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First Time to Iowa City

Anyone ever been to Martini's which is the bar with a beer garden right as you are coming through the tunnel to the ped mall from the Sheraton? I don't even know if there's a sign out front. That was a go to for me. Somewhat run down, yet classy place with a huge mix. If @Samsquanch goes there first he might even meet a cool local to pal around with and show him around the ped mall until his buddies arrive. Plus there's a beer garden where you can smoke. What bar in the ped mall can claim that?
 
justinjdry said:
Anyone ever been to Martini's which is the bar with a beer garden right as you are coming through the tunnel to the ped mall from the Sheraton? I don't even know if there's a sign out front. That was a go to for me. Somewhat run down, yet classy place with a huge mix. If @Samsquanch goes there first he might even meet a cool local to pal around with and show him around the ped mall until his buddies arrive. Plus there's a beer garden where you can smoke. What bar in the ped mall can claim that?
Click to expand...
If anything, I'd say that would be the absolute perfect starting point for a tourist by themselves.
 
justinjdry said:
Anyone ever been to Martini's which is the bar with a beer garden right as you are coming through the tunnel to the ped mall from the Sheraton? I don't even know if there's a sign out front. That was a go to for me. Somewhat run down, yet classy place with a huge mix. If @Samsquanch goes there first he might even meet a cool local to pal around with and show him around the ped mall until his buddies arrive. Plus there's a beer garden where you can smoke. What bar in the ped mall can claim that?
Click to expand...

#1 - I like the sig pic even though the Gacy keeps me out a little.
#2 - It is still there and still pretty much the same. Very easy to get to and you can smoke outside so yest that is nice.
#3- Joes has recently added a rooftop so check that out if you get a chance. Pretty cool.
 
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hexumhawk said:
#1 - I like the sig pic even though the Gacy keeps me out a little.
#2 - It is still there and still pretty much the same. Very easy to get to and you can smoke outside so yest that is nice.
#3- Joes has recently added a rooftop so check that out if you get a chance. Pretty cool.
Click to expand...
You get cool points for being the first to point out the clown. I'm from Waterloo, what can I say?
 
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Agree with general consensus above that 30hop and Big Grove are your best options for 30-somethings. Great atmospheres on game weekends. 30hop proabably your best options being down by the Marriott. If you're feeling spicy, downtown Iowa City is always a site to see. I still enjoy getting shitfaced on friday nights before home nights games but that's just me :)
 
Just make sure to head into the stadium around 7 so you can get to your seats to see back in black.
 
Feldbush said:
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.
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Yeah, I remember wondering at the time if this was just his “shtick” but it became apparent real fast, he was fully medicated, intoxicated, and didn’t care what he said.....his form of journalism. Gotta appreciate him staying true to he was, all the time.
 
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justinjdry said:
You get cool points for being the first to point out the clown. I'm from Waterloo, what can I say?
Click to expand...

I saw a documentary once where they mentioned Gacy's tendency to have sharp edges along the different colors of his face paint. Traditionally clowns paint with round, soft lines so as to not look scary. It really creeped me out realizing that he cryptically flaunted his evil like that.
 
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Metuo Accipiter said:
I assume most people don't realize Gacy lived in Waterloo for a few years. Iowa sent the freak to prison - and that's why he ultimately left the state.
Click to expand...

My grandparents on my mother's side lived in Waterloo. Before he passed away, my grandpa had a part-time nurse that would visit the house. For some reason Gacy came up one time when we were all in Waterloo for a holiday and she mentioned that she'd worked for him at KFC. It was before his sex crimes came to light. She said he was quiet, but a good boss. He really threw away a good life when he turned to madness. He had a nice family and was well on his way to being high society in Waterloo. Wild stuff.
 
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Hit up the ped mall, drink a few. Catch some early games on tv at the bars. Make your way down to Melrose. Grab some grub, find a tailgate or two, then head to Stella’s

http://iowacitystella.com/

Then stumble on over to your seats at about 7pm
 
ipiteu2 said:
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.
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Ahhh good to know, I'll be staying right there! We had a Back Pocket in Dubuque and it was a solid spot, good beer.
 
