The Wisco — Restaurant in Madison

The wisco is seemingly a cool dive bar with a sort of rock n roll atmosphere. The food was simple but good greasy spoon type fare, and they have a decent selection of beers and spirits and everything is well priced!

Unfortunately, everytime I've been there the service has been awful, it always seems like the bartenders enjoy have some friends and regular in the bar and not only are hard to get attention from but seem visibly annoyed to give you service. I'm fine with dive bar type informality but going there always feels like my wife and I are unwelcome strangers intruding on a friend group hangout.

One night I went there and a regular in his 50s who had been friendly talking with the bartenders approached my group(3 people in total) and immediately started insulting me and trying to bait a fight within view of the bartenders whom said nothing, it wasn't scary because I had a foot or more on this old guy, but it was annoying and I'm in law school so I'm not trying to get into a bar fight.

Another night me and my wife went in without knowing that there was to be a metal show later that night, the organizer or door person(I'm unsure if she was affiliated with the bar) repeatedly annoyingly questioned us seemingly bewildered that we were not there for nor staying for the show because the way we were dressed made her think we were there only for the show, so she softly kept suggesting we were attempting to sneak in to the show by arriving at the bar...

*June 17, July 31, and yesterday (August 26) After having met the Clay and Hannah, I just expected so much more from Tori (forgive me if I'm spelling that wrong). The first was (June 17) was so bad a customer waited until she walked away, and I quote "Their like that here if they don't know you, let me get you a drink." I let that slide. Second time (July 31) more of the same this time I read the room a little better and there was a very definitely a difference in how I was being treated and talked to even friends who had never been were there had asked "what was that". Again, let it slide. Now, by this time , met one of the owners had already talked and laughed about new fatherhood and the second location next door. So unless there was something I missed I judged this place by their leadership and came back again. AUGUST 26 same person (Tori, again no disrespect if I have spelled that incorrectly) just more of the same except this time the poor treatment was extended to who I was with. The person I was with is a bartender as well at a really cool bar in Madison as well. Also had no idea there was any issue of any kind until we were back outside and was very disgusted at what was witnessed. Even more so how we were served. I felt validated that the problem wasn't me or some energy I brought in. Seriously though, it's a huge...

I come here for the Metal shows both in attendance and to play or when working promotion with a music label I affiliate with. It's a decent small and personal venue which is nice for certain types of shows, overall welcoming to the underground scenes and alternative communities. It was renovated in part a few years back so there's no holes in the walls or floor anymore, but was quickly and appropriately re-adorned with a myriad of band stickers and regalia all over the walls (including in the bathrooms), a proper dive bar/venue feel. They also have darts and a pool table, and volleyball tournaments during the summer on the sand court behind the bar. There's a nice fenced-in outdoor seating and socializing area to smoke and have a drink-- my only complaint with it is that on nights of concerts it can get crowded, and people will do drugs out there which I don't want to be...