First Time to Iowa City

[ConvenientParking]

I know those feels. I used to be in the Navy and the many things I'll never see again gets kinda depressing being stuck back in Waterloo.

Dude I'm from Cedar Falls as a kid. Went to Catholic school in Waterloo and my mother grew up on the east side. Watched my first Iowa games on my grandpa's TV on the east side. People have been telling me downtown Waterloo is shaping up recently? Is that true? I love that area.

 

[justinjdry]

Dude I'm from Cedar Falls as a kid. People have been telling me downtown Waterloo is shaping up recently? Is that true? I love that area.

Well it all depends on if you like titty bars or not which is a yes or no question. I think some parts are trying but it's still Waterloo. Which kinda speaks for itself.

 

[justinjdry]

Btw I'm pretty sure @StopIt scared the OP of this thread away. Great job.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Well it all depends on if you like titty bars or not which is a yes or no question. I think some parts are trying but it's still Waterloo. Which kinda speaks for itself.

Dude I still love me some 'Loo. I live in the Drake neighborhood in Des Moines now. I haven't been to Waterloo/CF for probably 5 years. All my happy kid memories are Waterloo/CF. My grandparents' house shared a parking lot with what was St. Johns. Christmas Eve there was a party always. The snow plows pushed all the snow off the lot to the playground and made a sledding hill for use kids.

I do like titty bars now. I think I would still love Waterloo. I think I'm easily pleased.

 

[justinjdry]

I just read your post about the Vine too. Son? Is that you?

 

[justinjdry]

I did meet a little lass down at the Vine one time..

 

[ConvenientParking]

I just read your post about the Vine too. Son? Is that you?

Most likely not. My real dad doesn't post here. He's on twitter for his Iowa fix and I'm here. It's weird. Because I'm not on twitter almost ever.

 

[jellyfish10]

Dude I'm from Cedar Falls as a kid. Went to Catholic school in Waterloo and my mother grew up on the east side. Watched my first Iowa games on my grandpa's TV on the east side. People have been telling me downtown Waterloo is shaping up recently? Is that true? I love that area.

Yes it’s true.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Yes it’s true.

I used to beg to get rides from CF to Black Hawks games at Young Arena when I was in middle school because I wanted to flirt with the gals from the other Catholic schools. Beg my parents, I mean. The rules were that I wait at Burger King after the game ended until I could be picked up. Great times.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Our Texas friend is immersed deep in Iowa culture.

 

[General Tso]

I'm from Texas and a die hard Longhorn fan (sorry for Greg Davis). My buddy is from Iowa and has been trying to get me to go to a game for years. It looks like I'll finally get the opportunity this week against Wisky. My Iowa buddy hasn't been to a game in probably 10 years, so his game day knowledge might be dated. It'll be me, him, and my other buddy from Texas. We'll fly to Cedar Rapids from DFW on Friday night and will be staying in Iowa City.

If you were us (3 heterosexual guys in their mid-30s), what would your weekend look like? Best drinking spots on Friday night? Best tailgating spots on Saturday? Any can't miss places on game day?

Have Uber drop you off near the ped mall. Report back in the morning.

 

[StormHawk42]

Even if you don’t tailgate along melrose, I’d suggest a walk up and down that street. If you have Texas or whatever stuff on, people will probably want you to stop and have a beer at their tailgate. Iowans love visitors.

 

[jaydawg24]

On Game day, if you are near Melrose and Golf View, go 2 houses North of Stella's and visit Hawks To Go tailgate and donate to the Iowa Children's Hospital. Then go to the game and experience the "Wave" at the end of the first quarter and you will feel really good. I do every time. Enjoy your visit.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Even if you don’t tailgate along melrose, I’d suggest a walk up and down that street. If you have Texas or whatever stuff on, people will probably want you to stop and have a beer at their tailgate. Iowans love visitors.

I say have it (the burnt orange) when you're tailgating and back into a free t-shirt to wear in the stadium. Burnt orange is cool, but get an Iowa shirt if you're gonna visit for a game. And wear that shirt in the stadium.

 

[justinjdry]

The Ped Mall needs a nudie joint. Why not? There's already a liquor store where everyone just sits and smokes weed out front of anyway.

 

[ConvenientParking]

The Ped Mall needs a nudie joint. Why not? There's already a liquor store where everyone just sits and smokes weed out front of anyway.

It's called The Union. Jesus christ dude. Know your IC.

 

[ConvenientParking]

What is Jake's now? Apartments? That was the first bar I ever went to when I was a student at Iowa.

Edit: They were upstairs near the Airliner (maybe two doors north?). They had punch card night on Wednesdays and it was like $15 for 10 well drinks. The men's room smelled like barbacide. The upstairs (third floor) had a dance floor and a smaller bar. Trashiest and best undergrad bar in IC when I was underage.

