Last thursday night my friend and I, both single and broke, decided to hit the bars alone. It was probably around 11 oclock when we strolled onto the ped mall and had to decide where our first stop would be. Considering our soberness and brokeness we chose ETC. There was no cover and they were doing $1 u-call it. Once we got in the bar we were surronded by a mass amount of people. It didn't take us long to get to the bar to order two vodka tonics, and it took an equal amount of time to finish the barely alcoholic drinks. I can't say I blame the bar. Offering free cover along with a $1 call its, pretty much guarantees weak drinks. For the rest of the night we stuck to safe drinks, beer and tequila shots.
I would say this is a great bar to start out at. Cheap drinks plus no cover. But you also have to add in getting stepped on, spilled on, and dripped on (I think that was the air conditioner).
I wouldn't spend my entire night there, but ETC has some cheap drinks for no cover. It can also be a fun place to dance, if you're in the mood.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Blackstone: Fine Drinking in Iowa City
Driving a few miles out of downtown Iowa City, my friends and I were looking for a place to have a few drinks and relax. What we found was Blackstone.
Located on the corner of Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Blackstone is a trendy, middle class establishment, with not so cheap drinks and a vibrant and versatile atmosphere. From fine dining to a game room in the back, Blackstone has a wide variety of entertainment and dining options.
For my friends and I, the corner of the bar, the middle ground between fine dining and the rowdy, but older, bar population of the game room, was perfect. With only the slight turn of my head I could see back to the pool tables and dart boards and, in the other direction, the more formal dining room. The crowd was mostly comprised of middle aged men and women, most of who appeared to be regulars based upon their interaction with the bartenders and wait staff.
As for me, I opted out of choosing from the large drink menu, complete with flavored and specialty martinis, along with local twists on some original cocktails. Instead, I warmed myself with a Maker’s Mark on the rocks. Delightfully, the bartender poured me a significantly large glass. The special for the night, Saturday, was 20 oz. steins for $4.00. Not bad for a bar off the beaten path for downtown Iowa City regulars.
Located on the corner of Scott Blvd. and Rochester Ave., Blackstone is a trendy, middle class establishment, with not so cheap drinks and a vibrant and versatile atmosphere. From fine dining to a game room in the back, Blackstone has a wide variety of entertainment and dining options.
For my friends and I, the corner of the bar, the middle ground between fine dining and the rowdy, but older, bar population of the game room, was perfect. With only the slight turn of my head I could see back to the pool tables and dart boards and, in the other direction, the more formal dining room. The crowd was mostly comprised of middle aged men and women, most of who appeared to be regulars based upon their interaction with the bartenders and wait staff.
As for me, I opted out of choosing from the large drink menu, complete with flavored and specialty martinis, along with local twists on some original cocktails. Instead, I warmed myself with a Maker’s Mark on the rocks. Delightfully, the bartender poured me a significantly large glass. The special for the night, Saturday, was 20 oz. steins for $4.00. Not bad for a bar off the beaten path for downtown Iowa City regulars.
Monday, April 28, 2008
A Vacant Bar in IC?
Most would find it alarming that an Iowa City bar contained no more than 20 people on a Saturday night. And to make it even more shocking, domestic drafts were only a dollar!
Last Saturday I made my way to Sky Box, but remembered it was very hard to find. Like One-Eyed Jakes, a very narrow stairway led to the bar with a tiny sign out front; the bar was very easy to miss.
According to a Daily Iowan article in 2004, Sky Box was previously named Top Dogs and closed for 2 weeks in August of 2004 to remodel. Owner Mark Nolte claimed in 2004 that business for Top Dogs was slow, but it just needed to run it's course.
On the contrary, business didn't seem to be looking up last Saturday. Once I got up the stairs I noticed just two people sitting at the bar, we would make the occupancy 6. Little did I know that I would get cheap beer all night. But why wasn't a bar with dollar beers more happenin? According to a couple blog posts, their prices on food are ridiculously high. A Chicago style hot dog costs $6. So why must they mislead people with their prices?
You would think that those outrageous prices for food would turn people away. And sure enough, last Saturday night proved that Sky Box isn't on everyone's mind when they go downtown. It didn't help that I almost had to ask someone for directions, even though I have lived in Iowa City for 3 years now, with trips downtown totaling in the hundreds.
Last Saturday I made my way to Sky Box, but remembered it was very hard to find. Like One-Eyed Jakes, a very narrow stairway led to the bar with a tiny sign out front; the bar was very easy to miss.
According to a Daily Iowan article in 2004, Sky Box was previously named Top Dogs and closed for 2 weeks in August of 2004 to remodel. Owner Mark Nolte claimed in 2004 that business for Top Dogs was slow, but it just needed to run it's course.
