Monona

lakeside suburb · 53716

Monona is the lakeside suburb Madison residents quietly envy: a small city wrapped around the east shore of Lake Monona, close enough to downtown that the commute is a formality and the property taxes are the conversation. The dating pool skews older and settled, with a heavy tilt toward homeowners, lake-access enthusiasts, and people who left the isthmus when the lease math stopped working. Bars are sparse and neighborly rather than scenes, which suits the demographic. If your idea of a good date involves a paddleboard, a patio at sunset, and being home before the Beltline gets ugly, Monona is built for you.

$52,130

median income

$1,336

median rent

The data

Monona by the numbers

Median individual income in Monona is about $52.1k.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023
The median renter in Monona pays about $1,340 a month.
● Verified · Census ACS 5-yr, 2019–2023

On the ground

Local date spots

15 spots · tap a point, label, or class to filter

Class

Budget

Vibe

15 spots across Monona

Monona
Dining
Naples 15
Italian restaurant$$$$★ 4.5 · 1,727
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Find it
15 N Butler St, Madison, WI 53703
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.5★ from 1,727 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$$ · a splurge is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Naples 15.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$45
Their share$45
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon4:30 to 10 PM
Tue4:30 to 10 PM
Wed4:30 to 10 PM
Thu4:30 to 10 PM
Fri4:30 to 11 PM
Sat4:30 to 11 PM
SunClosed
Parking
Free street parking
Dining
Outdoor seating · No-contact delivery · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible restroom · Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Off Broadway Drafthouse
Bar & grill$$$$★ 4.6 · 1,689
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Find it
5404 Raywood Rd, Madison, WI 53713
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 1,689 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Off Broadway Drafthouse.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue11 AM to 10 PM
Wed11 AM to 10 PM
Thu11 AM to 10 PM
Fri11 AM to 11 PM
Sat10:30 AM to 11 PM
Sun10:30 AM to 10 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Curbside pickup · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Family-friendly · Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Dining
Merchant Madison
American restaurant$$$$★ 4.3 · 1,429
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Find it
121 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 1,429 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Merchant Madison.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue4 to 9 PM
Wed4 to 9 PM
Thu4 to 9 PM
Fri4 PM to 12 AM
Sat9 AM to 12 AM
Sun9 AM to 9 PM
Parking
Free street parking
Dining
Outdoor seating · No-contact delivery · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible restroom · Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
College students · Family-friendly · Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Breakwater
Bar$$$$★ 4.2 · 1,004
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
6308 Inland Wy, Monona, WI 53713
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.2★ from 1,004 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Breakwater.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 2 AM
Tue11 AM to 2 AM
Wed11 AM to 2 AM
Thu11 AM to 2 AM
Fri11 AM to 2:30 AM
Sat10 AM to 2:30 AM
Sun10 AM to 2 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Silver Eagle Bar & Grill
Bar & grill$$$$★ 4.3 · 862
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
5805 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 862 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Silver Eagle Bar & Grill.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 12 AM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 12 AM
Thu11 AM to 12 AM
Fri11 AM to 1 AM
Sat10 AM to 1 AM
Sun9 AM to 12 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Curbside pickup · Delivery · Onsite services · Takeout
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Muskellounge and Sporting Club
Bar$$$$★ 4.7 · 330
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
4102 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.7★ from 330 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Muskellounge and Sporting Club.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon3 PM to 12 AM
Tue3 PM to 12 AM
Wed3 PM to 12 AM
Thu3 PM to 12 AM
Fri2 PM to 1 AM
Sat12 PM to 1 AM
Sun12 to 10 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Antlers Tavern
Bar$$$$★ 4.3 · 199
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
2202 W Broadway, Monona, WI 53713
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 199 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Antlers Tavern.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon10 AM to 1 AM
Tue10 AM to 1 AM
Wed10 AM to 1 AM
Thu10 AM to 1 AM
Fri10 AM to 1 AM
Sat10 AM to 1 AM
