Babes Restaurant

in Madison, WI
by Mike Huberty - August 2009

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Photo Caption: Babes Restaurant & Cocktails

Named after one of baseball's immortal athletes (the ever-colorful 1920's home run superstar (whose reputation even survived a cheesy 1990's biography with John Goodman), Babe Ruth) and in their third decade of business, Babe's Bar and Grill on Madison's near West Side has turned started adding live entertainment into the mix on weekends in addition to their traditional sports bar offerings. Originally conceived in 1988 by owner Lynn Haker as the ultimate place to “watch the game” in the Heritage Square strip mall on Odana Road, kitty corner from the Westgate Mall, Babe's moved to a larger location on Schreoder Road just a few blocks up Whitney Way. Walking in, Babe's feels like a higher class sports pub with pictures of the University of Wisconsin and Madison athletes adorning the wall. There's a sit-down restaurant in addition to the large bar area and there's two gigantic projection televisions, so whichever location you decide to sit in, you've got a view of the big screen. Smaller televisions line the ceiling of the rooms and there's usually more than one satellite feed of the same game going on so you can enjoy a variety of views of your favorite event. If you're hungry, there's a full burger and sandwich menu (including vegetarian options) as well as bar food appetizers (but I did find the fried portabella mushroom fingers to be unique as well as a tasty alternative to the usual fried mushrooms) available and Babe's is open for lunch every day starting at eleven in the morning. Happy Hour drink prices are a dollar off all cocktails, beer, and wine and goes from 3:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday. Tuesdays are Trivia Night starting at 8pm and live music on Thursday and Fridays and party holidays, like St. Patty's. Live music on Friday's during the summer months is staged on the outdoor patio. The bands booked so far are a variety of classic rock, Americana, and country but they're excitingly featuring some original music (like The Rowdy Prairie Dogs, Lucas Cates, Tuck Pence and Karri Daley) as well as popular covers. Adding live entertainment to Madison's West Side is always welcome and being right off the Beltline, Babe's has a great location to stop, have a drink, and check out a band.

Babes Restaraurant & Cocktails
5614 Schroeder Road
Madison, WI 53711 (608) 274-7300
http://www.babesmadison.com/