Tom's Burned Down Cafe — Restaurant in Town of La Pointe

Howdy, island adventurers! I recently had the pleasure of stumbling upon the one-of-a-kind Tom's Burned Down Cafe on Madeline Island, Wisconsin, and let me tell ya, it was a quirky experience like no other. Now, let's start with the name itself - Tom's Burned Down Cafe. Yes, you read that right. This place is literally a bar that was once burned down and then creatively rebuilt with salvaged materials, giving it a unique and eccentric charm. The atmosphere is laid-back, with a funky mishmash of decorations that'll have you scratching your head in wonder. The drinks? Well, they might not be the most sophisticated or refined, but boy, are they strong! It's the kind of place where you order a simple beer or a classic mixed drink and enjoy it for what it is. The service is as relaxed as the island life, with friendly bartenders who are always up for a chat. Now, this place isn't for everyone - if you're looking for a fancy cocktail lounge, look elsewhere. But if you're up for a quirky, offbeat bar experience that captures the true spirit of Madeline Island, then Tom's Burned Down Cafe is the spot for you. So embrace the unconventional, grab a drink, and enjoy the peculiar ambiance of this island gem. Cheers to the...

Tom’s Burned Down Cafe on Madeline Island is a truly one-of-a-kind experience and a must-stop when visiting the island. This bar is outrageous in the best possible way. The structure itself is incredible—looking like a circus tent held up by a sailboat mast—and immediately sets the tone for the unique atmosphere inside.

The signage and quirky décor scattered throughout the bar are hilarious and completely random, making it a memorable and fun place to explore. Choosing where to sit was a delightful challenge, as every seating option was creative and unusual. We started in the indoor tiki hut but eventually moved outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. Many of the seats were made from old vehicle benches—nothing matched, but it all came together in such a cool, eclectic layout.

If you’re looking for a spot to explore, soak in a wildly unique environment, and enjoy some delicious drinks, Tom’s is the place to go. Just remember...

Very rude service. Not what we were expecting on the island - perhaps would have expected it in New York or Chicago. Was the first and only ride person we ran into during our week long trip in the area. Saturday evening we were on the island and curious to check the place out and possibly grab some drinks there. A band was to play that night and there was a cover. We had arrived early in the evening, it was still light out, and the place was not yet busy at all. We asked the folks collecting cover charge if we could do a quick walk through to see the place and decide if we wanted to stay. The person was very rude to us and gave us a hard and fast ‘no’. No midwest ‘sorry, we aren’t able to’. No offer for 5 minutes or to walk with us. Kind of a shocker as I’ve been to places much busier where they would be happy to let you check the place out before committing to paying the cover and staying for...