4-stars on the food, 5-stars on the cocktails. True craft cocktails in Madison are not as rare as they once were, but this is the first place I had a drink and thought to myself: \"I might be in San Francisco right now.\" Down-to-earth as all good Midwestern bars are, Merchant offers specials on high-end punch and \"lawnmower beers\" in cans.  The fresh, handmade, and local initiative isn't just hipster talk; good drinks and good food go hand-in-hand here. Daily specials, weekly menus, seasonal cocktail selections, and loads of creativity with just the right amount of deference to tradition. Hip Capitol Square restaurant, modern cocktail lounge, and weekend local DJ dance party, this chimeric venue is great for people-watching too. And if you need to watch the game, there are TVs above the bar. The biggest plus for me and many other service/retail-industry people is the 7-day a week late-night food menu. A life-saver on many an occassion.\n\nWhat to eat: Chicharrones, if they're available. Definitely squirt the lime over them and listen to the snap, crackle, pop. The burgers. The foie burger is amazingly rich and flavorful, and the house burger (with brisket on top of the burger) is a go-to winner. House-pulled burrata makes a pretty nice meal on its own. Seasonal salads are healthy and hearty, and the desserts are hard to pass up.\n\nWhat to drink: Um, anything in a cocktail glass. The mixologists are skilled at twisting the old fashioned notions of cocktails and modernizing them with highlights like pipe smoke tinctures, liqueur rinses, and fruity/savory shrubs. And they're exceptional at \"just making something\" from their extensive bar of craft spirits and home-made bitters, syrups, and tonics. On Mondays, and occasionally at other times, they'll have a special punch made up for a pretty reasonable price. This season, the Carolina is one of my favorite cocktails ever, Smoking Barrels is a unique must-try concoction, and The Regret is a great go-to savory drink that reminds me a lot of the first craft cocktail served to me at a bar in San Francisco. (P.S. Their wines selection is okay, and tap beer selection is refined and craftily good.)\n\nAnd don't worry if all you want is a rail rum and Coke. They'll make that for you too.