Madison Pub

I was having a rough night. Unprompted and without me saying a word, both the patrons and bartenders treated me with the utmost kindness and welcomed me with (literal) open arms. Places like this are a reminder of the power and impact of our community. Places like this are a light in the dark of this life. Through even the “smallest” of gestures I was reminded that we can evolved into good things and that hope exists in random places - that night it was this pub.

I love this space and it’s a regular part of my rotation of queer spaces!! however, the older bar tender (hat, glasses) is always incredibly rude to me and my friends…like, really rude. i guess not everyone is meant for customer service… good luck with your tips!

The bartenders must not like making money. We sat at the bar for a good 15 mins being completely ignored ( older guy with glasses)I finally had to get up and walk over to ask him if I could get a drink and was greeted with side eye and long sigh because we inconvenienced him.

I love coming here BUT the bartender (older, male, glasses) is always SO. RUDE. every time i go. i’m not sure what’s going on there, but they seem like they shouldn’t be working with the public. maybe back-of-house is better suited for your attitude.2 stars bcz i like the touch tunes & claw machine.

Not a good place to go if you present as a cis straight woman. Was treated very rudely BY the bartender until my very handsome gay-presenting male friend joined me. Then it was a game changer and bartender was all smiles and cooed like a pigeon in love. I decided to leave with a few choice words about the discrimination I recived from the bartender (and even from a couple of patrons) taking my handsome drinking buddy with me. Community? Pppft! NOT HERE!

Fun music. Bad drinks but cheap! Don’t think I’d walk in if I was fully sober but I think that’s the fun part!

A drunk guy came out of the bar and started talking to us clearly slurring his words. He was heading towards some parked cars and we asked him if he was driving - he assured us he was only getting his pool cue. Then we see him get into the drivers seat and drive off. We called the police and then returned to Madison’s to let the bartender know there was a drunk patron who left in a car making sure to be very nice about it. Well this patron was back at the bar, the bartender started to get aggressive pointing out the patron saying he know how many drinks he served him. The patron came up and got right in my face aggressively confronting me. My partner stepped in and the patron told him to back off. The bartender or patron (I can’t remember) said they called the cops on us. Then the bartender put his hands on my partner’s chest and shoved him hard which is assault. This is what you get for trying to be a decent person. The drunk driver could have killed someone. Think about this next time you are in Madison’s.

Friendly neighborhood non-intimidating gay bar thats been around for 39-ish years. Cozy atmosphere with TV screens for sporting events, trivia, and the Food Network. Full line up of liquor and a ton of beer choices on clean taps served in iced pint glasses. Jukebox at a level you can still hold a conversation with a friend or make new ones. Two pool tables, three dart boards and some pinball machines. Good layout with easy access to clean restrooms. Theyll remember your name and what you drink. Ive never had a bad experience there in the 20+ years Ive been stopping by. They open at 11a daily.

The bartender was being racist towards my friend who is POC. The bartender kicked him out when he went up to order his first drinks of the night. When my friend asked why he was kicked out and all the bartender said was that he is annoying. No one else in our group had issues. This behavior should not be tolerated.

One of the bartenders is very rude. It’s not the first time he has been rude to me or people I know. I ordered a can of seltzer and wanted a straw with it, so I logically reached to the dispenser which is located at the bar top. The bartender proceeded to slap my hand and say “you don’t touch MY STRAWS”. But not in a nice way, he was just bluntly rude. Anyway, that needs to be addressed, it’s not ok to be rude!

Always had a good time here until I walked in at 1.24am, walked up to the bar to order a drink and the guy behind the bar threw up his hands and said “YOU GUYS ARE COMING IN AT LAST CALL WHAT DO YOU WANT” like alright? If you don’t want to serve people, close early. Super weird way to greet anyone. Don’t work at a place with people if you don’t like people. Not hard.

