Showboat Saloon

Best wings, and choice for Craft Tap Beer… If you don’t go try something you will be missing one of the best places in the Dells. Bartenders are always friendly. Just go and you will see.

A lobster crane game in a bar?
Yup, Showboat you are an interesting place.
If you’ve ever been to the Dells you’ve probably been to Showboat at least once, if not on many occasions. Fine place to stop in for a drink, or two, or three, or ?. Come late in the evening and most patrons are probably at the? level. Easy place to meet up with friends to hang out.
Tap beers, some only $ 2.50. Shuffleboard to keep you entertained during the day, and a stage/​music, lots of people watching to keep you entertained in the evening.
If I won a lobster, I probably wouldn’t eat it. But, I kind of want to try.

They have six kinds of Three Floyds on tap and free all you can eat bacon on Thursday nights. Seriously. What more do you need to know about the place? Oh yeah, they had a great R&B band playing too.

Came in for an impromptu drink at Showboat Saloon with my boyfriend on a Sunday afternoon before ending our trip in the Dells. We made friends with Dennis, the bartender, and were invited to play a lethal (but amazing) dice game. Needless to say, I probably had four shots, three or four good beers ($ 2.50 each!) and a Texas Mule (delicious). This was followed by some old time photos being taken across the street and a drunken trip to the outlet mall. Overall, an excellent time. We are definitely planning on coming back! Thanks, Dennis!

Best place in central WI for beer geeks! Showboat is a great place for the draft beer and has happy hour specials. They have a few different Founders and Three Floyds beers on tap. This time they had Blushing Monk, excellent beer. Friendly bartenders and patrons alike. Haven’t tried the food yet.

I’ve been here a handful of times since last summer. It has been the designated meeting spot for my friends during the two years of state darts. Out of all of the bars that I have been to in Wisconsin Dells, this one is probably my favorite.
The bar is rocking most of the time and in the back they have a bar/​kitchen area. The food is delicious — especially their wings!
The staff is pretty nice, too. Unfortunately, state darts will not be in Wisconsin Dells next summer, but I will definitely be stopping back here anytime I am in the Dells. I’ve had such a good time every time I’ve been here and would recommend it to anybody looking for a fun night.

Showboat is the best bar in the Dells to get craft beer. It’s arguably one of the best bars in the state of Wisconsin to find GOOD craft beer. They have 24 taps that rotate regularly. They’re current in the craft beer scene, and feature beers on tap from 3 Floyds, Toppling Goliath, Goose Island and other big names in the craft brewing scene. Tap takeovers and rare beer events are a common occurrence. Founders CBS on tap plus free bacon night?! Yep, that’s the kind of stuff that happens at Showboat.
Other than the beer, the staff is friendly and knowledgable. The owner stops in regularly and a great guy. Plenty of good live entertainment throughout the week. Some of the best wings and thin crust pizza around. There’s nothing not to love about Showboat. The only thing I have to say is during the summer, the bar gets packed on weekends and can be challenging getting up to the bar for a drink. But that’s pretty typical of a bar in the Dell’s during the summer if you ask me. Being a local, I prefer the off-​season.
Oh yeah — they’ve got a pool table, darts, shuffleboard, plenty of VLT’s, and a lobster claw game. All they need now is a Tornado foosball table! ;)

The Showboat Saloon is a must visit stop in Wisconsin Dells. The bar features lots of rare craft beers on tap, and some fantastic appetizers, including the best Wisconsin cheese curds around. Try the nuclear hot Chuck’s Sweat Yo Face Off wings– some of the tastiest and spiciest around. During a recent visit, the place featured Rude Eagle Boulder Brewing– one of six barrels in the country available at the time. The friendly and knowledgeable bartenders are happy to make recommendations customized to your tastes and palette.

Its a bar.
A bar filled with highly intoxicated individuals. Been here a handful of times because its one of the only bars thats open late. The place is usually messy. Napkins stuck all over the sticky floors. Cups & beer cans every where. Its kind of like a frat party in there. If you are looking to just let loose & mingle with people who are over dressed for the occasion then slide right in.