On the contrary, business didn't seem to be looking up last Saturday. Once I got up the stairs I noticed just two people sitting at the bar, we would make the occupancy 6. Little did I know that I would get cheap beer all night. But why wasn't a bar with dollar beers more happenin? According to a couple blog posts, their prices on food are ridiculously high. A Chicago style hot dog costs $6. So why must they mislead people with their prices?
You would think that those outrageous prices for food would turn people away. And sure enough, last Saturday night proved that Sky Box isn't on everyone's mind when they go downtown. It didn't help that I almost had to ask someone for directions, even though I have lived in Iowa City for 3 years now, with trips downtown totaling in the hundreds.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Clarkson Canceled
I suppose most people have heard about the cancellation of Gridiron Bash 2008. Though Kelly Clarkson is not my top 5, or even my top 20 favorite artists, I was looking forward to the first concert to be held at Kinnick Stadium. It would have almost been like tailgating. My friends and my sister and I planned to meet beforehand to hang out, and then walk to the stadium for the concert. And with the recent acceleration of summer weather, it was looking like a great outdoor concert.
On the other hand, the recent cancellation has brought me to a brighter answer. Though I will have to drive 2 hours away, I will enjoy music like I would have in Iowa City on April 18th. Jimmy Eat World and Paramore, two currently hot artists, are playing at Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines. Jimmy Eat World has had 5 albums, including their recent album debut of “Chase This Light,” which ranked #5 on the Billboard in last November. Paramore has recently sky-rocketed in terms of airplay. With only 2 albums, they have been in the top 5 for Billboard’s “Hot Modern Rock Tracks” during 2007 and 2008.
Basically, Val Air Ballroom rocks with their consistent offers of featured artist performances. And though Kinnick tried to instate the first of hopefully many performances to come, their luck didn’t stay strong. For the convenience of location, along with the steep incline of gas prices, I hope that Kinnick Stadium has another opportunity to present their first musical performance. But in the meantime, I will enjoy great music wherever it occurs.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Martini's Beer Garden
After the long, cold, and wet Winter, I was anxious to get out of my apartment at the first sign of warm weather. The smoky and crowded bars that I have populated throughout the winter did not excite or even stir up my feelings with the temperatures now in the 60s. I wanted a beer garden, and I wanted it immediately.
As the sun began to fade early Tuesday evening, I ventured across campus to Martini’s in hopes that their beer garden would be open. My friend told me he had seen a sign outside of the bar that the beer garden was now open, and he was right. We were in luck.
On a typical Tuesday afternoon, Martini’s is not a crowded place. But on this Tuesday, other Iowa City residents had the same idea as me, for the bar was crowded and a steady noise could be heard from the patio in the back. Walking through the bar, my excitement boiling, I came upon a large gathering of happy drunks, ignited by the fire of beer and warm weather. I sought out a waitress, ordered a round of beers for my friend and I, and joined a group of familiar faces at a table in the beer garden. It was a beautiful night and the beers went down smooth. It was great to be at a bar outdoors at sunset. I am eager for the Summer to arrive and for nights of endless drinking under the night’s sky.
As the sun began to fade early Tuesday evening, I ventured across campus to Martini’s in hopes that their beer garden would be open. My friend told me he had seen a sign outside of the bar that the beer garden was now open, and he was right. We were in luck.
On a typical Tuesday afternoon, Martini’s is not a crowded place. But on this Tuesday, other Iowa City residents had the same idea as me, for the bar was crowded and a steady noise could be heard from the patio in the back. Walking through the bar, my excitement boiling, I came upon a large gathering of happy drunks, ignited by the fire of beer and warm weather. I sought out a waitress, ordered a round of beers for my friend and I, and joined a group of familiar faces at a table in the beer garden. It was a beautiful night and the beers went down smooth. It was great to be at a bar outdoors at sunset. I am eager for the Summer to arrive and for nights of endless drinking under the night’s sky.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Punch Card Night
One eyed Jake's is not one of my favorite bars. Its small, semi dirty, and the staircase scares the hell out of me. Yet I found myself in this second story bar last Wednesday night. Every Wednesday Jake's offers a great deal, 10 bucks gets you a punch card with 15 punches. So 10 bucks, 15 drinks. My brother and I opted to split a card. Seeing as we got there early (9:30ish) we had our choice of table and got drinks pretty easily. The bar was fun until around 10:30-11 when it became completely packed. It was difficult to get a drink, hard to maneuver through the crowd and the line to the girls bathroom was ridiculous. I spent half my time waiting to get drinks and the other half waiting to go to the bathroom. I may have enjoyed this type of bar scene when I was a freshman but now its just too much to go through, even for a cheap deal. When two freshman girls started making out I decided I had had enough.
In conclusion: I'd advise getting to Jake's early on card night to enjoy the bar before the rush.
