Summer is the season for enjoying hand-crafted cocktails on the patio! Many of Fitchburg’s restaurants have gorgeous outdoor spaces, perfect for pulling up a chair and trying a new beverage. Savor these seasonal beverages while you can!
Local Lounges
Fitchburg's favorite cocktail lounge, the Atomic Koi, has a been serving specialty cocktails for years, with something for every taste. Ice cream based drinks, mint juleps, and our favorite, the Side Car, are all refreshing summer drinks. The Sidecar is a delightfully crisp blend of Maker's Mark whiskey, cointreau, sour and served straight up.
New to Fitchburg, The Rusty Bee recently opened in Fitchburg in July 2024 and is already becoming a popular spot for locals and visitors. Located in the Arlo Apartment Building, patrons can enjoy a dog-friendly patio and live music on most weekends. Their menu has a diverse range of cocktails, including new takes on standards like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned and their Queen Bee Paloma. They also have an extensive menu of seasonal Summer Drinks. We love The Bees Knees, made with Empress Gin, honey, and lemon juice.
The "Hot Mezz" and Margaritas
Tapatios is a great stop for authentic tacos and margaritas, but our favorite cocktail on their menu is the Hot Mezz; Mezcal, habanero & pineapple over ice. With just the perfect amount of spice, it's a fantastic accompaniment to tacos, enchiladas, or anything from their menu. Their Hot Mezz has even been nominated for the 2024 Best of Madison "Best Cocktail!"
If you're searching for a place to enjoy a summer sunset, Me & Julio is an ideal spot for sipping margaritas on their beautiful patio. They’ve become famous for their hand-crafted margaritas, made with excellent tequila and homemade sweet n’ sour. Their patio also has a large fire pit!
WI Standards: old fashioneds and badgers
Quivey's Grove has created the perfect summer setting under their Paddock on Friday nights, for those craving an al Fresca fish fry and an old fashioned. Their signature old fashioned is made with Korbel Brandy, hand muddled with sugar, cherries, orange, and bitters, and garnished with a cinnamon stick. It's a state standard for a reason and it pairs perfectly with their famous fish fry!
The Thirsty Goat is known for having 40+ beers on tap, but they also have a robust cocktail menu with favorites like daiquiris, old fashioneds and their "Thirsty Badger," made with Smirnoff, Magners Pear Cider, peach schnapps, raspberry mash and sour mix. Stop by on a Saturday to sing your heart out at karaoke, or gather round the fire pit on their patio.