Alchemy

Bar, Eatery

1980 Atwood Ave
Madison, Wisconsin, 53704-5221
United States

(608) 204-7644 | map
alchemymadison.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.22
Reviews:
11
Ratings:
30
pDev:
8.29%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Zenboy99
Rated by Zenboy99 from Wisconsin

4.51/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Great place, just bring cash
Jan 20, 2019
Photo of deedric
Reviewed by deedric from Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
Wow! When Wonders Pub closed, I was rather sad - however, I have loved this place since it opened up in the same space. Great food (fish fry is wonderful). Eclectic food, there's always something for your vegetarian friends. On the con side, it fills up quickly and the bar can be hard to reach in crowded conditions.
Jul 28, 2017
 
Rated: 4.13 by Rilesmiles from Wisconsin

Nov 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

Aug 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by UWBadgerFan4Life from Wisconsin

Jul 08, 2015
Photo of atone315
Reviewed by atone315 from Wisconsin

4.48/5  rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
Went here on a Friday night, 1.5 hour wait but we had a table for 7....so not too big of a deal. Had a few beers while waiting, they had Central Waters Space Ghost so I was content. Had the Smokehouse burger and it was ridiculously good. My wife had the Walnut burger (she's a vegetarian) and it was also damn good. Not exactly sure what everybody else got but the table was a little quite once the food came so I can assume everyone loved it. Would definitely eat here again.
Feb 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by redleg411 from Wisconsin

Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by redpuck from Wisconsin

Feb 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.55 by Diaper-Daniels from Wisconsin

Jan 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by twb0392 from Wisconsin

Dec 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by OBD from Wisconsin

Nov 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Canada_Dan from Colorado

Oct 29, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by SnarkyFinn from Wisconsin

Aug 16, 2014
 
Photo of BarrelAgedG
Reviewed by BarrelAgedG from California

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Been to Alchemy numerous times.. Finally a review. One of the better combos of food and beer in Madison.. As stated by others they have 8-10 taps which aren't amazing but don't include any Miller, Coors, or Bud.. Thank goodness! Almost always have a TG on tap from my experience and the main reason to go is the food anyways.. A nightly special that is always worth getting but plenty of other sandwiches and entrees that will pair well with any of the tap list brews.. A couple of tables outdoors make it a nice place on a pleasant evening.. Servers are very competent and have always been prompt in my experience.. It is cash or check only but they do have an ATM and it has a $1 service charge so not a huge deal.. If you are from the area or just visiting Alchemy is definitely a place worth checking out!
Jul 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by bpfrush from Wisconsin

Jun 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Gotti311 from Wisconsin

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Giesch from California

Jun 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by tyleeis from Wisconsin

Apr 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by BarrytheBear from Wisconsin

Jan 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by williamjbauer from Colorado

Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Stevedore from Oregon

Oct 24, 2013
Photo of leedorham
Reviewed by leedorham from Washington

3.96/5  rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
I went here to taste pseudo sue for Madison craft week. It is a nice little cafe with some outdoor seating. They had a selection of about 7 or 8 good craft beers capable of making a decision of what to order a little tough.

They seem to care about the food and our waitress took the time to explain what must be a very delicious dish of gourmet Mac and cheese but I just got some sweet potato fries.

The biggest disappointment was that our waitress did not have a calculator in her brain, something I think should be included in all waitresses.
May 10, 2013
Photo of ErmahgerdPhD
Reviewed by ErmahgerdPhD from Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
I live 2 blocks away and, until recently, had not discovered Alchemy. Now I am kicking myself for not getting there sooner. The food my fiancee and I have had there has been amazing (Tarragon Ham and the Bison burger with bacon and onions for me and a BLT and fish tacos for her). Also, if they have their handbreaded wings as a special GET them; you won't regret it. The beer selection is great, with about 10 nice craft beers on tap. I am sad they took out Gumballhead between my first and second visit, but they made up for it with Bedlam! from Ale Asylum, and Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale. The service is the only complain in that it's somewhat slow. Also, IMPORTANT - THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH OR CHECK. However, they do have an ATM in the place, so it alleviates this issue somewhat. The prices are pretty normal, $4.25-4.75 for a nice pint of craft beer and typically 8 bucks for a sandwich. My fiancee loves the sweet potato fries as well. There are some entrees that are 13-15 bucks but if you want to eat cheaper here and get good food, you definitely can.

