Thoughts on HopCat opening in Madison?

More options, more better, in my opinion. I like the location too, even if Quaker Steak couldn't make it.

 

Being somewhat local and having experience with the brand, I see nothing but positive. I love the people behind the brand and the bar itself. It is always an enjoyable experience when I make my way down. With that said, I do opt for other locations other than Hopcat for a number of reasons, mostly seating or parking issues downtown GR.

There is no reason Hopcat and the local scene both can't thrive. The more I see open the more I believe that there is room to grow. If you deliver a quality product, people will respond.

 

This x 100

 

Predicted primary impact: increased craft beer consumption by UW undergrads.

 

Far west side near Costco? Might actually give me a reason to venture out that way

 

No, it is the Quaker Steak that closed on Gorham, just off State. There's a World of Beer going in on the west side though, at Greenway Station.

 

There was a Quaker Steak on Gorham? When the hell did that happen? Though I can't remember the last time I went down State for any reason other than to get to the Terrace.

 

Same building that was Pizzeria Uno, then a clothing store (Bop?), then QSL. Cursed location but I think HopCat will pull it off.

 

Ah, the place next to the parking lot I use for getting gyrofry!

 

What even are the good beer bars in that area that HopCat will allegedly be taking away from? When I think of good taps in Madison I think of Malt House, Brasserie V, Roast, and to some extent Cooper's Tavern and Tipsy Cow. The only place that's super close to that location is Roast, as State Street generally pulls a different crowd than the Square.

Plus this is the chain's fifth location or so. It ain't like Subway is moving in and putting pseudoSue on tap.

 

Coopers would be the nearest that I can think of that people would frequent for good beers. (I think Roast is -way- overrated) I don't see much of the clientele for places like Coopers & the Old Fashioned venturing down State for beers. Once you round the corner onto State, you run into an entirely different set of drinkers.

 

Roast is overpriced and the service is consistently ... uh, lacking ... but they do wind up with some hard-to-find stuff.

Madison lacks a giant multitap. Who has the most lines? Buffalo Wild Wings? This will be a great addition.

 

Old Fashioned has 52. Coopers and Brasserie are in the upper 20's. That's plenty

 

Hopcat prides itself on exceptional service, great food, and even better beer. They may be expanding into new markets, but you'll never get the "chain" vibe.

I've been to the Michigan locations (and their other spots in GR like Stella's and Pyramid Scheme) more times than I can count and have never, ever had a bad experience. I can't say that about too many places these days.

I hope they fit well into your local beer scene because they are really on point and know what a good beer bar is all about.

 

I'll echo this:

Madison is such a foodie town that its amazing bud light is on tap anywhere. Having another big craft presence, in a location that targets a demographic that isnt typically targeted for craft in this town (college students), is only going to be a good thing.

Brickhouse BBQ and Old Fashioned are probably going to be the main 2 impacted by this.

 

Funny you mention that - http://host.madison.com/ct/entertai...cle_79cf28fa-0165-5e1f-97fa-0dafb08917d5.html

 

You guys get Aaron Rodgers, you get Bo Ryan, and now you get Crack Fries. Fuck you all to hell.

 

With as much foot traffic as that area gets I'd be surprised if this really affects most businesses near the area much.