Summer Dining at Drafthouse

Get ready to indulge in the best of downtown Janesville’s culinary scene during the highly anticipated Downtown Restaurant Week, set to take place from January 14 to 17, 2024. This exciting event, organized by Downtown Janesville Inc. in partnership with the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Business Improvement District, is an opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant food offerings at exclusive prices.Downtown Janesville Restaurant Week will showcase a variety of local restaurants, each offering unique menus that highlight their distinctive flavors and dining styles. Participating venues include popular spots like Drathouse, Genisa Wine Bar, Sandwich Bar, Sandee’s Thai Fusion, Bodacious Shops of Block 42, O’Riley & Conway’s, Franklin Street Tavern, The Looking Glass, and Whiskey Ranch.During the event, diners will have the chance to enjoy special two-course lunch options and/or three-course dinner menus. A number of restaurants will extend their Restaurant Week specials through the weekend, providing even more opportunities to savor the diverse dishes on offer. Menus for the event will be announced in early January, and visitors are encouraged to check with individual restaurants for the most up-to-date information on offerings.“Downtown Restaurant Week is a fantastic way for both residents and visitors to experience the incredible range of cuisine in our downtown area,” said Elaina Szyjewski, Managing Director of Downtown Janesville Inc. “It’s an event that brings the community together to celebrate local flavor, whether you're a seasoned foodie or just looking to try something new.”For those eager to join in the festivities, early reservations are encouraged. With participating restaurants offering exclusive menus and a chance to support local businesses, Downtown Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious meals and explore new dining spots in Janesville.For more details or to make a reservation, visit downtownjanesville.com or contact Downtown Janesville Inc. at info@downtownjanesville.com.Mark your calendar, bring your appetite, and join in the celebration of Janesville’s thriving restaurant scene this January!

This holiday season, Janesville’s downtown district is serving up a festive way to celebrate Wisconsin’s iconic Old Fashioned cocktail while supporting local businesses and community initiatives. Downtown Janesville Inc. is partnering with local bars and restaurants to host the Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas, a month-long event that aims to raise funds for holiday decorations throughout the downtown area. The celebration will run from December 6 through December 31, 2024.For just $10, visitors can purchase a special punch card at any participating location. Each time you order a unique Old Fashioned at one of the event’s featured bars or restaurants, you'll receive a punch on your card. The more locations you visit, the more chances you have to win exciting prizes, including a grand prize raffle basket valued at over $200.The festive punch card encourages participants to experience a variety of local interpretations of the Old Fashioned cocktail, with each business offering its own spin on this beloved Wisconsin classic. As you taste your way through the downtown area, be sure to vote for your favorite drinks in categories like "Best Theme," "Favorite Overall," and "Most Unique."Once your punch card is complete, simply turn it in to any participating bar or restaurant to be entered into the grand prize drawing. The grand prize includes two VIP tickets to Flannelfest, a local music and food event, along with exclusive Flannelfest swag, local products, and other goodies. Raffle winners will be drawn and contacted in January.Participating locations in the Downtown Old Fashioned Christmas event include Lark, Sandwich Bar, Drafthouse, The Looking Glass, O’Riley & Conway’s, Genisa Wine Bar, Sandee’s Thai Fusion, Whiskey Ranch, and Wiggy’s Saloon.While the punch card provides access to the raffle, please note that the cost of the cocktails themselves is not included. So, not only will you be treating yourself to some of the best Old Fashioned drinks in town, but you’ll also be helping fund the beautiful holiday decorations that bring warmth and cheer to the downtown area.This spirited event is a perfect opportunity to explore Janesville’s vibrant downtown, enjoy delicious cocktails, and give back to the community. Whether you're a local or just visiting, make sure to stop by and join in on the holiday fun!For more information, including details on how to purchase punch cards or a list of participating businesses, visit downtownjanesville.com or email info@downtownjanesville.com.

