Plain Spoke Cocktail Company

Thursday 5/9 at 4:30 my friends and I showed up to plain spoke to have a cocktail. We go in and get greeting by the bartender and he serves us and we pay for our first drink. Everything was good and we were satisfied and planned on chilling there for the night because it was not busy and even discussed ordering food and more drinks.

Not even 10 minutes after receiving our drink the bartender says to us “just letting you guys know I’m not offended or anything, but not leaving a dollar on the bar after getting served is a really good way of not getting good service by your bartender. I know you guys are students but I’m just saying”

This was completely rediculous. He immediately assumed we were not going to be tipping him. We’re also not students. My character felt very judged. I always tip my servers and bartenders before I leave. Sorry it wasn’t within the first 10 minutes of us being there. We finished our drinks and left feeling very uncomfortable. I’ve never experienced something like this at a bar before.

Love the vibe of this place, and love the menu to try their cocktails on tap. The service is just ok. most of the space is first-come seating with no table service, and bartenders don't have a great system/patience when people are crowding at the only open bar spot to order (which is poorly located). it's not a craft cocktail scene, most cocktails are tastings of their premade canned cocktails.

Absolutely love this place! Always a go-to for us. Great people, great service, great drinks, great vibes!

My husband and I have visited Plain Spoke a couple times and decided to host a welcome party for our wedding guests. The planning process was simple and Steph was very kind to answer all our questions. We were originally going to use both the bar and private event space, but ended up just using the bar area and it worked out well for the amount of attendees. The draft cocktails made for quick service for the group and everyone enjoyed the variety of both pre-made and built cocktails. You can also include food from the downstairs YoungBlood kitchen which was delicious. Great venue option for a private event!

It's one of the top 5 cocktail bars in Madison imo. They only carry Low Brow Spirits, Plain Spoke is technically a tasting room for that distilling company. Not technically a tiki bar, but they feature a good amount of tiki cocktails on their menu. Great vibes inside. Service can be kinda hit or miss depending on bartender/time of day.

Cool space, warm welcome from the bartender. But not only were our cocktails bad. He overcharged us. We both ordered rail drinks, which the menu says are $6. He charged me $10 and my friend $7. My drink was tea-weak on both liquor and flavor. My friend's was completely flat.

Vibes are IMMACULATE here. Great lighting and atmosphere, and the cocktails are unique and tasty. Any of the drinks with herbs are super fresh and earthy, in the best way possible. They even have a back room showing action movies like the early Fast and the Furious movies!