Hunter
01/22/26
The recently reopened FIeldhosue Bar & Grill will appeal the Iowa City City Council’s decision to suspend its liquor license for alleged lack of food offerings.
The Press-Citizen reports City code requires facilities that claim to operate a restaurant to have a food service menu, prepare meals on-site, serve food to all floors, have a kitchen separate from the bar area, and more. The Fieldhouse reopened in the former Active Endeavors building on South Clinton Street.
Building owner Tracy Barkalow claims the bar and grill’s “principal business” is serving pizza and that it offers food past midnight, which he said is later than at many similar combined bar and restaurant establishments around town.
But city officials say the business does not operate as a restaurant, and alcohol is being served on three different floors, in violation of the restaurant liquor license granted to the Fieldhouse.
Barkalow told the newspaper he feels confident that the state will overturn the vote from the City Council once they see the facts.
A separate case accuses the Fieldhouse of operating as a drinking establishment, in violation of City code which limits operations within 500 feet of other drinking establishments. A hearing on that case is scheduled for February 25th.