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Food|Bars & Nightlife

The World’s Best Nachos Are Hiding Out In This Cozy Iowa Pub

The Irish Democrat in Cedar Rapids serves the best nachos in Iowa at a cozy Irish pub.

Published Jun 22, 2019

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

Iowans love to eat, and the Hawkeye State is one of America's most underrated foodie destinations. Right now, tacos are all the rage, while other tortilla-based dishes seem to be flying under the radar. Luckily, that's not the case in Cedar Rapids, where the best nachos in Iowa are served at a cozy Irish pub.

The Irish Democrat in Cedar Rapids is one of the state's favorite places to enjoy a hearty meal.

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Facebook / Irish Democrat

This classic Irish pub is sure to make you feel right at home - and their expansive beer list is just one of the reasons visitors come back again and again.

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Google Local / Steve Gilmer

Their menu features Irish pub staples, like Guinness Stew and Soda bread, but they're famous for a totally different dish.

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Tripadvisor / TJfromMN

Order up their enormous mountain of nachos to see why the Irish Democrat is on everyone's list of the best nachos in Iowa.

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Google Local / RJ LaBonde

You can even order Irish nachos - served atop crinkle-cut fries instead of crispy chips! Whichever variation you order, you'll be so happy to dig in.

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Facebook / Irish Democrat

When you pair nachos and other comfort-food bar bites with one of their creative cocktails or a familiar stout, it's truly tastebud heaven.

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Google Local / Serena Giordano

Head on over to the Irish Democrat to see why people are talking about this cozy Irish pub with the best nachos you'll ever try.

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Google Local / Melanie Leaverton

Address: 3207 1st Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more of the best bar bites in the Hawkeye State, read These 9 Restaurants Serve The Best Wings In Iowa and you'll be snacking away again in no time.

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Food|Bars & Nightlife

This Amazing Iowa Pool Features A Swim-Up Bar With Craft Cocktails

Published Jul 17, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Ah, summer. We all love those long, sunny days - except when the temperature seems to keep shooting up with no end in sight. Then it's time to head to the pool, and there's no more epic pool than the one at Adventureland Bay. Part of the Adventureland Resort complex in Altoona, Iowa's premiere theme park is also home to its largest and best waterpark. This massive destination for slides and wave pools is perfect when you really need to cool down, but did you know it's also home to the best pool bar in Iowa? That's right, the Sandbar is the perfect destination for grownups who want a frosty drink with their summer splashing. And the best part? You don't even need to leave the pool to indulge!

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Adventureland Bay is a massive waterpark complex filled with Iowa's most thrilling rides and waterslides.

Aerial view of a vibrant water park featuring slides, pools, and lounging areas filled with colorful umbrellas and visitors.
Adventureland Park/Facebook

It's also home to the biggest wave pool in the state, giving guests an adrenaline-pumping taste of the tropics.

A busy outdoor swimming pool with children and adults enjoying the water on a sunny day. Red umbrellas provide shade.
Adventureland Park/Facebook

But on the hottest days, our favorite spot here is the more laid-back Pirate's Port. It's one of the most relaxing spots in the park...

A lively water park scene with a pool, water slides, and people enjoying the sun and water activities.
Adventureland Park/Facebook

And it's also home to the Sandbar, the best pool bar in Iowa. You can get a drink on land...

A tiki-style bar with a thatched roof, stone counter, and outdoor seating near a pool area.
Adventureland

Or simply swim up to the bar and place your order for a beer, cocktail, or snack.

A swim-up bar with patrons enjoying drinks in a pool, featuring a colorful mural of a smiling lion.
Adventureland Park/Facebook

There are always new concoctions on offer here, including delicious frozen drinks perfect for 90-degree days.

A refreshing red drink with an orange slice sits on a wooden railing, with a busy pool in the background.
Adventureland Park/Facebook

It might be tempting to spend all day lounging here - but there are slides to tackle!

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A lively poolside bar scene with people enjoying drinks, some seated in the water, under a thatched roof.
Adventureland

Don't worry, the bar will be waiting right here when you get back down to the water.

Have you enjoyed a drink at the Sandbar at Adventure Bay before? Let us know if you think it's the best pool bar in Iowa in the comments section! You can see more about this unique destination on the Adventureland website, and make sure to follow the Adventureland Facebook page for more details on this summer's events! There's more good news across the resort - the famous roller coaster The Underground is open and renovated for 2024! If you feel like you'll need more than one day to fully experience this resort - and we don't blame you! - you don't even need to leave the grounds. You can book a room at the family-friendly Adventureland Inn and keep the good times rolling.

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Food|Bars & Nightlife

A Historic Department Store Is Now Iowa’s Best New Steakhouse And Speakeasy

Published Jul 3, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

Historic buildings are a big part of what makes cities unique, and I always love to see that old-time charm even as the purpose of the building changes. That's exactly what's happened to one building in the charming Mississippi River city of Davenport, and the result is the best new speakeasy in Iowa. The Garrison, which opened in late 2023, is located in the historic Redstone Building, which used to house an iconic department store. That business is long gone, but management has preserved the famous exterior even as it now plays host to some of the best food, drinks, and music in Davenport. The Garrison is still building buzz as a new restaurant, but it seems clear that this is now one of the gems of the Davenport dining scene.

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The façade of the Redstone Building is still deeply impressive today - as is the restaurant inside it.

Historic red brick building with large windows and decorative arches, featuring a "Now Hiring" sign at the entrance.
Google Street View

Welcome to The Garrison, an elite restaurant and speakeasy with a Roaring Twenties theme.

A cozy room with a chandelier, a bookshelf, and two framed paintings of people enjoying drinks.
Michelle Kelley/Google Local

It's a speakeasy, but it's also a modern Davenport dining destination.

There are tables available, but a place at the old-fashioned bar is the best way to enjoy The Garrison.

A dimly lit bar with a sleek counter, leather seating, and shelves stocked with various bottles.
The Garrison/Google Local

The menu trends old-fashioned, with classy twists on standards like deviled eggs.

A black plate with six seafood appetizers on a bed of greens, featuring lobster and a creamy topping.
Grace Restauro/Google Local

This is a steakhouse at heart, and you can trust that whatever you order will be cooked to perfection.

A beautifully grilled steak served with roasted carrots and potatoes on a dark plate, with a candlelit background.
Lisa Armstrong/Google Local

The sides are delicious too, and if you're not in the mood for meat, the dinner menu also offers some amazing seafood. Even the sauces are made in-house!

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A lot of effort goes into the plated desserts - like this flavorful red velvet cannoli.

A plate of red velvet cake topped with chocolate and raspberry sauce, garnished with mint leaves and powdered sugar.
The Garrison/Facebook

Of course, for many, the star attraction will be the wide selection of high-end spirits on offer - perfect for completely legal tippling in this modern speakeasy!

A bartender pours whiskey into glasses lined up on a bar, with hands visible in the foreground and a warm ambiance.
The Garrison/Google Local

Have you dined at The Garrison in Davenport? What did you think of this new speakeasy in Iowa with a Prohibition theme? Let us know in the comments section! You can see the full menu on the website of The Garrison, and visit the Facebook page of this Iowa speakeasy for the latest updates. If you're interested in more of Davenport's history, check out the city's historic German village. And if you need a place to spend the night here, we give high marks to The Current Iowa, Autograph Collection, which offers stunning waterfront views.

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