Cardinal Bar sold, to reopen in March as Nomad World Pub Madison

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After 43 years of running an iconic Madison bar, the longtime owner of the Cardinal Bar will sell the business to a Milwaukee pub owner, according to a news release.

Cardinal Bar owner Ricardo Gonzalez said Tuesday that he’ll sell the bar at 418 E. Wilson St. to Mike Eitel, who owns the Nomad World Pub at 1401 E. Brady St. in Milwaukee.

The Cardinal will close Jan. 29 and reopen as the Nomad World Pub in mid-March, according to the news release.

Eitel, a UW-Madison graduate, said he frequented the Cardinal while attending college and always felt it was a “special place, in an amazing building and a great neighborhood.” He said he’ll keep Cardinal Bar’s well-established DJs, live jazz, Latin and fetish nights. Other than some cleanup and slight changes to the decor, Eitel plans to keep the interior of the bar the same, according to a release.

Craft and imported beer selections on tap will be expanded and Nomad World Pub will pay homage to The Cardinal Bar with a new “Cardinal Room,” featuring its high-tech sound system. Large high-definition TV screens will also be added.

Nomad World Pub will also expand hours to seven days a week starting at 4 p.m. on weekdays. The pub will open as early as 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate patrons who want to watch international soccer matches.

The new pub will also add a variety of new nights to the programming schedule of The Cardinal Room, including a Service Industry Night and its original “Sound Travels” music series, which features multiple DJs playing a fusion of dance and world music.

Nomad World Pub plans to offer Cardinal Bar employees the opportunity to apply to stay under with the new ownership. Nomad World Pub will also hire additional staff to accommodate the planned extended hours.

The original Nomad World Pub in Milwaukee, which opened in 1995, features a large selection of craft and imported beers and regular entertainment, according to the release. The Nomad in Milwaukee is in the spot of the old Schlitz Brewery tavern, which was built in 1890.

A farewell party is planned at 8 p.m. Jan 28 at the Cardinal.

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