11 Best Pubs near Iowa City

“Gracie M sets the standard of bartending like Alabama sets the standard of college football. Drinks are always on point, service is quick, and her energy makes the whole place better. She somehow manages to keep everyone happy even when it’s packed, and she does it with a smile. If Gracie’s working, you already know it’s going to be a good night.“

“Hilltop is a local dive and neighborhood bar with a great menu. 3 pool tables in the back, several TV's with Iowa games featured. Great selection of canned and bottled beverages. They recently expanded their NA selection. This is a great spot for conversationalists, lunch specials, and the rural, urban crowd this spot draws in. Open Tuesday through Saturday“

“Didn’t see the first shark for about half an hour – a tiger – thirteen footer. You know how you know that when you’re in the water, Chief? You tell by lookin’ from the dorsal to the tail. What we didn’t know was our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. They didn’t even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, Chief, sharks come cruisin’. So we formed ourselves into tight groups…the idea was, the shark comes to the nearest man and he starts poundin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’. Sometimes the shark go away. Sometimes he wouldn’t go away. Sometimes that shark, he looks right into ya, right into your eyes. Y’know, the thing about a shark, he’s got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes. When he comes after ya, he doesn’t seem to be livin’ until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white, and then – aww, then you hear that terrible high-pitch screamin’, the ocean turns red, and in spite of all the poundin’ and the hollerin’, they all come in and rip ya to pieces…in that first dawn, we lost a hundred men. I don’t know how many sharks, maybe a thousand. I don’t know how many men. They averaged six an hour…Noon the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us. He swung in low and he saw us…and he come in low and three hours later, a big fat PBY [seaplane] comes down and start to pick us up. You know, that was the time I was most frightened – waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a life jacket again. So, eleven hundred men went in the water, three hundred and sixteen men come out, and the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb“

“Ate here for the first time before attending an Iowa basketball game nearby. There were good choices on the menu. I had the spicey Italian meatball grinder with fries. It was good and very filling. Prices seemed reasonable. The place was noisy so it was hard to socialize with my friends. Otherwise, a good place to eat and would go there again if in town.“

“My Great Uncle Dave's place. It has one pool table, half a bathroom, and an old school jukebox with Portishead on it. Kurt Vonnegut loved it, and for a long time it was the Writer's Workshop designated hangout. One of the oldest gay-owned businesses in a town with deep LGBT roots“

“I only know the grill, not the bar as I do not drink. If you want a really good burger and fries (they beat the hell out of any fast food place, in quality, quantity and price), served by a wonderful young woman who radiates kindness and good will, Grizzly's should be your next stop.“

“Good food, bright and clean atmosphere and friendly people“

“We have been to Micky’s several times since they opened the NL location. We ordered takeout tonight and when we arrived, someone else had taken our food. They were very quick about remaking our order and correcting any issues. Adam (the bartender) was very kind! We will absolutely return!“

“Great atmosphere, food, and Jen is the best waitress! Can’t wait to go back!“

“Upscale-themed restaurant within the Hyatt Regency hotel on the Iowa River Landing. 5-star service by Kat & atmosphere were the highlight of our dinner experience, with the Iowa Corn Chowder a close second. The chestnut risotto was very good, the filet was average, the monkfish was interesting but a little bland, and the beer menu needs to be expanded to include at least one amber/belgian quad option to mirror the type of restaurant they aspire to be. We’ll definitely give it another shot in the future!“

“Taco pizza pleaseeeeeeeee“