Woof's
Dancing · Sports Bar · Madison, WI
About
This Capital-district dive draws a bear, levi, and leather crowd most nights. Woof's opened in 2007 and keeps things no-frills: no cover, daily half-price happy hour with free snacks, and drink specials. A pool table and dart boards sit beside 12 large TVs. Sunday Beer Bash and monthly fetish parties are regular fixtures.
Bartenders are known for being friendly, but the owner has been accused of transphobic behavior in a June 2024 review. They accept cash only; an ATM is behind the bar but reportedly unreliable. Best later in the evening when the crowd picks up.
Woof's sits in Madison's Capital district, near the Wisconsin State Capitol building.
Features
- ✓No cover, ever
- ✓Daily half-price happy hour M-F with free snacks
- ✓Pool table, dart boards, 12 large TVs
- ✓Monthly fetish parties
- ✓Cash only; ATM on site
Good for
Practical
What people say
Rated from 37 reviews. 22 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
It's especially lively during special events, but even on regular nights it's a solid spot for drinks with friends. A leather bar with a sports bar vibe. There's a gear shop in the back for clothing and fetish needs. Highlights: awesome music, cash only, cute bartenders, not a family-friendly place, great happy hour, rowdy atmosphere.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Transphobic Owner”
I met the owner last week. He misgendered my partner, blamed them for it, and got angry when a group of six customers tried to correct him. He called my partner a thing, then walked off looking for someone to agree with him. I later heard he talked about committing physical violence against transgender people. This was my favorite bar, and I went there several times a week. The staff are all caring, understanding, and not transphobic at all. But I can never go back knowing I'd be supporting someone with those beliefs who disrespected my family so badly and made it clear we aren't welcome.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Ok, but needs improvement.”
It was okay. We arrived early on a Thursday night but had to get more cash since they don't take cards. There's an old ATM behind the bar that the bartender knew was throwing network errors, but the owner won't fix it. The bartender suggested we go next door to use their ATM, which I didn't want to do, so we just left. We wanted to stay, but they don't seem to care enough to keep people in the bar.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“Great place to go and relax !!!”
I really like the bartenders and the friendly crowd at Woof's.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
“was ok...probably won't go again”
Inside was nice overall, but the timing wasn't great. I was there from about 6pm to 7:30pm. There were about six regulars and the bartender was mostly focused on them. A younger group had one woman with an extremely loud, piercing laugh. I'd had enough of that crowd and left. It's probably better later, but it's smaller than I expected, and I decided not to come back that night. Maybe another time, but it didn't grab my attention.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cover charge? +
No, there is no cover charge.
Does Woof's have a dress code? +
No official dress code, but the crowd trends bear/levi/leather.
What events does Woof's host? +
Sunday Beer Bash, monthly fetish parties, and regular Bearaoke karaoke.
Does Woof's serve food? +
They offer free snacks during happy hour, but no full food menu is confirmed.
Is Woof's LGBTQ+ friendly? +
The bar historically attracts a gay bear/levi crowd, but a recent review alleges the owner made transphobic comments. LGBTQ+ patrons may want to consider this before visiting.
