Back in the day, you might have stayed out until the wee hours enjoying all the cultural happenings the city has to offer. But maybe those late nights don’t sound as appealing as that feeling of your head hitting the pillow before 10 p.m.
Luckily, in Madison you don’t have to choose between having a good time and getting a good night’s sleep. Here are some fun activities you can do around town that won’t leave you bleary-eyed the next morning.
Who says you have to stay out late to go dancing? The Cardinal Bar hosts Hot Flash the first Friday of every month, with DJ Millbot and guest DJs spinning club hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and more from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Touring comedians who play at the Comedy Club on State and elsewhere usually play two shows a night, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. (Or earlier! Daniel Tosh has a 5 p.m. show at the Orpheum Theater on June 22.)
Since comedy shows usually last around 75-90 minutes, you’re out the door of that early show by 8:30 p.m. As Patton Oswalt said at an early Madison show recently, “You’re home in bed by 9 p.m.! My people!”
The Wisconsin Book Festival, A Room Of One’s Own, and other local booksellers usually schedule their author events at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. They typically last an hour. Pro tip: Buy a copy of the book before the talk if you don’t want to wait in a long book signing line afterwards.
The beloved Atwood Avenue bar has live music almost every night. But on Sundays, the bar hosts a 4 p.m. show, usually involving local musicians like the Cajun Strangers or Gaines & Wagoner.
There are very few restaurants in Madison that don’t have some kind of Happy Hour special. Some of them offer live music in addition to drink and app specials, especially in the summer, when hanging out on the patio after work and listening to a band is a great way to wind down.
Speaking of hanging outside and listening to live music, there’s no place to do it like the Terrace in the summer. While bands usually hit the stage after dark, there are plenty of early-evening music to enjoy, such as the “Behind the Beat” jazz music series from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.
