Iowa City is a city of contrasts with serious cultural clout.
A UNESCO City of Literature known for shaping some of the best literary minds of all time, and home to the University of Iowa, which has routinely ranked as one of the nation’s top party schools. Unsurprisingly, the local bar scene is just as dynamic and varied as the city itself.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen recently tapped Gabe’s as Iowa City’s representative for USA TODAY’s 2025 Bars of the Year List. While Gabe’s has a deft hand for providing face-melting live shows, and its no-nonsense drinks menu moved it ahead of other bars in Iowa City, it is far from the only bar in town deserving of recognition. Here are five bars that just missed the cut.
The Foxhead Tavern
The Foxhead Tavern is one of Iowa City’s oldest bars, opening in 1934, a year after Prohibition ended. Since opening, the Northside neighborhood tavern has stayed down-to-earth. It has become better known as “The Writers’ Workshop bar,” where the creatives of Iowa City gather, breaking away from the hustle and bustle of downtown for a more relaxed din. Though guests won’t be able to order a daiquiri like Ernest Hemingway or a strong-flavored martini like Truman Capote, the bar serves classic beers and strong liquor pours…