City Beat

City Beat is an interesting kind of bar. Most of the people we talk to around here don't even know what it is, or where it is. When we went the first time, there was almost no one there, and the bar tender chatted us up. We liked the friendliness and were intrigued by the promise of good food, but really weren't blown away by anything else at this place. To me it feels like a post-flood remodel that has a nicer interior for an old building and a following of locals who have discovered the bar, and not told anyone. The second time we went, on a Sunday, they were closed. The third time we went, there were quite a bit more people. The bar was full, the outside patio was being utilized, and a few of the tables were occupied. The bartender hopped right over from the bar to our table to get us drinks and offerend menus. We opted to try the food since it was hyped up last time. It is expanded bar fare, sandwiches and wraps mostly, but they were pretty good. It all felt a little hodge-podge in the sense that food isn't their main business, which I guess is good for a bar, but I was hoping the food would be outstanding to match the hype. Maybe I set myself up for failure, but I thought it was just mediocre. The beer was good, and so was our bartender. On a night with a full bar, I don't expect them to constantly come to a table to check for drinks, but he was over before we even thought about walking to the bar. Props there, we tipped accordingly. This, like most bars though suffers from the neighborhood bar syndrome, but also suffers from a lack of immediate neighborhoods to pull from. If this bar was on 2nd street a few blocks on the other side of the river it would probably do well, but with a much different crowd. They do advertise live music, and have a spot designated for it inside, but in the few visits here, we haven't seen any. If you are looking for a chill spot without much going on, check this place out. This is a bar that definitely knows it needs to serve anyone who walks in the door to stay afloat, and it definitely felt reasonably welcoming to newcomers.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 8
This place is bar first, restaurant a very distant second.  It is remodeled well post-flood, and is fairly well kept.  Dark lighting, and a classy looking bar area.
Service: 9
The service was great.  I think probably the most attentive of any bar we go to.  I have yet to find an all elusive "10" server, but this is a solid 9.
Food: 6
Appears to be bar food with a little bit of an expanded lineup.  Might be good for lunch or for an early evening quick meal, but definitely not the type of place you take a date for dinner.

Chuck's Bar & Grill

Chuck's, Chuck & Dales, Chuck's Bar & Grill, Chuck and Dale's Bar & Grill... The bar of many names... We are pretty sure it used to be called Chuck & Dale's Bar & Grill and now it is just Chuck's Bar & Grill. Not sure what happened to Dale but it appears that he is not part of the name anymore. Or is he?

Anyways... we stopped out to Chuck's as the first stop of our night. The only seats taken were the ones at the bar and the whole rest of the place was open. So, since we couldn't sit at the bar we sat at a table near the bar. The bartender got us a beer and a menu. I was jonesin for some motz sticks (it happens!) so I ordered some. Unfortunately, they had only one left! AH! Disaster. So, I settled for cheese bites--close enough. But they were out of those, too. Eventually, I ended up with one motz stick and broccoli cheese bites or something. That whole situation was weird, but we were ok. We ended up only staying for one beer because the bartender never came back to ask us if we wanted anything else. That's fine, too, we have legs and we can walk to the bar, but it was also weird. I don't know much more about this bar. It probably would be a good time with a group and maybe if they had a band. It's pretty small and doesn't have any bar activities except eating and drinking...and maybe a mega touch. The place has a good vibe, but honestly if we were talking about where we should go for a night out, Chuck's would not come up. It just isn't memorable. Much more of a neighborhood spot, for sure.

P.S. we went on a Sunday, so that could be part of the reason we had this type experience.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 6
Feels like a restaurant and a bar, and a restaurant. It does feel a little bit confusing. It just seems strange. Not sure why.

Service: 6
The first time we went and sat at the bar the service was ok, not great. This time the service was fine but again not great. Trend?
Food: 6

Appears to be bar food, but that's what I was looking for, so there may have been other options that I overlooked.

Chrome Horse Saloon

Chrome Horse Saloon has got it together. Because of that, they host a lot of large events that bring in tons of people. They have a large parking lot next to their corner building that is often closed off for the large events. There is usually some fun to be had during the Hawkeye Football season with tailgating parties, galore! Chrome Horse is also a popular hang out for motorcycle riders which comes from the obvious theme of the bar. Above the bar inside there is even a full-sized hog! There is a large covered patio for outside seating, which has garage doors that open and close for different weather. There is also TONS of space inside. TONS. The place still gets packed, though, especially for the events previously mentioned. They almost always have live music on the weekends. This means that the weekends are also pretty busy. In the summer time, this is the spot to enjoy live music while enjoying the beautiful Iowa weather for one of their many outside concerts. Drinks are pretty standard. I've never sat at the bar but according to their website they have an ice bar which is very unique.


The food is great! We often go there with our kids during the day just for the food. It's very yummy. All the names of the meals go along with the Motorcycle theme, which is creative. Their website also invites you to host your next event there complete with Chrome Horse Catering.


The Chrome Horse is another Cedar Rapids bar that was devastated by the Flood of '08 but they were able to quickly remodel and you wouldn't ever guess that it was under 12 feet of water!

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 9
Fun and inviting atmosphere. Go on a weekday and it should be pretty chill. For more excitement and partying, check it out on the weekends.

