathroom. The graffiti on the doors was a turn off, and door not locking was another. Thank God I could wash my hands with soap. Then we ordered a drink and the lady was a little rude to us in the beginning, she warmed up towards the end, and it was a turn off because of the college vibe feel and only drinking establishment. There was a guy bar tender whom was very friendly and courteous. I wish we would have been there when there was live music…..
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 2
Neighborhood bar that hosts great music.By far the worst staff I have ever encountered. The bartenders are SO rude. Our whole party of 5 thought this l. So incredibly rude.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 1
Went for live band, quick service and great atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This was a stop after our meal on the way home. It's a classic WI dive bar filled with locals. It's got cool glass block windows on both sides of the front door. It's got a mini arcade with like four machines that includes a pin ball and a golf simulator. The walls are covered with pictures of musical people with some signed probably from all the bands that have played there over the years. The bar is a long oval basically with pool tables on one side. The locals were friendly as well as the woman who was bartending. The have a popcorn machine behind the bar which I couldn't tell if it was free because we didn't have any. It seems like a cool place to have drinks, play games and catch some live music.
the only bar I have ever liked in my entire life
Good music chill
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Local hangout with some great music. Good beer selection. Bartenders are attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Fun "dive" bar with live music. No food other than snacks, but a unique and fun space.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Packed to the gills with hipsters on the weekends but this place is great to hang out at.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Love this bar. A cool no frills place to hang in Madison. Great for pregaming concerts dates
Bartender asked us what we wanted, said a couple of beers and he just left and got us two random beers. We didn’t know it was cash only so said we had to go to the atm and he wouldn’t give me quarters for pool until we paid. Grabs the beers and says I’ll give these back once you figure it out. Wanted to pull him by his beard over the bar and take it off but my friend talked some sense into me. Seriously fix your attitude
They don't take credit card so f them.Poor fluorescent lighting that makes you feel kinda sick inside. Gf and friend ordered White Russians and they looked great. Modest beer selection.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Wonderful bright bar, great selection of
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Fix your sketchy ATM if you're going to expect cash only in the 21st century. I got kicked out because I was $1 short on a tab and the ATM was not working. Sorry, most of us carry an iPhone, an ID, and 2 credit cards. I was told, if you can't pay for your drinks, you need to leave. Yep, I left, but because their ATM didn't work. I can pay for my drinks. I make six figures. Crystal Corner can't pay for/afford the era we live in. The 2030s won't be so kind to an outdated bar on Willy st.