Hunter
02/18/26
Iowa City’s City Council voted Tuesday night to deny the liquor license renewal for the Fieldhouse Bar and Grill.
The city voted to suspend the Fieldhouse’s liquor license last month for 14 days because it was selling alcohol on more than one floor, a violation of the initial license. KCRG reports the city also fined owner Tracy Barkalow for hiring his own trash-removal service despite the city having an agreement with Republic Services.
The vote to suspend comes despite City staff recommending the City Council rescind the suspension earlier this month after finding that the ordinance restricting sales to the main floor should have been removed when the city approved rooftop service areas in 2015.
A city ordinance, which Barkalow disputes, says the Fieldhouse cannot obtain a proper bar license because it is within 500 feet of another established bar. The bar claims its primary function is as a restaurant, despite allegedly offering a small menu serving only pizzas and hot dogs.
Barkalow noted that there is nothing in Iowa City city code relating to what types of food must be served for a business to be considered a “restaurant”, although he added that just to be safe the Fieldhouse has purchased a new oven and would be making pizzas on-site.
The license suspension was never carried out because Barkalow appealed the decision. After Tuesday night’s vote, he claimed Iowa City is violating state law. Barkalow added he would file an appeal immediately and be successful on appeal.