Quad Cities Bars

Only one added to my list for the last update of the year:  Rooster’s Sports Bar and Grill in Rock Island , east of the district on 3 rd St. (the former 3 rd & 22).  Just wish this place was closer to home, but I still see us catching the occasional Michigan game here.  I never was in 3 rd and 22 so I’m not sure how much was change inside, but I loved the layout and décor, and the food was good.  My list is at 417 , and I’ve established a new goal:  450 by April 30 th .  I’ll pretty much have to hit every restaurant with at least a two stool counter to hit that, as my ‘What’s Left” list is at 16 , with Rooster’s and the Davenport VFW on Linwood (which I found out was members only) coming off the list.  The April 30 th date isn’t random – it will mark three years of tracking my bar progress. I also forgot to mention in my last post that I knocked the White Horse from my ‘Pre-List’ list. A little sad news:  New Year’s Eve is the final night for Uptown, closing after 4 y

Well, the Beach House only lasted a little shy of 4 months.  Too bad, the bar was pretty cool, and the food not bad the two times I ate there, though I’ve heard varied opinions.  The location and building shouldn’t sit empty too long (depending on price), as it usually seemed busy.  I’m hearing they just put too much money into it, and with 70+ employees, that’s a pretty big nut to hit every month.  My only addition for this edition is Bobbie’s in Rock Island (the old Au Jus), bringing the new total to 416 .   I don’t know if they’re planning any interior renovations, but I do know that they could use some.  Rooster’s (the former 3 rd & 22, east of the RI District) is now open, and Carole’s Tap has changed ownership and names – it is now Jimmie O’s.  Thanks to Maddie at Caddy’s for giving me that heads-up.  The “What’s Left” list drops to 17 , however, as I found the VFW in west Davenport is members only. Maddie at Caddy’s also has been added to my Favorite Bartenders list –

Well, Rubikon finally opened its doors in downtown Moline on Friday the 11 th , and it took me all the way until Wednesday before I could stop in.  Inside is structurally not much different than its predecessor (Tailgater’s), but much newer and cleaner.  They’re trying a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde approach, with being a coffee lounge in the day (although it wasn’t clear to me if they have or plan on having food) and a bar at night.  They also still have “Print”, “Fax”, “Email”, and “Copy” decals stuck to their window, but I didn’t notice any office equipment inside.  The official Grand Opening is set for New Year’s Eve, so it’s wasn’t exceedingly busy at 6:00 pm mid week.  The list stands at 415 . As to what’s new in the QC, Bobbie’s is now open in what used to be Au Jus in Rock Island (or Milan, not sure where the dividing line is), and I have it on strong authority (thanks, Steve) that the former 3 rd & 22, east of the RI District, is becoming Rooster’s Sport’s Bar and Grill. 

Not too much to discuss on the Quad Cities bar front with this update – nothing new opened, no new closings, didn’t hit any on my What’s Left list, which remains at 17 .  Really, the only news I’ve got is that ‘Now Hiring’ signs have appeared in the windows of Rubikon, indicating they do still plan on opening. That’s not to say I haven’t been busy.  I spent a weekend around Sioux City , where we hit a couple places, then spent 5 days in Key West , where I was able to rack up 21 bars.  These include (in chronological order) Sun Sun Pool Bar (at our hotel, the Casa Marina), Cowboy Bill’s, Salsa Loca, Willie T’s, Margaritaville, The Bull, The Smallest Bar, Hog’s Breath Saloon, Overboard Bar & Grill, Schooners Wharf, Conch Republic, Sloppy Joe’s, Joe’s Tap Room, Jack Flats, Captain Tony’s, The Green Parrot, Tattoos & Scars Saloon, Lazy Gecko, Whistle Bar, Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, and The Chart Room.  Along the way, I learned a few fun bar facts: The Chart Room – This was the first

With this update, I’ve added The Pub (old Route 61 Bar & Grill, which opened Oct 13 th ), Blackhawk Bowl and Martini Bar, and Sharky’s, which is the billiards lounge attached to Miller Time Bowl.  I think I’ve determined that Miller Time Billiards was separate from Stars and Stripes (but anyone with knowledge to the contrary can certainly weigh in), so my total goes up 4 to 414 .   I also knocked Bent River Brewing Company off my “Pre-List” list, as well as Moline Governor’s, which made me realize why I hadn’t been there in 5+ years.  Big fan of Bettendorf Governor’s; Moline Governor’s, not so much. With the closing of Scatterkats, the What’s Left list would have been reduced to 34; but with another totally arbitrary decision, I’ve taken back off the bowling alleys and golf courses (leaving them available as stat fodder), but left on the VFWs, Legions, and other semi private clubs.  That puts my What’s Left list now at 17 .  This includes Rubikon, but I’m starting to wonder if it

