Your Daily Guide

🌳 Some Neighbors Aren’t Wild About Olbrich Expansion

• Reactions to expansion plans at Olbrich Gardens have been mixed from some nearby residents, who say they want the process to be more transparent than previous projects at the botanical gardens and nearby Olbrich Park.
• Olbrich Gardens is in the middle of a master planning process to guide long-term plans over the next two decades, responding to a rising number of visitors and aging infrastructure. According to Olbrich, their annual attendance has grown from 240,000 to a record 370,000 guests in 2024.
• Sites in Olbrich Park, including two baseball diamonds and the boat launch near the gardens, are being considered for garden expansion, and residents worry that park amenities will be curtailed to make room for the larger Olbrich Gardens. [Isthmus, Olbrich Gardens]

🧪 UW Researcher Arrested For Allegedly Poisoning Colleague

• Makoto Kuroda, a researcher at UW-Madison’s Influenza Research Institute, was arrested for allegedly putting poisonous chemicals in a colleague’s water bottle and shoes.
• According to police records obtained by the Daily Cardinal, Kuroda admitted that he tried to poison his co-worker because he was jealous that the colleague received a promotion, and that the colleague didn’t follow lab protocols such as wearing goggles and a lab coat.
• Police said that on April 5, Kuroda administered chloroform to an open water bottle the colleague had left on their desk. He was arrested April 10. [News 3, Daily Cardinal]

⛪ Midvale Church Unveils $1 Million Renewal Project

• When Midvale Community Lutheran Church opened its doors for services last Sunday, it was a chance to reveal the fruits of a million-dollar renewal project.
• The church has been in operation since 1953, and its interior had been described as a “dank dungeon” by some of the younger members of the congregation. The renovated state-of-the-art interior is much brighter, with additional community rooms, kitchens, and other spaces.
• Dig deeper: Midvale’s renewal project is a shift away from the trend of local churches opting to downsize and sell their properties to make way for (much needed) housing. [News 3, 🎧City Cast Madison]

What Madison bars hold this city together? That’s the question City Cast Madison asked you and you all had opinions. On today’s episode of the podcast, host Bianca Martin chats with long-time bartender and bar-goer Colleen Hayes about the iconic bars in your neighborhoods. Lots of your emails made it into the show, so be sure to listen!

Here are some of your favorite neighborhood bars. Thanks to everyone who shared their faves!

Caribou Tavern

“The greatest mix of customers you can find – drunks, day drinkers, locals from the neighborhood, folks looking for a great burger. A true dive bar; it has its regulars and they may look at you funny.

“Winslow reigns. Rumor back in the day was that this was the safest dive bar in town because it was owned by an ex-cop and cops coming off their shifts would drink here.” – Phil M.

Players Sports Bar & Grill

“Best bar burger in town; regulars abound but visitors are welcomed; neighborhood-y without being clique-y; friendly bartenders but don't waste their time (the best kind); bumper stickers galore on the beer fridge (mostly pro-labor / anti-Walker).

“This place knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything different or more. Last time I was there with my wife, she looked around and said: ‘There are our people.’ Yep.”. – Phil M.

(Editor’s note: Phil sent in a list of 13 bars, but for sake of space, I’m just plugging two of his favorites. If you see Phil at your local bar, ask him for his other 11 bar recs!)

Mickey’s Tavern

“It's closest to my house, but also has such a vibe and so many cool rooms. The first time I walked in was shortly after we moved to Madison, and shortly after COVID. With red lights and weird music, my wife and I were like, ‘Whoa, this feels like Twin Peaks.’ While sitting at the bar, eventually we heard one of the bartenders say that they were literally playing the Twin Peaks soundtrack! 

“Anyway, many great nights there. Beers on the patio, negronis and pool, trudging through snowstorms, etc. AND my bluegrass band, Father Leroy, has written a tune about it! Called ‘My Old Bar.’ It's an ode to all great neighborhood bars.” –Samuel S.

Delta Beer Lab

“Delta Beer Lab, from its opening, has been a gathering place and is adjacent to many neighborhoods. Everyone is welcome! For me, it is placed close to my sister who lives off Rimrock, brother near Nob Hill Road, my daughter in Fitchburg, and my daughter in Monona. I'm on the east side, but this is on the way to everywhere. When I stop in, it's always friendly, and the beer is amazing. My name isn't necessarily known, but my face is.” – Cheryl W.

Shamrock Bar & Grille

“Everyone knows my name there! Comfortable, Bob's a great host, as are his staff tending bar. Good food, good drinks, reasonable prices, lots of fun people! Oh yeah, and it's a gay bar. :)” – Mark P.