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Best gameday bars

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Heaven may not have any beer, but the brews flow freely in Iowa City on University of Iowa Hawkeye football game days. And, well, that’s why we drink it here.

The town is renowned throughout the Big 10 for its tailgating and bar scenes. Whether you’re a veteran Kinnick attendee or a first generation Hawkeye, combing the two scenes can make for an unforgettable experience. Here’s a list of the best places to go before, during, and after the game.

Pre-game

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bar in the downtown area that’s not opening early for home games. Most places will open their doors around 8 a.m. to serve downtown tailgaters two of the most important B-words in town: Breakfast and beer.

Here’s our pick:

The Airliner, 22 S. Clinton St.

The Airliner has been a favorite of game goers for more than six decades – and for good reason. The kitchen staff makes some of the best pizza in town. Having undergone a renovation a few years ago, the downtown staple now features 17 flat screen televisions, two bars, plenty of seating, and atmosphere that will please fans young and old.

To wet your whistle, the restaurant will be providing a 25-ingredient, make-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to The Airliner without ordering a pizza. This year the kitchen will be churning out breakfast pizza and, as a bonus, made-to-order doughnuts.

To watch the game

Two bars stand out most, depending on how you spent the early morning. Our picks:

Pints, 118 S. Clinton St.

If you’ve been tailgating and have already eaten, the clear choice is Pints. The place has a ton of seating, 12 42” flat screens, 20 specialty beers on tap, a full liquor bar, and a BYOF (bring your own food) policy.

DC’s, 124 S. Dubuque St, in the Ped Mall

If you’re hungry and thirsty, head to DC’s. Once inside, you’ll find two floors of seating filled with TVs, seating, room for standing, and great drink specials.

But one of the best parts about DC’s can be experienced without ever going inside. If you’re lucky enough to nab one the patio tables, you and your friends can enjoy the outdoors while watching the game on one of several flat screen facing the outdoor seating area – perfect for those who didn’t get enough sun during the morning’s flippy-cup game.

Postgame celebrations

Win or lose, there’s still a party to be had after the game. Here’s two places where you’re sure to find a good time.

Brothers, 125 S. Dubuque St, in the Ped Mall

As evidenced by the long line outside the bar on most weekend nights, Brothers is a popular destination for downtown party seekers. The only thing that changes on the evenings of game days is an increase of black and gold clothing and an elevated number of non-students.

Whether the Hawks win or lose, the bar will be lined with fans, the dance floor will be packed, and there will be enough people to make the fire marshal uneasy. In short: It’s one hell of a party.

The Vine, 330 E. Prentiss St.

The Vine has two locations — one in Iowa City and one in Coralville — but the location on Gilbert and Prentiss is definitely where you’ll want to be after games if you want to be surrounded by Hawkeye fans who are slightly less rowdy than those downtown.

This place is famous for the Vine Stein, an inexpensive monstrosity of a beer stein, and $1 Apple Pie Shots. There’s also plenty of seating and televisions for watching postgame highlights.

— PRESTON

Other notable Iowa City destinations for game days

Vito’s, 118 E. College St.: $3 Bloody Marys, $3 22 oz Bud Light drafts, $3 Vegas Bombs

Donnelly’s Pub, 110 E. College St.: Open at 8 a.m. for breakfast. Breakfast sandwiches, specials on Bloody Marys

Bo-James, 118 E. Washington St.: Open at 9 a.m. $4 “Big Beers,” $5.99 burger baskets

Micky’s Irish Pub, 11 S. Dubuque St.: Open at 8 a.m., bloody marys

Sports Column, 12 S. Dubuque St.: Three rooms, bar seating, booths, high top and low top tables

The Summit, 10 S. Clinton St.: Open an hour before kickoff. bloody marys, mimosas

Quinton’s, 215 E. Washington St.: Open at 8 a.m., $3 domestics, $3.50 premium and imports

Joe’s Place, 115 Iowa Ave.: Open at 8 a.m. for morning games, tons of seating, bar games

Under 21 crowd gets the boot from I.C. bars

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Starting June 1, people younger than the legal drinking age of 21 will be shut out of Iowa City bars at night.

Starting Wednesday, an attempt to seek a public vote to overturn that can officially begin.

As was expected, the City Council tonight voted 6-1 to pass and adopt an ordinance banning people younger than 21 from being in bars after 10 p.m. Regenia Bailey cast the dissenting vote.

