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A new country bar moves in, Fieldhouse finds a new home in downtown Iowa City shakeup
A new country bar is boot-scooting its way into downtown Iowa City, while an iconic nighttime establishment is on the move.
Hazzards, an 'American Saloon' country-themed bar in downtown Cedar Rapids, is opening a second location in the Ped Mall at 118 S. Dubuque St, on Friday, Aug. 1, where Fieldhouse currently sits.
Fieldhouse, while temporarily closed, is simply relocating. The 50-year-old legacy business will move to a larger space at 138 S. Clinton St., next to YoTopia and across from the Old Capitol Mall.
Tracy Barkalow owns both the current and future Fieldhouse properties.
Barkalow recently acquired the 118 S. Dubuque St. commercial space and purchased the 138 S. Clinton St. property a few years ago, previously home to Active Endeavors, which has been vacant since 2021.
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Barkalow owns the name and rights to Fieldhouse, a bar that 'holds a special place' in his heart as a lifelong Iowa City resident. He took over ownership following the death of the original owner, Mark Eggleston, in 2024.
'It's an awesome opportunity to keep something that's been going for 50 years, and all the memories, not just for myself, but all the college students, alumni, and the people that grew up in Iowa City,' Barkalow said. "I want Fieldhouse to stay open for the next generations and another 50 years."
This isn't Fieldhouse's first move, according to the Daily Iowan. The bar initially opened at 111 E. College St. in the southwest end of the Ped Mall in 1975 before making the short jaunt to its current location on the east side of the Ped Mall.
The new Fieldhouse will double in size and be comparable to the original location where ReUnion Brewery is located, returning to the 'original feel."
The bar aims to open in tandem with the Hawkeye Football season, anticipating opening by the end of August or early September.
Hazzard's owner, Brian Hughes, also owns Wrigleyville Sports Pub in Marion, and has wanted to expand to Iowa City for years.
'There's plenty of business to be had in Iowa City," Hughes said. "It's a great market."
Hazzards opened in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids in 2012 at 329 Second Ave. SE then relocated a few doors in 2018 a t402 Second Ave. SE.
Hazzards' Iowa City location will open on Friday, Aug. 1. The bar will maintain its charm alongside a revamped "country vibe." The primary difference between the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids locations is size, with the Iowa City location being slightly smaller.
'Hazzards is a cross between a sports bar and a country nightclub,' Hughes said. 'We're looking to fill that niche of where you go to watch a game…we're going to have giant TVs everywhere, so I don't know of another place that has (that blend).'
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Hazzards will join other 'country-themed bars' in downtown Iowa City, including Tequila Cowgirl and Giddy Up, both of which opened in 2024.
Barklow also owns the Giddy Up property.
'If I thought that anything was going to be threatening to their business (Giddy Up, Hazzards, and El Rays Live and Dive), I wouldn't allow it,' Barkalow said. '(Hughes), the owners of Giddy Up, the owners of El Rays, are exceptional operators. They are going to run good businesses that will compete with each other but also complement each other.'
Barkalow says the downtown restructuring is part of Iowa City's 'supply and demand." He believes nightlife thrives while retail does not.
'The reality is that downtown Iowa City should have nightlife. It should be bars, restaurants, and entertainment for college students and the general public,' Barkalow said. 'Downtown (Iowa City) draws people in for nightlife and entertainment, and the best use (of a vacant storefront) is a restaurant or bar, not retail, unfortunately.'
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Barkalow told the Press-Citizen that he tried to fill the former Active Endeavors with a retail storefront, but 'no one wants it.'
'The customer base in downtown Iowa City is not a retail customer,' Barklow said. "It's University of Iowa students, staff, and local people that go down for a night of entertainment. Entertainment should be in the downtown (corridor).'
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Fieldhouse's move and a new country bar in Iowa City. What to know
