DT Iowa City recs

[ThorneStockton]

I'm old enough that all of my haunts are gone: Fitzy's, Union, Vito's, One Eyed Jakes, Hardee's where I got 2 double cheeseburgers and 2 small fries for $2.22, and Giovanni's. I am sure there are a ton more.

Thankfully my time just overlapped with most of those. My first years in college were when they changed the bar age from 19 to 21. I believe Vito's was a casualty of that, that used to be the City High Xmas reunion spot. One Eyed Jakes died not too long after I think, so I at least got to experience the Wednesday punch card.

I experienced Union in their location that used to be Maxwell's - my parent's had their reception there - but they downsized and may be gone?

But you're right, there's always a lot of change, but some of those places you named were 'institutions'

RIP The Mill.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

I’m surprised that nobody has suggested that the OP might find what he’s looking for at the 620 Club or Studio 13.

Huey gives tours 5 days a week...

 

[jellyfish10]

@Derekd3408 did you get blackout drunk and make bad decisions or what?

 

[Derekd3408]

@Derekd3408 did you get blackout drunk and make bad decisions or what?

Unfortunately no. Went to Sams pizza and watched the Magic Hawks game. Had 4 beers and a 10" supreme thin crust. Went back to the hotel for the Warriors game.

Told myself if they still have dollar you call it at SpoCo on thursdays, I'm all in. Guessing that's a zero percent chance.

 

[fredjr82]

Told myself if they still have dollar you call it at SpoCo on thursdays, I'm all in. Guessing that's a zero percent chance.

They banned all of those big drink discounts when I was around drinking age in IA City (mid 00s). Not sure if they ever brought them back? 21 pitchers for $21 at Jakes was a staple of my group of friends.

 

[Derekd3408]

They banned all of those big drink discounts when I was around drinking age in IA City (mid 00s). Not sure if they ever brought them back? 21 pitchers for $21 at Jakes was a staple of my group of friends.

We did 21 for $21 at Union or Fieldhouse for my now wifes. Good times. I left Iowa City in 07 and they still had dyci. I remember about the time I left was when that kid killed an old man after his 21st night out. Might be what changed everything?

 

[fredjr82]

We did 21 for $21 at Union or Fieldhouse for my now wifes. Good times. I left Iowa City in 07 and they still had dyci. I remember about the time I left was when that kid killed an old man after his 21st night out. Might be what changed everything?

I don't think that was it. I remember shortly after I turned 21 in '03, they really started cracking down on underage kids being in the bars past a certain time (I think it was like 10PM). Here is what AI said

In 2001, Iowa City passed a ban on unlimited drink specials, leading to an increase in public intoxication. The council later considered adding new regulations, but some members felt the proposed rules were overly restrictive. The ban has been referred back for further review and council approval.

More Details:

• Initial Ban:
  The city council initially enacted a ban on unlimited drink specials in 2001.
• Increased Intoxication:
  Following the ban, there was a notable increase in public intoxication cases.
• Council Debate:
  The council debated adding new regulations to the ordinance, with some members expressing concerns about the potential impact of a complete ban on drink specials.
• Public Feedback:
  Council members hoped to gather feedback from students and other community members before making a final decision.
• Ongoing Process:
  The ban is currently undergoing further review and requires multiple council approvals before becoming city law

 

[Derekd3408]

I don't think that was it. I remember shortly after I turned 21 in '03, they really started cracking down on underage kids being in the bars past a certain time (I think it was like 10PM). Here is what AI said

In 2001, Iowa City passed a ban on unlimited drink specials, leading to an increase in public intoxication. The council later considered adding new regulations, but some members felt the proposed rules were overly restrictive. The ban has been referred back for further review and council approval.

More Details:

• Initial Ban:
  The city council initially enacted a ban on unlimited drink specials in 2001.
• Increased Intoxication:
  Following the ban, there was a notable increase in public intoxication cases.
• Council Debate:
  The council debated adding new regulations to the ordinance, with some members expressing concerns about the potential impact of a complete ban on drink specials.
• Public Feedback:
  Council members hoped to gather feedback from students and other community members before making a final decision.
• Ongoing Process:
  The ban is currently undergoing further review and requires multiple council approvals before becoming city law

That's wild because 21 for $21 and DYCI were still very much a thing when I was here. Bars were all 21 and up though

Sad to see those cheap drinking specials gone. I remember being a king in SpoCo with a Jefferson in the pocket.

 

[jellyfish10]

We did 21 for $21 at Union or Fieldhouse for my now wifes. Good times. I left Iowa City in 07 and they still had dyci. I remember about the time I left was when that kid killed an old man after his 21st night out. Might be what changed everything?

Fieldhouse had I think dime draws/maybe quarter draws in Thursday night back in the mid 90’s. How I never got arrested is beyond me. Thanks to my buddy Runt, the cops always seemed to focus on him.

