We didn't really stop here to eat. We stopped because it looked like a nice, quiet place to get a drink and enjoy conversation. And, it was. The atmosphere at this little pub makes you want to grab a corner table, a laptop and start the All American Novel. Yes, it really does have a great vibe, but it also has a full bar and great beers, both local and exotic. However, as you sit there, you will watch plates of food come out of the back and you will find yourself tempted. We certainly were. The next thing we knew we were ordering and happily munching on baked brie with apples on toast, and dipping our toast into a blue beer cheese (maytag blue). We didn't get to try much else, because, as I said, we didn't stop to eat (had eaten dinner earlier), but we just had to try. Results: Yum with atmosphere. My kind of place.
(5)
Jon T.
Pretty darn impressive selection of brews. Appetizer was ok.
(4)
Rachel L.
This is a nice spot for happy hour and it's easily walkable from the downtown district. We walked in at 4:30 on a Friday evening expecting the place to be buzzing but there were only two other people - perhaps because it's not connected to the ped mall? A mixture of indie and modern jazz/blues was playing though, so it made for an awesomely chill atmosphere. Exactly what we were looking for. The beer selection was well-rounded and the server did an excellent job describing some of his favorite highlights. The food though, was less spectacular. I really wanted to love the pizza but it was either made from a freezer crust or the dough's recipe was sorely lacking butter (when in doubt, always add more butter. please). I was floored about the rest of the ingredients though! Cheese was from Milton Cheese Factory out of Milton, Iowa - tomatoes were from Blue Grass, Iowa (tiny town by the Mississippi, apparently) - and the beef and pork were both from several small operations around Johnson County. I'll be back and next time I'm ordering the neuske ham & fontina sandwich.
(4)
Chuck C.
4.5 stars! Really great atmosphere. Despite not having any tvs it's a great place to go and have a drink. We also tried the Chocolate Molten Lava cake and it was delicious. The bartender was really friendly and helpful in choosing one of their many craft beers. I even talked to the owner for a bit, and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn't get a chance to try any of the food but I can't wait to come back in the winter and sit by the fireplace!
(4)
Jeff H.
The Sanctuary is a long established fixture of Iowa City. I say "fixture" because being from Iowa City myself, I know of the fixtures of town - the places everyone knows and talks about. You can definitely mention places like Pagliai's Pizza, Hamburg #2, The Mill, Deadwood, Joe's Place, George's Buffet, but to slightly lesser degree because they are a little more on the fringes of downtown would be places like Hilltop Tavern, Wig-n-Pen, and of course, The Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is semi-dark (though not George's Buffet, no lights dark), layed back, dark stained wood church booths, dental tooth wainscoating, and stone walls - along the same lines of ambiance as the very popular Mill, but just not as many people. The food is, aside from being exceptional, is Irish-Italian, and the draft beer selection is not only very large, but more unique (i.e., better) than most places. I could go on and on about The Sanctuary, but in short will just say get in the and try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. Tips: park around back, and order the black & tan.
(5)
Celsey L.
Chicken bail sandwich was amazing. Decent beer selection. Not sure if the waitress is the cook but I've run out of beer twice now, opted to get my own at the bar after waiting 20 min. Ive only been checked on once in the hour plus that I've been here
(2)
Caroline H.
My husband and I went on our very first date here in 2002. It has a great beer selection and the pizza is very good for the Iowa City area.
(4)
Lance R.
Oh thank heavens this place still exists, (I was here in 1988-1989). This was my all time favorite bar in all of IC and maybe anywhere. Hundreds of beers some I have never seen again, dark luscious beers that made you think of Europe. Fantastic pizza and other high end bar food. Not gourmet but darn tasty. The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy. The servers educated and non pretentious. This was where I would go with my friends from the international writers work shop and some cute German girlfriend from the exchange program and listen to music and talk until it closed.
(5)
M O.
This is my favorite pace to get a beer in Iowa City. The classic tavern atmosphere, coupled with the amazing beers on tap and the always professional bartenders and waitstaff make it one of my favorite places to eat, as well. The menu is not long, but they execute all of it very well. I have not been disappointed with anything yet. The fact that there are no televisions littering the walls sets it apart from every other bar in town. This definitely enhances the atmosphere.
(5)
Thomas B.
Weird salad. Good beer list. Nice hummus. Shepherd pie. Salad good service ok. Cool vibe. Cavern like.
(4)
Katherine G.
My favorite bar in Iowa City- always plenty of seating and the bartenders are so nice!
(5)
Rich F.
Oh, what a classic well worn tweed jacket of a pub this was. Nicer than the exterior facade suggests, a decor that is solid, mature, but not trashed. Reminds me of the kind of pubs in State College, Pa. where you might take the classroom discussions with your professor to. Huge beer list. Lots of draughts especially. I had the Shepherd's Pie. Very savory and made with lamb. Probably the best I've had anywhere. Lot's of options on the menu. Great place for conversation with friends and completely free of pretense. As it should be.
(4)
Mary ellen F.
I would recommend Sanctuary on the basis of their beer alone! (Pretty sure they have the best selection in Iowa City). I come to Iowa City every now and again for work, and when I do I like to stop here. I'm usually travelling alone, so I just grab a drink at the bar. The bar tenders are nothing but friendly & happy to offer recommendations.
