Gabe’s in Iowa City made USA TODAY’s list of best bars in the country.
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released July 30, features 29 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
“Gabe’s is one of the oldest, possibly the oldest, licensed live music venues in Iowa,” general manager and lead booking agent Pete McCarthy said. “In a week, you can see three to four completely different genres of music. That’s impressive for small towns in Iowa. There’s something for everyone. If you want a place just to chill, there’s downstairs and the beer garden, it’s a special place.”
USA TODAY Network food and drink journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes places they recommend to readers and friends.
Why Gabe’s was named one of the best bars
Gabe’s, a 50-year-old institution, was chosen because of its roots in tradition, from classic beers and mixed drinks, while being open to transformation with a keen eye for booking rising artists to perform on the second-story stage, which keeps people coming back year after year.
Find more about Gabe’s and how the list came together.
(This article was updated with a new video.)
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 its Bars of the Year. This Iowa City favorite made the list
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
