Cooters

This bar is an interesting, and very local-filled addition the the Cedar Rapids bar scene.  It is a tiny building, about 400 square feet I would guess, and half of that is taken up by the bar.  There is little parking due to its location on 1st avenue, and limited space behind the bar.  The place has an older decor, and has not been updated in some time.  Both times we visited this bar we were served promptly, but we also experienced some of the most awkward interactions with the other patrons of any other bar we have visited.  The first visit here started with a very strange interaction wherein we were asked by a regular if we were lost.  The second visit was a little more comfortable, but still resulted in regulars coming over to us and asking what we were doing there.  The bathrooms are not very clean, and are falling apart.  They do have live music from time to time, which we experienced in the first visit, and that greatly changes the experience here.  Overall it is not a bad place to visit, but you will need to make yourself a regular here before you feel comfortable.  The average person walking into this bar will not feel welcome at first.  Drink prices were fair, and I believe they had a drink special both times we went.

Coopers Mill

Coopers Mill is, and will always be, a weird bar.  It is a hotel bar, that is really trying to expand into the "F Avenue Bar District" to increase its clientele.  I respect what its trying to do, and they don't fail, but it just feels like a hotel bar.  The bathrooms are down the hall and into the hotel area, and the bar is surprisingly small.  They do participate in F Ave bar crawls quite often, yet I have never seen a crowd here.  They have a 36 inch tall bone shaped beer glass that is fun to drink out of...it comes with a wooden stand to prop it up and everything.  She made us give her our IDs in case we broke it I guess, a credit card might have been a better thing to hold, but luckily, we didn't break it, so no problems there.  I really don't know what else to say about this place other than its a tiny room, with a bar stuffed in it.  Go here if you are on a bar crawl, or really like hotel bars, but other than that, its probably not going to be the hangout spot for anyone.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 5
Weird
Service: 8
A little awkward with the server we had, but good service.
Food: N/A
They claim to have food, appetizers especially, but yet every time we were there we were told there was none that night.  Not sure what that's all about.

Cocktails and Company

Well, the name here pretty much says it all.  Cocktails, and company.  This place is always great for gatherings of all kind, but it definitely fits into a specific category for a bar.  First and foremost, this bar is welcoming to anyone.  There are surely regulars here, but no one cares when new people wander in, and you don't get a local, cliquey bar feel here, ever.  That is great for someone who is looking for a new watering hole.  The bar is a little dated inside, and dark, but its not really a huge problem, as it is fairly well kept.  There are quite a few pool tables in the side room, somewhere around 8 I think, and I have known many people over the years who play pool league here...so if thats your thing, check it out.  They have a raised area off to the right when you walk in that is used for live music quite often, and they are known pretty well for their live music selection.  Warning to those who want to chat with friends; don't come on live music night.  The building is pretty big, but when they have live music, it is often very hard to communicate with anyone you came with.  If you are there for the music, you will love that.  The service has always been hit and miss, found a few wonderful servers, and a few that get too busy and forget about you.  On really crowded nights it can be a struggle to get the bartender's attention too.  Overall this place is well rounded, because they offer hole in the wall feel many nights during the week, but a bumping live music and hangout venue on the weekends.  Then as an aside, you also have the pool hall feel if you want to hang out over on the other side.  Top all of that off with some pretty decent bar food and good lunch specials and you really have a home run in offerings.  They have remodeled the outside in the last few years and have increased their outdoor seating quite a bit.  If all of this sounds up your alley, check it out.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 7
Its nicer inside, but it is dark and can sometimes get crowded due to the layout and/or the crowd that comes that specific night.
Service:7
Service has been fine in years past, and I didn't have any problems when we visited a few weeks ago, so they get a solid 7.
Food: 7
Going for lucky sevens across the board here, they have pretty good food for bar food, and have a pretty robust line up.  No fine dining, but you won't be disappointed popping in for lunch or a casual dinner.

Club Basix

Alright, so coming from a guy who refused to go to alternative bars in the first bar tour, I will officially eat crow.  We went to Club Basix and I didn't have a bad time.

That being said, this bar is obviously for the LGBT lifestyle, and so many people will not want to frequent or visit this bar unless that is the specific experience you are looking for.

On to the review.

This place is darkly lit, and well layed out despite the fact that it was long ago a Hardees that has not changed much since becoming Club Basix.  The bathrooms are pretty disgusting, but everything else was fine.  There was a cover the night we went, even though I think it was a Thursday.  It was only $3, so we paid, and continued.  The music is loud, so if you plan to talk, or don't like loud house music, then that will be a problem.  The door lady was great, the bartender was quick and personable.  Despite the fact that I'm sure we stood out as two poorly dressed men with two good looking women in an alternative lifestyle bar, no one seemed to care.  Maybe this is a general statement that can be made for the type of clientele that hangs out here...accepting of anyone, but either way, that was good.  We didn't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable, we had a few drinks and shouted conversation to each other, and then moved on.

If this is the type of thing you like, you will most likely love this place.  If not, you probably stopped reading after the first few sentences anyway.

The Grades:
Atmosphere: 7
Its nicer inside, but it is definitely not going for a specific look or feel, its just a converted bar.
Service: 9
No complaints, service was spot on for what it should be at a bar.
Food: N/A
Don't think they serve food here.