This holiday season, Janesville is making it easier than ever to support local businesses and enjoy the festive spirit with the return of its free Holiday Trolley rides. As part of the city’s new “Shop, Dine & Make Merry” promotion, residents and visitors can hop aboard the trolley to explore downtown shops, restaurants, and seasonal attractions—without the hassle of parking or navigating busy streets.The trolley service will run every weekend through December, providing a fun and convenient way to shop, dine, and experience Janesville’s holiday charm. With free rides from 1 PM to 8 PM on select days, the trolley offers visitors a chance to explore the best of what the city has to offer this holiday season.Convenient Stops, Festive FunThe Holiday Trolley will make several stops throughout Janesville, allowing passengers to easily access key shopping, dining, and cultural destinations. Popular stops include the Rotary Botanical Gardens, home to the spectacular Holiday Light Show; the Rock County Historical Society, which is hosting its annual Holiday Tree Show; and three downtown locations: Main and Court Streets, Milwaukee and Main Streets, and Milwaukee and Jackson Streets.For those looking to make the most of their trip, the trolley will also be running during the city’s highly anticipated Jolly Jingle weekend. This three-day celebration from December 6–8 features more than 30 holiday events, including the festive holiday light parade, fireworks, and a community tree lighting. On Jolly Jingle weekend, the trolley will have extended hours on December 6, from 4–9 PM, and December 7, from 1–4 PM, making it easy to hop on and off while enjoying all the holiday festivities.Local Shopping and Dining Made EasyWith the trolley’s convenient route, visitors can explore Janesville’s vibrant local shopping scene. From unique gifts at local boutiques to art galleries showcasing one-of-a-kind works, there’s something for everyone. Many retailers will have extended hours, offering plenty of opportunities to find the perfect holiday presents. For a complete list of nearly 60 locally-owned shops, visit Uniquely Local Shopping in Janesville.In addition to shopping, Janesville is also home to cozy dining spots perfect for a holiday meal or drink. Whether you’re in the mood for a festive cocktail, a warm winter dessert, or a traditional holiday feast, the city’s restaurants offer a wide variety of options to satisfy every taste.No Parking, No ProblemThe Holiday Trolley makes it easy for families, friends, and visitors to enjoy everything Janesville has to offer without worrying about parking or driving in winter weather. The free trolley rides provide a comfortable, stress-free way to visit all the top holiday destinations, from shopping centers and restaurants to the city’s renowned seasonal light displays. For those wishing to extend their visit, Janesville’s cozy hotels and bed-and-breakfasts provide the perfect place to relax and recharge before hopping back on the trolley to explore more.This promotion is made possible by the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) in partnership with the Rock County Historical Society, Downtown Janesville, Inc., and Rotary Botanical Gardens.A Season to Celebrate LocalWhether you're looking to cross off items on your holiday shopping list, enjoy some local cuisine, or take in the festive decorations around town, the free Holiday Trolley is the perfect way to experience the best of Janesville this season. So leave the car behind and make the most of your holiday outing with a ride on the Trolley—it’s the easiest way to shop, dine, and make merry in Janesville!For more information on trolley schedules, stops, and holiday events, visit www.janesvillecvb.com.

For this month's poll, we want to know what your favorite local tattoo parlor is! If we missed any be sure to let us know and we'll add them to the poll!

