Contributed by Madden’s — An Irish Pub
Over the years, an often-overlooked bar, tucked in a sea of red-sided buildings near the ambulance garage and fire station in Elroy, has changed hands time and time again. But now, it’s back under new ownership and a name that locals remember with fondness.
Between the late ‘60s and the early ‘80s, the bar — then brick-sided — was named “Madden’s Bar” for its popular owner, George Madden. Now, the family name is back, and George’s grandson, Chris, is at the helm, with the support of his wife, Anna, and his brothers, Dave and John.
“I actually approached the last owner to ask for a copy of a picture he had of Madden’s,” Chris said. “I didn’t realize that I’d be buying the whole place.”
Now freshly painted green with a hand-painted black and gold sign that screams Irish pub, Madden’s is ready to take back its spot in Elroy, and the Madden family are all on board. “My wife, my brothers, cousins, aunts, friends — everyone has been helping, and we’re all excited to see it return to the family,” Chris said.
While it’s taken weeks to clean and transform the formerly red-sided, awning-fronted building to its new, distinctive look, Chris said that interest in and support of the new business has been strong in the neighborhood and the community.
“We’ve had a lot of people stop to ask us about the new place and to see when it’ll be open. People from the immediate neighborhood who remember George and cyclists from the bike trail have all wanted to peek in and seem eager for us to open the doors,” Chris said.
Now, the awaited time has come, and for the week of June 19, Madden’s — An Irish Pub will be open from 5–9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, offering drinks and appetizers that range from fried cheese curds to Irish eggrolls and more.
“We’ll start offering lunch hours, burgers and sandwiches the week of June 26,” Chris said. “Then, we’ll start our Friday night fish fries and Saturday corned-beef dinners soon after. Our grand-opening celebration will be July 21–22.”
A Madison-based Irish band, The Tooles, will perform live from 8–11 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. “They’re great. It’s going to be a really fun time.”
Located along the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, at 302 Railroad St. in Elroy, the new Madden’s can be reached at (608) 372-6865 or at maddenselroy@gmail.com. A website, Facebook page and other social media connections are forthcoming.