Best bar in the Dells. Greatest selection of beers in the Dells. Huge tap selection and great happy hour specials. Cannot drive by the Dells without a stop at the Showboat!

I know you won’t expect to find a destination beer bar in Wisconsin Dells, but prepare to be surprised and impressed. Over the last year or two, Jesse has transformed this local’s bar into a craft beer lover’s paradise. 24 taps that are meticulously maintained and served by 100% Cicerone Certified bartenders, there is something for everyone at The Showboat Saloon.
My recommendation, ask for a room temperature glass (they chill their pint glasses to appeal to the masses), and start sampling 16oz at a time. The beers rotate constantly, but it is safe to assume you will find gems from Toppling Goliath, Founders, Dogfish Head, 3 Floyds, Port Huron, Mobcraft, Central Waters, Karben4, One Barrel, Lagunitas, Leinenkugel’s, Great Lakes, New Belgium, Wisconsin Brewing Company, Tallgrass, Bell’s, Bent River, Dark Horse Brewing, Alaskan Brewing, Rogue, Point and so many others! Do yourself a favor and set aside ample time to enjoy the premier craft beer bar in the greater Wisconsin Dells area, :-)
The wings are great, my personal faves are the Tug and Rub (dry rub seasoning), Garlic Blue, Hot and Teriyaki. The Backyard Bar-​B-​Q pizza is a great choice, as is my personal favorite, the Pepperoni, Sausage and Jalapeño. They sell themselves short with the «11^th Best» burger in the Dells… easily top 5. Great onion rings and don’t miss the free bacon on Thursday nights.
And, don’t forget the live music! Covers, originals, amateurs and professionals, you will find them all at Showboat (and next door at Mama’s Garage during the warmer months). An oasis of fun for locals and tourists alike, Showboat deserves to be a destination as You plan your trip!

This is probably the largest bar in the Dells. It’s got a great location and ample parking nearby. Plenty of restaurant choices within walking distance if you want to eat first.
The business itself is aged. The tile floor is cracked. The floor was sticky by the time I walked in at 930pm on a Friday. It lacks any cohesion between the main bar, the stage, and back bar.
The beer selection was surprising good. The male staff seemed knowledgable on the different offerings. Drinks were priced on the good side of moderate.
The crowd was a mix of drunken guys and girls that looked overdressed for the location. Music was too loud to have any real conversation.
Considering all the potential this bar has, it’d be nice for the management to invest some money into and make this truly the go-​to place.

