James Madison House Bar & Restaurant - Madison, Connecticut

katie S.

Staff is always friendly and personable. They pick up small talk you may have started with them a week or two later. The small town vibe is great to escape the boring chain restaraunt feel & the space works for solo to large groups. The menu has quality classic favorites and new twists on bar staples. Specials are frequent for seasonal items. Never had a bad meal.

Jae P.

I was super excited to go here, but the food was a let down. My gf got the pizza which smelled weird and had so much grease on it. I had the patty melt and French fries, there was no seasoning and everything tasted like rubber. I was super disappointed because I wanted to visit this location for a long time.

Aside from the food, the staff is great. Everyone is super professional and kind. Great service from our server and she went above and beyond! Additionally, there was great music playing and a great crowd as well.

My overall recommendation is go here for drinks and music. It’s a great bar, and spot to have a beer with friends and family!

While disappointed with the food, I would recommend this restaurant for a good time with friends and family.

Bubbys D.

Update- 7/2024 - still awesome! We had the mac-n-cheese (to die for) and a margarita flatbread that was ☆☆☆☆☆. Kudos to the boh! Melanie was our server & she was great!!! Photos added.

Stopped in to check out the new house & grab a bite to eat. Tried the garlic steak & cheese sandwich which was great. We sat at the huge horseshoe shaped bar, it felt kind of like Cheers with Kris-Ann shaking it up behind the bar. Great experience. We'll be back!

Eta 6/2023 As a mac-n-cheese lover, I'll say it's one of the best around! Large portion with lots if creamy cheese. It's a dinner size bowl & delicious.

J W.

Went there 1st time and last time.. we sat at the bar, since no one greets you when you walk in. The bartenders ignored us after we got out drinks and closed the menus, had to ask them if was could order food. My chicken with a basil cream sauce was horrible, so rubbery and the cream sauce was broken and separated into butter and what looked like cottage cheese. I was very hungry so I chewed threw 1 piece and ate the COLD mashed potatoes,. So sad what the broccoli had NO seasons not even salt and pepper.. I see now why they are always hiring a saute cook on Craigslist,. Not the best spot to hire a cook. The bartenders were busy brown noising 3 locals they both spent all there time with them chatting about booze and wine, what a joke. We never got asked how our food was because they know it sucked, we also had to ask for the bill about 20 minutes after we pushed our plates towards the bar edge. Some lady came out and poured herself a bunch of wine,. Right to the top, not like the 1/2 glasses they sell. Must of been a owner, anyway she looked at my 1/2 eaten dinner and me but never asked if something was wrong.. Closing soon!!!!!!!!.
Should be able to cook chicken properly not just boil it to death. I'll try again somewhere else..

Bianca S.

Cute little place. It’s our go to to watch football. They have multiple TVs on the walls playing different games. I always get the Apple goat cheese salad and it’s always delicious. Staff is friendly.

Edward H.

We live in North Madison. There are a lot of restaurant options under 20 minutes.I've gone there several times a month. Initially because it is close but there is a warm feeling there that brings me back.

The new owners totally renovated the place. They also revamped the menu and refined it over the past year. Everything is good quality and prices are reasonable. We have been there a couple of times when they had live music too

I would drive further to get there and thankfully I don't have to. As it gets more popular there can be a wait but it's never very long and they do have tables outside. Live music, great food and everyone is friendly. The crowd is a good mix of people... All ages.
Well done!

Cherie S.

Bartender not attentive at all to us. We sat at the bar got menus for both food and drinks. Not crowded but totally bypassed us until I waved down what I thought was another bartender… then he jumped to… took over 20 minutes for him to make 3 drinks and it was clear he didn’t know where to find anything to make the drinks…. ? Why is he alone behind the bar😠

Dylan O.

Sat down and got a drink right away. Once I told the guy(bartender) i wasn’t having food I wasn’t spoken to again for 40-45 mins. I was planning on having a few drinks but ended up only having 1 due to crappy service. I was 1 of 4 people at the bar(there was 2 bartenders). Wont be back!