Court Avenue Development Efforts

[DMRyan]

I went to Alohana for lunch today and have a few observations after talking with the business owner. This is apparently a trial run her at this location to see what kind of response she would get from the downtown lunch crowd. This is only her 2nd week in operation, but judging by the amount of empty tables in the place, it wasn't going well so far. This is too far off the beaten path to lure the normal lunch crowd, particularly if they don't know you're there. The food was better than I expected, although I get the feeling it was prepared previously and heated up when ready to order. I've never been to Lounge 101 during the daytime, but what a dump this place is. The whole interior looks like a ramshackle Menard's kit building and screams amateur. When it's dark and you're drunk, I don't think this really matters though, since this place always seems crowded. Anyways, I wish the owner of DSM's Alohana Grill good luck and hopefully business takes off enough to get to a better location. She did say she offers food when the bar is open and plans on grilling out on the patio when it (if!) it warms up. Since most of the paragraph sounded really negative, I urge you all to go out and try out this place while it's still around and talk with the extremely friendly owner.

In other news, I see in the Register that Shorty's Key Club is now being converted to an Irish-themed bar. After seeing the saturation of them in the western burbs, we suprisingly have a void of this type of bar in downtown. Not that I got there that often, but Shorty's Key Club was one chill place to hang out. It really felt like you were drinking in your grandparents den or something...I'll kinda miss the place, especially since it's one of the few places on Court Avenue that wasn't packed to the walls during the weekends.

[iowa59]

Any word on what the irish pub will be???? I'm not really big on chain resturants and bars but in the Great Lakes Region they have a chain of Irish Pubs called "The Claddagh". Unbelievable Irish cuisine and the bar scene is excellent as well with lots of live music (At the one in downtown Indianapolis anyway). I kind of hope this may be the suitor for this location.

http://claddaghirishpubs.com/

[DMRyan]

Shorty's is a pretty small place. I would say there's still room for a larger Irish themed bar downtown, even with this coming online.

[Ingersoll1978]

Any word on what the irish pub will be???? I'm not really big on chain resturants and bars but in the Great Lakes Region they have a chain of Irish Pubs called "The Claddagh". Unbelievable Irish cuisine and the bar scene is excellent as well with lots of live music (At the one in downtown Indianapolis anyway). I kind of hope this may be the suitor for this location.

http://claddaghirishpubs.com/

It's interesting that you mentioned Claddagh. They were announced as a tenant to build a location in the lake district at Jordan Creek Town Center when it opened in 2004. Obviously, it never happened.

[iowa59]

It's too bad they never came to Jordan Creek. I've never had a bad experience at one of their restaurants. I noticed that they are located as close as Madison so I would imagine someday they might come here. Downtown would be a much better spot for a place like this though I would think.

[MrMafia]

we need a Titled Kilt or another Hooters downtown. Either would make serious BANK!

[DMRyan]

Sounds like the Party Cove (former Papa's Planet) on 3rd and Court will be turning into a Mickey's Irish Pub. It will be nice to get this corner, including the outdoor patio cleaned up and looking respectable once again.

[dogbo]

Yeah....this is such a wasted space right now.

[Young DSM Social Club]

Not that I've been out lately, but I think this is great news! This has been such a second rate bar repeatedly, but such a good space. I think Mickeys will do well. Just told people at work and all thought it was a positive.

[dogbo]

Stopped down on Court Ave after the I-Cubs game yesterday afternoon and noticed they are really going to town on the new Mickey's Irish Pub. They appear to have removed all the exterior siding that has been on that building since I believe, the old Jukebox Satuday Night days.

[Ingersoll1978]

Stopped down on Court Ave after the I-Cubs game yesterday afternoon and noticed they are really going to town on the new Mickey's Irish Pub. They appear to have removed all the exterior siding that has been on that building since I believe, the old Jukebox Satuday Night days.

I have a pic of it...I'll try and get them all posted later tonight.

[JMsioux]

I think another outlet of the Fieldhouse, and Iowa City institution, would do well on Court Avenue. The Fieldhouse recently opened in the old Tilted Kilt / Shakey's location in NE Cedar Rapids and the parking lot has been full every night.

[DMRyan]

Well, the Union Bar from Iowa City opened another location in the former home of the once popular bar called Drink in Clive. I can't confirm if it's doing well or not.

Here's a conceptual rendering of what the building at 210 Court Avenue COULD look like if renovated. This is the former home of Judge Roy Bean's, which currently is the biggest eyesore on Court Avenue. I think the project starated renovation two years ago and is left now with it's T-111 siding gone and down to the insulation wrap. Note that this is only a conceptual what if, I'm not aware of any formal plan to locate a new business here, but the owner is seeking city financial assistance for the facade renovation. The blade sign shown in this rendering is nothing more than the construction company that is responsible for creating the rendering. After seeing some movement with Mickey's Irish Pub, I'm really convinced that we'll see some positive renovation work and a new business in this location within a year.

[dogbo]

I still say, I'd love to see a big deck coming out of the 2nd floor.

[Ingersoll1978]

Stopped down on Court Ave after the I-Cubs game yesterday afternoon and noticed they are really going to town on the new Mickey's Irish Pub. They appear to have removed all the exterior siding that has been on that building since I believe, the old Jukebox Satuday Night days.

A week later...here is the pic Dogbo of the soon-to-be Mickey's Irish Pub:



Also, here a pic of Mullet's, which was metioned previously (I believe in this thread), that will be located across the river from Sec Taylor Stadium:

[DMRyan]

Something says this Mullet's bar will be done well enough to garner a little national publicity...I'm serious about that. I wonder what their plans are for the giant plastic fish I've seen around the site too.