(4)
Joshua F.
I went there last Iowa homecoming the location is great as it's close to downtown, but it a far enough away so it's not crazy packed when downtown is full of people. There is a great relaxing ambience when you walk in. The location and design are a plus however, their drink prices are a little above par, and the food is okay but nothing special I got the vibe that food was just a convenience as they're better Italian options in Iowa City and Coralville. It's alright if you want a few drinks and to have a conversation, but that's about it.
(3)
Emilie J.
I'm not a big beer drinker so i go there with friends but their food is not great. The bread on the sandwiches is terrible and there is only a couple of things on the menu that are worth it. The pizza crust they use is bas as well.
(2)
Daryl C.
If you like beer, and you don't think that Coors Light counts as beer, then you need to go here. The beer selection, while not as good as rare beer bars in larger cities (i.e., Monk's in Philly), is consistently impressive. They are able to get rare beers from Stone, Founders, Bells... there was one time I was here visiting that they had Founders Kentucky Bourbon Stout *and* Bells Hopslam on tap at the same time. That's a face-melting situation for beer nerds. Less rare stuff is still quite interesting, they cover a range of styles from saisons to stouts to barleywines. In other words, you can do just fine if you aren't a hop-head and prefer a maltier profile. The selection has more variety--and importantly, quality--than you'll find at a bar just about anywhere else around here. Look for Toppling Goliath (local Iowa) IPA's, especially PseudoSue, which are critically acclaimed (think upper 90's on RateBeer). The ambiance is wonderful as well. Lots of dark wood, low light, comfy booths for beer and conversation. Kind of reminiscent of a British pub, where you could spend hours talking and imbibing and losing track of time. The food hasn't been as impressive, though I'm still working my way through the menu. But that's not why you come here. You go here for the beer and the pub ambiance. Apparently they also pour growlers of their draught lines, which is great.
(5)
alove L.
I dont know what the rant an rav is about thos place I was a little disappointed. ... pros they do have a good beer selection thats abouy it... the bar place was just dirty looking I felt like there eas bugs crawling on my feet so I had to put them up .. As for food I ordered there pizza because thats the onoy thing that looked good since I before hand went off wjat pepple .were ravong about the mac an cheese and there salmon slinder in which they do not have any more their menus change. The pizza seemed like the crust was not homade almot tasted like they took it out of the package and put it on a pan disappointed. When I started to eat there was food on my knife ... Overall disappointed with as many stars as this place had
(2)
Ben R.
Best draft beer selection in Iowa City. Definitely the place to go if you enjoy craft beer. Staff are generally knowledgeable about the available beers and are happy to let you sample an option or two before making a selection. Food is generally good as well. Lamb sliders are a particular favorite.
(5)
Kristen T.
Love this place! It's warm, dark, relaxing... And the reason I give it 5 stars? The BEER! I think it's the best beer selection in Iowa City, both bottles AND tap. The price range can be kind of high but on Mondays it's Pint Night, and Tuesdays it's $1 off all bottles...so you can get deals fo' sho'. As far as the food goes, I've only ever had the hummus, but that was delish. The staff rules, too, btw.
(5)
Sarah M.
This bar really is as good as it gets! From its beer list, cocktail menu to its cheesecake. Everything I've had at the Sanctuary has been perfection. Not to mention, its the only bar I've found in Iowa City that isn't layered in undergrads and bad decisions. The atmosphere is calm, inviting and relaxing. Its the perfect place for a conversation, a good drink or starting the night.
(5)
Carla F.
I'm a graduate student and was told my second year members in my program that this is a great place to go if you don't want to shake your booty to Kanye West. Instead, this is a haven - or sanctuary! - for beer lovers. I went on a Friday night around 7 and it was pretty filled but my friends and I were able to find a booth. Three of us ordered from the extensive beer list and the other was able to get whiskey from the full bar. I had the ham and fontina sub and it was super tasty! The ham and cheese were great, but I was really impressed with the tomatoes. I feel ridiculous mentioning just the tomatoes, but coming from Texas, super red and plump tomatoes are somewhat rare so my first Iowa tomato experience stood out. That and my two Iowan beers. For all that, my bill was right at $20. I highly recommend Sanctuary. I'm sure it's not the cheapest place in town, but it's a nice treat every once in a while to get a good beer and some real food.
(4)
Roy S.
The Sanctuary has over 25 beers on tap! It has a variety and you can sample to find the right match. The food is delicious here but do not expect to get full because the serving sizes are not large. It has a great atmosphere. I suggest you sit at the bar one visit and sit in the dining tables another visit.
(5)
Mark F.
A quality pub with quality libations. The staff has a passion for the product.
(5)
Matt U.
