313 Dodge

Step into 313 Dodge and you immediately sense a place determined to do things differently in Kaukauna. This is not your average Wisconsin watering hole, nor does it try to be. The space hums with a modern energy, but there’s no pretension—just the low buzz of friends catching up over artfully prepared cocktails and small plates that look as good as they taste. The bar staff here take their craft seriously, serving up drinks adorned with fresh herbs or edible flowers; even an old fashioned feels like something new when sipped in these lively surroundings. The menu leans into creativity—think deviled eggs elevated beyond picnic fare, sushi stacks that borrow from coastal trends without feeling out of place in the Fox Valley, and flatbreads layered with unexpected flavors like mixed berries and goat cheese. Presentation is clearly part of the ritual; every dish arrives like a small celebration. Live jazz on Thursdays gives the place its heart, drawing locals who crave more than just beer and sports on tap. You’ll spot families marking birthdays, friends splitting boards of charcuterie after work, couples sharing plates as dusk settles in through the big front windows. There’s no table service; you order at the counter and settle in wherever feels right—on balmy evenings, the patio becomes a de facto town square. If there’s a minor complaint, it’s just that sharing plates can challenge the register system, but nobody seems to mind once the drinks arrive. 313 Dodge acts as a cultural bridge for Kaukauna: locals keep coming back for its easy sophistication while visitors are surprised to find such a place thriving outside bigger cities. It’s where tradition meets reinvention—a neighborhood anchor that draws from both local roots and broader trends.