Since Joe's Place expanded and added a beer garden, they've risen on my list of ""bars to hang at"". The beer garden in the back is nice and small - not big enough to get really rowdy but good to hang and have good conversation. Their new expansion has created a ""new"" and an ""old"" side. The old side is filled with pool, darts, and fooseball and the new side is mostly tables, another bar, larger (and cleaner!) bathrooms, and the beer garden. The new side also has large French-door like windows on the front of the bar that makes talking to people on the street really fun. The only thing separating you from your friends passing by is a waist-high fence and a long chest-high table. You can sit at the bar in the old place and meet ""iowa city lifers"" or go to the new side and see some of the crazy college kids. They also have great beer specials on big cans as you walk in the door.
Pros: Beer garden, many different types of people in one venue
Cons: Can get smokey in the winter when the windows and doors are shut
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