In conclusion: I'd advise getting to Jake's early on card night to enjoy the bar before the rush.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Takanami: Sushi and Drinks
Fighting the rain and wind on a stormy Thursday night, my roommate and I found are way to the bar at Takanami. We had decided to go to the restaurant solely with the intention of sharing a bottle of wine, but, in addition to the wine, we ended up sharing a roll of sushi and some fresh nigiri.
The wine we chose this evening was a special for the night, a Shiraz from Australia. The wine was surprisingly smooth, with only a subtle hint of pepper and chocolate which is typically found in a Shiraz wine. The restaurant and the bar were crowded so we were happy to have arrived when we did. On the television in the bar, Master’s highlights were being replayed on ESPN, and, since I missed the action from earlier in the day, it was nice to watch the replay of the first round.
Pouring a second glass of wine for myself and my roommate, I realized I was hungry. The waiters, on their path from the kitchen to the dining room, passed right by our spot at the bar, and the aromas of the food stirred up my hunger. I had not eaten dinner that night, but I was only in the mood for something light. My roommate and I decided on some nigiri, the eel and the octopus, as well as one roll of maki, the Fire Dragon.
The restaurant was now more crowded than when we initially sat down at the bar, so it took awhile for the sushi to arrive, but we were not disappointed. The wine and the sushi made for a great start to the night. The food was light and the wine was delightful.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Atlas
Slowly walking through the bar as the last tables from the dinner rush are being cleared, my friends and I made our way into a booth in the corner of the Atlas on Thursday night. Located on the corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street, the Atlas turns into a lively and excited bar after 10 p.m. The Thursday night special is martinis, and, while my friends ponder over the different selections of fruity and traditional martinis, I order my usual classic martini with no olives. The martini special is only for well vodkas, so, despite my initial feelings, I order a $3 vodka martini. My friends sample from the variety of options on the menu, a tequila-tini, an apple martini, and, what I refer to as a patriotic martini, a drink that is red, white, and blue. Although the liquor is cheap, the drinks serve their purpose, and the mood of our table grows ever more energetic as the tables throughout the bar begin to fill.
After our first round of drinks, my friends and I headed downstairs for another round. Compared to the upstairs lounge, the lower level has more of a bar atmosphere. The lights are down low and a cloud of smoke hovers over the patrons of the bar. The bar is crowded and the tables scattered throughout the floor are filled, so I eagerly work my way up to the bar and place the drink order for our group. I recognize the bartender and hint to her that it would be great if she could use vodka besides the well in my libation, which she does without hesitation. I tip her generously and assure her that there is plenty more where that came from. With the different vodka, the drink is a lot smoother, much too my liking. With the bar full my friends and I spread out and talk with the familiar faces in the bar. As the hour grows later, the steady crowd begins to dwindle and I find a place at the bar.
After our first round of drinks, my friends and I headed downstairs for another round. Compared to the upstairs lounge, the lower level has more of a bar atmosphere. The lights are down low and a cloud of smoke hovers over the patrons of the bar. The bar is crowded and the tables scattered throughout the floor are filled, so I eagerly work my way up to the bar and place the drink order for our group. I recognize the bartender and hint to her that it would be great if she could use vodka besides the well in my libation, which she does without hesitation. I tip her generously and assure her that there is plenty more where that came from. With the different vodka, the drink is a lot smoother, much too my liking. With the bar full my friends and I spread out and talk with the familiar faces in the bar. As the hour grows later, the steady crowd begins to dwindle and I find a place at the bar.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
My Plea for The Spill Canvas
The red lights beamed on our foreheads in a cramped rectangle as we watched The Spill Canvas perform by the bar at The Picador during the hot summer of 2006. Unfortunately the band seemed annoyed and angry about the atmosphere of their venue. Their comments about the heat and the narrow venue were repeated on stage and muttered under their breaths as we passed them walking to their van after the show. Gabes was just being transformed into the Picador and the stage that performers use now was not yet available.
The Spill Canvas, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota has not become close to mainstream until recently. Their new single titled “All For You” has debuted on MTV in the countdown for “Most Downloaded Videos.” Their music can be recognized as alternative but their words are poetry and their songs have passion. Sadly, their 2008 and 2007 tour hasn’t included anything close to Iowa City, with their closest location being Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I can’t help but wonder what kind of management allowed The Spill Canvas to play in such a setting that was almost miserable. I have gone to many concerts, and not once have I heard a band complain about the venue. So I can only infer from my experience that The Spill Canvas might be avoiding Iowa City. But like the typical bands that play at The Picador, I can’t imagine who else would fit in better.
Hopefully The Spill Canvas’s last image of Iowa City isn’t how inconvenient The Picador was in 2006, and it’s of the hardcore fans that withstood the horrible temporary venue to watch them play. I can only hope…or write on their wall on Myspace.
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