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Weekend in Dubuque

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frozenrope

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Jun 19, 2001
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Hi All,
Will be in Dubuque this weekend staying at the Hotel Julian. Can anyone recommend any good bars in that area of town. Seems like I heard someone with Iowa connections opened a sports bar in Dubuque, but I can't recall the details. Also not opposed to dive bars! Thanks in advance for your help!
 
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The Julian is on Main Street with lots of bars within a mile radius, easy walking. Gary Dolphin owns the iron bar which is also downtown but probably not a walk unless you don’t mind walking about 16 minutes.
 
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When we had Corporate meetings at the Julien, we would go to HUB on main.

They would let us flip a quarter and when you flipped heads your drinks were free. Think they only do it on a certain night. But, since we brought in a large crowd they would always do it for us.
 
hawk224 said:
Dimensional Brewing a good spot on Lower Main. Lots of good bars in the area
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Dubuque native here. Dimensional is great! It's at the end of the Main street, the same street that the Julien is on. They have a great selection of beers.

Also, you will be on the edge of the Millwork District. Lots to do there including good places to eat and a couple of breweries. Jubeck microbrewery is just up on 11th street. It is next to a really good Thai restaurant, Oolong. There are other good restaurants in that area, too.

BTW, the breakfasts at Caroline's (the restaurant in the basement of the hotel) are fantastic.

Stay safe!
 
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Barrel house has really good food corner 3rd and main like literally right across the street from your hotel. Lot One They used to have a really good lunch menu one of the best tenderloins I've ever had. Should also try to check out the Mississippi river museum which is probably about a 10 minute walk from your hotel down in the Port of Dubuque. Diamond Jo casino is also right there too.
 
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Brazen Open Kitchen for a really good meal and great drinks from the bar.

7 Hills Brewery is the place if you want causal atmosphere with bar food and craft brews.

Across the street is Geno’s if you want Chicago style pizza. They have full bar and plenty of beers to go with. Love that thick cheese pizza.
 
Brother was married in Dbq. Hotel Julien provided a nice night with a bridesmaid!

I like the beer at Dimensional, but prefer the atmosphere of 7 Hills better. Food is solid there as well.
 
BBHawk said:
Dubuque native here. Dimensional is great! It's at the end of the Main street, the same street that the Julien is on. They have a great selection of beers.

Also, you will be on the edge of the Millwork District. Lots to do there including good places to eat and a couple of breweries. Jubeck microbrewery is just up on 11th street. It is next to a really good Thai restaurant, Oolong. There are other good restaurants in that area, too.

BTW, the breakfasts at Caroline's (the restaurant in the basement of the hotel) are fantastic.

Stay safe!
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Key West boy here head out to the Airline Inn
 
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CaboKP said:
Brother was married in Dbq. Hotel Julien provided a nice night with a bridesmaid!

I like the beer at Dimensional, but prefer the atmosphere of 7 Hills better. Food is solid there as well.
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Picture of bridesmaid?
 
frozenrope said:
Hi All,
Will be in Dubuque this weekend staying at the Hotel Julian. Can anyone recommend any good bars in that area of town. Seems like I heard someone with Iowa connections opened a sports bar in Dubuque, but I can't recall the details. Also not opposed to dive bars! Thanks in advance for your help!
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East Dubuque baby!!!!!!
 
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Wadzinator said:
Barrel house has really good food corner 3rd and main like literally right across the street from your hotel. Lot One They used to have a really good lunch menu one of the best tenderloins I've ever had. Should also try to check out the Mississippi river museum which is probably about a 10 minute walk from your hotel down in the Port of Dubuque. Diamond Jo casino is also right there too.
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I meant to also mention the Mississippi River Museum. I have been multiple times and always enjoy it. It is not local, but a regional museum of high quality.
 
OutbackBowl2017 said:
Brazen Open Kitchen for a really good meal and great drinks from the bar.

7 Hills Brewery is the place if you want causal atmosphere with bar food and craft brews.

Across the street is Geno’s if you want Chicago style pizza. They have full bar and plenty of beers to go with. Love that thick cheese pizza.
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I found the beer at 7 Hills sadly lacking but I have a pretty fussy beer palate (I brew). It is better than most of what Back Pocket offers, though, and the building is really nice.
 
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Dubuque’s small enough to head to more then just the area around the Julien.

Monk’s in the morning for an Irish Coffee.

Denny’s Lux Club, Paul’s Tap or the Dog House for that townie dive bar feel.

Pro tip: pre game at the American Legion for 1.25 beers and then head to Brazen or the Morocco (world’s best chicken)

Other Supper Club for dinner: Chubs (the Old Kall Inn) on the Wisconsin side next to the dam is worth the trip to this “carpet on the wall” old fashioned swilling Midwest supper club.

Fun bar: the main bar at Sundown Mountain Resort should be good Fri night and all day Saturday. Live music too, look at the slopes.

Pizza: drive across the river to Gooch’s Green House in Kieler. They have Spotted Cow there too.

L. May or Brazen for a nice dinner and quality drinks.

If you want unique breakfast location and coffee try Convivium.

Shot tower Pizza- party cut big Jim. Can’t go wrong.
 
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BBHawk said:
I found the beer at 7 Hills sadly lacking but I have a pretty fussy beer palate (I brew). It is better than most of what Back Pocket offers, though, and the building is really nice.
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Better head up the road to Decorah then.
 
