Like drunk Iowans,country music, with no windows? Buzz's Bar is a sweet dive with fun people. It is…read morealways packed! If your having a good night on Main St. and need a change of scenery grab a cab to Buzz's, it is the exclamation point on any night out in Cederloo

Friday night busy but they had the routine down. Have an outdoor pool table and seating area kinda…read morecool.

We stopped to watch Michigan in the college World Series. Jedd was the bartender, he's very great…read moreguy, he had some great stories. When in the area of Waterloo Iowa try and stop in. Cheers!!

This is the coolest bar I've ever been to in Iowa, if not one of the coolest bars I've ever been…read moreto- PERIOD! The Sanity Room takes "theme" bar to a whole new level. There is a state mental facility outside of Independence, Iowa, and hence the theme of the Sanity Room. But don't think it's cold and creepy. No. The owners have gone to great lengths to make this an inviting place complete with the unique chairs, private small booths, and kitschy motto signs surrounding the place (one of my faves: "I can only please one person per day. Today I choose me."). They serve shots in pill bottles and syringes, and the staff will even make you don a patient gown, sit in the old hospital bed (vintage and they claim it came from the state hospital), and then administer the shots while wearing a doctor's coat. Genius! After you are vaccinated, you get a sticker. As if the booze wasn't awesome enough! And let's talk about the booze. This is a full bar that also features some great craft and local beers, as well as a local wine. Iowa wine, you ask? It was by far the best I sampled and I bought a bottle. Yeah, you can buy their stock too, if they have enough. As for specialty cocktails? Look no further than the bloody mary made with Chardonnay. That's right, I said the bloody mary is made with wine. And it's delicious. Since wine doesn't have as much alcohol as vodka, you might have to drink a lot to get the same effect, but with a taste like this you won't mind. The Sanity Room does seem to be a work in progress as they only have one unisex bathroom but they are working on more accommodations. Still, it's small so you can't imagine there would ever be a long line. It also sits in the back of an antique store, so blink and you might miss it. I know we did the first time we walked by, but the second time we took a chance and walked in and I am so glad we did! There's even a back patio area that overlooks the Wapsipinican River. The only bad thing would be that there are no TVs in the Sanity Room. I question if this would change the integrity of the bar, as it might compromise the theme and inviting nature. But I am a sports nut and there would be nothing better than belly up at the bar, drinking a glass of La T Da & watching the game! Seriously, if you're ever in Independence and you don't stop in here, you're missing out. I can't wait to get back and get my dose of Sanity!

Such a great name for the town that includes the mental hospital. Eclectic, fun decor and the…read moreowner/managers obviously love their work! A deck in the back gives a nice view of the Wapsie River, and an antique shop with all sorts of fun things, from tools to quilts. Thanks for the hospitality!

A German beer garden in the downtown area of Waterloo! Neighborhood bar feel in the outdoors,…read morepicnic tables available. Restrooms that are clean. Small menu of German food. Fun and different. The bartender is friendly and quick with his service.

Small beer garden in downtown Waterloo that I happened to stop by as I was biking. Small…read moreestablishment, but there's lots of outdoor picnic benches and very clean. Small food menu. I can't complain.

A friend and I stopped in to check out the newest addition to downtown Waterloo and we liked it…read more The decor is pretty impressive and detailed. The ceiling is corrugated tin and the floors and walls are reclaimed barn wood, according to the article in the Courier. You will step on peanuts, which I find mildly schticky, but okay. We bellied up to the bar and enjoyed the company of the barkeep, a friendly girl with an easy smile and a quick laugh. The beers and liquor are all the standards, nothing terribly out of the ordinary for the area. The place was not well-attended, but I don't think many people know about this place yet; anyone we talked to after our visit had no clue it was even there. Hopefully this place will draw some business to the area.

Western themed bar, the decor is nice, but still kind of dive-y. Not too wide a beer selection, but…read moredecent whiskey. Free peanuts, and a rather "interesting' clientele most nights.(you'll have that in downtown Waterloo).

This has the potential to be a very nice cocktail spot. The space is lovely and was perfect on a…read morequiet Sunday night for catching up with friends. The cocktails we ordered from the menu were good and looked classy. I would urge bar staff to learn to make classic cocktails as well as their signature drinks. We were told they couldn't make a daiquiri because they didn't have a blender. I'm looking forward to going back again when we're in town visiting family and am looking forward to seeing it mature into a Cedar Falls staple for us.

Located in the historic Black Hawk Hotel in downtown Cedar Falls. Bar Winslow has a cozy atmosphere…read moreand excellent handcrafted cocktails. Jess made our old fashioneds just the way we like them. They also have craft beer and a limited selection of wine. Perfect for date night or girl's night out.

At least in Waterloo, if you're looking for a quality beer selection, I'm pretty sure this is as…read moregood as it gets. I stumbled across this place after making plans to have dinner with some friends at Rudy's Tacos, which is housed in the same corner building. This bar is located directly across the hall from the Lava Lounge and I believe has the same owners. Arriving early on a Tuesday evening there were a few people in the Lava Lounge but no one yet at the Beer Hall. While waiting for a third friend to arrive we bellied up to the bar and were attended to by a great bartender who knew his beer. The bartenders floated between the bars on an as needed basis and one could order something on tap from either bar. Very easy going, very friendly. Now about the beer. Between the two places there were approximately 10 taps including beers from Jolly Pumpkin, Tool and Brouwerij Bavik (Petrus Oud Bruin) and bottles and cans ranging from $2 Grain Belt Nordeast to Bourbon County Brand Stout to Duchesse de Bourgogne. Since I was just back in town visiting I can't speak to the prices very well but they seemed reasonable. On Thursdays they apparently offer beer from another neighbor in the same building, Guerrilla Brewing Company. I wasn't around long enough to give that a try but certainly hope to on the next visit.

Feels like a vintage basement. That's a good thing. Good spirits and a great selection of beersread more

Awesome joint! Great Deere selection and solid mixed drinks. Good service. Awesome vibe!!read more

Old tavern style with craft beer taps! 24 taps with a lot of Iowa breweries. The 5 and dime feel-…read moregreat old beer signs, vintage decor and friendly bartender (Ben).And it's clean!! Not a gnat or fruit fly in the house- and that is important!