On the rocks, neat, dirty, frozen, or zero proof — we’re spilling the Long Island iced tea on the best happy hours in Madison.
Get ready to drink up at these local establishments that lift spirits with their sip-worthy specials.
Sardine | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 4:30-6 p.m.
Imbibe during this dollar-off oyster happy hour with a glass of $6 wine or an $8 featured cocktail.
Rare Steakhouse | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Chow down on a half-price bar menu and wash back those burgers with a selection of drink deals.
Eno Vino | Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. + all day Sunday
Add some sophistication to the happy hour occasion and take advantage of $2 off wine by the glass + signature hand-crafted cocktails.
Tempest Oyster Bar | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Make the most of this happy hour with $7 house wines and snacks like $3 shrimp cocktail.
Dane County Fair | Thursday, July 17-Sunday, July 20 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center | $14+ | Enjoy carnival rides, showcases, concerts, and fair food at this annual celebration that dates back to 1851.
Maxwell Street Days | Thursday, July 17-Sunday, July 20 | Times vary | State Street | Cost of purchase | Hunt for bargains, listen to live music, and dine al fresco at the largest shopping event of the year.
Matthew Broussard | Thursday, July 17-Sunday, July 20 | Times vary | Comedy on State | $8+ | You might recognize this stand-up comedian from television shows like “The Mindy Project” and “The League.”
Friday, July 18
Leo’s Half Shell Raw Bar Pop-Up | 4-9 p.m. | Leopold’s Books Bar Caffe | Cost of purchase | Sit on the patio and indulge in a seafood feast of oysters, shrimp, crab claws, clams, caviar, and more.
Saturday, July 19
Coldplay | 6 p.m. | Camp Randall Stadium | $421+ | Expect confetti, crowd singalongs, and all the feels when Coldplay brings their anthems to the stage.
Sunday, July 20
Summer Book Fair | 12-4 p.m. | Gamma Ray Bar | Cost of purchase | Join Lake City Books for a literary bash with family-friendly karaoke, cocktails + mocktails, and books for sale.
Monday, July 21
Mat Kearney | 7:30 p.m. | Orpheum Madison | $54+ | Groove to hits like “Ships In The Night” and “Nothing Left to Lose” live on the “Headlights Home” tour.
Tuesday, July 22
Lunch Time Live | 12-1 p.m. | Capitol Square | Free | Level up your lunch break by joining a friend on the lawn for a free concert by Maddie Batzli.
Pacaso plans to expand to Italy. | Photo provided by Pacaso
How do you follow a record-setting year? By getting stronger.
Take Pacaso. Their real estate co-ownership tech set records in Paris and London in 2024. No surprise. Coldwell Banker says 40% of wealthy Americans plan to buy abroad within a year, so Pacaso’s planned Italy expansion is big.
They’ve already made $110 million+ in gross profits to date, including 41% YoY growth last year. (They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.) And you can invest for $2.90/share. †‡‡
The Madison Common Council unanimously approved a trio of proposals aimed at expanding housing options. The changes make it easier to build duplexes, split deep lots, and streamline downtown zoning. Stay tuned — more housing policies are expected to be introduced this fall.
Development
Downtown Madison’s last vacant block may soon see new life. Proposals from two development teams are being considered, which would reimagine the city-owned Brayton Lot into housing, retail, and community space. Which do you prefer? (Wisconsin State Journal)
Announced
Madison Public Market won’t be opening this fall as planned. Delays related to lease finalization and building upgrades have pushed the project back once more, with the new grand opening expected in early 2026. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Concert
This week’s Concert on the Square was postponed to 7 p.m. tonight due to yesterday’s inclement weather. You can set up on the lawn as early as 5 p.m. for the show, which will feature performances from harpist Johanna Wienholts and WCO Principal Flutist Brandon LePage.
Regional
Small town, meet big tech. A Virginia-based developer is eyeing Vienna for a massive data center campus, which could include up to 15 buildings over the next decade. QTS Data Centers says the project could bring 1,000+ construction jobs to Dane County. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
Ranked
If you work hard and play hard, you’re in the right place. Madison landed at No. 10 on a new Coworking Cafe list ranking US cities with the best work-life balances. Madison also topped the charts for mental health, thanks to factors like flexible schedules and easy access to the great outdoors.
Real Estate
Victory Homes of Wisconsin is redefining your weekend plans. Imagine strolling through beautifully-crafted model homes, open for your exploration every Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Whether you’re dreaming of a custom build or seeking inspiration, these homes offer a glimpse into endless possibilities. Take a tour.*
Try This
Live music by the lake? Say less. In case you haven’t heard, you can catch free and low-cost shows almost every night at the Memorial Union Terrace. Start planning your weekend (think: swing dancing lessons, The Emmylous, and more).*
Wellness
Shaped to arouse the whole you, this FDA-registered vibrating ring adjusts to your unique shape to support arousal, natural lubrication, and overall intimate wellness. (For the 77% of our readers who are women, consider this part of your self-care toolkit.) Bonus: Save 30%.*
Hers offers personalized care with no insurance hassles and regular check-ins to keep you on track. | Photo provided by Hims & Hers
Losing weight can feel tricky, especially when you want results that stick.
Unlike traditional weight loss treatment, Hers offers personalized, online plans that address underlying factors based on your unique needs. Options include:
Oral medication kits start at $69 per month (10-month plan paid upfront)
GLP-1 injections start at $199 per month (12-month plan paid upfront; pricing and eligibility may vary)
Summer fun will begin soon at Schuster’s Farm, an agricultural wonderland just ~25 minutes east of Madison in Deerfield.
Right now, five goats are expecting and due any day, so baby goat snuggles are right around the corner. Plus, take a look at the farm’s lineup of August activities, which includes yoga sessions, live music performances in the flower garden, a reptile rendezvous featuring scaly guests, and much more.
Save hundreds when you shop Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale for top deals on apparel, home, beauty, and more. We’re adding these five to our cart before they sell out:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Who makes the best old fashioned in Madison? That’s the spirited debate at hand during Madison Old Fashioned Week, which will run Friday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 22 this year. During the fourth annual event, restaurants around town will activate to showcase their best drinks, and it’s up to you to crown a favorite.
‡‡This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
‡Paid upfront in full. Actual price to customer will depend on product and subscription plan purchase. Not available in all 50 states. Weight Loss by Hers is a holistic program that includes nutrition support, technological tools, and medications prescribed based on what your provider determines is medically appropriate and necessary for you. See website for full details, important safety information, and restrictions, including online provider consultation requirements.
