Murphy's Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in Wisconsin

Seven of us gathered at Murphy's for a little birthday celebration. The site was chosen for it's proximity to everyone in our group and even though most of us are lifelong Madison residents, most of us had never been here - to Murphy's or any of it's previous names. Conveniently located on Hwy 113 just N of Madison, near Hwy M, it is right on the Cherokee Marsh & adjacent to a dog park. The site has outdoor volleyball courts so I assume they host a league. We were there at 1pm on Friday afternoon and while there were few in the dining room, there were quite a few patrons at the large bar in a separate room. Our server was friendly and somewhat attentive, even though we had to get our own silverware and menus from a nearby hostess-type table. I had a Bloody Mary with Warped Speed beer back and the Bloody was perfect. Spicy and flavorful. Only one pickle & two olives so nothing fancy but still a good Bloody. The beers on tap numbered about ten with a good cross section. The menu is pretty standard bar fare and on Fridays, a selection of fish. I had the walleye, pan-fried, with coleslaw and baked potato. The walleye was pretty flavorless as I had to add salt, pepper & lemon. I always add lemon but have never before had to season my fish at a restaurant. The cole slaw was bland, as well, needing seasoning and vinegar. The baked potato - perfect (but that's hard to screw up.) Another diner who had the pan fried walleye as well remarked that it was "flavorless." Perhaps the breaded & deep fry walleye may be better but I bet it pales in comparison to Villa Tap's or Tip Top's Friday walleye fish fry! Overall, the food was okay, service was attentive (but a bit surly,) and the bar had some seemingly overindulging undesirables who had taken up Friday afternoon residence there. I don't think...

I have loved this place, but I’ll never be back after today. Pretty busy/loud bar, waitress had to ask my drink 3 times because she couldn’t write it down (no notepad.) Ordered food through another waitress. She came back to clarify the toppings on my pizza (sausage, onions, jalapeño-still not writing anything down.) While I was telling her the toppings she walked away mid sentence. 20 minutes later my pizza comes out with my friends food (chicken wrap). Wrong toppings (sausage, pepperoni, onions) She takes the pizza back and says another will be out 10 mins (friend sarcastically says it’ll be the same pizza) I asked to get it to go because my friend was done eating. They bring the pizza out, IT WAS THE SAME PIZZA!!! They PICKED OFF the pepperoni, added jalapeños and more cheese, cooked it again, then cut the burnt crust off. Bartender takes off our two beers and $5 off the bill, doesn’t even BEGIN to make up for it. I will never return and never suggest this place to anyone ever again. This entire restaurant should be ashamed and the owner should take a serious look...

Was in the Madison area to visit family. I ask my Uncle if he knew where good Pub was that serves Guinness. He said he did and we ended up at Murphy's. Unfortunately too late for something to eat, for They had Close the kitchen for the night. That meant more we could drink. 22 oz Guinness in tall glass. The Guinness was excellent the music playing was at the right sound level. Lost count after 4 Genesis but who was Counting. If it was not for business meeting the morning. I could see drinking to give us until they kicked us out at bar time. The patrons of the bar teased us for missing the closing of the kitchen and friendly and offered some of their tidbits. Which were good and torturous the same time. Because the little bit we had was very good. Look forward to going back to Murphy playing some pool drinking some more Guinness and getting a meal. If you're in the area and looking for a place to have a cocktail or beer and a meal. I highly...