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Thanks for all the responses fellas. I'm pretty pumped for this trip. I just found out my Iowa buddy won't be touching down until 11pm, so I'll probably be drinking alone for a solid 6 hours. If you see a mumbling, stumbling asshole in any kind of Texas gear, please point me to the right bar or uber, depending on my state at the time.

On the subject of the black and gold sections for the game, the posted link on page 2 didn't work. Is there anywhere else I can see what color my section will be?
 
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I can't help but keep bringing up the titty bars...since it's gonna be 3 married fellers on a man only trip. With that in mind, just up I380 about a score worth of miles, there's a BYOB all nudie place. Can't speak on the quality in the last 2 decades or so but a boob is a boob I guess.
 
3rd and 7 for the visitors. Crowd humming "hmmm hmmm hmmm hmm hmmm hmm hmm hmm" with the rolling drum beat. Then the Imperial March after a sack.
 
I just googled "paint it black college football" and it's about eye black messages and HBCU football. No stadium tradition articles on the first page. The Wave happened pretty quickly. Took a while to get the water tower painted. Is there any support for this idea for a blackout game? Can this be my life's work?
 
ConvenientParking said:
I just googled "paint it black college football" and it's about eye black messages and HBCU football. No stadium tradition articles on the first page. The Wave happened pretty quickly. Took a while to get the water tower painted. Is there any support for this idea for a blackout game? Can this be my life's work?
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I suggest suggesting the idea to Levi over at Hawkeye Heaven. Not only will it happen but you won't even get credit for the idea!
 
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Deadwood absolutely sucks as a bar.

If I were you, I'd just wing it tonight with a "no matter where you go, there you are" mindset. Just let yourself get lost in the maelstrom, especially after a win.
 
So.... can anyone go bail Samsquatch out of the Johnson County Drunk Tank?

(Just assuming that's where he's at based on the following equation:

His posts in this thread + My knowledge of the Iowa City P.D. = Johnson County Jail)
 
igtbahawki said:
So.... can anyone go bail Samsquatch out of the Johnson County Drunk Tank?

(Just assuming that's where he's at based on the following equation:

His posts in this thread + My knowledge of the Iowa City P.D. = Johnson County Jail)
Click to expand...
Nope. He has to wait til Monday morning for the magistrate like the rest of us JoCo ex cons had to.

Edit: it's a rite of passage.
 
Melrose_Place31 said:
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.
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One thing to consider, it's our church. As Hawkeye fans. I haven't been to a game in Austin or even to Austin period yet, but I bet it's a cathedral if you're a fan of UT. They have their own thing going on. ISU fans hate Iowa City because it's a pain in the ass getting around and they're used to being in the middle of nowhere, having a pretty campus that's easy to navigate, and driving drunk to a big ass grass field next to the stadium (which is a great tailgating experience in it's own right). They find IC a pain in the ass. Nebraska fans are indifferent because they had success like 40 years ago and they have an awesome stadium (IDK about their tailgating because I've only been to Lincoln to play Iowa Club baseball at a field that's not very close to Memorial). Mad town and Lincoln are places I want to visit when I'm mature enough to plan for things that may happen more than one month in the future.
 
ConvenientParking said:
One thing to consider, it's our church. As Hawkeye fans. I haven't been to a game in Austin or even to Austin period yet, but I bet it's a cathedral if you're a fan of UT. They have their own thing going on. ISU fans hate Iowa City because it's a pain in the ass getting around and they're used to being in the middle of nowhere, having a pretty campus that's easy to navigate, and driving drunk to a big ass grass field next to the stadium (which is a great tailgating experience in it's own right). They find IC a pain in the ass. Nebraska fans are indifferent because they had success like 40 years ago and they have an awesome stadium (IDK about their tailgating because I've only been to Lincoln to play Iowa Club baseball at a field that's not very close to Memorial). Mad town and Lincoln are places I want to visit when I'm mature enough to plan for things that may happen more than one month in the future.
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I go through Ann Arbor and Lansing a lot and was surprised to see the lack of team colors and logos displayed throughout the cities. Unlike Iowa city where everything has a tigerhawk attached to it. I reckon it has something to do with pro sports. That's why I love the Hawkeyes and why it feels so special.
 
