The New Union Bar in Iowa City is Now Open

A new version of a classic Iowa City bar is officially open for business! The Union Bar & Grill began welcoming customers to its new location on Thursday, February 19th.

The Old Union

Back in November of 2025, we got word that The Union would be making a comeback in Iowa City's Ped Mall, but at a new location. The original bar first opened at 121 E College St in Iowa City in 1993, and continued its run for 27 years before closing down in 2020. The Daily Iowan reported that The Union's closure was already planned, but the COVID-19 pandemic spread up the process.

Today, the former Union Bar building is home to two businesses: The Stuffed Olive and Double Tap. They both opened in 2022.

The New Fieldhouse

The announcement of The Union's return actually came from another newly-opened reincarnation of a classic Iowa City bar: Fieldhouse Bar & Grill. After Fieldhouse closed at 118 S Dubuque St, the space was taken over by the second location for Hazzard County, an already-popular and established bar in Cedar Rapids. Then, just a short time later, it was revealed that Fieldhouse's legacy wasn't over. It would reopen in a brand new location at 138 S Clinton St. That grand opening happened the first week of November 2025.

The New Union

The folks behind the new Fieldhouse are the same ones opening the new Union Bar, which happens to be just down the street. It's located at 118 S Clinton St, right next door to country bar Giddy Up!

The Union Bar & Grill surprised everyone when they announced on Wednesday, February 18th that their grand opening would be Thursday, February 19th at 8 p.m.! The bar has yet to post its official hours, but you can get the latest updates on their Facebook HERE or Instagram HERE.

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READ MORE: UPDATE: Iowa City Denies Fieldhouse Liquor License Renewal