Nightlife in Waupun

Inside Art Bar, hundreds of soda-bottle caps crate an argyle pattern on pillars, wine corks stud an oval-shaped bar, and paint-by-number pieces plaster a wall, depicting everything from horses to Jesus. The aesthetic is kitschy—absurd, sentimental, theatrical—and it offers a glimpse into the creative mind of owner Don Crause. Formerly an interior designer for Ethan Allen, Crause left the position to brave the trials of being a small-business owner in Riverwest. Today, his bar pours more than 40 microbrews by night and Alterra coffee by day in a space adorned with the rotating creations of local artists. The beer lineup includes seasonal brews from Bell’s, Founders, Lakefront, and New Glarus, as well as “mystery beers” served for two bucks or so in a crumpled brown bag. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel describes the venue as “a feast for all senses,” and “one of the hottest spots in Riverwest,” noting that newcomers who attend the bar’s comedy, musical, or artistic events “might want to have a date to match.”

Jade Monkey's menu has a martini, iced tea, mojito, classic or specialty cocktail, hard-hitting spirit, or craft, imported, or domestic beer to appease any esophagus. Chase the bubbly Rosie Palmer, a champagne cocktail with PAMA pomegranate liqueur and champagne ($4), with a creamy cherry cheesecake specialty shot ($3) to warm sudsy stomachs. For hops and froth enthusiasts, Jade Monkey's eight on-tap brews (including Ale Asylum Hopalicious, Bell's Seasonal, and New Glarus Spotted Cow) complement a hearty list of craft brews, domestics, and imports. Sate a nagging sweet tooth with Jade Monkey's ice-cream drinks such as the grasshopper, a creamy whirl of crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and ice cream ($7). Classic cocktails such as the whiskey side car ($7) are available along with signature creations such as the Dog Sled, a sweet and tart pour featuring Captain Morgan, Southern Comfort, orange juice, and pineapple juice ($4).

Behind State Street Brats' charming Old-World half-timbered façade, a convivial bar-and-grill atmosphere welcomes visitors to lively feastings of pub fare. With a special focus on sausages and cheesy meals, the menu celebrates the best-loved staples of Midwestern cuisine. Chefs serve up brats two traditional ways, with the Sheboygan-style white brat soaked in beer and red brats split open and grilled for a smoky flavor. Patrons can customize their orders at the condiment bar by slathering on a wide selection of toppings, such as tomatoes and sauerkraut, and picking the best flavor from a spread of local mustards, including Koops, Silver Spring, and Mustard Girl.

A two-time finalist for Madison Magazine’s Best Sports Bar, with a gold in 2011 and silver in 2012, State Street Brats relishes the company of happy regulars and avid sports fans there to catch games on the bar’s 25 TVs. Extensive cable and digital subscriptions keep crowds entertained with professional football and baseball or collegiate action. Four evenings a week, the second floor comes to life with a live DJ and a packed dance floor. Bartenders also keep fans on their toes with themed specials, such as Flip Night Tuesday, where patrons can flip a coin to determine how much their drinks cost.

Beer flights, tap takeovers, trivia, and pool. The Brass Ring has got all bases covered, whether visitors are looking to let loose or grab a hearty meal. Sharing a space with a live music venue and a wine lounge, The Brass Ring features a spacious, two-story dining room and an outdoor patio that accommodates groups of all sizes. A rotating list of beers circulates through the bar’s ten taps, while martinis and cocktails are shaken and stirred by resident bartenders instead of industrial paint-shakers.

The Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill could easily throw out the tables and chairs, burn the menus, and close down the bar—even then, people would have plenty to do and see. While diners feast on burgers, they bask in the glow of televisions broadcasting sports from ESPN GamePlan, NFL Sunday Ticket, and Fox Sports Network. Trivia competitions bring friendly rivalries into the eatery on weeknights, where players can match minds to win free drinks and bragging rights at the next Mensa track meet. The kitchen's pub grub mixes well with draft and bottled beers, which wait in the wings to swoop in and extinguish thirst pangs or rinse burger residue from hands.

A University of Wisconsin institution, freshly renovated Wando’s tantalizes taste buds with a menu of meaty burgers and savory sandwiches. In between bites, draft beers, cocktails, and the watering hole's signature fishbowls wet whistles, and PBR table-toppers make refilling glasses as convenient as hiding behind the keg. The sports-centric bar solidifies its allegiance to the University of Wisconsin with red-and-white décor and by showering UW students with free bacon and unlimited oxygen on Tuesday nights.