 

[Ree4]

BGHP Guide

Keep in mind it's a year old so the construction stuff isnt that accurate

 

[grayhair81]

Kudos on the avatar. That was the best episode of TPB. Looks like you are going to have some super weather. Welcome to Iowa. I hope you have an epic time and also hope you bring the Hawks some luck.

 

[justinjdry]

What is Jake's now? Apartments? That was the first bar I ever went to when I was a student at Iowa.

Edit: They were upstairs near the Airliner (maybe two doors north?). They had punch card night on Wednesdays and it was like $15 for 10 well drinks. The men's room smelled like barbacide. The upstairs (third floor) had a dance floor and a smaller bar. Trashiest and best undergrad bar in IC when I was underage.

I don't know what happened with it. But if you're looking for skeezy places to go I can recommend a few.

 

[ipiteu2]

Back pocket brewery is next door to the Marriott and has some decent beers and good pizza. As stated ped mall/downtown Friday night, smaller version of 6th st in Austin. Other options wig n pen, vine, blue bird cafe, Hamburg inn. If you don't have a dedicated tailgating spot, head along Melrose and should find plenty of spots to stop, drink, and enjoy good food.

 

[20Hawkeye14]

On Game day, if you are near Melrose and Golf View, go 2 houses North of Stella's and visit Hawks To Go tailgate and donate to the Iowa Children's Hospital. Then go to the game and experience the "Wave" at the end of the first quarter and you will feel really good. I do every time. Enjoy your visit.

Hawks to go trailer definitely a good place to tailgate and mingle with hawk fans. Very friendly crew.

 

[justinjdry]

Iowa City does have a night mayor. True story.

 

[gojojo]

What is Jake's now? Apartments? That was the first bar I ever went to when I was a student at Iowa.

Edit: They were upstairs near the Airliner (maybe two doors north?). They had punch card night on Wednesdays and it was like $15 for 10 well drinks. The men's room smelled like barbacide. The upstairs (third floor) had a dance floor and a smaller bar. Trashiest and best undergrad bar in IC when I was underage.

Jake's is now the Social Club. It has a speakeasy feel. Great cocktails. Nothing like Jake's at all.

 

[StopIt]

Btw I'm pretty sure @StopIt scared the OP of this thread away. Great job.

Sac up, Bevis!

 

[ConvenientParking]

This was FB response to my question about Hunter S Thompson at Deadwood. Not bad. Mother Night is probably my favorite book ever.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Jake's is now the Social Club. It has a speakeasy feel. Great cocktails. Nothing like Jake's at all.

Kinda sad IMO. Jake's was a dump, but it was my dump.

 

[Samsquanch]

Thanks for all the responses!

Ya'll didn't scare me away; just been balls deep in this Cowboys game. It's not often we actually have a lead so I'm taking it all in.

I arrive about 4 hours before my buddies do on Friday night, so I plan on being 12 beers deep at one of the bars you guys suggested by the time they show up. I like the idea of ending up at a sorority party, so I hope there are some hot coeds that are into middle-aged married guys with kids. Saturday, I'll wake up from whichever ditch I ended up in, crack a cold one, and start over again.

I told my buddy I'd sport the black and gold, since he wore burnt orange to the Texas game I brought him to (2015 against ND in South Bend. I'd rather not talk about it). But I will be drinking out of my Longhorns koozie, which I never leave home without. So if you see a drunken idiot drinking from said koozie, say what's up and I'll buy you a beer.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Deadwood can dox me now if they wish I hope they enjoy it.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Thanks for all the responses!

Ya'll didn't scare me away; just been balls deep in this Cowboys game. It's not often we actually have a lead so I'm taking it all in.

I arrive about 4 hours before my buddies do on Friday night, so I plan on being 12 beers deep at one of the bars you guys suggested by the time they show up. I like the idea of ending up at a sorority party, so I hope there are some hot coeds that are into middle-aged married guys with kids. Saturday, I'll wake up from whichever ditch I ended up in, crack a cold one, and start over again.

I told my buddy I'd sport the black and gold, since he wore burnt orange to the Texas game I brought him to (2015 against ND in South Bend. I'd rather not talk about it). But I will be drinking out of my Longhorns koozie, which I never leave home without. So if you see a drunken idiot drinking from said koozie, say what's up and I'll buy you a beer.

Enjoy your time in IC. It's the perfect time to catch a game. It's not cold yet, and it's probably not going to be super hot. Big conference rivalry game. Wisky will probably be favored even with what happened yesterday. Look out for the Iowa DL though. We rotate 7-8 there and we have enjoyed early success there.

 

[iowa surfer]

The guy is kindly, and harmlessly, asking for recommendations from Iowa fans and you are knocking his home state. Shame on you for representing the Iowa fan base this way. Go away.

Texas people I know have a cool sense of humor concerning Texas. Me grew up in Hollywood area.Perfect we are... Go Hawks.

 

[VodkaSam]

IC lore (no idea if it's true): Hunter S Thompson was kicked out of the Deadwood once. It's a hard place to get kicked out of.

