Enjoy Madison ... on a Monday

I was recently presented a challenge, "What is there for a visitor to enjoy in Madison on a Monday evening?"

This gave me pause, because for some Madison retailers Monday is a day of rest after a busy weekend. Some restaurants close on a traditionally "slow" evening. A few shops close for the entire day.

Camera in hand, I took up the challenge however. Lo and behold! I was pleasantly surprised when I walked downtown Madison between 5 and 6 p.m. on a Monday evening in July.

Across from the Courthouse, the bright orange open flag was flying at the Artisan's Gallery. In the block of Main Street just west of the Courthouse, diners were arriving at Bistro One, one of Madison's finest dining restaurants. Subway offered sandwiches. Two nightspots, Joeyg's and the Electric Lady, were open for dinner and drinks. Main Street Antique Mall was open for business. Cigar afficianados could get their fix at Churchill Cigars. Odis & Emil had its inventory of unfinished furniture overflowing onto the sidewalk. That block will soon welcome a new eatery, Chez Danielle French Bistro.

One block further west, shoppers could peruse Whimsy, Crawdaddy Music, East Industries' screenprint shop, Madison Music Center and the Village Lights Bookstore. Diners could choose between the soups, salads and sandwiches at The Downtowner or Asian fare in Hong Kong Kitchen. Next to the Ohio Theatre, there was a cluster of three stores open into the evening: Sugar Creek Collectibles, The Floating Cow gift store and the Blue Cerebus, a boutique for dog-lovers.

In the first block west of West Street, the block in which City Hall is located, you could opt for ice cream at the Madison Creamery or beverages at Madison Coffee & Tea. The fragrance of frying onions wafted from the famous Hinkle's Hamburgers, and the burgers are fabulous at Shipley's Tavern, nearby at 322 West St. At Madison Mercantile you could either browse for a fine wedding gift or order a meal from the "Mad Merc Cafe." Medical personnel getting off their shifts could replenish their wardrobes at Jo's Scrub.

Elsewhere in town, you can get a fine meal at the Historic Broadway Hotel & Tavern, the Madison Lighthouse or Cafe Dofi.

Conclusion: Life in Madison goes on after 5 p.m., even if it's Monday!