Once again I was unaware of a bar that, in this case, has been open for well over a year.  Sharky’s is the latest version of the billiards bar attached to Miller Time Bowl in Davenport .  Now, I need some help – was this separate from Stars And Stripes?  I think that there were two sections of Stars And Stripes back in the day, with the pool hall being one of them, but it may have had a different name.  If so, I’ve been to both so that would add to my total. Two additions to my list hadn’t even had a chance to make it to my “What’s Left” list:  Refresh in Moline , and 129 in Leclaire.  I really enjoyed 129, which bills it as a coffee and wine bar, though I had no trouble scaring up a Miller Lite while the ladies enjoyed martinis.  Comfortable furniture, nice river views, and there’s a wine rack that you can pick out a bottle for your table.  We’ve already been back again. Refresh (which opened in the old QCZone) is making an unusual fashion statement, with white cushions on the bars

Well, the week didn’t pan out according to my original plan, as I found that The Pub (old Route 61 Bar & Grill) actually hasn’t opened yet – that tentative date is set for October 13 th .  I haven’t been by Rubikon in Moline lately, but I see they removed any mention of when they’ll open from their FB page.  Also, The Beach House apparently opened for one night September 10 th , then closed until their official (soft) opening, which was September 20 th .  I did manage to make it there, so I’m now up to 406.   It also lowers my “What’s Left” list to 35. I’m really hoping the Beach House makes it a lot longer than the two prior occupants of the building (Beaver’s East and Northwoods), because they really did a nice job of it on the interior.  Even with the palm trees out front, the interior gives me more of a Jersey boardwalk feel than tropical, and they have a lot of seafood choices on the menu.  From the list of places I hadn’t been to since before I started tracking this (I hav

Took a ride in the country Saturday to visit Argo General Store (technically in Leclaire, corner of Wells Ferry and Territorial), which I’ve passed before, but wasn’t aware a bar existed within until our friends Ron and Cheryl filled me in a few days ago.  I also stopped at 1 Hundred West at the Steeplegate, the latest iteration of Lucky’s.  Someone said it had been redecorated, but I couldn’t tell – same mirrored walls surrounding the dance floor as before; maybe they changed the color scheme down at the lounge end.  The new total is 405 . Rubikon’s Facebook page indicates they’ll be opening this week, and Steve Block commented that it’s going to be a coffee bar in the day, and a bar / night club at night.   The Beach House, judging by the amount of construction trash that was in the lot Thursday, looked like it still had a few weeks to go.  However, our friend Wanda texted us from there Saturday night, and told us it was open and a pretty fun place.  Also looks like Route 61 Bar and

The Landing didn’t spend much time in my “What’s left” list, as I visited Thursday afternoon, then back again with my wife in the evening.   Despite billing itself as “A bar adults can call their own”, it had a decidedly young feel, especially in the evening.   While there, I eavesdropped on a couple next to me that was speaking about Yeti’s, and through their description I guessed that it was the old Pauper’s Den, which then became Thai Garden .    I confirmed that when I visited Saturday, not even giving it a chance to show up on the “What’s left” list.   I used to like the bar at the Pauper’s Den, which ran the length of the room, and had a couple of angles thrown in.   When it became Thai Garden , they enclosed the kitchen, cutting down the bar length by at least 60%.   I hope Yeti’s restores the bar to what it was, though on Saturday they seemed busy enough that they may not feel the need to make any changes. With the addition of The Landing and Yeti’s, the list now stands

Ya know, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what’s what with bars in the Quad Cities.  I’ve been writing this blog for about 10 months, but tracking my bar progress since May of ’09.  I consult the newspapers, websites, and do my own recon, as boots on the ground yield the best information.  I have people, including bar owners, bartenders, and others just being helpful asking, “You been here?  You been there?”  That’s why, even though it’s usually a pleasant surprise, it still makes me feel a little inept when I find there’s a bar in downtown Moline, smack on River Drive, that has been open since January and I didn’t know about it.  Thank you to Sarah at Mulligan’s Valley Pub for clueing me in to The Landing, two doors down from Bass Street Chop House.    With that addition, the “What’s left” list moves to 12 , which includes Rubikon and The Beach House, which I hope will open soon. Speaking of Rubikon, they’re now hiring, and have added signage on their windows.  The signage is

Hit the 400 milestone with an unexpected stop at The Warehouse in Rock Island Saturday afternoon, only open that early because of Ya Maka My Weekend.  I then surpassed it on Wednesday with a visit to the new Barrel House 211 in Davenport with my friend Jimmie, bringing my total to 401 .  Getting to the next level might take a little longer.  My “What’s left” list is still at 11 , with The Warehouse coming off the list and 1 Hundred West, which was Lucky’s (at the Steeplegate Inn) added.  The projected opening for The Beachhouse was August 14 th , which came and went.  Rubikon took the paper off the windows, but I’m still not sure if it’s open.  Add in the various VFW’s, American Legions, and Moose clubs, golf course clubhouses, and the restaurants that have bars I can belly up to, looks like I’d max out at around 460.  Bar inventory has stayed pretty stable over the last two or three months, with Dyce’s, River Oaks, and QCD Zone closing, and Barrel House 211, The Clubhouse, and Blu