Heard about Sanctuary Pub from some friends in the area and finally got to stop by. This is officially my favorite place to go when it's not nice enough to sit outside. It's hard to beat Red's in NL, but this place is close on beers and has hands down the best spots to sit and chill that I've found in the area. Upon walking in, you're greeting by a bar that boasts 27 beers on tap, the majority of which are things you're interesting in trying. First place I've seen in a long time that has Old Rasputin on tap! The selection of bottles is also quite impressive with a dozen high quality Belgians, plenty of classy European selections and a growing number of microbrews from spots in Iowa and surrounding states. Monday is pint night where heaven is served in a glass for $3.75/glass. The small plates are quite tasty as well. We came w/ a group and split a pizza and chips/salsa - nothing special, but . However, the magic was truly in the cheese dishes. The baked brie was done just right w/ a balsamic reduction and is complimented well by the crostini it comes with. The highlight of the night had to be the blue cheese IPA dip. Twas a great take on a simple classic and well worth trying - the sort of thing that everyone was taking on a spoon when the crostini was gone. The true deal maker to the Sancturay however is the ambiance. The whole place is laden with dark wood tables and booths with dim lighting that doesn't cross into trying too hard, but sets the stage for conversation. The bar is quite impressive and the whole room is brought together by the fireplace with four large leather chairs that accompany it.. A great place to sit, try some new brews and pontificate about who has the most distinguished turtle neck and thick brimmed glasses. The atmosphere creates just enough of a difference from other bars in the area that you appreciate it, but not so much that you feel as if you need to bring your macbook air and work on that novel where everyone can see you working on that novel. Whatever your pleasure, Sanctuary is a great spot to class it up a little with a great beer selection and some good appetizers with an ambiance that's unique among bars in the area, but is very welcome once you get here.
(5)
Allen P.
Really chill pub. Good place to just sit and talk with your friends over a cold pitcher of craft beer and a tasty pizza. This place has a big selection of craft beer. If you are a beer lover, definitely check this place out if you are in Iowa City. They even have a separate list on the menu with really rare beer I never heard of and tried. A bit pricey though since they're rare. Most places I've been to that serve craft beer usually only give you an option of getting a glass. It was nice being able to order a pitcher of some good craft beer. We also ordered the Sanctuary Special pizza. The pizza was perfectly crisp, hot, and cheesy.
(5)
Mark G.
Kinda of a fancy bar food type place. Has some nice choices, but food isn't anything to rave about. If you want a change of pace from pub food that will be decent meal with your drinks, then check it out.
(3)
Evan K.
Great beer selection and bartending. Nice low key place with good service. Happy hour is a dollar off (if I remember correctly) and the beers are well chosen with a good mix of selections. The local homebrew group makes an appearance sometimes for some good conversation.
(5)
Zane S.
The name really says it all. This place really is a sanctuary from a largely undergraduate (loud) downtown. A wonderful place to simply sit and talk with people whose company you can stand. One of the few places in town where undergrads, graduate students, and professors will mix. While in school, I ran into two separate professors of mine at the Sanctuary. Granted both from the history department, but I don't know if that says anything about the bar. Great selection, tasty food, and the staff is knowledgeable and not intrusive. Wonderful place during the winter if you can snag a seat in front of the fireplace. Hole yourself up at the Sanctuary when the weather outside is frightful, but you're desperate to get out of your apartment. All around, well worth a visit.
(5)
Alison S.
Great vibe. Great beer. Great pizza. A good place to make your haunt in Iowa City.
(4)
Kate S.
Love the atmosphere- dark and intimate. Great beer selection and fantastic dessert menu! Had the chocolate truffle cake thing and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Highly recommend.
(4)
Nan K.
its been awhile since i have been here but winter next to there fir place is awesome sip on a glass of wine, can't get better than that!
(4)
Xopher D.
Growing up in good ol' I.C. in the 80's, I always knew that the Sanctuary was kind of a special place, but I didn't realize that that place had a label until I left for the Big City. The Sanctuary was really a gastropub, decades before the term became trendy. 30 years ago, who in Iowa had Guinness on tap? Framboise lambic? Artichoke and pesto pizzas? (Heck, Canadian bacon was exotic enough!) Well, the Sanctuary did. And they continue this gastropub tradition to this day, with a couple dozen fine drafts daily, belly-warming board, and a sincere attempt to locally source as much as possible. The space is cozy, warm, dark and snug. Some have called this place pretentious, and the service is well known to be idiosyncratic. But you can't run a pub for decades on pretention. By now, the Sanctuary qualifies as a cultural tradition. We stopped by during a holiday visit, and sampled the current taps with relatives. Fuller's (ESB and Ale), Gulden Draak, black bean and crab cake sliders, and, yes, pesto pizza. The whole sliders/small plates thing seemed a little precious, but hey, what's wrong with keeping up with the 21st century? They were tasty, and actually went very well with the beer. The Draak was also special, more akin to a brandywine than your typical brew. Prices have gone up, and are on the high side for this town, but it's a price I'm happy to pay to keep this little institution going.
(4)
Judy R.
Loved the Pesto Chicken on Baguette. Delicious. Well prepared and well priced. I would go back in a minute. Great selection of beer.
(4)
Jess V.
I'm new to Iowa and my goal is to try as many restaurants/pubs as possible while I'm living here. The first thing I noticed about Sanctuary was that there was an unoccupied cozy little booth perfect for two next to a glass enclosed fireplace. Score! Next plus- a great beer list. We ordered a few pints to go along with our yummy food-crab cake and halibut sliders and meatball campania. The place wasn't packed so we were able to have a nice conversation. Our waitress was attentive. The only reason I'm not able to give Sanctuary 5 stars is because their prices are a little bit higher than what I would like to pay in a pub. Good food doesn't necessarily have to look pretty and I would rather pay a little less for presentation, especially when eating in a pub setting. Overall tho, a good experience.
