Hunter
07/30/25
USA TODAY announced its 29 favorite bars in the country today, and an Iowa City institution made the list.
Gabe’s, known for its gritty atmosphere and its eclectic live music lineup, was chosen among the bars, ranging from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
The bar was chosen because of its roots in tradition, from classic beers and mixed drinks, while being open to transformation with a keen eye for booking rising artists to perform on the second-story stage, which keeps people coming back year after year.
Some of the major artists who played at the venue when they were up-and-comers include Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Chance the Rapper.
The paper reports their network food and drink journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes places they recommend to readers and friends.
A link to the Press-Citizen story listing all 29 bars can be found below.