Iowa City is a city of contrasts with serious cultural clout.
A UNESCO City of Literature known for shaping some of the best literary minds of all time, and home to the University of Iowa, which has routinely ranked as one of the nation’s top party schools. Unsurprisingly, the local bar scene is just as dynamic and varied as the city itself.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen recently tapped Gabe’s as Iowa City’s representative for USA TODAY’s 2025 Bars of the Year List. While Gabe’s has a deft hand for providing face-melting live shows, and its no-nonsense drinks menu moved it ahead of other bars in Iowa City, it is far from the only bar in town deserving of recognition. Here are five bars that just missed the cut.
The Foxhead Tavern
The Foxhead Tavern is one of Iowa City’s oldest bars, opening in 1934, a year after Prohibition ended. Since opening, the Northside neighborhood tavern has stayed down-to-earth. It has become better known as “The Writers’ Workshop bar,” where the creatives of Iowa City gather, breaking away from the hustle and bustle of downtown for a more relaxed din. Though guests won’t be able to order a daiquiri like Ernest Hemingway or a strong-flavored martini like Truman Capote, the bar serves classic beers and strong liquor pours.
Details: 402 E. Market St., Iowa City, 319-351-9824
Wild Culture
Wild Culture first started as a locally made kombucha stand at the Iowa City Farmers’ Market in 2018 in Iowa City’s northside neighborhood, serving rotating seasonal flavors. Since opening, the bar has evolved into a low-key craft cocktail bar serving reinvented classic cocktails, from Old Fashioneds to a refreshing gin fizz, with unique twists and local craft beers. During the day, patrons take meetings and laptops to enjoy the house-made kombucha and freshly brewed coffee drinks made with precision. At night, guests put down their work as Wild Culture transitions into a dimly lit bar, with lively conversations encouraging people to kick back and stay awhile in the cozy din.
Details: 210 N. Linn St., Iowa City, 319-351-3737, @wildculture.iowacity
Double Tap
Double Tap, tucked in downtown Iowa City’s Pedmall, offers a name that is as clever as it is telling. The beercade offers 50 games, including pinball, a modernized game of Pong, Pac-Man, Mario Kart, Guitar Hero, zombie shooter games, non-zombie shooter games, and more. On tap, there are 16 different beers to choose from, along with a menu inspired by the classic arcade games downstairs. Try the Ms. Pac Man, with a mix of Captain Morgan, watermelon pucker, cranberry juice, and Sprite, or the Health Potion, a Tito’s-based drink with cherry pucker, raspberry schnapps, Sprite, and topped off with a splash of grenadine. If players need a boost, they can also level up with a bar food menu from the Street Fighter Nachos or chicken tenders, wittily named Donkey Kong Strips.
Details: 121 1/2 E. College St., Iowa City, 319-855-5230, doubletapbeercade.com
The Den
St. Burch Tavern is one of the hottest happy hour spots in Iowa City, but downstairs is one of Iowa City’s most hidden gems, The Den. St. Burch Tavern pays homage to supper clubs “immortalized by the brilliant men and women who gathered together under their hospitable roofs,” serving refined Midwest flavors and oysters upstairs is reminiscent of an adult dinner party. Head downstairs to The Den for a dimly lit afterparty that mirrors St. Burch’s offerings, from dozens of wine and beer options to classic cocktails from a French 75 to a bourbon sour. Don’t miss out on unique craft cocktails like the Beatrix Kiddo, a bold blend of apricot-infused vodka, Strega, habanero-Thai chili syrup, pineapple, lime, peach bitters, and nutmeg, or the Cast Away, a tropical mix of white rum, Chareau, kiwi, pineapple, agave, lime, ginger beer.
Details: 27 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, 319-341-7700, @thedenatstburchtavern
The Deadwood Tavern
Located on Dubuque Street in the heart of the downtown corridor, The Deadwood Tavern’s charm lies in its ability to attract a diverse clientele in the transient city, from students to longtime residents, from long-standing game day traditions to the bar’s famous spicy bloody Mary, or even ask for a “bartender’s choice” and discover a new favorite that you can only get at one place. The tavern’s simple offerings keep people coming back, whether for a lively night out, a casual drink that can be marked with a photo strip from the photo booth, or conversations with strangers over a competitive game of pool.
Details: 6 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, 319-351-9417, @icdeadwood
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: USA TODAY named an Iowa City Bar one of America’s best. We wish these 5 spots made the cut:
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
