10 brunch spots in Iowa with bloody mary bars

It’s time for brunch! And nothing makes brunch more exciting than a make-your-own bloody mary bar.

If you are looking for a great spot to enjoy a delicious bunch with family and friends and appreciate a savory bloody mary, then you’ve come to the right place.

Check out these eateries across Iowa that go above and beyond the brunch basics and offer bloody mary bars/cocktails that could be a whole meal on their own. 

Club 76 The Lodge

2349 Mehaffey Bridge Rd., North Liberty

(319) 626-6046

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Photo courtesy of Club 76 The Lodge via Facebook.

If you are looking for a unique brunch location, Club 76 fits the bill. This lodge-style bar and grill, which is a bit off the beaten path in Eastern Iowa, is a live music venue and home to the American Legion Post #1976. It also happens to serve up a delicious bloody mary that you have to see to believe. Loaded with at least four skewers of additions featuring donuts, a hard-boiled egg, olives, and more, plus a cheese stick and a full pretzel. Locals and those passing through the area who happen to have discovered this spot for brunch and bloodys definitely don’t keep it a secret. 

Maloney’s Pub

239 N 2nd St., Eldridge

(563) 285-7675

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Maloney’s Pub in Eldridge might take the cake for the most obnoxiously delicious bloody mary lineup in the state. Their website jokes that  you can “step back in time to a day when gangsters like ‘Machine Gun Kelley’ roamed the midwest … a friendly place where the whiskey flows free and the ‘Feds’ are nowhere to be found.” They play off that mobster theme with their over-the-top bloody marys. The Insane Mary is a whole half gallon and features, get ready, a cornish hen, hamburger, bacon-wrapped cheese curds, shrimp, a cinnamon roll, veggie, meat, and cheese skewers. If you are feeling brave, try the mobster or the killer (which comes with a lobster tail and funnel cake!) You won’t even need to order any other food. 

Americana

1312 Locust St., Des Moines

(515) 283-1312

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When in the Des Moines area plan to enjoy the bottomless bombshell brunch at Americana. Served on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can kick back and select from an impressive selection of eats on the brunch buffet for up to two hours. The bottomless bloody marys take the experience up a notch. They are crafted with house bloody mary mix and have a wide selection of add-ons including lil’ smokies, hot Cheetos, pepperoncinis, olives, picks, horseradish, spicy pickled carrots, and more. We promise you’ll say for every minute and every sip. 

Centro

1003 Locust St., Des Moines

(515) 248-1780

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Photo courtesy of Centro via Facebook.

Another delicious brunch spot in Des Moines is the long-acclaimed Centro in the heart of downtown. Served on Saturday and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can select from a menu of highlights from this Italian restaurant, including bruschetta, portobello fries, crab cake benedict, berry french toast, pizzas, gnocchi, cavatelli and more. And while the food is of course delectable, the build-your-own bloody mary bar is a sure win for a fun brunch experience. Top it how you want and enjoy. 

Hooks Pub & Grill

318 N 4th St., Clinton

(563) 242-2227

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Hooks Pub & Grill in Clinton has a bloody mary on their menu that rivals any concoction in the state. Stop by on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning to order up their mega bloody mary, complete with a burger, onion rings, chicken nuggets, a pretzel, and a glazed donut; essentially everything but the kitchen sink. If that isn’t enough food and drink to satisfy your appetite, grab something off the breakfast menu like their popular steak, eggs, and hashbrowns. You’re sure to leave stuffed. 

Morning Story

2931 7th Ave., Marion

(319) 200-8244

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While they don’t offer up a make-your-own bloody mary bar, Morning Story in Marion does offer a bloody mary flight, which is another great way to add some variety to your morning. You’ll sample the classic bloody mary, the spicy bloody Maria, the Red Snapper bloody, and the bacon bloody. Then you can play favorites on your next visit. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., this breakfast eatery that is a bit newer to the restaurant scene in Eastern Iowa is quickly gaining a following for its incredible menu and inventive drinks. Plus, you can join the brunch club and earn rewards with every meal 

Pedalers Fork

2010 Sylvia Ave., Cedar Rapids

(319) 826-2490

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Photo courtesy of The Pedaler’s Fork via Facebook.

Another spot to grab booze and brunch in Eastern Iowa is Pedalers Fork in Cedar Rapids. Here they mix them up with Hair of the Dawg bloody mary mix (made in Iowa City) with all sorts of fixins. Plus you can add a back of one of their 108 (yes you read that right!) beers on tap. They are open on Sundays for a brunch buffet (that often features the lobster mac and cheese and their popular Asian bowl with shrimp) from 8:30 to 11 a.m. so drive over or pedal in (it’s located right off the Cedar Valley Nature Trail) and give their bloody marys and brunch a try. 

Ox Yoke Inn

4420 220th Trail, Amana

(319) 622-3441

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If you are looking for a classic brunch experience that will make you feel like you are enjoying a family meal in the big kitchen on the farm, stop by the Ox Yoke Inn in Amana. This iconic eatery has been a brunch staple for many people for decades. Brunch is served on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you’ll find a wide assortment of breakfast favorites like hickory smoked bacon, sausage, eggs, waffles, and sweet rolls (yes, usually kolaches!) Plus there’s barbecued chicken, kielbasa with onions and apples, fish, and a bunch of fruits and salads to enjoy.  They also offer a build-your-own bloody mary bar so you can concoct your breakfast cocktail just to your liking or experiment with some new toppings (have you tried pickled okra?) Plus, there’s a dessert table where you can find a variety of cakes, pies, cookies and tarts to add a bit of sweetness to the end of your meal. 

Copper Kettle

2987 Jackson St., Dubuque

(563) 845-0567

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Sometimes you might not feel up to brunch but you still want a good bloody mary. When you are in the Dubuque area, check out Copper Kettle. They don’t open until 11 a.m. daily, but when you arrive, order up one of their colossal bloody marys, loaded up with just the right toppings you request. They also often host Sunday Funday promotions, like 95-cent wings, so it may be just the spot for a boozy meal.

712 Eat + Drink

1851 Madison Ave., Council Bluffs

(712) 256-5525

Website

Photo courtesy of Seven One Two via Facebook.

When in Western Iowa, a stop at 712 Eat + Drink is warranted if you are in search of a satisfying bloody mary. Served up with some garnishes and a salted rim (yes, please!) their bloody marys are very popular with locals and visitors alike. You can even get it with pickle vodka for some added briney bite. Plus, the brunch menu is scrumptious. The steak and potato skillet, chilaquiles, avocado toast, and French toast platter are all excellent options. Make plans to stop in on a Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sample their bloody mary and brunch line-up.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.