Short, shitty csb…Runt told me he had a secret parking spot in IC. We went out and got piled up and were both holding. We go to find his car afterwards and the car was gone. We decided to walk to the police station to report his car stolen. Wrong. Car was impounded. Turns out the secret spot was not a secret, just illegal. Why the cops didn’t just throw us in jail that night is one of life’s great mysteries.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

They banned all of those big drink discounts when I was around drinking age in IA City (mid 00s). Not sure if they ever brought them back? 21 pitchers for $21 at Jakes was a staple of my group of friends.

my 21st birthday was at jakes, back then you gave you a free punch card on your 21st birthday..
walking around (while you could) passing out drinks was like being a king for a night. got me a hj in a booth and several #'s. too bad I couldn't afford that more often.

 

[Tenacious E]

my 21st birthday was at jakes, back then you gave you a free punch card on your 21st birthday..
walking around (while you could) passing out drinks was like being a king for a night. got me a hj in a booth and several #'s.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Dollar you call it was definitely still a thing from 2008-2013ish and probably a bit after. Punch card at Jakes ended during that time, but 21 pitchers for $25 for birthdays was still going at SpoCo as well.

Prior to that - I don't know what year - is when IC cracked down on other types of drinking specials and is probably what fred is remembering. I think IC banned 'happy hours' so no 2 for 1, or 3 for 1 type of deals for specific hours, all you can drink type promos, and probably some others.

I remember hearing about some old 'bladder buster' deal at the Vine where drinks were super cheap until the first person used the restroom. Probably urban legend, but specials akin to that were also eliminated.

 

[Tenacious E]

Dollar you call it was definitely still a thing from 2008-2013ish and probably a bit after. Punch card at Jakes ended during that time, but 21 pitchers for $25 for birthdays was still going at SpoCo as well.

Prior to that - I don't know what year - is when IC cracked down on other types of drinking specials and is probably what fred is remembering. I think IC banned 'happy hours' so no 2 for 1, or 3 for 1 type of deals for specific hours, all you can drink type promos, and probably some others.

I remember hearing about some old 'bladder buster' deal at the Vine where drinks were super cheap until the first person used the restroom. Probably urban legend, but specials akin to that were also eliminated.

Flip night at the Liner was popular in the early/mid 1990s. I also recall 50 cent draws at Chauncy's, which is in what has become the Graduate Hotel. I do believe that is where Chris Kingsbury pissed on a fake indoor tree.

 

[torbee]

Early 90s specials I loved:

50 cent pint night at Airliner on Tuesday and you could get Leinie’s original on tap.

10 cent draws (crappy light beer only) in plastic cups at Vito’s.

$5 all-you-could drink domestic beers at Field House Thursday nights.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Flip night at the Liner was popular in the early/mid 1990s. I also recall 50 cent draws at Chauncy's, which is in what has become the Graduate Hotel. I do believe that is where Chris Kingsbury pissed on a fake indoor tree.

What was flip night?

 

[Tenacious E]

What was flip night?

Ordered a drink and when the waitress came she flipped a coin. If you won the drinks were free, if you lost they were full price.

 

[Greenway4Prez]

Is Orchard Green still a thing? I always enjoyed that place, really good seafood.

 

[Tenacious E]

What was flip night?

I was just thinking what an exciting time to be alive. Without cell phones and social media, there was always such a sense of mystery and excitement going out, because you never really knew who would be at what bar or party. You screwed up and did something stupid, it is just a funny story and not haunting you on the internet or socials. The major downside of the times were that girls mostly wore huge baggy sweaters and mom jeans and then whatever shit they wore when guys were doing the 90s grunge thing.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Ordered a drink and when the waitress came she flipped a coin. If you won the drinks were free, if you lost they were full price.

Sounds like harmless fun to me! I suspect all chance based drinking specials were snuffed out as part the crackdown.

 

[Igor Stravinsky10]

Is Orchard Green still a thing? I always enjoyed that place, really good seafood.

Yes. The bartenders at the downstairs bar are BEAUTIFUL 😍

 

[Tenacious E]

Is Orchard Green still a thing? I always enjoyed that place, really good seafood.

Orchard Green took over the addition to Fitzy's. I loved the old Fitzy's (currently the physical space of Mosely's). Wheat beer in the beer garden on a warm summer's night - awesome. Their chicago style pizza and wings were great. They just got out over their skiis with the addition as Iowa City wasn't ready for a steakhouse charging those prices.

 

[Kinnick 4 Prez]

That's wild because 21 for $21 and DYCI were still very much a thing when I was here. Bars were all 21 and up though

Sad to see those cheap drinking specials gone. I remember being a king in SpoCo with a Jefferson in the pocket.

Where you going tonight?
BoJames has the $5 big beers still. Otherwise not much for drink specials except for happy hours.

 

[Derekd3408]

Where you going tonight?
BoJames has the $5 big beers still. Otherwise not much for drink specials except for happy hours.

Just getting back to Iowa City, so I'm trying to decide. I've been to Mickeys, St Burch, Black Angel, and Sams so far.

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

Basta for good Italian. Stella's by Kinnick for good burgers.