Service: 8
Servers are always very attentive and are happy to answer any questions about the menu. I remember asking about the Mac n' Cheese once and the server gave me a sample of it before I ordered. Besides that, the service is normal, nothing really over the top but we always leave satisfied. It can be difficult to get drinks when the place is crazy busy but that is understandable. 
Food: 10

Not fine dining, but what they do, they do perfectly. Burgers, sandwiches and pizza is what you will find here-- and it is YUMMY!

Checkers

I am by no means a Racing enthusiast, but Checkers is great. I wish we lived closer to it because I would make it my "spot." Checkers is a Race themed Bar and I imagine they have specials that are themed around the Races and likely a strong crowd of people who are the lovers of the races. In fact, I bet the place is poppin' right now for the Indy 500... Anyways, we have been to Checkers only twice, once on the first Bar Tour and then for our second Bar Tour visit. Both times were good. We went with friends the second time and sat a table rather than at the bar, so the service was different than when we were at the bar. It was an enjoyable time, but really nothing special. I think Checkers is definitely one of those places that is whatever you make it. They had karaoke going which is always fun. It wasn't too loud either. We all still enjoyed conversation, which is something that is important when out with friends. They have a bunch of video arcade games which is probably pretty entertaining for some people. There is a lot of seating and a rather large bar with plenty of seats there as well, so the fear of having standing room only doesn't seem to be an issue. Overall, Checkers is a really chill place where you can catch a race, sports or just hang out with a couple cold beers. Oh! Side note, the beer is served in mason jars!  I love that.  See picture below.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 6
It is kind of dark, the decor and furniture seems old, but it all fits the theme well. 

Service: 7
When sitting at the bar in the past the service was great and good conversations were had with a friendly bartender. When we were sitting at a table with friends, we did have to go to the bar to get our drinks.
Food: N/A

We haven't had a chance to try anything yet, but they do boast that they smoke their own meat. That to me sounds like a delicious reason to go back and try it out! 

Mean-muggers

People who frequent small, quiet bars are very taken aback when a large group, such as a Birthday party or Bachelor/Bachelorette party, comes in for a drink. And it's fine to not like it because you go to quiet bars for a reason-- the quiet. However, I would just like to say, that if you are a person who frequents a bar, then you must care about that business, right? Ok, so mean-mugging patrons who are there to also support that establishment, that you love I remind you, really does that business no good. While the patrons are not the ones running the bar they very much are the face of the business in a lot of cases. I think it is also fair to say that at some point in most people's lives they too will be apart of a large group that goes to a bar for a special event and I'm sure that they would not want someone with "territory issues" to ruin their experience.

I feel it is important to call this out because you people who are looking at us with mean looks, or are annoyed simply by us being there will likely ruin important business for the establishment you think you are protecting. 

With that said, when we launch The Bar Tour - Extended, The Bar Tour, Unabridged, or whatever we decide to call it, in which we travel to bars in the surrounding Cedar Rapids areas... we probably will not be revisiting DanceMor in Swisher due to the straight-up hostility towards our very large group of people with money. That's not fair to the owners of DanceMor and frankly, I'm also very disappointed because I think it seems like a great experience and tons of fun.

People need to stop being so freaking judgmental.

Just something to think about for all you bar-lovers out there! (Stepping down off soap-box.)

Chappy's Safari Lounge

So we skipped this place on the first bar tour, because we had both been here at other times, but I can attest to the down home feel of this bar...and your experience is very much going to depend on what you make of it. We skipped it like I said because we both had been there, and didn't care for previous experiences. However this time we went in after a few drinks and with some friends. Karaoke was in full swing, and we sat at the bar. We could tell we were getting a few strange looks from the regulars, but I think it was because we were dressed a little fancier than we probably should have been for this more middle-class bar. We are not upper-class people, we are squarely middle class ourselves, but we probably weren't dressed that way. Our fault.

 Ok, commentary over...this bar isn't flashy. Dark safari themed wallpaper and decorations make the theme run deep throughout. The other customers were not hostile, we got served quickly, and we even decided to sing a song. Once we got up and participated in the festivities, it seemed everyone warmed up to us, and we got the crowd going. All in all, a very different experience than what we both remembered, and a great testimonial to why we are revisiting every bar on tour #2. This place will not be for everyone, but the laid back atmosphere, mixed with a very diverse (read: wide age group) clientele will make anyone feel at home here, as long as they have the right attitude. It appears anyone who wants a nicer hole in the wall bar is welcome here. Be ready to sing karaoke and drink, because those seem to be going on often from what our sources say about this place. The building looks deceivingly small, but there is ample room inside to spread out, and lots of bar area to sit at as well. Like I said, this may not be for everyone, but definitely give it a try one time with an open mind, and you may be surprised.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 6
It is dark, and definitely not flashy or new, but it was not dirty or grimy in any way.
Service: 9
Attentive bartender was happy to serve us, and service was very tip worthy.
Food: N/A
If anyone reading this wants to fill in about food here, they did have a kitchen that we could see from where we were sitting, but we did not have a chance to try anything.  It definitely felt like bar first, food afterthought.