Donnelly’s in Iowa City is one of the Hawkeye State’s top Irish pubs, and it is a hopping place every St. Patrick’s Day. But this historic pub in Iowa has a lot more to offer than just great Irish cuisine and beer. First opened in the 1930s and standing for nearly 40 years, it was torn down due to urban renewal in the 1970s. Fortunately, it was rebuilt a short distance away in a location that perfectly carried on the establishment’s authentic charm.
What hasn’t changed is the pub’s deep connection to one of the state’s most prestigious institutions: the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. This renowned program has attracted some of the most brilliant rising writers in the world over the decades, cementing the Hawkeye State’s literary heritage. Many of these writers, busy pursuing advanced degrees in creative writing, gathered at Donnelly’s to drink, eat, share stories, and become part of the pub’s history. It essentially served as an unofficial gathering place where students and visiting writers could rub elbows and debate prose and poetry late into the night, finding inspiration for their next publications amid the clinking glasses.
Donnelly’s Pub might not be in its original footprint, but this old-school haven still feels like it has been going strong for close to a century. The pub specializes in traditional beers enjoyed with good company, but if a frosty pint of stout isn’t exactly your style, the bartenders can easily mix up an Irish car bomb shot or pour you a dram of whiskey to sip on while you take in the atmosphere. You can almost feel the creative energy echoing off the walls here.
The food is just as traditional, serving up classic pub grub like juicy burgers and one of Iowa’s best fish and chips plates. You’ll also find deeply comforting Irish fare, like a hearty plate of bangers and mash covered in a rich, savory onion gravy. The Irish stew is another undisputed highlight of the restaurant, loaded up with tender meat and root vegetables, and absolutely perfect for a cold winter’s day in the Midwest.
Thanks to its close proximity to the Writers’ Workshop, Donnelly’s has been frequented by countless literary legends over the years, including the famous novelist and satirist Kurt Vonnegut. However, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas reportedly had a slightly less enjoyable time at Donnelly’s back in the day; he was famously tossed out of the pub for bad conduct, which was no doubt a legendary story he told many times after his return to Wales!
Donnelly’s is still going strong today, so drop in for a drink and check out the latest daily specials. You truly never know who you’ll see sitting next to you at the bar!
To learn more about what Donnelly’s is like today, make sure to visit the pub’s website and check out Donnelly’s Facebook page. Wander over to nearby Prairie Lights Books to learn more about the famous writers whose feet have walked the streets of Iowa City.
If you’re in the mood for even more Irish food after reading this, head up to Waterloo’s best-known pub. You could even use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to map a road trip to some of the Hawkeye State’s best Irish haunts…