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justinjdry said:
I go through Ann Arbor and Lansing a lot and was surprised to see the lack of team colors and logos displayed throughout the cities. Unlike Iowa city where everything has a tigerhawk attached to it. I reckon it has something to do with pro sports. That's why I love the Hawkeyes and why it feels so special.
Click to expand...
IC is pure college, that's for sure.
 
justinjdry said:
I suggest suggesting the idea to Levi over at Hawkeye Heaven. Not only will it happen but you won't even get credit for the idea!
Click to expand...
I don't want credit. I want to boogie to Paint It Black on a blackout night in Kinnick. I assume that's the asshole who's been ripping off real contributors.
 
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Sorry for the delayed response but here goes...

12:00 - Arrived DFW
12:04 - Ordered first beer from airport bar
1:15 - Finish 4th beer, close out tab
1:30 - Board plane
1:35 - Push back from gate, "I should have taken a piss in the terminal"
1:40 - Holding short of runway, #25 in sequence due to weather
1:41 - Get out of seat to piss, immediately screamed at by flight attendant to sit down. I explain she either let me go to the bathroom or she give me a bottle to piss in. She calls my bluff. I bitch out and sit down.
2:25 - Airborne, bladder is at DEFCON 5
2:50 - Level off, pilot explains he's going to keep the fasten seat belt sign on because of turbulence. I contemplate seppuku.
3:10 - Pilot finally turns off fasten seat belt sign. 8 people immediately jump out of their seats and barrel to the back like the opening of a Walmart Black Friday sale
3:33 - Offer a pregnant lady $20 to cut in front of her. She declines.
3:37 - Sweet sweet relief
3:39 - Order beer
3:50 - Order beer
4:15 - Touchdown Cedar Rapids
4:40 - Grab Uber, ask driver if she will take me to a gas station to grab more beer
4:50 - Arrive at Casey's, grab 2 18-packs of Miller
5:20 - Arrive at the Marriott. Cute girl behind the desk recommends we start our night at Sports Column.
5:30-7 - Beer
7:00 - Buddy arrives from Texas. Our Iowa buddy informs us his flight has been cancelled so he won't arrive until Saturday morning.
9:00 - Head to "SpoCo". Show up just in time to be serenaded by the beer band. I offer to buy them all shots inside but they say they have to move on.
9:05 - Meet several girls literally half my age. Order shots for a group of them.
9:08 - Notice X's on hands; take all 4 shots myself.
9:10 - 3:00 - ?????
3:00 - Grab burrito at some place downtown

9:30 - Wake up. Crack a cold one.
11:30 - Iowa buddy arrives.
12:00 - Head to tailgate spot by Hancher
12:00-3:00 - Beer and convincing tailgaters to switch to the Texas game at 3:30.
3:00 - Move to tailgate lot adjacent to SW entrance to stadium.
3:05 - Take multiple shots with random Hawkeyes
3:30 - Find a black painted combine with TVs on the side. Longhorns are on. Don't move for 3 hours.
6:30 - Longhorns win. Shot gun beers with Iowa fans around me.
7:00 - Stumble into stadium
10:00 - Stone cold sober
10:30? - Game over, head to parking lot to finish beer
11ish - Realize Uber is not going to happen with traffic, walk downtown
12:00 - Head to Pints at the recommendation of people we meet along the way
2:00 - Shut down bar, walk around aimlessly trying to find burrito place
2:45 - Find burrito place, eat burrito

Overall, I had a blast. Great people, great fans, hot women, cold beer. What's not to like? The stadium was rowdy, but honestly, the fans I met throughout the day hyped up the stadium noise so much that I think the bar was set too high and I was a little disappointed. Still a loud stadium given it's size compared to some of the bigger stadiums in football. I definitely dig the small college town feel compared to a place like Austin. I met so many people throughout the weekend and everyone was over-the-top friendly. I'll be back for sure.
 