Downtown Janesville's beloved Flannelfest will be making its return on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, marking the sixth year of this popular winter festival. Presented by Blain's Farm & Fleet, Flannelfest promises another action-packed day filled with craft beer tastings, games, live entertainment, and Wisconsin-themed fun.Tickets for the event go on sale at a special discount on Black Friday, November 29th. Visitors can snag tickets at the lowest price through December 8th by purchasing online at www.janesvilleflannelfest.com.Flannelfest will feature over 100 beers from some of Wisconsin's best craft breweries, with an exciting home brew competition sponsored by The Looking Glass. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of brews and vote for their favorite.The event isn’t just about beer—there’s plenty of entertainment for everyone. Guests can participate in games like the Lazy Man Run, corn hole, axe throwing, giant pong, hammerschlagen, a derby race, and jousting. For a truly unique experience, live chainsaw artists will also showcase their talents throughout the day.Food trucks and local vendors will be on hand, offering a selection of delicious food and merchandise to purchase.VIP Experience and Ticket OptionsFlannelfest offers a limited number of VIP tickets, providing exclusive perks such as access to a special VIP area at The Venue, a delicious lunch served from 12:00-1:30 PM, a unique VIP brew, live music, and a commemorative souvenir. VIP ticket holders will also enjoy beer tastings, games, a pretzel necklace-making station, and a Flannelfest beer mug and lanyard. VIP tickets are available for $90, and general admission tickets are priced at $45. After December 8th, ticket prices will increase.A Weekend of Fun in Downtown JanesvilleIn addition to the festivities at Flannelfest, several downtown businesses will host their own special events over the weekend, offering more ways to enjoy the season. Special room rates will be available at local hotels for those traveling to Janesville for the event. For more details on the weekend’s schedule and hotel accommodations, visit the Flannelfest website.“We’re excited to welcome back Flannelfest for its sixth year,” said Elaina Szyjewski, Managing Director of Downtown Janesville, Inc. “The event has become a major attraction, bringing people not only from Janesville but from all over Wisconsin. It’s a perfect way to embrace the winter season with friends, enjoy local craft beer, and have fun with unique games and activities.”Flannelfest is a key fundraiser for Downtown Janesville, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the local downtown community.For more information, including ticket purchases and event details, visit www.janesvilleflannelfest.com or email info@downtownjanesville.com.

Hey guys I’m back with a food review of some local eats in the Janesville area! Today I’m at the Bodacious Shops of Block 42 downtown. This is a great spot to visit, they have a coffee house, an olive oil shop, and a salad bar/restaurant all connected in one block of buildings.Today I was at The Bodacious Brew, their coffee house and got a tasty drink and some lunch! I got an iced Match Latte with oat milk, and it hit the spot. I usually make my own Match so I would consider myself picky, but Bodacious never seems to disappoint.For lunch I had their Avocado Toast. This was 2 slices of multigrain bread with avocado, roasted chic peas, pickled red onion, thinly sliced radish, cilantro, and olive oil. I’m always a sucker for any kind of avocado toast, this one was interesting as it had a kick to it. The combination of cilantro, radish, and pickled onion made it a little spicy. It paired nicely with the creamy coolness of the avocado and chic peas. Overall, would recommend giving it a try!I also sat and worked in their upstairs lounge for a few hours and it’s really a great environment to sit and get some work done. If you haven’t made it out to this Bodacious block, be sure to stop in next time you’re downtown!

