Shooting the tube: TV-free bar experiences in Madison

Wisconsin is victorious—VICTORIOUS—but spent after a tumultuous Packers season. It could be time to turn off the television for a bit, so The A.V. Club scoped out some bars with no TVs, or at least bars without TVs that constantly blaze down at patrons in high definition from all angles. Because it’s not like we’re about to give our livers a break, but our eyes could use the rest.

Natt Spil (211 King St. 608-258-8787)
Dumplings stuffed with succulent beef, tangy pickled vegetables, and wood-fried pizzas at Natt Spil aren’t sullied by droning televisions. This provides a mini-getaway from excitable sports commentators and the rest of the mindless spew we’ve been enduring to watch the goddamned game.
The focus is on: some of Madison’s best DJs, who man the tiny audio booth and spin a savvy mix of dub, jazz, and pulsing dance music.

The Mason Lounge (416 S. Park St., 608-255-7777)
There is a television at the relatively new Mason Lounge, but it is kept behind a curtain, like a risible god. In this working-class neighborhood, hopefully hiding the tube is not commercial suicide.
The focus is on: a thoughtful selection of microbrews.

The Malt House (2609 E. Washington Ave., 608-204-6258)
The Malt House touts its “TV-free experience” specifically, along with offering patrons plenty of spots to park their bikes and a chance to saunter up to Madison’s oldest, Civil War-era bar.
The focus is on: tremendous varieties of quality beers, wines, whiskeys, ciders, and meads, and the rare opportunity to have outside food delivered to your drinking perch.

Opus Lounge (116 King St. #1, 608-441-6787)
The cool ambience of the Opus Lounge is a nice frame for conversation over hors d’oeuvres and champagne.
The focus is on: a trippy light display that throbs to the beat of downtempo electronica, making even the most socially obtuse feel suave and in-the-know.

Le Tigre Lounge (1328 S. Midvale Blvd., 608-274-0944)
The famously dictatorial owner of Le Tigre gets cross-eyed when people swear, and has the tiny television on only rarely. It’s a dark hideaway where sitting silently with a drink is perfectly okay.
The focus is on: the cat-centric decor. Once the fixation begins, it’s hard to think of anything else.