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Samsquanch said:
Sorry for the delayed response but here goes...

12:00 - Arrived DFW
12:04 - Ordered first beer from airport bar
1:15 - Finish 4th beer, close out tab
1:30 - Board plane
1:35 - Push back from gate, "I should have taken a piss in the terminal"
1:40 - Holding short of runway, #25 in sequence due to weather
1:41 - Get out of seat to piss, immediately screamed at by flight attendant to sit down. I explain she either let me go to the bathroom or she give me a bottle to piss in. She calls my bluff. I bitch out and sit down.
2:25 - Airborne, bladder is at DEFCON 5
2:50 - Level off, pilot explains he's going to keep the fasten seat belt sign on because of turbulence. I contemplate seppuku.
3:10 - Pilot finally turns off fasten seat belt sign. 8 people immediately jump out of their seats and barrel to the back like the opening of a Walmart Black Friday sale
3:33 - Offer a pregnant lady $20 to cut in front of her. She declines.
3:37 - Sweet sweet relief
3:39 - Order beer
3:50 - Order beer
4:15 - Touchdown Cedar Rapids
4:40 - Grab Uber, ask driver if she will take me to a gas station to grab more beer
4:50 - Arrive at Casey's, grab 2 18-packs of Miller
5:20 - Arrive at the Marriott. Cute girl behind the desk recommends we start our night at Sports Column.
5:30-7 - Beer
7:00 - Buddy arrives from Texas. Our Iowa buddy informs us his flight has been cancelled so he won't arrive until Saturday morning.
9:00 - Head to "SpoCo". Show up just in time to be serenaded by the beer band. I offer to buy them all shots inside but they say they have to move on.
9:05 - Meet several girls literally half my age. Order shots for a group of them.
9:08 - Notice X's on hands; take all 4 shots myself.
9:10 - 3:00 - ?????
3:00 - Grab burrito at some place downtown

9:30 - Wake up. Crack a cold one.
11:30 - Iowa buddy arrives.
12:00 - Head to tailgate spot by Hancher
12:00-3:00 - Beer and convincing tailgaters to switch to the Texas game at 3:30.
3:00 - Move to tailgate lot adjacent to SW entrance to stadium.
3:05 - Take multiple shots with random Hawkeyes
3:30 - Find a black painted combine with TVs on the side. Longhorns are on. Don't move for 3 hours.
6:30 - Longhorns win. Shot gun beers with Iowa fans around me.
7:00 - Stumble into stadium
10:00 - Stone cold sober
10:30? - Game over, head to parking lot to finish beer
11ish - Realize Uber is not going to happen with traffic, walk downtown
12:00 - Head to Pints at the recommendation of people we meet along the way
2:00 - Shut down bar, walk around aimlessly trying to find burrito place
2:45 - Find burrito place, eat burrito

Overall, I had a blast. Great people, great fans, hot women, cold beer. What's not to like? The stadium was rowdy, but honestly, the fans I met throughout the day hyped up the stadium noise so much that I think the bar was set too high and I was a little disappointed. Still a loud stadium given it's size compared to some of the bigger stadiums in football. I definitely dig the small college town feel compared to a place like Austin. I met so many people throughout the weekend and everyone was over-the-top friendly. I'll be back for sure.
Click to expand...
Let's kiss. ****ing hate a bye week after a loss. Might as well hook up with a longhorn.
 
FWIW, Panchero's is at most a 4 minute walk from Pints. In my drunkest and/or acidiest, never. I can understand, with you not being from IC.
 
Can't believe anyone recommended Pints. I guess it's easy from Clinton. Can't believe that bullshit bar is still open. It replaced something I can't remember when I was in school and we all went there but none of us were proud of it. Now I can't remember what it replaced. Pints is for sure a better time than The Union for an older guest, but a blackout guest should get wandered into The Union and helped into an Uber after in my opinion. Unless The Union is all about lesbian books nows. IDK. I graduated 6 years ago. You get stoned off of the air-floating x/coke particles in the air. It's great for one night. Or maybe only if you're the source of the coke/x. IDK.
 
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