So, I have been here 3 times, and I am on the fence as to 3 or 4 stars, I went with 4 because of the wings. More on that in a minute.
First off, this place is in the Dells, so you’re gonna get different crowds, depending on where you’re here. My first time was in February. We came up for a ski (aka drinking) trip. We got there Friday around 10 and decided to go to a bar to kill some time while we waited for the rest of the group to arrive. We randomly picked Showboat (mainly because it was right across from the first parking space we found). We walked in, went to the bar to get beers, and there were little trays of bacon sitting out. WTF??? Free bacon at the bar? I’m in. And so was this other clown who was sitting by himself, just drinking beer and eating bacon. Then he decided to leave. And he decided he wanted to bacon to go. And the bartender told him that isn’t part of the program. And he argued with her until she said f’ it, put some in a paper tray and basically threw it at him. He got a paper napkin, wrapped it over the top of the tray AND STUCK THE WHOLE THING IN HIS JEANS POCKET. I can just imagine that guy waking up the next morning with his dog eating his jeans.
Second time, this was just one of many bars on a random bar crawl. When we walked in, some band was playing, they were good enough, crowd was sketchy, but between the beer and the music and being half in the bag already, it was good enough.
Third time, it was the wings. Holy crap. So it was a fall afternoon, we had finished up at the casino and figured we’d stop in somewhere for a beer and some grub, and there was Showboat. The 6 of us sat down, decided what we wanted, and when it came my turn to order, I asked for the Chuck’s Sweat Yo’ Face Off wings. The waitress told me they’re kind of on the menu as a joke, and no one has ever finished an order. I’ve had hot wings, and not only were we in the midwest, but we were in the Dells. A tourist trap. How hot could they be? I told her I wasn’t worried, she again tried to warn me off. Then I decided to just be stubborn. I told her to bring them, I’d be fine. She finished taking our order. A few minutes later, I noticed some of the staff looking at our table and talking. When the waitress came by again, I asked her why her co-​workers were eyeing us. She said they were taking bets on how many I’d eat before I gave up. No one thought I would finish. Now I’m starting to worry a bit. This was more than the waitress talking shit. Then they came. I figured I’d just wolf ‘em down, put up with a little pain, and then I’d be fine. A few employees came over to watch, and a couple more were watching from the bar. I sucked down two and for a minute I thought it was a lot of fuss for nothing. Then the heat started to build. I figured I’d just keep speeding through. Number three went down, and with it came the first beads of sweat. As I picked up number 4, the sweat made itself fully known, my nose started to tingle, and my lips started to burn just a little. Down went number 4, and the hat came off. Sweat running. Lips on fire. Now I can’t turn back because I talked shit and I want these jags who bet against me to lose some money. Down goes 5. Now I am having a little regret. Hair is a little damp. Lips burning. My tablemates are starting to enjoy my discontent. I grab number 6 just because as long as I’m hurting, I might as well get credit for finishing. 6 goes down, and now I am acknowledging how bad this sucks. I am sweating like I just got out of the shower. Face is red. Lips are ON FIRE. The onlookers are both impressed and amused by my ignorance and failure to heed the waitress’ warning.
And the fun was just beginning. I stopped sweating about 10 minutes later, my mouth stopped hurting about 30 – 40 minutes later. Then I thought, eh, not the worst thing I’ve ever done. And I could not have been more wrong. That evening I had to use the bathroom. And good Lord I had no idea what was waiting for me. It felt like I’d sat on a fire ant hill. Miserable. Utterly and totally miserable. And it was like that every time for the next three days. Through a pinhole. A fiery pinhole.
DO. NOT. GET. CHUCK’S. WINGS.

Best selection of craft beer by far of any bar in the Dells, and at insanely reasonable prices. If you’re a beer lover, check this place out.

Love the atmosphere. Hate the staff. The girl bartenders shot me dirty looks the entire night and 4.50 is kinda high for a PBR in my book.

Walked in on a Night in early October, the regulars at the bar were early 20’s D-​Bag types who don’t bend the bills of their hats and use the words «swag» and «YOLO»
Wasn’t even greater by the bartenders as they were busy chatting it up with their fellow douche nozzle friends. Wound up going to another Bar with a better atmosphere.

Free Bacon… as a snack… after 9:00pm. That is all you need to know. Get there.
First trip to the Dells. All the cousins out for a night without kids. We found this place to start the night and get some food. The food is actually pretty good — no joke — I was surprised! Everything was tasty.
BTW — Pizza Fries: I had imagined them to be fries smothered in pizza fixins. they are not. It is a cheese pizza without sauce cut into small finger size pieces with a marinara sauce. That said, it was good. real good.
The cheese curds: Best I have ever had. they are alomost tempura’d. a light batter that lets the cheese be the star. Seriously. So. Good.
With a group as large as we were, there was bound to be someone who didn’t like something they ordered, right? nope. nearly everything off the small menu was ordered and devoured.
We learned the free bacon didn’t start until later, so we went out and did nutty things and returned that night and sure enough — free bacon. and I mean, deep fried bacon. It was so, so good. Live music, and we were able to snag the pool table for a couple of games.
The bartenders and staff are super nice and cool. The shuffleboard and pool table is fun but the weird «hit a nail into a tree trunk» game is a must.
Note: we liked it so much we went for lunch the next day with the kids. Though they were able to eat in the Kitchen part of the place (there is even a kids menu), they weren’t allowed up into the main bar part where the shuffleboard, pool table and weird tree trunk were. So.FYI. only partly good for the small ones.
Awesome time.