Also, Sunday night we went in and took part in a very fun, yet difficult, trivia night. Tons of fun - would totally recommend this to anyone!
Jun 08, 2011
Photo of beerwolf77
Reviewed by beerwolf77 from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in here for a few during my recent trip to mad town.

Seating for diners on the right and an elevated stage like bar on the left. I took a seat at the bar. First thing I noticed was how wobbly my stool was it felt like it fall apart at any second. Once I figured out it was how all their stools are I rolled with it.

About ten taps to choose from which isn't a huge number but all were solid choices. I ordered a beer and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was happy hour. Score one for me. The bartender was very friendly and promt. He did manage to fill all my pints so full I had to do the no hand slurp with every glass. I appreciate that it's 16oz of beer but come on man. I like to enjoy the head too.

Overall a nice chill place to grab a beer in Madison.
Oct 10, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Transcribed from notes dated Su, 09 Aug 2009.

Located at an odd intersection of Winnebago and Atwood Streets, I had been past it a few times but never visited until a 2008 Pre-GTMW bar crawl.

One important point to note is that they are cash only, no cards. I dislike carrying cash, but I made the concession here. It was a wide space with windows flanking either side of the twin door entryway. Once inside, on both a buttonhook-right and a buttonhook-left were a couple of seating areas up a couple of steps. Standard restaurant tables and chairs ran along the right wall with a pew-like bench in front of another elevated seating area separated by railings. First, three steps led up to two tables on the right, then two more steps led up to three more tables. The bar area was along the left wall, also up three steps. I did not understand the need for all of the elevation. I felt as though I were inside an Escher print. The "J"-shaped dark wood bar was fairly long with the taps at the left-facing end of the back bar. The back bar was an antique mirror and carved wood affair with shelves for liquor and glassware. To the right of the back bar was the kitchen. The lavs were all of the way aft, through a doorway on the right. A skylight was right in the center of the building. The ambiance was low-key with jazz playing and the lights dimmed, but not stygian. An H-D flat screen TV was hung above the entryway to the kitchen, but it was pretty unobtrusive.

Beers: Ten rotating taps with a highly Midwestern influence - Great Lakes, Bell's, two Two Brothers, Founders, Ale Asylum, Pearl Street and Viking, plus a Rogue and an Oskar Blues. Nineteen bottles, most fairly common.

Mom Test: Sure. This is a good, low-key joint with good food and good beer. I saw lots of families having dinner while I hung out at the bar.
Jun 27, 2010
Photo of DaPeculierDane
Reviewed by DaPeculierDane from Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
It pained me to see Wonder's go. I was long a regular at the venerable Eastside establishment. Heck, I was a devotee. Although Alchemy brings much to the table, as does Dexter's, which opened shortly after Wonder's shut its doors, and although I can still get a beer served to me by the great bartender Sid, formerly of Wonder's currently of the Malt House and Dexter's, I still can't help but miss Wonder's. Well...enough with the run-on sentences and on to a review of Alchemy.

When the hippie/hipster kids that opened Alchemy took over the place they didn't change much esthetically, aside from making a few very much-needed improvements. The walls were painted, the floors refinished, and some god-awful 1970s velvet black light art was hung on the walls. Thankfully, that art has now made way for hangings from local artists. Amen.

The bar is still long, wooden, and raised a couple steps up from the main floor. It features seating for 10-12. Areas in the front windows and rear corner opposite the kitchen are also raised and provide snug corners for groups to assemble and chat. The vibe is hip yet still neighborhoody.

One will find live music featured almost every night of the week at Alchemy. Bluegrass, long a neighborhood favorite, is frequently featured but blues, rock, and DJs playing a great variety of music also find their place. I've often enjoyed some quality brews with Reggae bumping in the background.

Food is pretty solid at Alchemy. I'm basically addicted to their homemade salad dressings and seasoned potatoes and usually go with the deep fried tomato and cheese sandwich or whatever special is on that day. Their steak sandwiches are usually good too. On Friday's be prepared to wait and wait because Alchemy churns out one of the most popular and affordable fish frys in the neighborhood. Basically, you can expect to find typical bar food tweaked with a lot of creativity and use of local/organic products. Very vegetarian friendly but not without a giant buffalo burger on the menu for carnivores like me.