(4)
Chilly R.
Let me be up front: I like beer. Beer is my lifeblood. Beer fuels my mind by defusing my mind. Beer is the God of fleeting love. Beer shot JFK. Just kidding about the last part. It was the CIA. Sanctuary has a lot of beer. A lot of good beer. A lot of good beer I never, ever, ever heard of. A lot of good beer I can't afford. Me likey! Had dark beer. Had light beer. Had Belgian beer. Had German beer. Best selection of beer I've seen in Iowa City. Bet the house on it. 5 stars for the beer. Ambiance: Dark but with the smokey flavor of sex. Leather chairs and fireplaces. Gold and brown colors. Oh, El Captain soy muy impressed. 4.5 stars for the setting. Food: had a pizza that tasted like someone poured a lot of salt on a piece of cardboard. and not just regular cardboard. I'm talking about a piece of cardboard that a homeless man slept on for a week, then took un dumpo grande on. No hay bueno. My female companion (yep, yep, you know I was romancing) had some kind of crostini. More like grosstini. Please make it stop. 1 star for the food. Recap: drinks and setting=que bueno mi amigo! Food=pobrecito, ayuda me.
(3)
Glenn A.
Very nice atmosphere. Very good drink selection and pretty good menu selection. Food was very tasty. Very enjoyable place to meet with friends for the evening to just socialize.
(4)
Anna H.
Great place to hang out, lots of cozy nooks and great fare to boot.
(4)
Holden C.
Amazing craft beer selection and the food wasn't bad. Knowledgeable staff. About everything you could ask for in a nice bar. It is not for undergrads.
(5)
Carolyn S.
I have been to the Sanctuary a number of times now. In such a small city I always appreciate a place that carries a decent selection of brews on tap. I miss my old wateringholes back in Boston, but this spot is a nice substitute. Generally I'll order the beef short ribs - these are braised in London Porter and served with mashed potatoes. A hearty and flavorful dish that goes well with a well poured Guinness. Sometimes this dish is seriously kickass and sometimes the ribs are just a bit too fatty for my taste. Still, overall a great dish. I have also tried the vegetarian lasagna (pretty good!) and some of the pizzas (also decent!) I really enjoy the atmosphere in the bar. It's dark and cozy - for a little while you can forget that you are in the middle of Iowa. Definitely a better spot in winter when you want to escape the cold (there are two fireplaces inside). The booths are great for groups. I highly recommend this spot for a nice pub meal on a cold, windy or rainy day.
(4)
Sean And McKinze F.
The best place in Iowa City to hole up, drink a variety of delicious beer and eat some inventive food. The atmosphere is cozy year-round, with dark wood booths and paneling, low lighting and a fireplace in the main dining room. The draft beer list is comprehensive and always changing, with good representation of most beer styles and some local/regional offerings you can't find on tap anywhere else in town. The pricing is very affordable, too, especially considering how much you'd pay for the same pint of beer in a bigger city. The menu is small, but inventive and delicious: kicked up comfort food as well as pizza. My favorite place to unwind in Iowa City! -- Sean PROS: Great atmosphere; great draft beer selection; inventive menu CONS: Parking can be tough, but hey - it's a college town; small menu may not have something for everyone
(5)
Fiona G.
Just moved to the area for school, and after two visits this is definitely my kind of place. Very chill, great beer list, tasty pizza, and the prices are decent. What more does a person need?
(5)
Andrew K.
Dim lighting makes for a very personal setting. Nice place to meet interesting people and indulge in some conversations of randomness. Plenty of choices of brews. Pizza was average. Nothing really jumped off the menu although would go back to sample an entree.
(4)
Stephanie B.
We've now tried this place twice because all the good things we had heard, but we have been highly unimpressed. The atmosphere is good. The beer selection is good, but nothing impressively unique. The food all sounds good, but is disappointing upon actually eating it. Most of the items are bland or come with ingredients not listed on the menu. One time they brought us the wrong food and didn't even offer to take it back for the correct item or a discount. We have given up on this place.
(2)
Chris G.
Never went into this place during my college years but now only a couple years out I love this place. Definitely more of a mature crowd than you would find downtown. Have an excellent beer menu with many beers I am unable to find on tap anywhere else in town. The beers change frequently too, so I have a good excuse to keep popping in to see what's new. Decently quiet so good for dates or smaller groups. Nice relaxing bar and very knowledgeable staff. Had a friend order a Bud (Another can of worms but bear with me) and the customers are a little pretentious, so beware. Great place to discover and talk about a good variety of beers.
(4)
Liz G.
