Around Town with Local Chef-Farmer-Bartender-Musicians Where to Go for Food & Music

SCOTT WILLIAMS

Farmer at Garden To Be, guitarist in Hammock Wilburn

“Name me anything else that brings people together more than these two activities [music and food]!”

Go-to spot: “Tofflers in New Glarus. It’s fun inside when it's cold and rainy, and fantastic outside on their large patio with a stage.”

@hammockwilburn

Ced

Musician, painter and veteran bartender at The Robin Room

“Food and music are inseparable. Music is as important (if not more) as the lighting situation, the decor, and the services offered. It is the soundtrack of your evening.”

Go-to spot: “The cool vibe, lovely crowd and red hues of Mickey's Tavern is a favorite spot of mine where I have had bimonthly residency for a decade now.”

@cedricbaetche, cedmusic.com

MATT RABOIN

Co-owner of Brix Cider, guitarist and singer

“Music and food are both creative endeavors. You mix and match flavors, colors and textures with food just like you mix and match melodies, harmonies and rhythm with music. ”

Go-to spot: “Brix Cider of course! I really love the food we make and the way we change the menu for the seasons; I find that there's always something that I want to eat. Meeting so many bands and having the pleasure to hear them all perform has been a highlight of owning Brix Cider.”

1 Sprouting Acres Farm: At this scenic Cambridge farm, pizza pairs perfectly with a serenade by local musicians. Pizza nights are held the first and third Sundays, May through October. sproutingacres.com

2 The Sessions at McPike Park: National acts meet internationally inspired food carts in the heart of the isthmus. Find this season’s schedule at sessionsatmcpike.org. Free.

3 The Sh*tty Barn Sessions: This community-run music venue in Spring Green hosts a revolving line-up of homegrown and national acts along with Enos Farms tacos and Wander Provisions picnics. shittybarnsessions.com. $15-35.

Full Mile Beer Company:

This downtown Sun Prairie locale hosts local and regional Americana, bluegrass and funk acts weekly on Saturdays from 7-10 p.m. fullmilebeercompany.com/events. Free.

5 Nattspil: Stop by any night of the week in June and July for DJ-hosted vibes from 7-11 p.m. or aim for the Sunday Disco Brunch at this intimate small-plate restaurant just off Madison’s Capitol Square. nattspil.com/djs/dj-schedule. Free.

6 Brix Cider: This local food destination in Mount Horeb hosts live music every Sunday and an open mic night every Thursday. Pair one of their dry ciders with Wisco Gumbo, made with homemade andouille sausage, Seven Seeds Farm chicken and local vegetables. brixcider.com. Free.

7 The Bur Oak: This neighborhood watering hole and venue shares a building with Ahan restaurant and James Beardnominated chef owner Jamie Hoang. theburoakmadison.com. $8-35.

Paoli Hop Garden & Mill Park: Enjoy an outdoor beer garden vibe along the Sugar River with a surprising number of walkable food options—Molina Tacos (10 steps), Paoli Schoolhouse Café (across the street) or Seven Acre Dairy Company (just down the street). thehopgarden.net/ Paoli_Mill#EventsandMusic. Free.

Stoughton Opera House: Acoustic, indie, folk, country, you name it—international legends and Milwaukee-bred bands alike play here. Grab a pre-show dinner and cheese curds at Stoughton staple Wendigo. stoughtonoperahouse.com/events. $12-40. Prices listed are for the music only.

Bailey's Run

Vineyard & Winery

Bailey’s Run Winery is open 7 days a week. Neapolitan pizzas and live music every weekend! “Where Wine Goes to Have Fun!”

BAILEYSRUNVINEYARD.COM baileysrunvineyardandwinery baileysrunvineyard

Brix Cider

Every bite and every sip you take at Brix Cider in Mount Horeb supports the beautiful and bountiful community in which they reside.

BRIXCIDER.COM brixcider brixcider

The Cider Farm

Small-batch, family-owned and certified organic orchard growing English and French cider apples in Mineral Point for local cider and apple brandy.

THECIDERFARM.COM the_cider_farm theciderfarm

Dancing Goat

Distillery

Located 20 miles east of Madison in Cambridge, Dancing Goat Distillery is open for tours, tastings and a gin academy where guests craft their own bottle of gin.

DANCINGGOAT.COM dancinggoatdistillery dancinggoatdistillery

Rude Brew

Kombucha

Small, craft kombucha brewery that utilizes locally grown fruits and herbs to flavor their brews. Now located in the Willy Street neighborhood in Madison!

RUDEBREWKOMBUCHA.COM rude_brew_kombucha rudebrewkombucha

Sunshine Brewing Company

Lake Mills brewery offering a wide variety of handcrafted beers, including a range of delicious Belgian-inspired brews and mouth-watering Mexican cuisine that pairs perfectly.

SUNSHINEBREWCO.COM sunshinebrewco sunshinebrewco