Currently, people 19 and older are allowed in bars at night. But some city and University of Iowa officials have said setting the minimum bar entry age at 21 would help combat what they say is a culture of binge drinking, particularly by college students.

“Too many of our students drink too much and in ways that are way, way, way too risky,” UI President Sally Mason said.

Tom Rocklin, the university’s interim vice president for student services, said the student code may be expanded to cover incidents anywhere in Johnson County.

On the other side, Blake Whitten, who said he was a professor at the UI, accused the council of “harassing” the UI community and said many people don’t want the downtown culture changed.

“Speaking metaphorically, you are wearing no clothes,” he said.

The measure applies to establishments whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol. Council member Susan Mims said she’d like the city to explore whether certain cultural venues, like those that have live music, can be exempt.

Opponents have promised to petition for a referendum to send the matter to voters in the Nov. 2 general election, with a goal of reversing the council’s action.

That effort can begin Wednesday, and organizers would have 60 days to collect at least 2,500 signatures from eligible voters.

“That won’t be too hard,” Dan Tallon, a UI student, said before the meeting.

He helped organize a petition drive last month to set the minimum bar entry age at 18. That was done to try to keep the council from voting on the 21-and-older law, which it obviously did not.

Tallon said he believed that petition would not be turned in, thus avoiding the possibility of two measures related to the bar age appearing on the November ballot.

– GREG HENNIGAN

IC going 21-and-over?

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IOWA CITY — The City Council in Iowa City may be ready to serve up a 21-only ordinance to its popular bar scene.

At the end of a work session Monday night, Mayor Matt Hayek said he wanted the council to consider a so-called 21-only ordinance, which would only allow people 21 and older in bars at night. Currently, those 19 and older can be in Iowa City bars.

“It’s time to do this,” he said.

In a brief discussion, six council members expressed interest in it — Hayek, Susan Mims, Terry Dickens, Ross Wilburn, Mike Wright and Connie Champion.

An ordinance will be ready for the council’s work session March 22 and ready the following night for the first of three readings needed to pass it.

It’s a major, and surprising, development in this college town, which is struggled for years with underage- and binge-drinking problems.

The council declined to vote on a 21-only proposal in 2007 and instead sent the matter to voters. who easily defeated it with the support of college students. Some council members have grown frustrated with what they see as a lack of cooperation from bar owners since then.

That includes Champion, who in the past has been a swing vote against a 21-only law.

“I’ve given those bars 12 years,” she said, a reference to her time on the council.

Council member Regenia Bailey said she has concerns that a 21-only law would encourage more house parties in neighborhoods, which is a common argument of those against changing the current law.

The 2007 vote caused a huge community debate that lasted months. This time, the matter could be settled this spring.

If the council approves an ordinance, a citizen-led referendum could send the matter back to the public for a vote.

– GREGG HENNIGAN, THE GAZETTE

Stay downtown after Uptown

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The Cedar Rapids Jaycees has partnered with several downtown businesses to keep Uptown downtown after the music is over.

With an Uptown Friday Nights TM iWireless TM hand stamp, take advantage of specials at several downtown businesses after Uptowns. These businesses and specials are displayed at the entrance and exit of Uptowns, as well as at each establishment.

Uptown Friday Nights kicks of May 21 with The Swing Crew.

Check it out:

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Behind the Bar with Brett Klein

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Brett Klein, 28, Cedar Rapids
Bartender @ Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge

How long have you been with Piano Lounge?
I’ve been with Piano Lounge just a short time after they opened. Going on almost four years now.

 

Piano Lounge has always had a big draw, especially with dueling pianos. What makes this kind of place work in Cedar Rapids?
The dueling piano was something not really offered on a consistent basis around here before the Piano Lounge. It was something different. That plus the atmosphere, live music during the week. It just seemed to fit.

One image I will never forget was of you guys carrying out a piano after the flood. Tell us about the impact of the flood and your decision to come back.
We anticipated getting about two to three feet of water total and ended up getting six feet of water above our ceiling. Ben (another manager), Brett (Thomas-owner) the landlord and myself got to work quickly on a strategy to rebuild. People are still blown away when the see pictures we have from the flood. We knew right away we wanted to come back and take it a step further with some cool new ideas.