With that said, imagine the out-of-towners reaction while at Cubs games when they see this bright ass sign that says "Mullets" across the river--they'll think we really live up to our Iowa stereotype well!

[dogbo]

Something says this Mullet's bar will be done well enough to garner a little national publicity...I'm serious about that. I wonder what their plans are for the giant plastic fish I've seen around the site too.

With that said, imagine the out-of-towners reaction while at Cubs games when they see this bright ass sign that says "Mullets" across the river--they'll think we really live up to our Iowa stereotype well!

The fish (also called a Mullet and thus a dual meaning to the bar's name), will be raised somewhere nearby according to Register today ("New in the Neighborhood").

Can't see it in this pic, but they were working on building the two level deck today. Also, a bit suprised they were actually laying a ton of sod just to the west of their parking lot. Very unusual for a bar to go through the expense of laying sod. It makes me wonder if they have plans for that area. Just a guess - creating a place for bicyclists to relax....maybe even put up a tent for the night?

[DMRyan]

I think they intend to hold a few concerts to the west of their building, so this may be an area where bands can set up a stage.

[QuadCityImages]

This is one development that I'm perfectly happy is going to DSM instead of here...

[dogbo]

This is one development that I'm perfectly happy is going to DSM instead of here...

[DMRyan]

These guy's bars (there are 7 or 8 of them now) are pretty unique, fun places. When there was a DSM category on Jeopardy not too long ago, one of their bars was the answer to a question. They've also had a few of their spots mentioned in those booster publicity pieces that keep appearing in magazines. They've honestly probably done more to turn Court Avenue into a legit entertainment destination than anyone else.

[dogbo]

I assume QCI's comment was a bit tongue 'n cheek.

[Hojo]

I think another outlet of the Fieldhouse, and Iowa City institution, would do well on Court Avenue. The Fieldhouse recently opened in the old Tilted Kilt / Shakey's location in NE Cedar Rapids and the parking lot has been full every night.

I think many of the Iowa City bars would do well - I've always thought a Quinton's or a Brother's would kill downtown DSM. Maybe Legend's will go away and we can squeeze in Brother's or Field House (Heck, maybe even Bo James!)

[DSMHawkeye]

The Iowa City institution I'd really like to see open up a branch in Downtown Des Moines = The Vine. Des Moines needs maple hot wings.

[QuadCityImages]

I assume QCI's comment was a bit tongue 'n cheek.

Yes, and no. I get the irony/parody going on with this theme, but not all will. It seems like a prominent location for visitors to see this, and hopefully "get" it. Maybe everyone in DSM know and love the folks that run these bars, but if I didn't read this forum and happened to see this place, I'd be like "Oh, that's classy..." I suppose I'm just overly sensitive to things that confirm our corn/hick state stereotype to outsiders.

[SharpHawkeye]

I think another outlet of the Fieldhouse, and Iowa City institution, would do well on Court Avenue. The Fieldhouse recently opened in the old Tilted Kilt / Shakey's location in NE Cedar Rapids and the parking lot has been full every night.

I think many of the Iowa City bars would do well - I've always thought a Quinton's or a Brother's would kill downtown DSM. Maybe Legend's will go away and we can squeeze in Brother's or Field House (Heck, maybe even Bo James!)

I haven't been myself, but I've heard good things about the CR Fieldhouse. It doesn't seem like too far of a stretch to imagine a Des Moines branch somewhere down the line.

[dogbo]

I assume QCI's comment was a bit tongue 'n cheek.

Yes, and no. I get the irony/parody going on with this theme, but not all will. It seems like a prominent location for visitors to see this, and hopefully "get" it. Maybe everyone in DSM know and love the folks that run these bars, but if I didn't read this forum and happened to see this place, I'd be like "Oh, that's classy..." I suppose I'm just overly sensitive to things that confirm our corn/hick state stereotype to outsiders.

Actually, this location isn't readily assessible to out-of-towners and you wouldn't trip upon this unless you were looking for it. The street/bridge leading out of downtown to this location is no longer open to vehicle traffic. That has been part of the difficulty IMO for the past restaurants/bars trying to make it here.

[Hojo]

I think another outlet of the Fieldhouse, and Iowa City institution, would do well on Court Avenue. The Fieldhouse recently opened in the old Tilted Kilt / Shakey's location in NE Cedar Rapids and the parking lot has been full every night.

I think many of the Iowa City bars would do well - I've always thought a Quinton's or a Brother's would kill downtown DSM. Maybe Legend's will go away and we can squeeze in Brother's or Field House (Heck, maybe even Bo James!)

I haven't been myself, but I've heard good things about the CR Fieldhouse. It doesn't seem like too far of a stretch to imagine a Des Moines branch somewhere down the line.

I'm pretty sure Third Base in WDM and Field House in IC were, at one point, run by the same people and were meant to be "sister" bars. I could be completely wrong, though.

[hawk61401]

I'm not a candidate for Viagra .. yet. But it looks like the mix for Court Ave is twenty-somethings. More bars means more options to find a partner. Don't tell them, too much alcohol suppresses testosterone production. Fill up those bars, drink the booze, but don't expect a miracle from Mother Nature at 3:00 in the morning.

I wouldn't mind seeing other mixes to Court Ave besides bars. Ya know, make room for the slower, less flashy. Those who don't believe that flesh is King (or Queen). In Austin, they offer sales tax abatements to artists who live above their galleries.

[DMRyan]

Go to East Village or even the Ingersoll strip for a more subdued atmosphere--Court Avenue has developed into more of a 20 somethings hang out, at least late at night. I think it would take a pretty large turnover in type of bars down there before this would change.