OutbackBowl2017 said:
Better head up the road to Decorah then.
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Yeah, I love Pulpit Rock and, just south of there in Calmar, PIVO. Totally different breweries but very good at what they do.

I am not as big of a TG fan as I once was. I like their beers but they are EVERYWHERE. And the special stuff at the brewery is pretty pricey.
 
Someone mentioned Decorah here. I haven't been there in 30 years but am going to be there for a Friday and Saturday night in early May for baseball games at Luther College Field. Where is a good place to stay there close to some bars and restaurants? I like dive bars and local flavor.
 
DBQStarHawk said:
Dubuque’s small enough to head to more then just the area around the Julien.

Monk’s in the morning for an Irish Coffee.

Denny’s Lux Club, Paul’s Tap or the Dog House for that townie dive bar feel.

Pro tip: pre game at the American Legion for 1.25 beers and then head to Brazen or the Morocco (world’s best chicken)

Other Supper Club for dinner: Chubs (the Old Kall Inn) on the Wisconsin side next to the dam is worth the trip to this “carpet on the wall” old fashioned swilling Midwest supper club.

Fun bar: the main bar at Sundown Mountain Resort should be good Fri night and all day Saturday. Live music too, look at the slopes.

Pizza: drive across the river to Gooch’s Green House in Kieler. They have Spotted Cow there too.

L. May or Brazen for a nice dinner and quality drinks.

If you want unique breakfast location and coffee try Convivium.

Shot tower Pizza- party cut big Jim. Can’t go wrong.
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I agree with some of the above. I prefer Country Heights to the old Kall In, at least for food. But most of the places listed are a longer drive from the Julien. With all that there is close to where you will be and the weather not he greatest, close is often better. The Convivium might be a little cold in the winter, and it is a longer drive from the Julien. It's only open Wednesday - Sunday 8-2.

LMay and Brazen are relatively close, pricier, but with really good food. The Shot Tower is reasonable and right there, though. Probably less than 500 feet from your hotel. And they have a particular treat that some might not like but I think is fantastic - their Grinder sandwich is very good! I had many in my youth.
 
Hammer93 said:
Someone mentioned Decorah here. I haven't been there in 30 years but am going to be there for a Friday and Saturday night in early May for baseball games at Luther College Field. Where is a good place to stay there close to some bars and restaurants? I like dive bars and local flavor.
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There's a hotel right downtown close to the main bar/restaurant area. I believe it is called the Hotel Winneshiek. It is a cool old building right in the middle of everything. Mabes pizza is a regional favorite. You will need to make a short drive to either Pulpit Rock (or longish walk) or Toppling Goliath breweries. I love Decorah!
 
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Farleyhawk said:
There's a hotel right downtown close to the main bar/restaurant area. I believe it is called the Hotel Winneshiek. It is a cool old building right in the middle of everything. Mabes pizza is a regional favorite. You will need to make a short drive to either Pulpit Rock (or longish walk) or Toppling Goliath breweries. I love Decorah!
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Hey.... I appreciate the guidance. I'll definitely look those places up and get a plan together for a pizza and couple local beers. Yeah, I am really looking forward to getting up there again. Been a LOOOOOOOng time. Thanks again.
 
frozenrope said:
Hi All,
Will be in Dubuque this weekend staying at the Hotel Julian. Can anyone recommend any good bars in that area of town. Seems like I heard someone with Iowa connections opened a sports bar in Dubuque, but I can't recall the details. Also not opposed to dive bars! Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
If you cant find good bars and pretty good food in Dubuque then you are you just dont like either!

Two Dive Bars on that end of town I would recommend would be Paul's Tap, (Nothing like it that I have ever seen!) and Odd Fellows (right by Five Flags Center) is a wild and wierd place!

7 Hills Brewery has the best food for a brewery as well if you want both micro brew and good food!

Have fun! Its a Fun Town! (But I live here and am a bar legend, so I am biased!! :) )
 
About 20 years ago, in my early 20s, my buddies and I would head down to Central for happy hour on Fridays with the townies, good times. Also all of these recommendations and nobody has mentioned the Mining Company
 
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BBHawk said:
In Dubuque, I really like Dimensional and Jubeck, as much as I like the Decorah breweries.
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This. Dimensional cranks out IPAs, Sours and Stouts that rival anything from Pulpit or TG (IMO). If you like the hazy IPA's or big, boozy stouts, Dimensional is the place to go. Jubeck was more focused on traditional European styles when I went, but they brew tasty stuff.
 
Out of curiosity, has anybody tried the new place west of town on 20 by Peosta? Called Dark Bird or something like that I think?
 
Hwk-I-St8 said:
This. Dimensional cranks out IPAs, Sours and Stouts that rival anything from Pulpit or TG (IMO). If you like the hazy IPA's or big, boozy stouts, Dimensional is the place to go. Jubeck was more focused on traditional European styles when I went, but they brew tasty stuff.
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Whoops! I misread your post.
 
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hawk224 said:
Out of curiosity, has anybody tried the new place west of town on 20 by Peosta? Called Dark Bird or something like that I think?
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Darkbird Taphouse is operated by one of the owners of Dimensional. They serve Dimensional brews as well as traditional beers and drinks. They also have food. It is a very nice place and will only get better when the outdoor deck and patio areas open up this spring.
 
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