The beer list is very limited but always above par. Bottle selection is slim to non existent but the ten or so tap lines feature an ever rotating selection of local crafts like New Glarus, Capital, or Lake Louie, and top selections from national craft brewers. Often featured are beers from Dogfishhead, Avery, Three Floyds, New Holland, Smuttynose, Stone, and Breckenridge, but frankly you never know what you're going to find from one week to the next.

In the end, I still miss Wonder's but I'm glad to have another pro-beer joint take its place in my neighborhood. If you're coming to Madison and spending time on the Eastside, include this in any pub crawl along with Ale Asylum, Dexter's, and the Malt House.

Oh, and service is always very good.
Dec 07, 2009
Photo of blackie
Reviewed by blackie from Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
first stop right off the plane on my latest Madison adventure

the place was pretty dead at 3 pm on a Wednesday afternoon - it was packed at the Two Brothers GT pre-party, but memories of that night aren't exactly clear, walked to the bar inside and ordered a Great Lakes Independence while my compadre went with a Founders Cerise (cute), cool old-school wooden interior would make a fine place to hole up for a couple hours in the winter months, but summertime it is...

after taking our seats on the sidewalk patio it was only a short wait for my stuffed grilled cheese to arrive, loved the sandwich and the wedge fries were on point, the subsequent Friday night fish-fry was quite easily the best I've had

the selection was all quality but there really weren't any "wow" beers - though I'm told it's typically better, the Independence was better than expected - not to say that I don't expect quality from Great Lakes, but red ales are often pretty tame

the bartendress was very friendly and kept making the trip outside to check on us

good start to the trip and definitely worth repeat visits
Aug 21, 2009
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This was my second visit to Alchemy, the first time being the Surly/TBS pre-party for Great Taste of the Midwest last year.

I really like the feel of the place, a laid back airy cafe kind of vibe with low key music playing in the afternoon. The bar is elevated, towards the back left end of the room. Tables in the front windows, and another elevated seating area in the back. Wood floors and railings, plenty of sunlight in the day, local art on the walls, and a small patio area out front too.

Taps were largely local, a few exclusives like Capital Hop Bock and Bells 3rd Coast Old Ale (keg had just blown though), New Holland Existential, and local standbys like Ale Asylum Hopalicious. They had maybe 20-25 bottles of various stuff listed on the menu, nothing too wild but a decent variety. Also some creative mixed drinks, one used Rogue Spruce gin.

Didn't try the food, but our table ordered a few appetizers and they were a cut above typical bar food. There seemed to be a good amount of organic stuff on the menu. Alchemy is a great neighborhood place and i'd return anytime when visiting Madison.
May 04, 2009
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Alchemy - inhabits the building formerly known as Wonders Pub.

When i first visited Alchemy a while back, shortly after it opened, there were some nice taps and lunch was pretty decent. Boy has this place come a long way since - i now stop through here weekly, and i'll tell you why

Alchemy really seems to be the new Weary on the near-east side. The vibe is great, the food is outstanding, and the beer is even better.

the old wooden interior and small elevated bar are full of character - the room hosts live music on the weekend and is quite cozy any night of the week.

i dont believe there is any bottled beer but the taps rotate quickly and feature things you might not see elsewhere. in the past few weeks i've enjoyed stone double bastard, stone arrogant bastard, smuttynose barleywine, dfh world wide stout, avery czar, and new holland dragons milk (wonderful on tap). Out of the 10 taps on hand, the least attractive on my most recent visit was new holland kolsch, which isnt a bad standby. There is no domestic schwill anywhere in sight. I also noted 3F alpha king, capital winter skal, and various other local/regionals. I get the impression that if you go to this place every week or two, you will consistently be surprised. This is precisely what you want in a neighborhood beer joint.

The menu, much like the Weary's, is small but impressive. There are a number of nice appetizers (veggies, hummus etc) and some great salads - the maize salad is full of garbanzo beans and a nice dressing. The portabella sandwich with leeks is also nice and the beer brined chicken breast with a spicy corn/garbanzo bean salad was quite good. The fish fry looked fantastic but i was trying to limit my caloric intake.

The near-east side of Madison literally went from a beer wasteland to the most fertile part of town with Alchemy, the Malt House, Dexter's, and Ale Asylum taking over.

Alchemy rocks, go check it out.
Jan 11, 2009
Alchemy in Madison, WI
Place rating: 4.22 out of 5 with 30 ratings