How can you not love Showboat Saloon? Well if you have a severe peanut allergy, don’t even attempt to come in here, unless you have 5 epi-​pens. This is one of those great institutions where you can shell your own peanuts and throw them all over the place as if you were in the Wild West! It’s fun to be messy, isn’t it?
+ points for the lobster game. Yup, you can pay $ 2 for the chance to grab a lobster out of the tank by reaching into the water with a claw that you control using a joystick. Once I saw a guy pull a lobster out, that was holding onto… THATS RIGHT! Another lobster! Lucky bastard. If you grab a lobster, the kitchen will cook that bad boy for you for FREE!
Showboat also attracts bachelorette parties, which is fun because inevitably, the bride-​to-​be is usually the most prim and proper lady in the group, while her friends are all getting s*it-faced and sloppy time about it.
Bridesmaid says to me, slurring her speech «What does a girl have to do around here to get a shot?
Keith says, «You have to shoot some Jamo.»
Bridesmaid stares at me, mouth agape, then turns around to attack her next victim, slurringly, «What does a girl have to do around here…»
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Another great thing about Showboat is of course, the Jameson shot special. Me, my wife, and all our friends (with the exception of a few) love to drink the Jameson. Pre-​drank at the campsite and walked here, and drank some more. The night ended badly… our female companions all stormed off into the night to go back to our site, the men stayed and continued to increase our blood alcohol content so that we could sit around the campfire and argue about whether one long sleeved shirt or 7 t-​shirts would keep you warmer in the winter, and to have one handed egg cracking and flipping contests… or was that a different day?
PS: They show the fights here if you’re into that. I am, it’s okay for you to be into that too. Biter.

We were there early on a Friday night (8:00 p.m.) so a few patrons milled in and out of the bar. Got our drinks quick.
Did I just pay $ 8 for a vodka redbull? In WISCONSIN? Pretty sure I paid that in a club in Chicago.
Saw peanut shells on the ground. Waited. Waited. My boyfriend finally asked, «got peanuts?» Got our peanuts.
The other bartender was more friendly and stopped to chat.
They need better drink specials. It gets livlier later on. The dive bars in the Dells are better. Monk’s is comprable, and much better.

Growing up, my parents would take my siblings and I on long road trips from Michigan to Florida. The drive down I-​75 put us straight through «God’s country.» Which meant that almost all the radio stations would either be talking about God or playing country. Now I hated Top 40 music as a kid — except on these trips. There was something familiar and welcoming about hearing the «crap» music that would be played at home.
For the most part, Wisconsin Dells is God’s country. At least as far as bars are concerned. Except for this anomaly. It’s the first thing you see when you cross over the bridge on 13 into town. And for a «Top 40» atmosphere, there’s really no need to go any further.
This is the bar that the tourist grownups hang out in once they’ve put the kids to bed. Going on a Friday night, there were bachelorette parties, guys straight off the Jersey Shore, and provocatively dressed whoo girls (both a positive and a negative) galore whooping it up on the dance floor while their boyfriends played darts. It felt like a scene straight out of Wrigleyville were I back in Chicago. But compared to getting bombarded by country music like in most of the other bars I had gone to in the area, it felt like a scene straight out of heaven.
Either way, it’s definitely a debaucherous, rollicking scene as the name would imply.
Its greatest asset, however, is its diverse lineup of entertainment. There’s a really nice stage that hosts everything from karaōke (make sure to check the schedule, it’s not every night) to live music to (surprisingly good if the night I was there was any indication) DJs. The music might not have been super current, but gosh darn if I can get Mark Morrison’s «Return of the Mack» out of my head on the other side of the weekend!
The beer is what it is. It’s mostly the Lite sort with some Leines mixed in for about average price (between $ 3 and $ 5). It’s not a bad bar. It’s actually pretty average for most cities. But in the Wisconsin Dells, it’s about the best thing going. They’ll probably even play some Madonna if a customer asked (you know, just for old time’s sake).