Bar Bistro 608 / Rooftop Bar

Subpar. For that area of Madison, they could provide a better bistro.
The food is decent but nothing worth writing about, but the staff is horrendous. My trip here was quite a bit ago, but I still feel obliged to write in, as my experience is something that I feel the company should know. The manager on staff was named «Dan» and the bartender was named «Peter». Those two I remember distinctly because of their poor service.
Upon sitting in the bar, I could hear the bartender showing sexual texts to coworkers, including the manager, and laughing. (I will refrain from stating how I knew this, but the conversation was quite loud and crude.) There was also quite a few misogynistic comments and ‘jokes’ made loudly around the bar area, including the staff.
Drinks were ordered. My girlfriend’s Rum & Coke tasted odd, and we had requested, and paid for, top dollar rum. The bartender got defensive, then admitted he was out of the rum requested, so he had «Substituted» it. This is atrocious and a breach of so many ethical and legal aspects.
Needless to say, we never went back. I occasionally check the reviews here to see if things got any better. It doesn’t appear they did.
Time for Madison to invest in a modern, quality bistro.

It wouldn’t take much to improve the atmosphere here. For starters, since it’s outdoors, how about some summer flowers? Also, the metal chairs are uncomfortable — seat pads would help. The wine selection is uninspired — Sycamore Lane and Flip Flop — and the food isn’t great. I ordered the Mediterranean Platter and was expecting fresh cucumber slices, feta, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, hummus and olives. But it only had hummus and an artichoke dip, with pita slices and a small dish of olives. The view of the tree tops is pretty, though. And being outdoors in nice weather is always preferable to being inside.

This is a bistro? Really? And melba toast with chopped tomato and onion passes as bruschetta for $ 8? Do we want more «crostini?» Sure, but then we get 6 microwaved melba toast again. The menu is very, very limited and the choices are rather odd.
Mojito was plenty strong, but didn’t taste good, and $ 9. Beer selection is not well curated, but predictable and boring.
View is nothing to see, kind of like the top of a parking ramp. No plants or effort to create any atmosphere.
Sorry, but I would never suggest going here and would only come back if someone insisted.

Went here before a movie and their food options were limited. We got Parmesan tots with spicy «ketchups» (yes, plural even though there was one spicy ketchup) and kettle chips with «dips» (guacamole and salsa). It’s as if some guy in college was raiding his fridge to concoct this menu.
The drinks were sub par, my wife’s mojito wasn’t great, and our waitress looked like she was on meth. There were 7 servers behind the rooftop bar, but service still sucked.

this review is for what there calling madison_​rooftop_​tasteofsummer, I had the 10 dollar pastrami burger and 7 dollar calamari, calamari no red sauce barely enough calamari to satisfy a bird. Pastrami burger for 10 dollars you expect more then 1 slice, Seriously one small slice, 1 slice of pastrami are you kidding. it took me longer to read the 3 paragraph burger description of this burger then it took to eat it. I’m pretty sure this place is nothing like the real sundance except the prices.
this place is lost and so is there menu, good luck

Fun, good view, and the bartenders do a good job with some fairly labor-​intensive margaritas.

I want to rate 608 higher but I’ve had so many sub-​par experiences here. The wait to get a table is never long (1^st star) and the drinks are pretty strong (2^nd star). Unfortunately the wait for drinks is always long, even when there isn’t many customers. The food takes equally long to get to your table, I’ve actually gotten a COLD sandwich because the turn around time was so long.
The view in the summer is nice, sitting on the roof people watching after being couped up in an office all day is a excellent way to unwind. It’s also nice to take your food and drink into the theatre with you if you can’t finish in time for your movie.

I reserve 3-​star ratings for places that I thought were nice or good but never felt the need to return to. I came here with friends after a movie one night and had a tasty martini, and locally brewed root beer. A little expensive, mind you.

I initially posted this under the Sundance Cinemas — but no, I’m talking about the restaurant that is on the floors above the movie theater.
I had a nice evening dinner at this place. Although the view from the rooftop is pretty limited, loved the very airy+snobbish atmosphere. If you’re yuppie hater, this might not be the place to be, but it’s not that heavily sophisticated. I mean, it’s still down to earth, and I didn’t feel awkward with my very casual outfit. It’s a very nice spot for a date.
My friend and I ordered sweet potato fries, mojito for me and 7on7 for him. For entrée, I had grilled salmon on top of green salad ($ 12.50, and he had open faced crab-​melt $ 11.50). My mojito was pretty good. Just the right amount of mint leaf, but not over whelming. Food was pretty decent, too. I just loved spending relaxing Sunday night in the warm air.
A caveat is that if you run into a pre– or post movie rush, the service can be very slow. It didn’t bother me so much since I was chatting away with my friend, but if your friend is not the conversational type, you might struggle to fill the void time.