Best Campustown Bars by Decade

[JP4CY]

was this on welch and occupied where sgt peppers once was? that place was weird it had one U shaped bar and a bunch of leather couches

I'd say easiest way to describe is directly across st from old Dairy Queen.

 

[mapnerd]

I'd say easiest way to describe is directly across st from old Dairy Queen.

Which old Dairy Queen? The one that is now a Papa Murphy's?

 

[JP4CY]

Which old Dairy Queen? The one that is now a Papa Murphy's?

The one on Welch.

 

[drmwevr08]

Welch Ave. Station was my fav.

Loved Fox2 for other locations.

96-01 era.

 

[mapnerd]

The one on Welch.

Oh yeah, I totally forgot there was one there. That makes sense. But I still think you had a massive fever dream.

 

[1TwistedCyclone]

This entire discussion has me seriously contemplating coming up with an excuse to drive to Ames in the next few weeks to simulate an FAC for old times sake. Nostalgia is one helluva drug.

 

[FDISU]

80-84

Said it better than me:

NWICY​

https://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/threads/in-memoriam-ames-business-restaurants.237059/page-10


"Bars that are long gone Thumbs Up, The Billboard, The Hallway, top of the town, Granddaddy's, That Place (peanut shells all over the floor) Virginia City, Mississippi Queen/ the Brewery(?). Didn't include Cave Inn and the Library because they still exist but have new names Sips(?) and can't remember but somebody mentioned it earlier up thread right below pizza pit."

That list brings back a lot of memories. If I remember correctly, Thumbs Up, Granddaddy's and MQ had specials on different nights of the week so you could do the circuit and drink lots of cheap beer - dime draws or dollar pitchers. Where was Mississippi Queen -- was it on the south side of town somewhere? Maybe on South Duff?

 

[Cypwr]

That list brings back a lot of memories. If I remember correctly, Thumbs Up, Granddaddy's and MQ had specials on different nights of the week so you could do the circuit and drink lots of cheap beer - dime draws or dollar pitchers. Where was Mississippi Queen -- was it on the south side of town somewhere? Maybe on South Duff?

Located South of Earl Mays. Building is still there, it is now Athletic Club of Ames.

​

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Campustown in my years (96-00) had some great restaurants too though. I miss the McDonald's (now gone but was next to Welch Ave Station) where you could get 'Cyclone Fries' which was literally a brown bag full of their fries for like $3.

DaVinci's is still something I miss greatly.

Jimmy John's location now used to be Mr. Goodcents subs which was 100x better.

Hometeam Pizza with their Huger Huge deal was something we did a few times a week.

Pre renovation circa 2014? I wanna say, you could get Cyclone Fries at the west side McDonalds on Lincoln way across from the Hyvee. Not every night but it had to be an old head that worked at the Welch Ave McD's

 

[CyDude16]

Please tell me others remember the short lived Cafe Mood. It may have just been a fever dream.

No air conditioning was brutal.

 

[qwerty]

This wasn't in Ames, but it is funny. I see they have Peg working again . . . .

 

[mhynek]

Drank a lot of these in the early 80sView attachment 127533

Wow. Haven't thought of Grand Daddy's in a while. It burned down my last year in school (89-90). If I recall, it was the favorite place for folks in the marching band.

 

[mhynek]

Back in the day, Tork’s Pub engaged in some heavy price wars vs the Keg Shop to the financial benefit of keg party hosts. Cecil aka The Beer Baron was the crazy owner of Tork’s back then and would never be beat on price for his PBR and Bud kegs.

Tork's was my favorite place. Cecil and his sister, Ann, ran the place. Great atmosphere. Peanut shells on the floor. It was frequented by a loyal group of math and chemistry professors. My Math 166 prof listed Torks' phone number as one of the ways to contact him.

 

[mhynek]

What did Mother's Pub used to be circa 2004? I can never remember.

In the '80's, it was Dugan's Deli. Don't know about 2004. They had a black-and-white photo booth. I frequented it from 1984-1990.

 

[mhynek]

Thumbs and Mother's are great, some of my favorites. Can imagine Thumbs has been around forever

ISU 1984-1990. When I was there, Thumb's Up was in campustown, just down Welch Ave. from Cy's Roost. Or was it under Cy's? I can't remember for certain. Circa 1988-89, they moved to their present location on West Street, which prior was Tork's Pub, my favorite bar from 1985 thru 1988.

In the '80's, Mothers Pub was Dugans Deli. Another great place.

 

[mhynek]

Looks like since 1989 in their current location. Where subway is on welch before that.

You're spot-on. I was in school 1984-1990. Thumbs' current location used to be Tork's Pub, which was my favorite place. Thumb's moved to its present location on West Street while I was there (1989 sounds right).

 

[mhynek]

80-84

Said it better than me:

NWICY​

https://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/threads/in-memoriam-ames-business-restaurants.237059/page-10


"Bars that are long gone Thumbs Up, The Billboard, The Hallway, top of the town, Granddaddy's, That Place (peanut shells all over the floor) Virginia City, Mississippi Queen/ the Brewery(?). Didn't include Cave Inn and the Library because they still exist but have new names Sips(?) and can't remember but somebody mentioned it earlier up thread right below pizza pit."

Whoa. What is the Library called now? The last it was the Library was my freshman year (1984).

 

[dafarmer]

All the way to the Cave-In, our favorite cheer at Clyde Williams. 18 was legal then!

 

[cytor]

Whoa. What is the Library called now? The last it was the Library was my freshman year (1984).

Welch Ave Station

 

[dahliaclone]

...21 in 1998.

Dean's List
Welch Ave. Station
Cy's Roost
People's
Tazzle's
The Scene
Mickey's