My rating is two fold: for the bar it's 5 STARS for the restaurant it's 2-3 STARS very very very average food. I've eaten here quite a few times, hoping the food would get better, b/c the bar is so great! My suggestion--go somewhere really yummy for dinner (i.e. Devotay, 126, Atlas, Linn Street, Takanami) and then walk over to Sanctuary from there for the drinks/atmosphere. The bar gets 5 stars because it has the atmosphere (described by others), the choice of beers is fantastic, and it's one of the only non-college scene bars in Iowa City that isn't full of scantily-clad-18yo. If that's what you're going for this place is not for you. Only other downside is you can smoke here. And the Bar Side can get quite smoky. Of course it's quite a rarity in Iowa City for the place to be smoke free.
(3)
Al N.
Laid back. Although you won't find the frat crowd drowning out your enjoyment, you just may encounter a couple of a-holes talking a little too loudly about their latest research as though everyone wanted to hear just how learn-ed they are. But such is a university town. Two sides (bar and eatery) to this joint. Both have a subdued, inviting atmosphere and a beer list that can't disappoint. The Pizza Pimienta is a spicy delight. Service can be slow, but I'm rarely in a hurry in Iowa City.
(4)
Kristen P.
My husband and I have been to the Sanctuary Pub a few times and every time has been pretty great. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is very good and the service is excellent. I had the pesto pizza last time I went and it was so good, I'd definitely order it again. We also ordered the chips and salsa as an app and it's high on the list for me. We've had the brie and phyllo which is awesome, the ribs and taters are ok, the ham and fontina sandwich is great and the coq au vin is standard. The daily drink specials are pretty good. All in all, it's a favorite!
(4)
Kellee F.
My most favorite place in Iowa City. In my childfree days (or when I can get Pops to pick up the bambino & start dinner), I loved to stop by after 5 and down a martini or two, while sitting next to some disgruntled college kid reading a copy of The Onion. Very chill, fireplace crackling in the fall/winter.
(5)
Sandra A.
I'm surprised someone wrote that they go to this place for its atmosphere. Their atmosphere strikes me as...creepy. Dingy. Dark. Sad. Yes, they have a better beer selection than almost anywhere in town (ignoring the presence of John's). Their beer list has some interesting moments, but only because it's big, all-inclusive, and unwieldy. They don't seem to have a particular focus their offerings, nor have they trained their staff how to sell their products. Their wine, on the other hand, struck me as being completely random. This isn't a place that I would comfortably go to to try new and exciting products, which is what I'm looking for in a "beer bar."
(2)
Jennifer T.
I used to love Sanctuary and ate and drank there all the time with friends. However, over the last year or so things there have gone downhill. The food isn't as good as it used to be and the service is getting problematic. The last time I went there my friends and I waited 20 minutes just to get menus.
(2)
Brian K.
Nice little oasis of beer tasting in Iowa City! Disclaimer: Just drank here as I'd already had dinner. Visiting from out of town so nice to find a place with great selection of beer and spirits and friendly bartender (David, I think his name was). They have 27 rotating taps with good blend of IPAs, Lambics, Ales, Lagers, etc. Not the standard beers as well as there's range from all over US and world but not the obligatory Stella, Heineken, etc. Cool homey atmosphere inside and friendly folks. It was pretty quiet as I was there mid-week but enjoyed my time there.
(4)
mary-claire r.
I love the atmosphere of this place. It's great for a going to on a weeknight with friends. Amazing beer selection and lambic on tap plus half-price wine on Tuesdays. Can you really ask more of a place? Not I.
(4)
CX C.
This is the first pub I went in IC, and I like it. Love the English or Irish setting, and the bar selection is pretty decent, even though they could have done better with the Australian beer selection. Nobody drinks Fosters where I came from! They should stock up Coopers instead. I personally like Fullers ESB, as kindly recommended by the waiting staff. I recommend Cory if you go there, coz he never disappoints. My friend recommended the pesto pizza, which is a bit too salty to my liking (but of course, you drink more with the salt and grease too). If you like something more exotic or in for a surprise, try their salmon. It comes with a refreshing amount of herb and spices, and a finish of fresh apple slices on top (spicy, savoury, sweet and sour all blended so well). I admire chefs who dare to try new things. It was excellent, well, to my liking at least. It is a sanctuary from the loud crowd of college students, perfect for a night out and catching up with friends. It'll be better if they have a al-fresco beer garden.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Keyla R.
We didn't really stop here to eat. We stopped because it looked like a nice, quiet place to get a drink and enjoy conversation. And, it was. The atmosphere at this little pub makes you want to grab a corner table, a laptop and start the All American Novel. Yes, it really does have a great vibe, but it also has a full bar and great beers, both local and exotic. However, as you sit there, you will watch plates of food come out of the back and you will find yourself tempted. We certainly were. The next thing we knew we were ordering and happily munching on baked brie with apples on toast, and dipping our toast into a blue beer cheese (maytag blue). We didn't get to try much else, because, as I said, we didn't stop to eat (had eaten dinner earlier), but we just had to try. Results: Yum with atmosphere. My kind of place.
(5)Jon T.
Pretty darn impressive selection of brews. Appetizer was ok.
(4)Rachel L.