 

New ideas like the game room?
Exactly. We expanded our area with a place for recreation and relaxation. It became kind of a joke. We asked people “What would you like to have in your make-believe basement?” We have it stocked with a big flat screen TV, theater style seats, dart boards, pool tables, a Nintendo Wii and more.

 

It is amazing. My guy friends have a hard time leaving that new wing. Now me? I was excited about the return of the martini list. It’s one of the best around. Who created it?
When I came on board there were already a few recipes created, but over the course of the first few months we started taking the list and tweaking it based on what worked, what didn’t. We added or eliminated. We listened to the customers, got creative on some new ideas and new names and it’s what you see today.

What’s your favorite night to be behind the bar?
Definitely Saturday night. Big crowd. Everyone is into the dueling pianos and as a bartender you’re observing and giving the best service you can. You get people in celebrating a variety of things like bachelorette parties, birthdays or just life in general. I love the variety from farmers to lawyers.

The staff at Piano Lounge has a knack for dazzling customers with fun bottle tricks. Is that a required talent or do you take them under your expert wing and show them the ropes?
It’s not something we really teach. Before my job at Piano I worked at a bar that had a lot of slow time during the week, so I started practicing some moves. A few other bartenders here had done the same thing and before long we were known for throwing the bottles around. The goal is to always to get a drink out as fast as possible. But if you can pull in some fun moves while accomplishing that, all the better.

 

Raspberry Martini
Raspberry Stoli
Deyaner Razmatazz
Raspberry puree
Sweet and sour mix

 Brett says: My (favorite drink) would be the basic shot of Jager, but for the sake of the story, let’s go with a Raspberry martini. Shake all of the above with ice, strain and enjoy.

Details: Cedar Rapids Piano Lounge, 208 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids; 4 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; (319) 363-0606; www.thepianolounge.com

behind the bar: Ryan @ Iowa City’s Kamodo Klub

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Ryan Smithson, 32, Iowa City and Des Moines
Manager @ Kamodo Klub

How did you get into bartending?
My family owns four bars in the Court Avenue District in Des Moines. I graduated a year early from high school and I started in the business at 17. I wasn’t even old enough to smoke, let alone drink. I started as a barback and worked from the ground up in the family business.

Why did you want to open a bar in Iowa City?
We have a Kamodo Club in Des Moines that’s just taken off, and I thought Iowa City needed a club. I think people are looking for an big city club… a place where they can go when they want to clean up and actually feel like they’re going out for the night.

What’s the atmosphere like? Is it similar to the Kamodo Klub in Des Moines?
It’s very similar. Kamodo is a sake bar, it’s got an Asian theme to it as far as decor goes, but it’s all Top 40 American music. It’s an upper-class nightclub, but it’s still casual. Jeans are fine, tennis shoes are fine, as long as they’re nice.

Is there anything else people should know about what to expect from your club?

I know how to keep a club safe, and I know how to keep a club clean. Our No. 1 compliment in Des Moines is, ‘You guys always have hand towels and soap, and your bathrooms are the cleanest in town. I know it seems weird, but that’s why we come here – we’re not afraid to sit down here.’

Also, we offer bottle service: You get 6 people in free, you get your own bottle of booze with mixers, and you get a wet bar set up in your own private area. It’s done up really nice with lights and it’s really classy and it’s just for you and your friends.

What’s your favorite night to work?

Thursday. It seems like people are in a chill place on Thursday night, they aren’t as wild and crazed out as they are on Friday or Saturday. And Thursday is the only night I’m doing 19-and-over. That’s my college ID night. Every other night, the club is 21 and over.

What would you be doing if you weren’t managing a bar?
I have no idea. That is what I do best, that’s what I was born in, raised in. It’s in my blood. I know how to do one thing really awesome and that’s the bar business.

Pimp Juice
1/3 ounce Stoli Raspberry Vodka
1/3 ounce Watermelon Pucker
1/3 ounce melon schnapps
Splash cranberry juice
Splash Redbull
Splash Pineapple juice
Splash Bacardi 151
Pour all ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Ryan says: Pimp Juice started as a bomb, but people loved it as a drink, so we turned it into a martini. It’s our signature drink and probably our No. 1 seller.

Details: 509 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City; 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; for VIP Bottle Service, text (515) 778-6349; online www.myspace.com/kamodoklub