Went in the early-mid afternoon, all of 5 people in the entire bar. I asked for a pint of beer, got a strange reception from the bartender but he started pouring. I then asked for a water with no ice and he tells me theres a water station at the end of the bar. I guess he was too busy doing nothing to pour a fresh glass. Decided to close out and take my business elsewhere. If Im paying for service, and its not busy, then Id like some service, not sass.

THE MANAGER WAS VERY RUDE (guy wearing a hat & glasses 👓) to me and my friends asking for ID we all provide IDbut because ours was from United Kingdom he wouldn’t serve us even tho we are well over the age of 21 ridiculous service I’ll never recommend this place

I went here today and was in line to order. A older white man in a red shirt cut me and ordered. I flagged this to the bartender but they both seemed unbothered. The patron is the red shirt simply told me “this is how life is.” I ordered my drink and gave no tip and wrote “terrible service.” The bartender then threw my drinks (I ordered 3) after signing my check. My partner and witnesses in the back were surprised by this action. My partner came back and asked for a refund. The bartender yelled at us and pushed us away to wait for about 7-10 minutes. After he “refunded” me, he escorted my party out the bar saying “you’re leaving because I say so.” This was a horrendous experience as I am a regular and live in the area. As I write this review I find out that it’s the same white elderly white male bartender that people are reviewing about. I doubt my review will make a difference but as a bar, don’t claim that this place is inclusive when there’s clearly a preference for “regulars” rather than BIPOC people. Btw, as for the white male in the red shirt that cut me, we found him being a creep to a young woman by the pool table.

Such a good Turkey melt and OMG the fries are to die for. Ive dealt with the ear-piercing Karaoke to eat, thats about the only downside. Leave your hearing aids at home if you can, probably will need some in a few months if I become a regular.

Bartenders are rude arrogantes dont come here if you are color if your Asian Latino and black or Trans.

WARNING MADISON PUB IS NOT WELCOMING TO BLACK QUEER FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!MYSELF AND 6 other black queer folks went to Madison Pub to have some drinks on a Friday evening. After about 20 min we were approached by a man saying that we needed to move because it was his table and his friends were sitting there. Mind you when we sat there there was no one at the table and the man had no friends with him. Instead of engaging we told the guy to talk with the management. We assumed that management would side with 7 people sitting at a table versus a guy and hypothetical friends. Todd from management told us that we needed to move and threaten to refuse us service. We tried to explain to him that we had be there for 20 min and no one ever came to sit at the table. Todd insisted that his friend had ownership of this table and we needed to move.I do not believe that this would have happen if we were not black. White men feel they have privilege over every space on cap hill. It didnt matter that we came there, sat down for 20+ min, and bought over $100 worth of drinks. We were asked to move simply because a non black man decided that he had ownership of a table.

An old school gay bar and love it. Went there a few times and became a regular.People are friendly. Outsiders suck there: dont know the rules of incorporating themselves into playing pool and its not a discotheque that you dance in. Bring your masculine energy and leave your b***** pettiness after door

Funnest bar to have a drink at. Great energy and everyone’s having a great time. Love this place. Bartenders aren’t the warmest but the other patrons make up for it.

My friends and I came here for my girlfriends 21st. We were clearly a bunch of baby gays checking out the scene for the first time, and this place was wonderful for that! The bartender Joshua was extremely kind and patient with us, and even though I have terrible anxiety he really set me at ease from the moment I started talking to him. Helped us clean up a spilled drink without even asking and assured us there was no need to apologize. The TVs were playing master chef and Animal Planet which was AMAZING. Super chill, super friendly, and we cant wait to come back!

One of my favourite pubs on the hill since 1993. Started going for the pinball and beer. Its a great place to meet up with friends and make new ones along the way. Good mix of young and old with minimal attitude. The bartenders are friendly to all and pour one of the last strong drinks in town or on the Hill. I dont get there as often as I use to but if I am meeting friends on the Hill I definitely still recommend the Pub as our starting point.

