City of Iowa City news release
Iowa City Police Department conducts alcohol compliance checks at area businesses
The Iowa City Police Department conducted alcohol sales law compliance checks on Wednesday, April 24, 2025, at 30 businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Working with plainclothes officers, underage persons entered these businesses and attempted to illegally purchase alcoholic beverages. Twenty-three businesses refused to sell alcohol to the underage buyers.
Seven businesses checked by police sold to the underage buyers. The businesses that failed the compliance checks were:
- Deadwood Tavern- 6 S. Dubuque St.
- Up in Smoke- 1901 Broadway St.
- The Stuffed Olive- 121 E. College St.
- Southside Liquor and Tobacco- 1921 Keokuk St.
- Casey’s- 206 E. Benton St.
- Iowa City Reunion Brewery- 113 E. College St.
- Scout’s Honor- 219 Iowa Ave.
The employees who sold the alcohol to the underage buyers were each charged with Providing Alcohol to a Person Under Legal Age – Employee, a simple misdemeanor punishable with a $645 fine plus court costs for the first offense. Additionally, all violations will be forwarded to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division for possible civil penalties against the liquor license.
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.