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.