Just moved to the hill. I looked for gay sports bar and this was the #1 hit. I was pleasantly surprised when I went in. Nice place, pool table and lots of screens showing every sporting event imaginable. Heres my but...But they didint have any of the screens with the audio on. Now Im more than fine with Juke Box music and like to throw a fiver or two in for music, in fact they should turn the volume up some, But I read they were big on soccer. The Sounders were playing. Not only were they playing they were and are still unbeaten. If you want to be a Seattle sports bar you need to have the sound on for The Seahawks, Sounders, Storm and the Kracken next fall. The Mariners are a different story. They play over 120 games. You can watch a baseball game with the sound off as long as its not important.So my short review. Great bar, great location, good prices, nice help, lots of tvs and a friendly clientele. But it flunks a very important test if it wants to be a great gay sports bar. Feature Seattle teams. give them the best screens and let us listen to the game.

This is my favorite gay bar in Seattle. Good staff, (usually) chill crowd. Ive been coming here for like 5 years now and it has never let me down.

My friend was SA’d in the restroom and the bar didn’t do anything to help him. The bar workers knew the offender and actively protected him. They threatened to call the cops on us if we didn’t leave the area, even though we were outside on the sidewalk.The offender was clearly a regular and several of the employees knew him.I will never go back here.

What a fun bar! They have a few arcade style games (pin ball and Ms PacMan) pool tables, darts. Plenty of fun things to do and be entertained with friends. The bartenders were friendly. We really enjoyed our time here and will be back!

I really do like the atmosphere here...and the crowd tends to be the normal guys (vs. those that feel the need to be part of a scene).My biggest complaint is the service. Ive been there at times when the line at the bar is clear back to the pool tables with only one bartender. Short staffed? Nope, other staff just seemed to diddle around while flirting with customers. Hint to staff: Were here to flirt and drink, not you. This is your job.

The Google Maps description says, Relaxed, gay-friendly bar... which I think misstates what this place is. It is relaxed, yes, but it is a gay bar which is straight-friendly, most assuredly. I would say that The Madison Pub is one of the few truly gay bars left in what is becoming a very homogenized bar/club/pub/drinking establishment market place, and I for one am very happy about their holding onto that zeitgeist which will ultimately fade into the past. The place has history and has seen changes over the years, yet is a legacy both in terms of the staff and patrons. I am glad that this place has been able to change with the times and not only remain popular but probably becoming even more so, and still hold onto its gay identity.

Happiness is a Star Wars pinball machineGreat pub with healthy beer & cocktail selection. Service is On Point - very friendly & inviting. The only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars - itd be nice if there was just a smidge more food options. Then I could drink and play pinball ALL NIGHT! (BTW they also have several pool tables, trivia, and a couple of arcade games 😄)

The old black bartender needs to work on his interpersonal skills. He was rude and repeatedly refused to tell me the pilsner beers they had in bottle. Since the fridge was in a dark corner turned sideways from the counter, I had to just keep naming beers I like until he decided he had one of them... Maybe it was me or maybe the bartender was drunk. Im guessing the latter since I saw him pound down a few drinks/shots while I sat and finished my one beer. Dunno...

Great atmosphere, laid back. I dont like bars or clubs but I love this place. The staff are always super friendly, and remember your name. Lots of other cool stuff on Sundays during football season.

Have been here 3 times. I live in the area.Bad service in general. You can not play your own music on the juke box unless the bar tenders are ok with the music being played . They skip your music and give attitute for what you might have picked, unless they like it.I payed and picked a few songs and marcus the manager would just skip it.Will not be going back. I have been to bars when they have a theme night and they stop the juke box from playing or being used, however this was not the case.Marcus said he was a manager and he can do what he wants. Apparently good service is not on his agenda.I feel like I got attitude for being straight and bringing my girlfriend to this gay bar.I am ok with the commuity on capital hill 1000 percent. However places like this are making it so people that are straight are discrimated against for not being LGBQT.It makes me sad because i thought seattle was making progress

Bouncer is really high strung strung and sensitive. That alone can ruin an experience. Been here three times and I wont be back. Barkeeps are great but that really only goes so far once youve been berated on the way in.