Sun10 AM to 1 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Nitro Beverage Lounge
Cocktail bar$$$$★ 4.6 · 198
Outdoor seatingLGBTQ+ friendly
Find it
502 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 198 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$ · mid-range is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Nitro Beverage Lounge.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue3 to 10 PM
Wed3 to 10 PM
Thu3 to 10 PM
Fri12 PM to 12 AM
Sat10 AM to 12 AM
Sun12 to 8 PM
Parking
Free street parking
Dining
Outdoor seating · Onsite services · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible restroom · Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
Groups · LGBTQ+ friendly · Transgender safespace
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Dining
Nook
Eclectic restaurant$$$$★ 4.8 · 192
LGBTQ+ friendlyWheelchair access
Find it
2138 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.8★ from 192 Google reviews
Split the bill
$$$$ · top-end is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Nook.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$80
Their share$80
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed6:15 to 10 PM
Thu6:15 to 10 PM
Fri6:15 to 10 PM
Sat6:15 to 10 PM
SunClosed
Dining
Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
Tower Inn
Bar$$$$★ 4.3 · 181
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
1008 E Broadway, Monona, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.3★ from 181 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at Tower Inn.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 6 PM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 12 AM
Thu11 AM to 12 AM
Fri11 AM to 2 AM
Sat11 AM to 12 AM
Sun12 to 7 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Cafés
Paradise Ice Cream
Ice cream shop★ 4.8 · 164
Good for groupsWheelchair access
Find it
4552 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.8★ from 164 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Paradise Ice Cream.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
MonClosed
Tue11 AM to 9 PM
Wed11 AM to 9 PM
Thu11 AM to 9 PM
Fri11 AM to 9 PM
Sat11 AM to 9 PM
Sun11 AM to 9 PM
Dining
Delivery · In-store shopping · Onsite services · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
The Dive Inn
Bar$$$$★ 4.6 · 143
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
521 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 143 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at The Dive Inn.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon11 AM to 12 AM
Tue11 AM to 12 AM
Wed11 AM to 12 AM
Thu11 AM to 12 AM
Fri11 AM to 12 AM
Sat11 AM to 12 AM
Sun11 AM to 12 AM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Crowd
Groups
Pets
Dogs allowed
Contact
Site Maps
Monona
Drinks
The Tiki Bar on Lake Monona
Bar & grill$$$$★ 4.6 · 121
Outdoor seatingGood for groups
Find it
3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 121 Google reviews
Split the bill
$ · budget-friendly is our editorial bracket, not a real bill. Plug in what you expect to actually spend at The Tiki Bar on Lake Monona.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$13
Their share$13
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon4 to 9 PM
Tue4 to 9 PM
Wed4 to 9 PM
Thu4 to 9 PM
Fri4 to 9 PM
Sat2 to 9 PM
Sun2 to 9 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Outdoor seating · Takeout · Dine-in
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
Groups
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Dining
Imaginary Factory
Distillery★ 4.9 · 98
Wheelchair access
Find it
1401 Northern Ct, Madison, WI 53703
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.9★ from 98 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Imaginary Factory.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon4 to 10 PM
TueClosed
Wed5 to 10 PM
Thu5 to 10 PM
Fri5 to 11 PM
Sat4 to 11 PM
Sun3 to 7 PM
Dining
Onsite services
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot · Wheelchair accessible restroom
Contact
Call Site Maps
Monona
Activity
Fired Up Pottery
Painting studio★ 4.6 · 95
Wheelchair access
Find it
4112 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Get there
Transit Drive Walk
Crowd read
4.6★ from 95 Google reviews
Split the bill
Price tier unlisted — plug in what you expect to spend at Fired Up Pottery.
Estimate — adjust$
Your share$25
Their share$25
Even split — modern and uncomplicated.
Hours
Mon10 AM to 6 PM
Tue10 AM to 6 PM
Wed12 to 6 PM
Thu10 AM to 6 PM
Fri10 AM to 6 PM
Sat10 AM to 6 PM
Sun10 AM to 5 PM
Parking
Free parking lot
Dining
Onsite services
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance · Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Contact
Call Site Maps

Monona

Monona by the numbers

Local date spots

Naples 15

Off Broadway Drafthouse

Merchant Madison

Breakwater

Silver Eagle Bar & Grill

Muskellounge and Sporting Club

Antlers Tavern

Nitro Beverage Lounge

Nook

Tower Inn

Paradise Ice Cream

The Dive Inn

The Tiki Bar on Lake Monona

Imaginary Factory

Fired Up Pottery

Reach Monona singles right where they plan dates.