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The Best Patio Deals in Iowa City

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Iowa chapter.

Just like any other basic bi*ch, patio szn makes me scream from the rooftops. However, I am a not just a basic bi*ch, I am a broke one – so deals and steals make me even happier. Here is a pretty comprehensive list I’ve gathered after a lot of research (or an excuse for me to go hang out on patios). I chose a few specials from each bar, have everything sorted by day and Happy Hours are at the end. Have fun!

Sunday

Mosley’s: Probably my favorite patio area because of the food and the vibes, Mosley’s has their Happy Hour specials all day. The special is a steal, which is buy one get one for a penny on almost everything, as well as $3 screwdrivers and $4 bloody marys. 

Joe’s Place: This rooftop patio in downtown Iowa City has $1 off everything 8 pm – close on Sunday and Monday.

Monday

Cactus 1: This rowdy Mexican restaurant has a small patio but great people-watching patio. They have $2 small margs, so go ahead and get four of them. You deserve it.

Quintons: With a large patio, this restaurant/bar has $5 martinis and mules and $1 off craft drafts all day Monday.

Tuesday

Joe’s Place: Hit up Joe’s Place for the rooftop patio again on Tuesdays since they have $5 mules from 8 pm — close.

Mosley’s: Go back for more! The BBQ joint has $5 mules and margaritas (the best in IC) after 9 pm. 

Formosa: This sushi fusion restaurant offers signature rolls for $9 and their martinis are only $3. Catch me on the patio here every week.

Wednesday

Quintons: 25% off food all day with your student ID! They also have $3 bottled beer and Captain Morgan drinks.

Graze: This fancy little restaurant tucked in the ped mall has their World Famous Chicken Lips for only $2.

Brothers: This popular bar on campus has 25 cent wings from 8 pm until they’re gone, as well as $3 Titos drinks, $1.25 Miller High Life bottles, $2 domestic drafts and $2 wells.

Thursday

Graze: The best day of the week, because Graze has buy one get one for a nickel on martinis, cocktails, wine or beer. I’ll take one of every martini, please.

Brothers: They have their crazy-busy Mug Club on Thursdays after 8 pm. If you don’t have a mug, you’ll buy one for $4. After that, it’s $1 refills of wells, Miller High Life, Busch Light, or Long Islands, and $2 refills of domestics, micros or calls. It’s a tradition that I try to get one mug of each color (I’m still looking for a pink mug).

Friday

Bo James: If you want to participate in Friday After Class, Bo James has $3 Fireball shots, $4 double wells and $4 big beers.

Van B’s: This bar is a little bit hidden away, but it’s worth it – they have fireplaces and comfy furniture, with their $15 Fishbowl Friday.

Brothers: On Friday and Saturday from 8-10 pm, Brothers has $2.32oz pitchers of wells (OMG) and $4 pitchers of Busch Light and Miller High Life.

Saturday

Quintons: Saturdays are pretty busy for restaurants, especially those with patios, but Quintons has $1 off their signature cocktails and $5 double wells.

Mosley’s: After 9 pm, Mosley’s has quarts of beer for $5.

Daily Specials & Happy Hours

Quintons: Happy Hour every day from 3-6 pm, which is $1 off all drafts, $6 appetizers and $2.50 wells.

Bo James: $6 burger baskets during the day every day.

The Mill: Happy Hour on Monday – Friday from 2-6 pm, which is $6 burger baskets, $1 off draft beer and $2 off all pitchers.

Joe’s Place: Happy Hour every day from 4-8 pm; they have $1 off drafts and $6 domestic pitchers.

Mosley’s: Happy Hour every day from 3-6 pm, which is BOGO for a penny!

Did I miss any? What patio has the best vibes to you? Let us know, collegiettes! HCXO!

Liz is President of Her Campus at Iowa, and has been in HC Iowa since her freshman year. Her favorite part about Her Campus is Her Conference in NYC each summer — she loves getting to meet other Girl Bosses! She is a junior at the University of Iowa pursuing a Communication Studies degree and is double-minoring in Business Administration and Psychology. Liz wants to be a Social Media Manager for a beauty or lifestyle brand in the future, and would love to move to a big city when she's done with college. In her free time, Liz shops (maybe a little too much), crafts, and watches beauty guru videos on Youtube. Instagram: @lizwarnerr
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