Breaking News: The James Beard Foundation Has Acknowledged PP Shenanigans

Apparently someone at the James Beard Foundation has been spying on us because Public Parking has been named a 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Bar! Wow. Okay. Gulp….

We ARE incredibly honored- and delightfully surprised. When we opened this place the plan was simple- make excellent drinks, keep the vibe spirited (and slightly weird), and build a bar where nobody feels like they need to dress up or know what amaro is to have a good time.

Anyone who’s visited our cocktail carnival circus knows this recognition belongs to a lot of people: bartenders and staff who bring the creativity, hospitality, and occasional controlled chaos that makes PP tick- our Madison bar community, which continues to make this city one of the most exciting places to drink in the country- and most importantly, the adventurous folks who keep showing up, trusting us with strange ingredients, odd glassware, and the occasional cocktail concept that probably sounded better during late-night staff meeting.

Truly, we’re deeply grateful to the James Beard Foundation for the nod.

While we take a moment to relish (!!!) we’ll continue doing what got us here- making great drinks, keeping things silly, and trying not to let any of this go to our rather thick heads.

— The PP Bartendants 🍍🔮🍸