Perfectly adequate bar for what I would expect in a college town and for a place that isn't trying to be more than it has to be for the college experience. I can't speak to the food at all, but drinks were well mixed and gave me what I was looking for. Lots of staff on the floor but never saw them take a drink order, so it seemed like they were unnecessary other than to bus tables all night. I had no direct interactions with them other than at closing, which, by the way, is 1:45 am, not 2am, and they will scoot you out the door rather abruptly and rudely. Never heard last call announced, this could help them if they want people out without feeling like they are herding cats. The cover was $5, and DJ was good as well with a dance floor for patrons to get their groove on. Be prepared for sticky floors also, every inch of that floor clung to the soles of my shoes, I even managed to pick up a broken piece of glass as a passenger which I cut my finger on when removing it. Overall, if you want a college bar and the college bar experience, it's not a bad stop, but if you want something more refined, you may want to look elsewhere.
Amber Miller
Walked in and was completely ignored by staff. It wasn’t because they were busy either, there were only two people at the bar and no one sitting at the tables inside.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Beanz The Comedian
What a horrible placeI waited absolutely too long for a drink and before i could even get that drink I was getting put out because I was the only black person in thereand the security need to be really checking ID’s it was definitely underage girls in thereSo they not even doing they jobI’ll never come backThe staff or lack there of was rude and literally looking at me like I wasn’t supposed to be thereI’m a guest from out of town now the entire iowa city experience is destroyed forever
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Paula Woodin
The bartender waited on us promptly, got our drinks and put in our order. My marinated chicken breast sandwich was one of the best I’ve ever had; juicy and flavorful. My husband had the Brothers Cheeseburger and said it was very good, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eduardo Paradox
Ordered the burger basket special. One of our burgers was undercooked as one of us got food poisoning.Used to come with my roommates back in 2018 & the burgers were good. Cook has clearly changed.Sad to see
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Ben O'Connor
Best place to drink in Iowa City. Football games are especially
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Elizabeth P.
They charge $10 cover. We are here for homecoming - both of us are alumni. The front door staff are rude. They have a separate line for students with "wrist bands," whatever that means. There are much better places to spend your time and money in Iowa City. Joe's Place is our favorite. Cheers! Betsy319
uh no (Sponce)
Honestly the most annoying bar I’ve ever encountered. Staff is incredibly rude and disrespectful. Go literally anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Julia Tomczyk
favorite bar on campus! 25 cent wings wednesday nights and dollar drinks thursday nights! i also love dj jimmy jim!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Maddison B.
Good vibes once you get past some of the rude bouncers who act like they have a chip on their shoulder. Decent drinks, good music, and love the outdoor seating.
The overall experience of Brothers was confusing for me. After a long Tuesday of finals, the hubs and I needed some relief (aka dinner that we didn't cook). However, at 9 p.m. in Iowa City there isn't much open except for the bars and pubs. My former undergraduate colleagues loved Brothers so in we went. There's no hostess. No signage to tell you where to sit. No server that came to our table after waiting for about 5 mins. With rumbling tummies and a strong desire for food, we watched four younger guys walk in, sit at a table, wait for service with no avail, then walk to the bar for service instead. We tried that strategy too and BAM-- that worked. Service at last. Apparently someone was supposed to come to our table. I'm not sure how their sectioning works for servers at Brothers but it doesn't seem effective. We ordered our drinks and meal at the bar. The gentleman told us our server would bring said drinks and food to our table. Here's where it gets good-- the food. We waited entirely too long for a basket of chicken tenders & fries, and a side of boneless bbq wings but WOAH the food was tasty. It's nothing special compared to any other pub but the crispiness of the chicken tenders and saltiness of the fries did the trick for me. The portion was large (four chicken tenders) and filled me up before I could finish. Once our server appeared she was also great! We ended up spending $40 on the food with an Angry Orchard and bottle of Coors. That felt pricy since the total didn't include a tip. I can't imagine going back. It's definitely a spot for the undergrads who want to play billiards, drink, and hang out in a somewhat dingy atmosphere.
John G.
Nolan and Jackson and crew did an amazing job answering our stupid tourist questions. my wife and I had an amazing time with the attentive staff and everyone was hilarious. Thank you for an amazing time.
Aaron Eyman (Aaron Did It First)
Great place for music and get togethers, they have OK food. About 20 years ago is when this place opened, but it’s still nice to this day.
Aaron & Kim (Aaron & Kim)
Great place for music and get togethers, they have OK food. About 20 years ago is when this place opened, but it’s still nice to this day.
Lincoln B.
My college age daughter went to this place with several of her friends. Someone slipped something into her drink while she was there. A friend took a sip of her drink and it was enough to make that friend sick as well. My daughter came home not remembering the entire night, and was sick for a few more days. Fortunately she was not alone, or I may have never seen her again. She did not have very many drinks that night. Only two possibilities. It could have been someone on the dance floor. Judging by some of the other comments about the staff, it also could have just as easily been a bartender. I just wanted to drop some guy off at the bottom of a ravine a few counties away. If you are an attractive young female college student, at least don't go there alone. Closely watch the bartender make your drink, keep your drink covered, and maintain control of your drink at all times.
