IC City Council suspends Fieldhouse Bar and Grill’s liquor license

The suspension follows a city hearing over whether the business meets restaurant licensing requirements.

Madelyn Johnson, News Reporter

January 20, 2026

Patrons move up and down the floors during the opening night of Fieldhouse Bar and Grill in Iowa City on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Over 100 attendees lined up down the block to drink, play arcade games, and explore the new bar’s five floors. The previous Fieldhouse was located in the Pedestrian Mall, and relocated over the summer.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Iowa City City Council voted to suspend Fieldhouse Bar and Grill’s liquor license for two weeks due to a violation of its liquor license.

The decision comes a month after the City of Iowa City sent Fieldhouse a Notice of Hearing on Alcohol License on Dec. 3, 2025. Through a series of email exchanges the council provided to The Daily Iowan, Fieldhouse Bar and Grill requested the city delay the hearing, citing they had inadequate time to prepare for Tuesday’s hearing.

The city denied the Fieldhouse’s request to reschedule the hearing.

Elizabeth Craig, assistant city attorney for the city, said the issue is with the use of a restaurant liquor license despite the business itself not fitting the legal description of a restaurant under Iowa City’s license classifications.

“No liquor control license nor beer permit for serving and consuming on premises shall be approved for an establishment which is not located entirely on the ground floor of a building and which does not contain windows which permit visibility of its interior,” according to city code section 4-2-2(B).

During the hearing, the council heard from both Craig and attorney Eric Hartmann, who represented property owner Tracy Barkalow, regarding Fieldhouse’s operations to question its status as either just a bar or a restaurant. Fieldhouse operates with a liquor license that requires the establishment to also serve food as a restaurant.

“The city simply cannot suspend its alcohol license tonight because it’s been operating as a restaurant contrary to the claims of the city’s attorney,” Hartmann said. “The Fieldhouse provides meal service to every floor.”

The councilors voted unanimously to suspend Fieldhouse’s liquor license, saying they were unable to find evidence the establishment was operating as a restaurant and a bar.

Fieldhouse has the option to appeal to the Iowa Department of Revenue, as the department is in control of alcohol licenses at the state level.

“What was provided to us demonstrates and exhibits that there was a violation, so I will be voting in support of suspension,” Councilor Laura Bergus said.

The Daily Iowan was unable to receive comment from Fieldhouse at the time of publication.