This is a nice spot for happy hour and it's easily walkable from the downtown district. We walked in at 4:30 on a Friday evening expecting the place to be buzzing but there were only two other people - perhaps because it's not connected to the ped mall? A mixture of indie and modern jazz/blues was playing though, so it made for an awesomely chill atmosphere. Exactly what we were looking for. The beer selection was well-rounded and the server did an excellent job describing some of his favorite highlights. The food though, was less spectacular. I really wanted to love the pizza but it was either made from a freezer crust or the dough's recipe was sorely lacking butter (when in doubt, always add more butter. please). I was floored about the rest of the ingredients though! Cheese was from Milton Cheese Factory out of Milton, Iowa - tomatoes were from Blue Grass, Iowa (tiny town by the Mississippi, apparently) - and the beef and pork were both from several small operations around Johnson County. I'll be back and next time I'm ordering the neuske ham & fontina sandwich.
(4)Chuck C.
4.5 stars! Really great atmosphere. Despite not having any tvs it's a great place to go and have a drink. We also tried the Chocolate Molten Lava cake and it was delicious. The bartender was really friendly and helpful in choosing one of their many craft beers. I even talked to the owner for a bit, and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn't get a chance to try any of the food but I can't wait to come back in the winter and sit by the fireplace!
(4)Jeff H.
The Sanctuary is a long established fixture of Iowa City. I say "fixture" because being from Iowa City myself, I know of the fixtures of town - the places everyone knows and talks about. You can definitely mention places like Pagliai's Pizza, Hamburg #2, The Mill, Deadwood, Joe's Place, George's Buffet, but to slightly lesser degree because they are a little more on the fringes of downtown would be places like Hilltop Tavern, Wig-n-Pen, and of course, The Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is semi-dark (though not George's Buffet, no lights dark), layed back, dark stained wood church booths, dental tooth wainscoating, and stone walls - along the same lines of ambiance as the very popular Mill, but just not as many people. The food is, aside from being exceptional, is Irish-Italian, and the draft beer selection is not only very large, but more unique (i.e., better) than most places. I could go on and on about The Sanctuary, but in short will just say get in the and try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. Tips: park around back, and order the black & tan.
(5)Celsey L.
Chicken bail sandwich was amazing. Decent beer selection. Not sure if the waitress is the cook but I've run out of beer twice now, opted to get my own at the bar after waiting 20 min. Ive only been checked on once in the hour plus that I've been here
(2)Caroline H.
My husband and I went on our very first date here in 2002. It has a great beer selection and the pizza is very good for the Iowa City area.
(4)Lance R.
Oh thank heavens this place still exists, (I was here in 1988-1989). This was my all time favorite bar in all of IC and maybe anywhere. Hundreds of beers some I have never seen again, dark luscious beers that made you think of Europe. Fantastic pizza and other high end bar food. Not gourmet but darn tasty. The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy. The servers educated and non pretentious. This was where I would go with my friends from the international writers work shop and some cute German girlfriend from the exchange program and listen to music and talk until it closed.
(5)M O.
This is my favorite pace to get a beer in Iowa City. The classic tavern atmosphere, coupled with the amazing beers on tap and the always professional bartenders and waitstaff make it one of my favorite places to eat, as well. The menu is not long, but they execute all of it very well. I have not been disappointed with anything yet. The fact that there are no televisions littering the walls sets it apart from every other bar in town. This definitely enhances the atmosphere.
(5)Thomas B.
Weird salad. Good beer list. Nice hummus. Shepherd pie. Salad good service ok. Cool vibe. Cavern like.
(4)Katherine G.
My favorite bar in Iowa City- always plenty of seating and the bartenders are so nice!
(5)Rich F.
Oh, what a classic well worn tweed jacket of a pub this was. Nicer than the exterior facade suggests, a decor that is solid, mature, but not trashed. Reminds me of the kind of pubs in State College, Pa. where you might take the classroom discussions with your professor to. Huge beer list. Lots of draughts especially. I had the Shepherd's Pie. Very savory and made with lamb. Probably the best I've had anywhere. Lot's of options on the menu. Great place for conversation with friends and completely free of pretense. As it should be.
(4)Mary ellen F.
I would recommend Sanctuary on the basis of their beer alone! (Pretty sure they have the best selection in Iowa City). I come to Iowa City every now and again for work, and when I do I like to stop here. I'm usually travelling alone, so I just grab a drink at the bar. The bar tenders are nothing but friendly & happy to offer recommendations.
(4)Joshua F.
I went there last Iowa homecoming the location is great as it's close to downtown, but it a far enough away so it's not crazy packed when downtown is full of people. There is a great relaxing ambience when you walk in. The location and design are a plus however, their drink prices are a little above par, and the food is okay but nothing special I got the vibe that food was just a convenience as they're better Italian options in Iowa City and Coralville. It's alright if you want a few drinks and to have a conversation, but that's about it.
(3)Emilie J.
I'm not a big beer drinker so i go there with friends but their food is not great. The bread on the sandwiches is terrible and there is only a couple of things on the menu that are worth it. The pizza crust they use is bas as well.
(2)Daryl C.
