Quad Cities Bars

For this post, I’ve added Wide River Winery in Leclaire, Red Lantern in Davenport, and The Edge In Rapid City to the list, bringing the new total to 492 .  As it was when I neared 300 and 400, anticipation (at least mine) is building! Though we’d been to Wide River before, it required a second visit before I could put it on the list.  Basically an outlet for the actual winery in Clinton, it consists of the shop with two tasting bars and a patio to the side, where they have some pretty good music from 5-8 on Fridays.  The first visit we were early enough to get a seat on the patio, but last Friday we had to sit inside at the bar until some room opened up.  While that wasn’t our preference, my rules enabled me to add it to the list.  As I mentioned last post, Red Lantern is a more upscale Chinese restaurant than I think the Quad Cities area is used to, and opened July 1st in what until recently was Symposium, off 53rd St near Utica Ridge.  While they ...

Club Privileged opened May 17th in Davenport, in what was Club Fusion.   Though it’s in the Rainbow District, nothing obvious gave me any idea of the orientation of this place, which is a long bar that takes a sharp right into a dance… club?   room?   Though most of the lights were off, it looked a little claustrophobic.   What was intriguing was the rooftop deck – not sure if that’s open yet, but it was raining the day my wife and I stopped in. anyway. Thai Basils in Silvis is the latest iteration (and second Thai restaurant) of what was the Pauper’s Den when we first moved here, and most recently Yeti’s.   When Thai Garden took over from Pauper’s Den, they removed half of the bar and hid another significant portion, which Yeti’s opened up again.   My concern this time was that the bar would disappear entirely, but they actually improved it by dressing it up and separating it from the dining room.   Food’s pretty good too. The addition of those ...

As predicted, May is turning into a pretty good month for upping the bar count in the QCA.  Pub 1848 opened May 5th in Moline at what was formerly The Landing, a couple doors down from the Bass Street Chop House.  Ashley, formerly of Pints, is the managing partner in another Mark Romer venture.  A little renovation (including getting rid of a useless half wall that chopped up the place) and paint went a long way, and they've added a patio to the rear. Big Shots Sports Bar and Grill in Moline had a soft opening May 14th, and early indications – namely, a good lunch crowd and a full bar with 4 young ladies doing a surfboard shot at 11:45 the next day – bode well for their success.  The place is a little more cohesive without the Mexican flag-colored walls from Rubikon, the shingled bar awning from Tailgater’s, and various leftovers from the women’s clothing store that preceded them all. I stopped in at Funky Desi, also in Moline, back in April, but...

Lemongrass Café was my only addition since the last post, bringing my total to 483 , but prospects are looking good for a late May – early June spike. In downtown Moline, Funky Desi opened in the same spot the last Indian (India Rasoi) restaurant failed, but the new owner has an advantage in that he owns the building. When I noticed it was open, I paid a visit – adequate food, nice long 20 stool bar. Unfortunately no liquor license as of this post, so a return trip is in order. Right around the corner, Big Shots Sports Bar will be taking the place of the short-lived Rubikon. Construction is proceeding at Pub 1848 and Barrel House, and both look as though they may be open within 30 days. The Plaza Pub, however, appears to be content to wait for ice skating season again before they open. Across the river, banners went up at the old Club Fusion: ‘Club Privileged’ will be the name of what they’re describing as a Dance Club – Bar – Lounge. With the additions of Club Pri...