The 36 Best Dive Bars In Iowa, According To Iowans

If there’s one thing every Iowa town needs, it’s a good dive bar.

Maybe it’s where the shift workers gather after a long day. Maybe it’s the only place left on Main Street. Maybe it’s a gathering place for bikers, for race fans, for music lovers.

It’s been described in many loving ways by its regulars, but never as snobby or high class.

“They serve heavy and smoke indoors!! No food! It’s great,” Canaan K. said, lovingly describing Front Street Tap in Brooklyn, Iowa.

So we asked Iowans: What’s your favorite hole-in-the-wall? Where is the best dark, dingy corner? Where is your go-to for cheap beer on tap and mixed drinks poured as if you’re family (that is to say, strong)?

It was a tough ask for some.

“Too many to pick just one,” Christian S. noted. “I mean, do you have a favorite kid?”

Others lamented the dives that didn’t last.

“I sure miss a lot from days gone by,” said DeWayne B.

“It was so bad they tore it down,” said Susan M. (who did not elaborate on which one).

Those who did answer the question on Facebook put a whopping 96 different dive bars on our list from all corners of the state, which you can see in full (and contribute more to!) here.

“I’m unnerved by how many of these places I’ve been drunk at,” Maureen O. said.

Only one dive tallied triple figures in mentions and likes, and that is Carl’s Place, 1620 Woodland Ave. in Des Moines.

The outside of Carl’s Place on July 21, 2023, named the top dive bar in the state by Starting Line readers. (Photo by Nikoel Hytrek for Iowa Starting Line)

Known as “Sherman Hill’s favorite dive bar,” Carl’s has quite the reputation—including being accused by the state in 2019 of “running an illegal sports betting pool, keeping customers’ tabs open for multiple nights contrary to Iowa law, and allowing alcohol consumption past 2 a.m. and indoor smoking.”

Probably a good time to mention that Starting Line cannot vouch for the reputations of the bars joining Carl’s on this list. So peruse these 36 top Iowa dive bars at your own peril!

Cameron V. suggested you look over this list while listening to “badass Iowa artist Annie Kemble” and specifically her song, “Dive Bar,” from the 2022 album of the same name.

Here, then, are Iowans’ definitive dive bar list in 2023, in alphabetical order:

• The Alpine Tap Room, Des Moines
• American Tap, Webster City
• Baxa’s Sutliff Store and Tavern, Lisbon
• Blue Bird Tavern, Elma
• Blue Room Lounge, Cedar Falls
• Byron’s, Pomeroy — “Deadhead’s dream and best music around,” Kerry N.
• Carl’s Place, Des Moines
• Circle Tap, Davenport
• Dave’s Fox Head Tavern, Iowa City
• The Deadwood Tavern, Iowa City
• Dingus Lounge, Knoxville — “It’s not only a local favorite but a favorite of race fans from around the world,” Cindy D.
• Fat Annie’s, Moravia
• Gabe’s, Iowa City
• George’s Buffet, Iowa City — “Awesome burgers,” Josh F.
• Green Gable Inn, Cedar Rapids
• Greenwood Lounge, Des Moines
• The Hideout, Germantown — “They have the best broasted chicken in the country!” Cristie T.
• Hilltop Tavern and Eatery, Iowa City
• Ike’s Job Site, Marathon
• Joe’s Place, Iowa City
• Kelly’s Little Nipper, Des Moines — “I don’t know about the rest of Iowa, but having lived in DSM for over 35 years—and eaten and drunk in every nook and corner—Kelly’s Little Nipper was the best dive bar I ever found.” Scott B.
• Little Bohemia, Cedar Rapids
• Mike’s Hilltop Tap, Muscatine
• O Face, Council Bluffs —“Bar Rescue even walked out on them!” Nancy M.
• Octopus, Cedar Falls
• Paul’s Tavern, Dubuque
• Prince’s Tavern, Sioux City
• Riverside Tavern, Lehigh
• The Shack Tavern, Cedar Rapids
• Sportsman’s Pub, Spirit Lake
• Stevie C’s, Grimes
• Thumbs, Ames
• Tip Top Lounge, Ames
• Waveland Tap, Des Moines
• Williams Recreation Parlor, Red Oak — “More characters there on a Friday afternoon than a Disney film.” John N.
• Yacht Club, Des Moines

by Amie Rivers
07/21/23

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