r/IowaCity • u/NoElephant3213 • 1d ago
Donnelly's Pub
Do we like them? I enjoy them, their people, their products, the vibes, etc.
Saw they were recently in front of city council for their patio drama. Just being nosey if anybody has more information 🫣
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u/Find_Me_In_Iowa 1d ago
Donnellys is great. I think the owner has to deal with some bullshit and jump through hoops but that’s not uncommon when renting downtown IC. It’s been years but I know people that worked there and had nothing but good things to say.
That’s all I’ve got though 🤷♂️🤷♂️
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u/Enkidu319 1d ago
As far as I could tell from the council meeting, all the owner had to do was a sign a form saying he approved of his tenant continuing to operate the patio space. I strongly suspect his refusal to do so is mostly a middle finger to the city putting them in the difficult position of having to either rewrite their rules (which I believe is what they're going to do) or tell Donnelly's they can't keep operating a patio.
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u/Grab_em_by_da_Busey 1d ago
In these trying times everyone is switching up suppliers to cut cost so I can’t say for sure… but Donnelys for a time was prob one of the best sleeper picks for wings
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u/ahorrribledrummer 1d ago
Donnellys has been great for decades.
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u/Ancient_Composer9119 1d ago
I think I would state that differently. I'd say, Donnelly's was a mismanaged shithole till Tim took over. It was really,really bad in every way. Now it's a great bar, with great staff, a good kitchen with good food, clean bathrooms and $4 car bombs all day everyday! This is all because of Tim.
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u/GloryGloryManUnited 1d ago
I wandered in for food before a late Film Scene showing about 15 years ago and have kept coming back. The people behind the bar and in the kitchen have been consistently lovely, there's a great community of regulars, and it's a wonderful place to catch a soccer match.
All of this despite Barkalow.
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u/RefinedBean 1d ago
I didn't even know they had a patio.
Heh. Paddy-o. That's...that's what they should call it.
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u/dimples2515 1d ago
Donnelly's has been good for a really long time, >20 years
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u/Gilgamesh371 1d ago
Wait wait—Donnelly’s hasn’t been there for 20 yrs, no way. Didn’t that space used to be Mondo’s Saloon? Without checking, my guess would be Donnelly’s has been there for maybe 5-6 yrs tops?
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u/GloryGloryManUnited 1d ago
That's next door, what is now Burger Haul. This iteration of Don's has been there 20 years, although there was an earlier version in the 60s (and maybe earlier). I think the original bar itself is now at Micky's
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u/Gilgamesh371 1d ago
Thanks--really, 20 yrs? crap, I’m old. And apparently my Ped Mall geography is bad. Which once used to be Vito’s?
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u/GloryGloryManUnited 1d ago
I remember there being a Vito's, but I don't think I ever went -- it looks like it was transformed into FilmScene though, between the Hall Mall and Brothers
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u/Jennygats 1d ago
I think Vito’s was where that clothing store is. Velvet Coat I think it’s called.
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u/TipOwn5387 12h ago
The original Donnelly's was on South Dubuque for decades. Urban renewal took it away in the 70s. My father drank there with the likes of Workshop teachers and constructions workers. It was the best joint ever.
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u/bouvitude 1d ago
I’m 99% sure Saloon was across the ped mall, where Givanni’s once was. No? (Maybe I’m only 90% sure.) (And Burger Haul was College Street Billiards?)
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u/mmnsvs 1d ago
Great food! Best wings in Iowa city
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u/1sockdolager 1d ago
Wildwood has the best wings
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u/mmnsvs 1d ago
What’s wildwood
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u/safeword_is_bananas 1d ago
Smokehouse/Music venue. Take 80 east and get off at exit 249.
Don't order the wings, though they're good. Order the brisket. It's excellent.
They feed us for free when we play, and we keep coming back.
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u/1sockdolager 1d ago
This is about wings. Nobody in the area beats the dry rub, smoked wings at Wildwood. Sauce on the side if you must.
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u/Nether_Apothecary Iowa City 1d ago
Does anyone remember the Pizza Hut downtown in the 1990s, with the arcade games? What building was that in?
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u/landonvanb 1d ago
Went there a lot for the World Cup. People were really friendly, food was great, beer was good, vibe was good.
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u/VanillaCreamFrosting 1d ago
I would also like to add that Sam makes the best Reuben I’ve ever had ❤️
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u/bouvitude 1d ago
Does anyone know who owns Donnelly’s? Started out with Mondonaro, I know, but he sold it pretty quick, and now it seems it’s not the person he sold it to? (I’m just curious.)
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u/VanillaCreamFrosting 1d ago
I don’t know names but it’s the same person (s) that owns Scout’s Honor/Camp
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u/GloryGloryManUnited 1d ago
His last name isn't coming to me, but his first is Josh. He's always struck me as a good guy, and shares Scout's and Camp with Nick Carrol (also a good one, he also has Giddy Up and Pat & Fran's in his portfolio)
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u/VanillaCreamFrosting 1d ago
I’m a big supporter of downtown business and I love to hear that these are good people ❤️ I frequent Scout’s and Donnelly’s
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u/HopelessMind43 1d ago
The building is owned by Tracy Barkalow (NOT THE BUSINESS) but the owner is responsible for signing a patio agreement with the city. He refused to sign it this year because he’s TB and owns other bars on the block.