Nightlife & Taverns

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Nightlife & Taverns

your favorite bars, bartenders, & drinks

Poll Questions in this Category

Best Bar DJ

There is timeless wisdom that states, “In da clerb, we all fam.” And in those “clerbs,” the right music is crucial to cementing the familial bonds formed...

Best Bar for Drinkin'

Local bars are offering more and more features to attract customers - music, comedy, video games, axe throwing, you name it. But some tavern-goers prefer to focus on the...

Best Bar For Eatin'

Given the pervasiveness of Wisconsin’s bar culture, in future years we expect to establish categories like “Best Bar for Yoga” and “Best Bar for Young...

Best Bar For Indoor Games (pool, darts, etc.)

The reigning champ of this category for the third year in a row, Reboot Social (220 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) is the go-to for folks of all ages looking to get their game on. For...

Best Bar For Last Call

The Five O’Clock Club (2240 Fenwick Ave., Eau Claire) is no stranger to this category and has finally claimed the...

Best Bar For Outdoor/League Sports (volleyball, softball, etc.)

Returning to the No. 1 spot in this category, Wagner’s Lanes and The Complexx (2159 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire) is...

Best Bar for Talkin'

Grab a beer with a buddy - and actually hear each other talk - at The Joynt (322 Water St., Eau Claire), a 13-time first...

Best Bartender

For the first time since this category’s debut in 2020, we have a brand new No. 1 bartender: John Langner of Helix...

Best Beer Selection

With this year’s No. 1 win, The Fire House (202 Gibson St., Eau Claire) is officially on an 11-year first-place...

Best Bloody Mary

Now the No. 1 local Bloody Mary for nine years running, Big T’s Saloon (2007 Third St., Eau Claire) frequently...

Best Craft Cocktail

This year’s Best Craft Cocktail winners showcase the impressive art of mixology. Stealing first and new to this...

Best Dive Bar

The term “dive bar” is meant with fondness and warmth, at least from us, and we think that’s clear...

Best Happy Hour Spot

After claiming the No. 1 spot for the past five years, Cowboy Jack’s (1432 Front Porch Place, Altoona) returns for...

Best Karaoke

Five O’Clock Club (2240 Fenwick Ave., Eau Claire) may not seem like it would be the hottest spot in town for...

Best Margarita

Lime the rim and take your pick - salt or sugar, we won’t judge! Cancun Mexican Restaurant (multiple locations)...

Best New Bar

Technically, The Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen (402 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) does have a bar to sit at, but there was no...

Best Place for a Mocktail

The mocktail trend continues, and they only keep getting better. In first place for the second time, Helix Wine, Craft...

Best Place for Cocktails

Helix Wine, Craft Bar & Cafe (1444 Front Porch Pl., Altoona) takes first for another year with a variety of...

Best Place For Dancing

While Eau Claire does not have a proper dance club, it does boast three bars where locals like to get down. Perennial...

Best Place to Drink With Your Dog

If you’ve kept up with recent years of the Reader Poll, this year’s winner comes as no surprise: The Brewing...

Best Sports Bar (Place to Watch the Big Game)

While most watering holes ’round here will air Packer games, there are some places that just do game days better...

Best Trivia

Think you know it all? Prove it! SandBar & Grill (17643 50th Ave., Chippewa Falls) scores first place with its...

Best Whiskey Selection

Whether you drink it neat, on the rocks, or as a cocktail, you’ll be certain to find a wide variety of whiskey...

Best Wine Selection (Bar, Restaurant, or Winery)

Wine for the win! In first place again this year, you’ll find a unique array of wine at Helix Wine, Craft Bar...

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