Perfectly adequate bar for what I would expect in a college town and for a place that isn't trying to be more than it has to be for the college experience. I can't speak to the food at all, but drinks were well mixed and gave me what I was looking for. Lots of staff on the floor but never saw them take a drink order, so it seemed like they were unnecessary other than to bus tables all night. I had no direct interactions with them other than at closing, which, by the way, is 1:45 am, not 2am, and they will scoot you out the door rather abruptly and rudely. Never heard last call announced, this could help them if they want people out without feeling like they are herding cats. The cover was $5, and DJ was good as well with a dance floor for patrons to get their groove on. Be prepared for sticky floors also, every inch of that floor clung to the soles of my shoes, I even managed to pick up a broken piece of glass as a passenger which I cut my finger on when removing it. Overall, if you want a college bar and the college bar experience, it's not a bad stop, but if you want something more refined, you may want to look elsewhere.
Walked in and was completely ignored by staff. It wasn’t because they were busy either, there were only two people at the bar and no one sitting at the tables inside.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
What a horrible placeI waited absolutely too long for a drink and before i could even get that drink I was getting put out because I was the only black person in thereand the security need to be really checking ID’s it was definitely underage girls in thereSo they not even doing they jobI’ll never come backThe staff or lack there of was rude and literally looking at me like I wasn’t supposed to be thereI’m a guest from out of town now the entire iowa city experience is destroyed forever
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
The bartender waited on us promptly, got our drinks and put in our order. My marinated chicken breast sandwich was one of the best I’ve ever had; juicy and flavorful. My husband had the Brothers Cheeseburger and said it was very good, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered the burger basket special. One of our burgers was undercooked as one of us got food poisoning.Used to come with my roommates back in 2018 & the burgers were good. Cook has clearly changed.Sad to see
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Best place to drink in Iowa City. Football games are especially
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
They charge $10 cover. We are here for homecoming - both of us are alumni. The front door staff are rude. They have a separate line for students with "wrist bands," whatever that means. There are much better places to spend your time and money in Iowa City. Joe's Place is our favorite. Cheers! Betsy319
Honestly the most annoying bar I’ve ever encountered. Staff is incredibly rude and disrespectful. Go literally anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
favorite bar on campus! 25 cent wings wednesday nights and dollar drinks thursday nights! i also love dj jimmy jim!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Good vibes once you get past some of the rude bouncers who act like they have a chip on their shoulder. Decent drinks, good music, and love the outdoor seating.
Restaurantji Recommends
The overall experience of Brothers was confusing for me. After a long Tuesday of finals, the hubs and I needed some relief (aka dinner that we didn't cook). However, at 9 p.m. in Iowa City there isn't much open except for the bars and pubs. My former undergraduate colleagues loved Brothers so in we went. There's no hostess. No signage to tell you where to sit. No server that came to our table after waiting for about 5 mins. With rumbling tummies and a strong desire for food, we watched four younger guys walk in, sit at a table, wait for service with no avail, then walk to the bar for service instead. We tried that strategy too and BAM-- that worked. Service at last. Apparently someone was supposed to come to our table. I'm not sure how their sectioning works for servers at Brothers but it doesn't seem effective. We ordered our drinks and meal at the bar. The gentleman told us our server would bring said drinks and food to our table. Here's where it gets good-- the food. We waited entirely too long for a basket of chicken tenders & fries, and a side of boneless bbq wings but WOAH the food was tasty. It's nothing special compared to any other pub but the crispiness of the chicken tenders and saltiness of the fries did the trick for me. The portion was large (four chicken tenders) and filled me up before I could finish. Once our server appeared she was also great! We ended up spending $40 on the food with an Angry Orchard and bottle of Coors. That felt pricy since the total didn't include a tip. I can't imagine going back. It's definitely a spot for the undergrads who want to play billiards, drink, and hang out in a somewhat dingy atmosphere.
Nolan and Jackson and crew did an amazing job answering our stupid tourist questions. my wife and I had an amazing time with the attentive staff and everyone was hilarious. Thank you for an amazing time.
Great place for music and get togethers, they have OK food. About 20 years ago is when this place opened, but it’s still nice to this day.
Great place for music and get togethers, they have OK food. About 20 years ago is when this place opened, but it’s still nice to this day.
My college age daughter went to this place with several of her friends. Someone slipped something into her drink while she was there. A friend took a sip of her drink and it was enough to make that friend sick as well. My daughter came home not remembering the entire night, and was sick for a few more days. Fortunately she was not alone, or I may have never seen her again. She did not have very many drinks that night. Only two possibilities. It could have been someone on the dance floor. Judging by some of the other comments about the staff, it also could have just as easily been a bartender. I just wanted to drop some guy off at the bottom of a ravine a few counties away. If you are an attractive young female college student, at least don't go there alone. Closely watch the bartender make your drink, keep your drink covered, and maintain control of your drink at all times.