If you like beer, and you don't think that Coors Light counts as beer, then you need to go here. The beer selection, while not as good as rare beer bars in larger cities (i.e., Monk's in Philly), is consistently impressive. They are able to get rare beers from Stone, Founders, Bells... there was one time I was here visiting that they had Founders Kentucky Bourbon Stout *and* Bells Hopslam on tap at the same time. That's a face-melting situation for beer nerds. Less rare stuff is still quite interesting, they cover a range of styles from saisons to stouts to barleywines. In other words, you can do just fine if you aren't a hop-head and prefer a maltier profile. The selection has more variety--and importantly, quality--than you'll find at a bar just about anywhere else around here. Look for Toppling Goliath (local Iowa) IPA's, especially PseudoSue, which are critically acclaimed (think upper 90's on RateBeer). The ambiance is wonderful as well. Lots of dark wood, low light, comfy booths for beer and conversation. Kind of reminiscent of a British pub, where you could spend hours talking and imbibing and losing track of time. The food hasn't been as impressive, though I'm still working my way through the menu. But that's not why you come here. You go here for the beer and the pub ambiance. Apparently they also pour growlers of their draught lines, which is great.
(5)alove L.
I dont know what the rant an rav is about thos place I was a little disappointed. ... pros they do have a good beer selection thats abouy it... the bar place was just dirty looking I felt like there eas bugs crawling on my feet so I had to put them up .. As for food I ordered there pizza because thats the onoy thing that looked good since I before hand went off wjat pepple .were ravong about the mac an cheese and there salmon slinder in which they do not have any more their menus change. The pizza seemed like the crust was not homade almot tasted like they took it out of the package and put it on a pan disappointed. When I started to eat there was food on my knife ... Overall disappointed with as many stars as this place had
(2)Ben R.
Best draft beer selection in Iowa City. Definitely the place to go if you enjoy craft beer. Staff are generally knowledgeable about the available beers and are happy to let you sample an option or two before making a selection. Food is generally good as well. Lamb sliders are a particular favorite.
(5)Kristen T.
Love this place! It's warm, dark, relaxing... And the reason I give it 5 stars? The BEER! I think it's the best beer selection in Iowa City, both bottles AND tap. The price range can be kind of high but on Mondays it's Pint Night, and Tuesdays it's $1 off all bottles...so you can get deals fo' sho'. As far as the food goes, I've only ever had the hummus, but that was delish. The staff rules, too, btw.
(5)Sarah M.
This bar really is as good as it gets! From its beer list, cocktail menu to its cheesecake. Everything I've had at the Sanctuary has been perfection. Not to mention, its the only bar I've found in Iowa City that isn't layered in undergrads and bad decisions. The atmosphere is calm, inviting and relaxing. Its the perfect place for a conversation, a good drink or starting the night.
(5)Carla F.
I'm a graduate student and was told my second year members in my program that this is a great place to go if you don't want to shake your booty to Kanye West. Instead, this is a haven - or sanctuary! - for beer lovers. I went on a Friday night around 7 and it was pretty filled but my friends and I were able to find a booth. Three of us ordered from the extensive beer list and the other was able to get whiskey from the full bar. I had the ham and fontina sub and it was super tasty! The ham and cheese were great, but I was really impressed with the tomatoes. I feel ridiculous mentioning just the tomatoes, but coming from Texas, super red and plump tomatoes are somewhat rare so my first Iowa tomato experience stood out. That and my two Iowan beers. For all that, my bill was right at $20. I highly recommend Sanctuary. I'm sure it's not the cheapest place in town, but it's a nice treat every once in a while to get a good beer and some real food.
(4)Roy S.
The Sanctuary has over 25 beers on tap! It has a variety and you can sample to find the right match. The food is delicious here but do not expect to get full because the serving sizes are not large. It has a great atmosphere. I suggest you sit at the bar one visit and sit in the dining tables another visit.
(5)Mark F.
A quality pub with quality libations. The staff has a passion for the product.
(5)Matt U.
Heard about Sanctuary Pub from some friends in the area and finally got to stop by. This is officially my favorite place to go when it's not nice enough to sit outside. It's hard to beat Red's in NL, but this place is close on beers and has hands down the best spots to sit and chill that I've found in the area. Upon walking in, you're greeting by a bar that boasts 27 beers on tap, the majority of which are things you're interesting in trying. First place I've seen in a long time that has Old Rasputin on tap! The selection of bottles is also quite impressive with a dozen high quality Belgians, plenty of classy European selections and a growing number of microbrews from spots in Iowa and surrounding states. Monday is pint night where heaven is served in a glass for $3.75/glass. The small plates are quite tasty as well. We came w/ a group and split a pizza and chips/salsa - nothing special, but . However, the magic was truly in the cheese dishes. The baked brie was done just right w/ a balsamic reduction and is complimented well by the crostini it comes with. The highlight of the night had to be the blue cheese IPA dip. Twas a great take on a simple classic and well worth trying - the sort of thing that everyone was taking on a spoon when the crostini was gone. The true deal maker to the Sancturay however is the ambiance. The whole place is laden with dark wood tables and booths with dim lighting that doesn't cross into trying too hard, but sets the stage for conversation. The bar is quite impressive and the whole room is brought together by the fireplace with four large leather chairs that accompany it.. A great place to sit, try some new brews and pontificate about who has the most distinguished turtle neck and thick brimmed glasses. The atmosphere creates just enough of a difference from other bars in the area that you appreciate it, but not so much that you feel as if you need to bring your macbook air and work on that novel where everyone can see you working on that novel. Whatever your pleasure, Sanctuary is a great spot to class it up a little with a great beer selection and some good appetizers with an ambiance that's unique among bars in the area, but is very welcome once you get here.
