Dublin Underground
About This Spot
Stepping into Dublin Underground, you find yourself immediately embraced by a relaxed, unpretentious vibe that feels both familiar and inviting. The space hums with quiet energy — not the pulsing tempo of a wild night out, but the steady rhythm of locals gathering to unwind, catch up, and find a slice of comfort amidst the city bustle. It’s the kind of place where the clang of a dart hitting its mark or the thud of pool balls breaking feels like the backdrop to easy conversation and sprinkled laughter.
The atmosphere moves at a pleasant, welcoming pace. Dim lighting and the soft murmur of voices set a tone where strangers become familiar faces by the end of the evening. Here, diversity blends seamlessly; everyone finds their place at the bar, sharing moments over thoughtfully poured drinks. The bartenders seem to know the balance between attentive and unobtrusive, crafting beverages that fit the mood — whether it’s a classic margarita shared among friends, or a playful Car Bomb that sparks a spontaneous toast.
Dublin Underground wears its dive bar roots proudly, but it transcends clichés by offering a genuine space where community thrives quietly yet unmistakably. The music isn’t overwhelming, the crowd isn’t rushed, and there’s an honest warmth to the gatherings that feel less like an event and more like coming home. It's a refuge for those seeking a well-earned drink with a side of local character, where the raw edges of the bar are smoothed out by human moments and unforced camaraderie.
Ultimately, Dublin Underground is less about the spotlight and more about the shared experience — a place where time slows just enough to appreciate the simple joy of being part of something welcoming and grounded in its own rhythm.
What’s Available Here
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Bar games
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Fast service
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Spirits
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Wine
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Groups
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
Location & Hours
| Monday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
| Tuesday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
| Wednesday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
| Thursday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
| Friday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
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| Saturday | 03:00 PM - 02:00 AM | |
| Sunday | 06:00 PM - 02:00 AM |
Jim Darrell 06 Jan 2026
I can't speak for the food since we just came here for drinks. This was my favorite bar that I visited in Iowa City. Great vibe, awesome bartender, seriously, what's not to love about this place?
Karter Donahue 29 Dec 2025
Dublin sets such a high bar for dive bars all over the world
Joshua Daily 23 Dec 2025
One of these best dive bars in Iowa City. Great game day atmosphere where all kinds are welcome and made comfortable. Good change of pace from the other “main/big” bars.
Adam Ramker 18 Nov 2025
Didn’t see the first shark for about half an hour – a tiger – thirteen footer. You know how you know that when you’re in the water, Chief? You tell by lookin’ from the dorsal to the tail. What we didn’t know was our bomb mission had been so secret, no distress signal had been sent. They didn’t even list us overdue for a week. Very first light, Chief, sharks come cruisin’. So we formed ourselves into tight groups…the idea was, the shark comes to the nearest man and he starts poundin’ and hollerin’ and screamin’. Sometimes the shark go away. Sometimes he wouldn’t go away. Sometimes that shark, he looks right into ya, right into your eyes. Y’know, the thing about a shark, he’s got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes. When he comes after ya, he doesn’t seem to be livin’ until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white, and then – aww, then you hear that terrible high-pitch screamin’, the ocean turns red, and in spite of all the poundin’ and the hollerin’, they all come in and rip ya to pieces…in that first dawn, we lost a hundred men. I don’t know how many sharks, maybe a thousand. I don’t know how many men. They averaged six an hour…Noon the fifth day, Mr. Hooper, a Lockheed Ventura saw us. He swung in low and he saw us…and he come in low and three hours later, a big fat PBY [seaplane] comes down and start to pick us up. You know, that was the time I was most frightened – waitin’ for my turn. I’ll never put on a life jacket again. So, eleven hundred men went in the water, three hundred and sixteen men come out, and the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945. Anyway, we delivered the bomb
Josh Watkins 29 Oct 2025
One of my 3 favorite bars in Iowa City, with darts and a pool table.
Ethan Decker 17 Oct 2025
Like Manna from heaven with PBR on tap, I discovered the Dublin on my first day of what would become a 3 week work trip in Iowa City and it became my favorite bar in the Midwest. It’s the perfect combination of dive bar and the kind of Irish pub you’d see in Patriot Games. Nodo’s up top has great sandwiches which they’ll run bring down to you with the urgency of an organ transplant. This is important to remember as you might require their Life Flight services as I did several times. The staff is great. Mostly. Mr. Seth, Jackie, Danny, Trent, Rory, and Robyn, you guys are awesome. The regulars deserve their own shoutout as they are a bunch of rad, friendly people. Hope to see y’all again.