The cost of living has risen across the country, including in Iowa. To combat this, check out these great happy hour deals from 9 Iowa City establishments.
Iowa may be the sixth-most affordable state to live in, according to U.S. News & World Report, but that doesn’t mean living here is easy. Housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, and our beautiful state isn’t immune to rising fuel and food prices, either. All of these issues, which have worsened throughout President Donald Trump’s second term, have put Iowans in a tough spot. We’re looking for deals everywhere we can, including when selecting which restaurants or bars we want to patronize.
One of the best ways to save some money while still enjoying a meal or drinks out is to visit restaurants or bars during their happy hours. Naturally, this doesn’t work for everyone, but if you’re able to fit into these time slots, your bill can be shaved down wondrously. Here, we’ve gathered nine of the best places to visit for happy hour in Iowa City to help alleviate some of the strain on your wallet.
1. Vue Rooftop
Address: 328 S Clinton St Suite A, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Vue Rooftop is a wonderful, delicious restaurant and bar here in Iowa City, and it has seriously stunning views. A weekend brunch here can cure any bad week, and so can Vue Rooftop’s happy hour deals. During the above hours, every guest gets $2 off of their craft beers, glasses of wine, and craft cocktails.
Because the deal applies to a wide variety of drinks, everyone can find something they love that’s covered and save some of their hard-earned moolah. One cocktail that sounds worth the sip is the Scarlet Social, which contains Aperol, sloe gin, lemon juice, lavender simple syrup, and prosecco. Cheers to that!
2. St. Burch Tavern
Address: 127 Iowa Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Sunday: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Comforting meals, sensational sips, and lively conversations can all be found in abundance at St. Burch Tavern. This Iowa City institution has been around for ages, allowing the food and drink makers here to hone their menus and create a space that’s equally nostalgic and modern. That extends to the tavern’s happy hour deals, which include $1.50 East Coast oysters, $2.50 West Coast oysters, and $3 off specific draft beers, craft cocktails, and glasses of wine.
This deal is valid every single day, so if you ever want to feel like an Old Hollywood diva with delicious drinks and fresh seafood, you know where to go.
3. The Green House
Address: 505 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
The Green House brings vibrant life to the concrete jungle of Iowa City. Its decor is green and lush, and its drinks take inspiration from plants, too, with cocktails that feature lavender, elderflower, hibiscus, and more. The Green House is one of the few spots on this list to have separate happy hour slots on different days, but you’ll want to get them straight because guests get $2 off every cocktail, glass of wine, beer, and kombucha purchased during the proper timeframes.
What’s more, there’s plenty of space to catch up with friends or even do some work or journaling, making this a wonderful spot for happy hour in Iowa City.
4. Double Tap Beercade
Address: 121 1/2 E College St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Double Tap Beercade combines boozy beverages, delicious food, and primo vibes every day of the week, and its deals make visiting even more enticing. For instance, Saturdays are for $5 seltzers, and Sundays get you an $8 Hangover Burger Basket.
But for five hours each from Monday to Friday every week, you can score a truly wonderful happy hour deal: 50% off games and pizza. That’s right: You can feed the fam for half off normal menu prices, and with the money you save, you can all play games for half off as well. Now doesn’t that just sound delightful?
5. Micky’s Irish Pub
Address: 11 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Like Double Tap Beercade, Micky’s Irish Pub offers deals throughout the week in addition to its happy hour prices. Mickey’s down-to-earth vibe is unparalleled, which is why it’s been a staple in the local community for so many years, and its deals are undoubtedly bringing in new diners. For example, on Mondays, guests can order $5.99 burger baskets, and wings are just $0.68 on Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, happy hour includes $3 well drinks, $3 domestic pints of beer, and $4 Guinness or Smithwick’s pints. In this economy, you truly can’t beat that, and happy hour in Iowa City has never looked better.
6. The Box
Address: 525 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Where many previous entries on this list are chill, The Box is a lively, rip-roaring establishment that, according to its website, mashes up the classic sports bar with the energy of a nightclub. Expect music and dancing, but also expect yummy food and even better drinks without needing to break the bank.
The Box offers a happy hour on every weekday that grants visitors $3 domestic draft beers, $4 glasses of wine, and $5 appetizers. The latter includes tacos, flatbreads, and other bites that will keep the beer at bay while you dance the night away. Cue Dua Lipa!
7. Stella
Address: 1006 Melrose Ave, Iowa City, IA 52246
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Stella has been making waves in Iowa City thanks to its bangin’ burgers and tantalizing drinks. Reviewers rave about Stella’s burgers, noting that they’re not only delicious but also perfectly cooked. And you’ll want one to go with your drink when you see how solid Stella’s happy hour deals are.
As detailed in a July Facebook post, Stella’s deals include $5 sangrias and blue curaçao margaritas, $7 beer flights, $3 pints of the day, and $3 off all Moscow mules. You’ll save a lot of money with these deals, but don’t forget to tip your bartenders!
8. The Stuffed Olive
Address: 121 E College St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hours: Monday: 3 p.m.-12 a.m.; Tuesday-Thursday: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Sunday: 10 p.m.-Close
The Stuffed Olive is a multicultural gem in the city, serving everything from Mediterranean classics to flatbreads topped with Thai chicken. It’s also another perfect spot if you’re looking to take advantage of happy hour in Iowa City. The Stuffed Olive has different deals throughout the week that can save you many a pretty penny.
On Mondays, you can buy select martini flavors and get a second drink for $0.01. This includes birthday cake, tiramisu, love potion, cucumber melon, and more. Meanwhile, every Tuesday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Stuffed Olive offers $25 off all food, and martinis cost just $8 (normally around $12 to $14) from 10 p.m. to close, Tuesday to Sunday.
9. Donnelly’s Pub
Address: 110 E College St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
A tour of happy hour in Iowa City wouldn’t be complete without Donnelly’s Pub. This Irish pub has all the yummy nibbles you could want for the afternoon or evening, and you can wash them down with great drink deals.
Namely, Donnelly’s Pub offers $6 house cocktails and mules, as well as $1 off draft beers. One excellent drink we’d recommend using this deal on is the Iowa Old Fashioned. It features local bourbon from Cedar Ridge and normally costs $10, so you can order it for nearly half off during happy hour.
