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Now open: The Winnebago

now open winnebago cafe music venue
Chris Lotten
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Now open: The Winnebago

By Howard Hardee

March 1, 2019

Madison’s newest cafe and music venue had a soft opening on Tuesday, Feb. 26, giving the community a glimpse of The Winnebago’s potential as a welcoming neighborhood hangout.

Winnebago's exterior
Photos by Chris Lotten
For the past several months, brothers John and Jacob DeHaven have been remodeling the former Norway Center (near the corner of Winnebago Street and Lafollette Avenue) into a new cafe and venue, aiming to create a space combining art, music, food and community. Originally intending to call the place the Winnebago Arts Cafe, they have settled on simply The Winnebago.

Winnebago's cafe counter

A table in Winnebago's cafe

The front room is the cafe space, and it has a comfortable, homey vibe. There’s lots of dark-stained woodwork, exposed brick and an art deco style of tile flooring. The back room — the venue — is cavernous, with a stage, full bar and vaulted ceiling that gives the space a sense of grandeur. The owners are aiming to pay homage to the jazz clubs and dinner theaters of the 1920s, where people could enjoy a meal while watching the show.

Winnebago's venue space

Winnebago's venue space

If the first week of music scheduling is any indication, The Winnebago will host an eclectic mix of live music, including a tropical electronic artist Kainalu on March 15 and queer punk band Gender Confetti the next night. (Regarding booking, the venue’s website has an open call for “all artist performance concepts.”)

Winnebago's venue space

Winnebago's cafe board

The Winnebago will have a full breakfast and lunch menu in addition to serving Kickapoo Coffee and Rishi Tea and rotating daily specials; on Tuesday, the specials were market quiche and biscuits and jam. And while it’s too early to be critical of the kitchen, we can officially vouch for The Winnebago’s sourdough french toast and orange juice.

Winnebago coffee

Winnebago foodBut don’t take our word for it. The Winnebago is open Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bar’s soft opening is tonight (Friday, March 1) from 4 p.m. until midnight, with happy hour until 6 p.m.

The venue is an homage to old jazz clubs and dinner theaters.

The bar in Winnebago's venue space

The seating area of Winnebago's venue

Beer, Breakfast, Brunch, Cafes, Coffee, Food + Drink, Music, Restaurant Openings, Schenk-Atwood, The Winnebago

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