Top 10 Bars Near University of Iowa

Article submitted by Ariana Lessard

As a student of the University of Iowa, I can confirm there is a lively party scene. Unlike some other colleges, you’ll find that lively party scene primarily located at the bars rather than Greek life. As a junior, I’m slowly approaching my twenty first birthday. Although I have yet to drink in the bars, Iowa City allows adults over 18 admission to the bars before 10 pm. This allowed me to survey the bar scene before truly joining it. In addition, certain bars possess cult followings that I’ve encountered time and time again since arriving on campus. Everyone’s favorite bar is different, but regardless, certain bars have become legendary among the student body. So although Iowa City loves its bars, not all bars are equal. Some are iconic. Others are infamous. A select few are both. 

Here’s the Top 10 Bars to Visit for University of Iowa Students: 

1. Brothers 

You’ll find many quality sports bars in Iowa City, but Brother’s is the sports bar of Iowa City that’s also known as the upperclassman favorite of Iowa City. Including a dance floor and outdoor deck, this sports bar is also known as the place underclassmen get their fake or borrowed ID’s taken. But their strict approach to carding help keeps this bar an upperclassman rallying point. Inside, they offer a giant bar and even a few claw games. Part of the appeal of this bar is no doubt its central location on the Ped Mall.

2. Studio 13 / Joystick

As the only official gay bar in Iowa City, Studio 13 provides a home base for queer college students. They frequently host Drag Shows and competitions. In the basement they house an arcade bar called Joystick where they host comedy open mics and karaoke night. Overall, this establishment provides a safe space for students looking to experiment with comedy, karaoke, or drag. 

3. Elrays

With live country music in the front, and a rave-like backroom, Elray’s is several bars in one. The backroom contains a stage for guests to stand on, a four-sided bar, a disco ball, smoke machines, strobe lights, and a high ceiling. The front room looks like a sports bar, consists of a second floor, and as mentioned, frequently hosts live country music artists. With several entrances, the alley entrance is most iconic. Still, what really makes this bar iconic… the stickers. Yes — stickers. The sticker the size of my pinky nail, which almost everyone puts on their phone case, exempt the holder from cover. Furthermore, the Elray’s sticker is not advertised, making them even more mysterious. Some students buy the sticker, but many gifted theirs. Regardless, you need to know the right people. 

4. Summit (Scummit)

When upperclassmen tells you to buy ‘bar shoes,’ it’s for bars like Summit. Often referred to as ‘Scummit,’ this bar is known as a “freshman favorite”. Perhaps that is why everything is always sticky. This is especially true when the ‘Jungle’ opens, (a VIP section of the second floor). On ‘Jungle’ nights, it’s not uncommon for puddles of mysterious liquids to appear on the dance floor. Despite all of this, Summit offers dollar pints on Tuesdays. This makes it perfect for college kids looking to binge drink on a budget. 

“Yeah, Summit is known to be gross, that’s why people sometimes call it Scum-mit. But it’s also cheap, so like, nobody really cares,” University of Iowa junior Kyle Schubick said. 

There is even a University of Iowa related urban legend about dollar drink night. The tale goes that during a blizzard, a determined University of Iowa student made the trek from the dorms to Summit for dollar drinks. Supposedly the student returned to the dorms to realize he forget his key and locked himself out, so he died of hypothermia. I have no idea if this story is true. Still student’s say it’s why every dorm contains at least one staff member at the front desk to let in students late at night. My favorite part of Summit’s legacy is their advertising. In every building I’ve lived on campus, from dorms to my current apartment complex, roughly once a week the floors of every floor gets covered in flyers showcasing that weekends guest DJ. Not only do I find this funny, but I began collecting these cards and using them in collages. Although few people consider Summit their favorite, every University of Iowa student should go at least once. When I think of a bar that is as iconic as it is infamous, Scummit is the frontrunner. 

5. Sports Column (SPOCO)

The students call Sports Column SpoCo. SpoCo, is a classic sports-bar. Perfect for game nights, SpoCo is popular among the student body. Field House is another popular sports bar, but SpoCo is more iconic. This is partially due to the layout, the three different rooms that snake together. There are two bars, games including basketball shot counters and a punching bag video game. Drunk guys will always challenge each other to see who can get a higher score on the punching bag, and it’s pretty funny to watch. They show live sports and play music ranging from early 2000s electro to the High School Musical soundtrack. 

6. Gabe’s

Although Iowa City has one gay bar, Gabe’s has been described to me time and time again as an unofficial gay bar. This bar is perfect for queer students who are newly out and want to ease into the LGBTQ community. While Studio 13 provides an “out and proud” environment, Gabe’s may feel safer to those with a more subtle disposition. 

“Gabe’s is the one I go to most often, I’m a little older, but the scene at Gabe’s is a little young for me, like they’re just their living there lives, I’m a bit old for it, but in terms of young kids who just turned 21 doing what young kids who just turned 21 do, Gabe’s has like the most hip crowd,” University of Iowa Sophomore Izaak Thompson said. 

They provide games including pool and old arcade consoles. They also provide a stage and tv. Themed nights there are always popular, especially “Taylor Swift Night” and “Emo Night”. On “Emo Night”, they play early 2000s pop punk bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and Twenty One Pilots. Arts students get dressed up and flock to these special events. 

7. Double Tap / Roxxy’s 

My freshman year, one of the very first articles I ever wrote was on the opening of Roxxy. That’s how I learned that Roxxy, Double Tap, and the Stuffed Olive are vision of one man: Darren Beck. He opened his first bar back when he was only 19 years old, and since then, opened bars around the state of Iowa. His idea behind Roxxy, Double Tap, and the Stuffed Olive was that, since they are all part of the same building and right next to each other, they culminate in the perfect date night. 

“Even my mom loves Double Tap,” University of Iowa senior Madaline Sics said. 

Beck’s vision was for couples to play arcade games together and pre-game at Double Tap, then get dinner at the Stuffed Olive, and after that go party at Roxxy. During that interview, they mentioned the theme being “80s, 90s, and early 2000s” which worried me, the theme felt too broad to be successful. But in the two years since Roxxy opened, it’s become a student body favorite. 

8. Airliners 

Airliner has had a chokehold on Iowa City since 1944. With surprisingly good pizza slices for a dollar, it’s no wonder college students remain loyal patrons of this bar. It’s on the main strip, right next to Summit. Its location across from the Pentacrest no doubt lends to its popularity. 

9. Joes Place

I only discovered this bar through a failed situationship, but I love it nonetheless. Often called Joe’s, this is another bar popular with upperclassmen. They also house three rooms and two bars, like SpoCo. Joe’s is more laid back and less popular than a lot of bars, but includes games like connect four, pool, and darts. They also offer a roof and rooftop bar that’s always overflowing with students during the warmer months. Finally, they have a back patio that is almost always open, where many students go to take a smoke break. 

10. DC’s

DC’s is one of two bars known as upperclassman footholds. That is in part because if you’re an underclassman with a fraudulent ID, they’ll probably take it. With an upstairs balcony overlooking the dance floor, DC’s possesses a cool ambiance. This bar is less popular than when I was a freshman. Though, admittedly, I never returned since I threw up all over the staff and several students. 

College Magazine does not promote underage drinking. Please drink responsibly.