Are you thirsty for a beer and hungry for a burger? Or maybe you’re hungry for a burger and thirsty for a beer? It’s a common dilemma but easily solved in downtown Cedar Rapids. Here are some of the best bars & breweries in the Cedar Rapids area to help satisfy that craving with a touch of midwestern poetic charm and hospitality. Happy Trails!!!
The Brewery Trail
Iowa Brewing Company: Located at 708 3rd Street SE in Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Brewing Company taproom is open at 2:00pm every day of the week (and they open an hour early on Saturdays). In addition to an impressive rotating list of beers on draft, you can sit back and relax to the sounds of local musicians. Try a pull of their Big River IPA (a bright punch of hops, notes of citrus, and tropical fruit).
Lion Bridge Brewing Co.: Located at 59 16th Ave SW in Cedar Rapids, the Lion Bridge Brewing Co. Produces artisan beers in small batches. The brewery released 10 beers in January 2023 including Vanilla Home-Baked (an Imperial Stout w/hazelnut, cinnamon, cacao, and vanilla), and Power Crystal (an Imperial Stout w/maple syrup). There are ales, lagers, IPAs, porters, and stouts to choose from. You can wash it all down with a bit of pub food (or is that the other way around?). Check out their event calendar for live music and unique events (including Valentine’s week “Make Your Own Snow Gnome” project hosted by the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio).
Clock House Brewing: The brewery at 600 1st Street SE in Cedar Rapids opens its doors at 3:00pm during the week and at 12:00pm on the weekend. The brewery first opened in 2017 and has space for 60 indoor guests, and a two level outdoor patio for guests and their dogs (when the weather is friendly). Enjoy a Jumbo Pretzel, Pub Burger, and Duck Fat Fries while sipping on a porter, stout, lager, or IPA. Their 2023 Pet Elephant Imperial Stout earned a 4.48 rating from Untappd (based on 60 ratings). The beer is a chocolatey forward stout, and they added Nutter Butters and peanuts to the brew. I’m told it is a very sweet beer.
The Bar Trail
Pub 217: Located at 217 3rd Street SE in Cedar Rapids, Pub 217 is open until 2:00am all week long. The bar takes pride in their hand crafted burgers. This is a comfortable neighborhood bar with great food and service. If the Hawkeyes are playing, you can catch the game on one of their 8 high definition televisions while enjoying a cold beer and hand crafted burger.
Bricks Bar & Grill: There are 60 beers on tap at 320 2nd Ave SE Cedar Rapids. The bartenders are well trained and will help you select the perfect beer. The bar features a full menu with quality smoked meats, and 5 smash burger options. There is a second bar upstairs, which is open on the weekends, featuring an additional 12 beer lines. This is the place to come to discover a variety of local brews and hard to find unique beers. The bar is open until 2:00am all week long (the kitchen closes a bit earlier).
Whiskey Jo’s Pub & Grub: Where do you want to go? I want to go to Whiskey Jo’s! The bar opened up in 2019 at 4617 J St SW in Cedar Rapids. The bar specializes in whiskey, live music, open mic nights, shots, and draft beer. Burgers, steaks, salads, wings, homemade wing sauces, and homemade mashed potatoes are all on the menu. The bar is open until 2:00am all week long. Please note, the bowling league January 22nd signup deadline has come and gone but the happy hour specials never seem to end!
Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty is a locally owned and operated affiliate of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. We have been helping Midwesterners with all of their real estate needs since 1887. Our roots are strong and we look forward to helping you find the perfect home in the Cedar Rapids & Corridor area and establish your family roots in Iowa. Contact us today!
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