Great people inside, except for the rude staff. #powertripExpress

I was at this place yesterday. I put money into the juke box and the bar tender named Marcus skipped two of our songs saying they were too aggressive. If you dont want to give me the choice to play the music I like then remove it all together, dont let me waste my money for your opinion. Will not be returning and will make sure my friends know that this place forces their opinions on you.

Not really my vibe, Im sure its great for a lot of people. Just reminds me of Tim Allens basement.If you want to sit in a bar that feels like you are in the mid West this is your spot, but if you want to meet some people and enjoy a night out I would probably look elsewhere.

I first visited Madison Pub in August 1992 and its still the best pub on Capitol Hill.

Come here for a good timeGreat service from the staff and a few bar activities (pool tables and TV). Smaller bar with a low-key vibe.

Definately a place for regulars to hang out. As outsiders it was clear we had inconvenienced the bartender when we ordered a beer. Not an inclusive place at all.

One of the regular bartender is often rude and dismissive towards guests for no apparent reason.

Great laid-back place for a strong drink with my friends, and a great place for darts. Also the best gay bar youll find to watch Seahawks games.

Seattle LGBTQ sports bar. Great place to watch sports and not have to deal with toxic masculinity. Friendly staff, pool tables, darts and pinball machines.

Bad vibes from the crowd here, very much toxic culture and gate keeping attitude towards anyone “straight passing”. Small group//kept to ourselves and still hassled by someone who ended up falling over drunk only to be helped up by the people that they were harassing.

Love the place. Have you ever thought about kombucha on tap for those who drink less but still want a fun healthy drink?

Havent been there for years! But it is my favorite gay bar.i have every been to)))))))))

Wonderful Neighborhood Pub. Lots of Friendly Happy People. Excellent Crew! Always Happy to see Us!!! Thank You!! Good Vibes ForEver!!

Very friendly fun place. Good happy hour and great staff! Especially J . Look forward to going back when we are in Seattle again

I was there this pass thursday for the first time and i really had a great time.. i meet several guys that we become friends.Great place and very clean.

Great place. Good pinball! Bartenders are nice. Straight friendly. Very chill.

Great gay sport bar to watch the games. Very friendly crowd and staff. This is the to go place if you are gay and love sports!

Everything you ever hoped a perfect little dive would be, almost no seating at 1:30pm on a Tuesday afternoon and the bartender is A-PLUS.

Sarah likes this place.

A friendly and unpretentious gay bar in Capital Hill section. I was visitinv from NYC and had a wonderful time.

Two out of state visitors found this to be one of the better local bars - good beer and people. I would suggest this place.

The atmosphere and parole make it a great time. They also have a friendly bar staff.

Favorite low key bar. Hoping it doesnt get overrun with tourists and keep it on the dl.

Get out of those attitude prone bars and come chill at this wonderful bar with great staff, beverages, darts and pinball and chill people

Awesome gay bar. Great beer selection amazing staff

Whats not to love about a gay sports bar!? Great place to watch the Seahawks or play pool.

Good fast service from very friendly staff. Delicious free Bhan Mi on game night what a treat!

Elderly African-American bartender was extremely rude and standoffish. Won’t be back

Pool, juke box, no frills. good people. good times.

I love this place. Great drinks great people.

Nice! Friendly staff, outgoing customers, good prices!

Another friendly gay Seattle staple, but with sports!

Always fun after the rugby matches

The bar tenders are the nicest

Great

The water taste so bad

I dont go here often enough.

Do something about this jukebox fiasco.

Horrible place should be closed down.

A great space.

Boring. Rude bartender.

Good experience

This place is very nice. Although few Latinos go, it is a good place to go have a beer and talk with friends. You can also play games of chance.

Try the cookies and popcorn its great