College Sports Bar in Madison, WI
Where Kollegians Kongregate Since 1953
“Never Let School Interfere With Your Education”
In 1953, entrepreneur Jack Meier and his sons, John and Jim Meier, opened The Kollege Klub on the iconic State Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Previously occupied by the Campus Soda Grill, The Kollege Klub’s first location was at 714 State Street, where UW’s Memorial Library stands today.
To this day, many alumni remember the welcoming presence of the owner, John “Big Dad” Meier, and many still recall the iconic UW rowing shell that hung above the bar. With the construction of Library Mall in 1972, The Kollege Klub relocated to the corner of Lake and Langdon Street, where the KK tradition continues to grow to this day.
Anyone who frequented The Kollege Klub during these years will likely have had their order taken by Bruce, and if not, they surely had shared a drink with “The Doktor.” As Wisconsin’s athletic program developed into a national contender in the late 80’s and early 90’s, The Kollege Klub established itself as the quintessential venue for loyal Badger fans. The Men’s Hockey National Championships (1983,1990,2006), the Rose Bowl victories (1993, 1999, 2000), and many other famous Badger games were times that many alumni will always remember celebrating at the KK.
Having gone nearly unaltered for 40 years, Jordan oversaw a much-needed renovation of the Kollege Klub in the summer of 2011. While this face-lift ensures that the Kollege Klub is poised for continued success in the future, the KK’s atmosphere continues to honor its tradition and legacy of the past 60 years.
Vodka, Brandy, Whiskey, Rum, OJ and top with Grenadine
Vodka, Apricot Brandy, Lime-Aid
Vodka, Apricot Brandy, Cranberry Juice
Cherry Vodka, Lemon Lime soda, top with Grenadine
X Rated, Peach Schnapps, Lemon Lime Soda
Chris Chelios, UW Hockey National Champion, 1983
“I’ve had some of the best times of my life at The KK. The best staff at the greatest college bar in the country!”
Tom Sagissor, 1990 UW Hockey National Champion, President RBC Wealth Management-US
“The University of Wisconsin is recognized as one of the top educational institutions in the world. It has a top notch faculty, campus and student athletes, but, most importantly it has The Kollege Klub!”
Derek Stepan, UW Hockey 2008-2010, New York Rangers Forward
“There are no trips made to Madison without a stop at The Kollege Klub. Great times at my favorite bar in Madison.”
Kenny “KD” Dichter, 90 UW Madison Alumni and Founder/CEO of Wheels UP, Co-Founder Tequila Avion
“Awesome staff, awesome atmosphere, awesome friends. The best college bar anywhere!”
Adam Burish, UW Hockey National Champion, 2006 and Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion, 2010
“Awesome staff, awesome atmosphere, awesome friends. The best college bar anywhere!”
Best College Bar at University of Wisconsin “It’s basically an afterlife for jersey-chasers. There may be better places to actually watch the game (State Street Brats, any house on Breese with a three-story beer bong), but our editor who graduated from Madison saw Kirk Herbstreit do a Jager Bomb here, so that’s that.”
#11 Best College Bar for Bros “A haven for athletic-minded folks in particular, this place is simply just “the bees knees.” A night at the Kollege Klub is a must on the collegiate bucket list of any true Bro”
13th Best College Bar in America, “Wisconsin is infamous for its beer culture. At Kollege Klub, you have no choice but to become a part of it.”
#6 College Bar in America
“This venerable bar, a haven for fraternity boys for years, is regarded as the best campus bar for football games, primarily because of its tradition and the fact that about half of the team will show up after the game.” -1/22/09
ESPN GAMEDAY
“There was a huge huge party. The Kollege Klub was rocking in Madison all night long.” -2011 Rose bowl Game
“For over 50 years, students have checked some sensibility at the door and ventured into what can simply be described as an escape from reality.” -4/23/04
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
“What is Madison? …It’s walking over to the venerable Kollege Klub on a Saturday night to see the football players arrive in a flourish — as Heisman winner Ron Dayne often did — and then disappear into a bar as unpretentious as any you’ll find on this good green earth.” -9/16/03
“You can’t attend the University of Wisconsin, or even visit, without becoming a part of beer culture. Kollege Klub presents the ultimate Wisconsin college bar experience, with a location right on campus. The Badgers customers spend their weekends feening for the Klub’s sought-after beer pong tables, “beer-n-shot night” (a free shot comes with your beer), and every Sundays’ “Kountry Night,” where you can bring your own mug and receive drink discounts.”