The University of Iowa is known as a party school; students pride themselves on their ranking amongst the other colleges in the US. So it stands to reason that Iowa City would have a good downtown bar scene. Like any other town, there are good bars, bad bars, and somewhere in between. Here is an inside look at the downtown bar scene in Iowa City.
First up, Union. The best piece of advice I can give to you is, don’t go there if you like your personal space, and don’t go there if you have a phobia about being clean. It’s a good bar if you’re not 21 yet, but definitely not the classiest of places.
Brothers is one of the better bars that you’re going to find in Iowa City. Thursdays are $1 Mug Club. If you don’t have a mug, you’ll have to buy one, but all drinks will be a dollar after that. (Unless you’re going for top-shelf liquor) Fridays and Saturdays are $2 pitchers and a good size for the price. The music is good, the dance floor can get a little crowded, but always a good time!
Bo James is a restaurant/bar known for its karaoke at night. It’s an all right bar, but not the most exciting choice for your night out.
DC’s is a great bar for sports games. There are TVs everywhere, plus good drinks and good people! If you’re looking for a bar that you can have an actual conversation in, this is the one.
Summit is the bar to go to if you’re looking for a dance party. They always have great music, and it’s super welcoming. It is a little sticky, but it’s great for a night out with friends.
Sports Column, fondly known as SpoCo, is another one of those bars that are good if you’re under 21, but probably not otherwise. The drinks are okay, the music is okay… it’s an okay bar. The bar scene in Iowa City is pretty decent.
Fieldhouse is another one of the good bars downtown. Bacardi parties, great music, and the people are always friendly. It’s not going to be as cheap as Brothers, but the vibe is just as good, if not better!
Last but not least, Studio13. The drinks are a little pricey, but the two major upsides are that you can get in if you’re 19 and it’s a safe bar for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also home to the Drag U competition, where all the best local drag queens compete!
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