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| - Going to Maduro is like going to your grandpop's place if he's a gent that smokes like a chimney, listens to cool tunes and has a crazy collection of digestifs for sipping.
My clothes still smell like the place, and whereas two years after my first visit I would have given the joint one star for smelling up my wooly fibers, this is actually the reason I'm giving them a high five!
Sound strange? Let me try to explain.
Friday was pretty fantastic. After bouncing around the Capitol drinking all the drinks, some friends and I decided to nab just one more. If cigars are your thing, Maduro is the place to end the night. And if cigars aren't your thing (as is the case with me) there is a carefully curated selection of cocktails and an interesting line-up of spirits for sipping. I let the bartender know I wanted to wind down with some Amaro, but I wasn't interested in a neat pour, I was looking for a cocktail. She pointed me to one they have with rye and nocino, which is an Italian walnut liquor made when you soak green, or unripe walnuts in spirits. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Kevin (formally of Papaero) steeps this liquor for them because you can't find it in Madison... but don't quote me on that.
In addition to a lovely libation the DJ on Friday was super swank. Loud enough that we could appreciate the tunes he spun right round, but not so intrusive that my merry gang couldn't gab about life. The place close to closing wasn't packed which made it easy to find space and getting something from the bar was a cinch with two people behind it and a wee crowd of a dozen or so. Credit card minimum is $15, so carry cash if you want one or plan to buy a bud a round as I did.
And two days later, I still have Maduro all up in my sweater and coat. A younger me that worried about everything would have put it outside or in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet, but I rather like that my memories of our delightful evening have stayed with me.
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