Hey folks, today we’re getting into a bit of Janesville History and talking about breweries! More specifically the historic Northside Brewery along Rock River. KYLIE BALK-YAATENEN/KBALKYAATENEN@APG-SW.COMThere were many breweries in Janesville from the mid 19th century to probation including the Eagle Brewery, the Jacob Singer Brewery, the Todd and Company Brewery, and the Hodson Brewery. The Hodson Brewery was the first in Janesville but shortly burned down after being struck by lightening. However, the most long lived and successful brewery in Janesville was the City Brewery built around 1855, it was called Buob and Brother from 1874-1880 and is now referred to as the Northside Brewery. This was the largest lager beer producer in Janesville at the time. The brothers that owned it, John and Michael Buob made 3,000 barrels of beer every year. They did end up selling the brewery in 1882 to Gezelschap and Knipp to start a new brewery on the Southside, know as the Buob Brothers South Side Brewery or the M. Buob Brewing Company. They operated until 1906, producing 5,000 barrels of beer each year. They sold to the Croak Brewing Company where they continued to make beer until 1920. After prohibition ended, the brewery was renamed to the Bower City Brewing Company, producing 7,000 barrels a year. However, this was not enough to keep up with competition and the brewery officially closed in 1939. KYLIE BALK-YAATENEN/KBALKYAATENEN@APG-SW.COMSo, what came to be of this historic City Brewery? The Rock County Historical Society and beer historian Robert Bier (above) started an excavation of the old brewery cite in 2015. You can still see the outlines of the building and barrel and machinery stains. Sitting vacant, the building was overgrown and degraded by nature and time and was eventually torn down in the 1940s. They’ve come across artifacts from the brewery such as machine parts, beer bottles, caps, and labels, barrel parts, and rat traps. RCHBBS FacebookThe goal is to recreate the building using as much of the original materials they have and turn it into an educational museum about Janesville’s brewing history. You can currently go there and read informational signs and scan QR codes to learn more about the brewery’s history and see the outline volunteers have restored of the original building. Definitely go check out this fascinating piece of our town’s history! You can also follow the Rock County's Historic Breweries, Bars, and Saloons-RCHBBS Facebook page for updates!Sources: https://www.gazettextra.com/news/local/beer-story-1850s-northside-brewery-re-emerging-along-the-rock-river-in-janesville/article_359153ee-786a-11ef-b5d5-47e2d1df9787.htmlhttps://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AG45BY7CJ4YZKS8B/full/AVXJ6XQ5XLXPY79Ehttps://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AG45BY7CJ4YZKS8B/full/AEC3CFBCAEWZZJ8Rhttps://www.facebook.com/janesvillebreweriesHuge thank you to Mary at the Hedberg Public Library for gathering these resources!

Hey Janesville, I hope you’re hungry because today I’m reviewing O'Riley & Conway's Irish Pub on W Milwaukee St! This is a homey pub that offers a large beer and scotch selection along with traditional pub fare and Irish specialties. They have live music every week and two bars! This place was very cozy with festive lights and rich dark wood decor.I had the Limerick Chicken Sandwich which had a massive chicken breast, a slab of bacon, Wisconsin pepper jack cheese, a herb aioli sauce all on a brioche bun. I also had a heaping side of sweet potato fries. This sandwich was delicious and definitely lasted me a couple meals. The sweet potato fries were on point and devoured very fast. Jake had a Stout along with the Glasgow BLT which consisted of apple bacon, lettuce, tomato, and herb aioli on 9 grain wheat toast. I can't attest to the flavor myself but he had no leftovers and it looked amazing!If you're looking for some local Irish eats be sure to check them out, that's the buzz!

For this month's poll we want to know what your favorite local breakfast spot is! Cast your vote and let us know! If we missed your favorite spot, let us know and we'll add them to the poll!

Hey guys, I’m back with another article on the public art of Janesville! This week we’re talking about the history behind the “Black Hawk” mural downtown by Brooklyn artist Jeff Henriquez. Henriquez has done other notable works around town such as the “In History We Trust” mural. He painted this mural in only 10 days with spray paint. This mural depicts Sauk leader Chief Black Hawk. This was Janesville’s first major artistic tribute to Native Americans. Henriquez had to gather many drawings, paintings, and sculptures of Black Hawk to base this mural off of as there are no real photographs of him. As you can see in the mural Black Hawk is dressed in traditional red cloth and wears a bead and porcupine quill necklace and feather headdress. On the headdress there are two eagle feathers blowing in the wind. On Black Hawk’s left is a great white buffalo. They are known as a good omen as they are extremely rare. Henriquez wanted Blackhawk to proudly look over Janesville’s main street with wisdom “while basking in the glory of the beautiful planes and mountains that belong to him and his people.” The mural was revealed with a Native American ceremony consisting of singing and drumming in 2019. If you want to learn more about Jeff Henriquez go visit the links below but also be sure to take a moment to appreciate this mural next time you’re in town!Artist's website: www.jeffhenriquez.comArtist's Instagram: instagram.com/jeffhenriquezart