I’d remembered seeing Hunter S. Thompson speak in Iowa City for a Lit. class in 1984 or 85. I remembered him appearing to be drunk/high, and thought it was at the Union. I googled it and my memory was correct. Article said he showed up late with a martini in hand, which I now remember.

http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1995/di1995-04-27.pdf
Could have been that 1984 trip to IC when he got kicked out of Deadwood. He was a little obnoxious during the lecture.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Staying at the Coralville Marriott.

Take a Lyft or Uber downtown. Many options (above) once you're there.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Classic HS Thompson here. Confronted by Cliff Workman, a famous, old school HA.

 

[hexumhawk]

Here is my take if you are coming from out of town on a bro trip with the given info from above on where you are staying.

Friday afternoon/ night. Go eat at 30 Hop by your hotel. If it is nice, has a great outdoor area to enjoy and get your drink on. Since it is a late game Saturday, you wont need to be up super early. Take an Uber or Lyft downtown and just bar hop until you find something you like. There is every kind of bar down there so you shouldn't have a problem. Also, beer band will be out and that is awesome to see. Get sloppy drunk and find a girl to go home with or make your way back to hotel.

Saturday AM- Breakfast at Hamburg Inn or Bluebird downtown. From there, I would hit a couple early bars for some bloodys. You can walk from downtown to the game or Uber it. Once you get dropped off there are plenty of places to hit if you dont have a spot. I would grab a 12 of Busch Light and just trek around Myrtle lot, Melrose, Stella area, Finkbine and Fink communter, Dental...ect. 99% of the places you stop at will welcome you and offer you up food and good times.

Post game- go downtown.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

We rode our bikes & were partying at the Woody Creek Tavern a few years ago. The locals had a few good Hunter S Thompson stories for us (after a few drinks). The best part is eveybody would give a different answer on where his ranch was located (local joke that they never tell tourists the correct location).

Great margaritas & cool place if anybody’s ever traveling in the Aspen area.

 

[yrunvs]

Thanks for all the responses!

Ya'll didn't scare me away; just been balls deep in this Cowboys game. It's not often we actually have a lead so I'm taking it all in.

I arrive about 4 hours before my buddies do on Friday night, so I plan on being 12 beers deep at one of the bars you guys suggested by the time they show up. I like the idea of ending up at a sorority party, so I hope there are some hot coeds that are into middle-aged married guys with kids. Saturday, I'll wake up from whichever ditch I ended up in, crack a cold one, and start over again.

I told my buddy I'd sport the black and gold, since he wore burnt orange to the Texas game I brought him to (2015 against ND in South Bend. I'd rather not talk about it). But I will be drinking out of my Longhorns koozie, which I never leave home without. So if you see a drunken idiot drinking from said koozie, say what's up and I'll buy you a beer.

Be aware that the game is a Black and Gold Spirit game and depending where your seats are will dictate which color to wear. See attached link to determine.
https://fightforiowa.hawkeyesports.com/promotions-1/

 

[thewop]

Pork tenderloin sandwich. Eat one

 

[Feldbush]

I’d remembered seeing Hunter S. Thompson speak in Iowa City for a Lit. class in 1984 or 85. I remembered him appearing to be drunk/high, and thought it was at the Union. I googled it and my memory was correct. Article said he showed up late with a martini in hand, which I now remember.

http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1995/di1995-04-27.pdf
Could have been that 1984 trip to IC when he got kicked out of Deadwood. He was a little obnoxious during the lecture.

Yes, everything that you may heard about Hunter S is true. He was quite lubricated and medicated when he came to Iowa as part of the campus lecture series in 1984. The assigned student from the university experienced him in full gonzo mode with his case of medicine and desire to find fun.

 

[Melrose_Place31]

I'm from Texas and a die hard Longhorn fan (sorry for Greg Davis). My buddy is from Iowa and has been trying to get me to go to a game for years. It looks like I'll finally get the opportunity this week against Wisky. My Iowa buddy hasn't been to a game in probably 10 years, so his game day knowledge might be dated. It'll be me, him, and my other buddy from Texas. We'll fly to Cedar Rapids from DFW on Friday night and will be staying in Iowa City.

If you were us (3 heterosexual guys in their mid-30s), what would your weekend look like? Best drinking spots on Friday night? Best tailgating spots on Saturday? Any can't miss places on game day?

Ooooh buddy, I'll be flying in from San Antonio on Friday afternoon as well. I try to make a game at least once a year. Kinnick is somewhat separated from the bar scene, a little bit of a hike but doable for sure. Brothers and Sports Column are always good spots. I believe one dude above gave some pretty good advice. The ped mall is a good spot, can't really miss anything if you're in that area. Pretty much our version of 6th street. Look for the Italian Beef sandwich stand, hope its still there!

Finally, enjoy the sh*t out of the experience. I've been to a UT game (no offense) and it didn't feel the same as being inside Kinnick. Kinnick is truly a fantastic experience, and the fans are nuts....in a good way. Night time under the lights is truly something to behold.