High Noon Saloon was founded in 2004 by Cathy Dethmers, former owner/manager of Madison’s revered O’Cayz Corral.  On New Year’s Day of 2001, O’Cayz was destroyed in a fire that started in a neighboring bar, thus ending its twenty-year reign as Madison’s most infamous and beloved rock club.  

Sometimes called “the CBGB’s of the Midwest”, O’Cayz became a live music venue in 1980, and hosted a veritable who’s who of burgeoning rock, punk, and grunge bands including The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Nirvana, The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age, Firehose, Killdozer, D.R.I., Nashville Pussy, At The Drive-In, Elliott Smith, and Fu Manchu.

Immediately after the fire, Cathy began an arduous search for a new space. After three years and many obstacles overcome, a new home for the club was found in the old Buy and Sell Shop building at 701 E. Washington Avenue. In May of 2004, High Noon Saloon opened its doors, finally bringing about the rebirth of the spirit of O’Cayz Corral, and adding a much-needed piece to the puzzle of the Madison music scene.

Cathy retired as a club owner and sold High Noon to Madison-based promoter FPC Live in 2017. Now firmly on its feet after nearly 20 years in business, High Noon Saloon has become well-known not only as a premier live music venue, but as a comfortable and welcoming space for fundraisers, community events, music festivals, kids’ shows, craft fairs, wedding receptions, and private parties.  High Noon Saloon’s eclectic live music schedule and friendly atmosphere have worked to keep it in the forefront of the music scene in Wisconsin.

A few of the noteworthy bands who have graced the stage at the High Noon Saloon include The Black Keys, The Avett Brothers, The National, Vampire Weekend, St. Vincent, Rodriguez, High On Fire, Lucius, Eagles of Death Metal, Father John Misty, Chance The Rapper, ODESZA, Charles Bradley, Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, Babes In Toyland, Royal Blood, Dillinger Escape Plan, Murder By Death, The Breeders, Alvvays, Sage Francis, Machine Head, Helmet, Misterwives, Drive-By Truckers, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dr. Dog, and countless more.

THE VENUE

THE SHOW

THE PATIO

Our High Noon patio series offers some of the best local and touring bands for free every week in the summer! Enjoy free live music under the sun, drink-in-hand from May through September! Check out our calendar for our full line-up.