USA Today: Iowa City bar one of the best in the country

The bar opened in 1974 and is a two story music venue with a large beer garden located in downtown Iowa City. Joseph Cress/Think Iowa City

A night at Gabe’s is a night of rock ‘n’ roll history

USA Today ranked Gabe’s as one of the 29 best bars in the country in 2025.

Posters from musicians dating decades into the past line the walls inside this local favorite, “where the music’s live.”

“Gabe’s is a lighthouse of nostalgia, and band posters tell the story, from Nirvana to Danny Brown,” USA Today writes, “Stay downstairs for a no-frills dive bar experience made for a sitcom, with eccentric characters spilling stories of their memories that leak into the urban beer garden in the back.”

The bar opened in 1974 and is a two story music venue with a large beer garden located in downtown Iowa City.

“Upstairs, audience members crowd the edge of the stage to see their underground favorites from EDM DJs to hardcore punks.”

Read the full article from USA Today by clicking here.

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Find Your game day headquarters

Visiting to support your team when they play the Hawks or looking for a staycation to make the most of a Hawkeye victory? Here’s the best hotels to kickoff your stay.

Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty
Hotels, North Liberty, Places to Stay

Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty

485 Madison Ave. North Liberty, Iowa 52317 USA
Courtyard by Marriott Iowa City University Heights
Hotels, University Heights

Courtyard by Marriott Iowa City University Heights

901 Melrose Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area
Hotels, Iowa City

Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area

4 Sturgis Corner Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Woodspring Suites Coralville
Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Woodspring Suites Coralville

2680 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Heartland Inn Coralville
Coralville, Hotels

Heartland Inn Coralville

87 2nd St. Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Hotels

The Highlander Hotel Iowa City

2525 Highlander Place Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA
Home2 Suites by Hilton Coralville
Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Home2 Suites by Hilton Coralville

740 Coral Ridge Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
The Heights Rooftop Event Center
Alternate Meeting Space, Hotels, Off-Site Venue

The Heights Rooftop Event Center

901 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University
Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University

328 South Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA

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attractions

Discover the perfect mix of culture and adventure across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty.

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Downtown Iowa City

Wander through historic Downtown Iowa City with its charming pedestrian mall and eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries.
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Getting Here

Here, creativity lives on every stage, gallery wall, and page. With a pulse on the past and a passion for what’s next, our cultural scene will leave you inspired long after the final act.
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Rankings

Our area consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. The recognitions listed below are just a few of the accolades our destination has received in the last few years.
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Restaurants

In Iowa City you may feast upon milk shakes made from whole slices of pie, slurp corn chowder produced from the freshest and best corn on the planet, and order a jar of bacon as an appetizer.
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