One more to go to hit 400, but I don’t plan on stopping there.  There’s still nine open bars (plus two that look like they’re opening soon) to go.  The old Shamrock in Cordova reopened as the Blu Shamrock, and was only on my “What’s Left” list (still standing at 11 ) for a week before we stopped by.  I guess back in the days when people weren’t scared to drive more than a couple miles to have a nice dinner and some drinks, this was an upscale and busy supper club. In addition, my wife and I stopped at Backwater Jack’s at the Stoney Creek Inn, and I swung by Mean Mel’s Steakhouse in Port Byron (formerly The Lodge), a place where you can cook your own steaks, and has a nice little bar overlooking the Mississippi.  The list, as mentioned, stands at 399 . Speaking of my wife, I scanned my list and discovered that she has been to 279 of the places on my list, plus two more (Elks club in Moline, and the Scrub Pub in East Moline).  She could write her own blog, if she had the inclination.

The place I mentioned a couple posts back in Leclaire is now open as the Blue Iguana, a Mexican place owned by the same people that own Steventon’s.  Besides the Blue Iguana, I was only able to add 2 others since the last post:  El Mariachi in Moline , and Red Robin in Davenport .  I’m up to 396 , but still not knocking any of my “What’s Left” list, which still stands at 11 , with two not open yet.   Most of the bars I haven’t got to yet do not open until later in the day, which is why I’m not getting the list reduced as quickly as I hoped.  Even though I won’t be adding to my total at the same rate, I’ve decided to concentrate more on this list, as I don’t want #400 to be another Mexican restaurant (don’t get me wrong, I like Mexican food, but I’ve been using them as a crutch to pad my numbers). ·          Looks like someone is taking another run at opening the building that has been home to Beaver’s East, Trader’s, Phitz’ Phast Lane, Open Range, and most recently Pizza Express.  To

I was only able to add 3 since the last post (although I did manage to hit a dozen on a trip to Syracuse at the end of May):  Azteca in Davenport, VFW in Rock Island, and The Clubhouse in Bettendorf, which officially hadn’t opened, but they were nice enough to let me in for a beer and a tour of the place.  They are open now, but official grand opening is June 24.  Besides being a sports bar, they feature 4 golf simulators, which they’ll rent by the hour.  They even give golf lessons, and will be forming indoor leagues.  The number is now 393 .  After adding 17 in March and 28 in April, May’s total was a disappointing 7. The Yahoo listing for Papa Joe’s in Andalusia proved to be a false lead.  We found it, but it looks to have been closed for a while.   I can’t find any information online as to when Beach House opens, but there is a Quad Cities Parrothead Club Social scheduled there for July 27 th . By knocking The Club House off, the “What’s Left” list stands at 11 bars (not includ

Since the last update, I hit Bowlmor Lounge in Davenport, El Patron in Rock Island (bar only has three seats, but it counts), the American Legion in Milan, and Excalibur in Moline, which didn't even spend a week on the “What’s Left” list.  Interesting place – Hispanic dance club with medieval (dragons, swords, castles) décor.   The count is now 390 (click to view).  After setting a torrid pace in March and April, I had readjusted my goal of hitting 400 to Memorial Day, but forgot something about  spring and summer:  there’s yard work to be done, plus my wife isn't bowling on Wednesday nights, so I don’t have that extra 90 minute window to knock off two or three new places. Now, more bar news:   It looks like some progress is being made on The Beach House and The Clubhouse in Bettendorf .   Not so much with Rubikon in Moline .   I spotted a place in Leclaire that looked like it might be opening as a bar, but I see the awning now says “Café Loco Fresh”.   If they have an

Added since the last update:  Lucky Shamrock (old Augie’s on 20 th ) and Rozz-Tox in Rock Island ; American Legion in East Moline ; and Blueport Junction in Davenport .  New total is 386 (click to view).  Bar news: ·          The new iteration of Cheer’s in Moline , which had been operating under that name, looks like it’s now called Salute on 7 th.   ·          What I originally thought was going to be The Clubhouse (old Northwoods Steakhouse), is actually going to be The Beach House – found that out at the Parrot Head Social.  ·          There’s a new sign above the old Tailgater’s in downtown Moline that indicates it’s becoming Rubikon, and also noticed a club on 5 th Ave. called Excalibur, which apparently is open.  Both go on the “What’s Left” list. ·          Word is that Club Fusion has closed, so that comes off the What’s Left list (aw, shucks).  That list still sits at 13, with 3 not open yet. ·          On the awning of the University Club in downtown Moline ,