Settle Down Tavern brandy Old Fashioned is a cocktail bar restaurant in Madison.
Editorially verified June 3, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: The South Pinckney supper club, two blocks off Capitol Square, runs Madison's most considered brandy Old Fashioned in a low-key dining room.
Tip: Sit at the bar instead of the dining room; the owners built the place as a supper club homage with a serious bar program.
Address: 117 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton in Madison opens its bar at 17:00 and pours a Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned locals consider the city's standard.
Why locals love it: The South Hamilton supper club's bar opens at 17:00 and pours a Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned that locals consider the city's standard.
Tip: Bar opens at 17:00; reserve a 20:00 table on OpenTable and arrive an hour early to sit at the bar for the cocktail.
Lazy Jane's on Williamson Street in Madison runs weekend brunch with one of the city's longest-running scone programs since 1998, weekday counter trade.
Why locals love it: The Williamson Street scratch cafe runs weekend brunch with one of the city's longest-running scone programs since 1998, weekday counter trade.
Tip: Arrive by 09:00 on a Sunday or expect a 45-minute wait by 10:00; the bakery case sells out by noon every weekend.
Madison Sourdough on Williamson Street sets up a small Saturday egg-on-toast and laminated-pastry brunch counter most Madison residents don't realize exists.
Why locals love it: The Williamson Street bakery sets up a small weekend egg-on-toast and laminated-pastry brunch counter most don't realize exists.
Tip: Saturday mornings only; arrive by 09:00 for the kouign-amann before the line wraps past the bread counter.
Mickey's Tavern pinball room (Burgers) in Madison: Arrive before 21:00 on a weekend to claim a pinball table; cash bar tips appreciated for the bartender.
Why locals love it: The Marquette neighborhood east-side dive runs a small back room of working pinball machines alongside a strong burger menu and late kitchen.
Tip: Arrive before 21:00 on a weekend to claim a pinball table; cash bar tips appreciated for the bartender.
Paul's Pel'meni on State Street in Madison is the late-night Russian dumpling counter selling a single menu item until 02:00, the city's defining 1am snack.
Why locals love it: The State Street late-night Russian dumpling counter sells a single menu item until 02:00 and is the city's defining 1 a.m. snack.
Tip: Mix beef and potato pelmeni in one order; curry powder, butter and sour cream are non-negotiable toppings.
Greenbush Bakery late-night donuts in Madison: bakery room. The Regent Street kosher dairy bakery runs almost 18 hours daily, with hot donuts from the fryer.
Why locals love it: The Regent Street kosher dairy bakery runs almost 18 hours daily, with hot donuts from the fryer through the small hours.
Tip: Walk in before midnight on a Saturday for the freshest donuts; the case rotates as the night staff fries them.