(5)Allen P.
Really chill pub. Good place to just sit and talk with your friends over a cold pitcher of craft beer and a tasty pizza. This place has a big selection of craft beer. If you are a beer lover, definitely check this place out if you are in Iowa City. They even have a separate list on the menu with really rare beer I never heard of and tried. A bit pricey though since they're rare. Most places I've been to that serve craft beer usually only give you an option of getting a glass. It was nice being able to order a pitcher of some good craft beer. We also ordered the Sanctuary Special pizza. The pizza was perfectly crisp, hot, and cheesy.
(5)Mark G.
Kinda of a fancy bar food type place. Has some nice choices, but food isn't anything to rave about. If you want a change of pace from pub food that will be decent meal with your drinks, then check it out.
(3)Evan K.
Great beer selection and bartending. Nice low key place with good service. Happy hour is a dollar off (if I remember correctly) and the beers are well chosen with a good mix of selections. The local homebrew group makes an appearance sometimes for some good conversation.
(5)Zane S.
The name really says it all. This place really is a sanctuary from a largely undergraduate (loud) downtown. A wonderful place to simply sit and talk with people whose company you can stand. One of the few places in town where undergrads, graduate students, and professors will mix. While in school, I ran into two separate professors of mine at the Sanctuary. Granted both from the history department, but I don't know if that says anything about the bar. Great selection, tasty food, and the staff is knowledgeable and not intrusive. Wonderful place during the winter if you can snag a seat in front of the fireplace. Hole yourself up at the Sanctuary when the weather outside is frightful, but you're desperate to get out of your apartment. All around, well worth a visit.
(5)Alison S.
Great vibe. Great beer. Great pizza. A good place to make your haunt in Iowa City.
(4)Kate S.
Love the atmosphere- dark and intimate. Great beer selection and fantastic dessert menu! Had the chocolate truffle cake thing and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Highly recommend.
(4)Nan K.
its been awhile since i have been here but winter next to there fir place is awesome sip on a glass of wine, can't get better than that!
(4)Xopher D.
Growing up in good ol' I.C. in the 80's, I always knew that the Sanctuary was kind of a special place, but I didn't realize that that place had a label until I left for the Big City. The Sanctuary was really a gastropub, decades before the term became trendy. 30 years ago, who in Iowa had Guinness on tap? Framboise lambic? Artichoke and pesto pizzas? (Heck, Canadian bacon was exotic enough!) Well, the Sanctuary did. And they continue this gastropub tradition to this day, with a couple dozen fine drafts daily, belly-warming board, and a sincere attempt to locally source as much as possible. The space is cozy, warm, dark and snug. Some have called this place pretentious, and the service is well known to be idiosyncratic. But you can't run a pub for decades on pretention. By now, the Sanctuary qualifies as a cultural tradition. We stopped by during a holiday visit, and sampled the current taps with relatives. Fuller's (ESB and Ale), Gulden Draak, black bean and crab cake sliders, and, yes, pesto pizza. The whole sliders/small plates thing seemed a little precious, but hey, what's wrong with keeping up with the 21st century? They were tasty, and actually went very well with the beer. The Draak was also special, more akin to a brandywine than your typical brew. Prices have gone up, and are on the high side for this town, but it's a price I'm happy to pay to keep this little institution going.
(4)Judy R.
Loved the Pesto Chicken on Baguette. Delicious. Well prepared and well priced. I would go back in a minute. Great selection of beer.
(4)Jess V.
I'm new to Iowa and my goal is to try as many restaurants/pubs as possible while I'm living here. The first thing I noticed about Sanctuary was that there was an unoccupied cozy little booth perfect for two next to a glass enclosed fireplace. Score! Next plus- a great beer list. We ordered a few pints to go along with our yummy food-crab cake and halibut sliders and meatball campania. The place wasn't packed so we were able to have a nice conversation. Our waitress was attentive. The only reason I'm not able to give Sanctuary 5 stars is because their prices are a little bit higher than what I would like to pay in a pub. Good food doesn't necessarily have to look pretty and I would rather pay a little less for presentation, especially when eating in a pub setting. Overall tho, a good experience.
(4)Chilly R.
Let me be up front: I like beer. Beer is my lifeblood. Beer fuels my mind by defusing my mind. Beer is the God of fleeting love. Beer shot JFK. Just kidding about the last part. It was the CIA. Sanctuary has a lot of beer. A lot of good beer. A lot of good beer I never, ever, ever heard of. A lot of good beer I can't afford. Me likey! Had dark beer. Had light beer. Had Belgian beer. Had German beer. Best selection of beer I've seen in Iowa City. Bet the house on it. 5 stars for the beer. Ambiance: Dark but with the smokey flavor of sex. Leather chairs and fireplaces. Gold and brown colors. Oh, El Captain soy muy impressed. 4.5 stars for the setting. Food: had a pizza that tasted like someone poured a lot of salt on a piece of cardboard. and not just regular cardboard. I'm talking about a piece of cardboard that a homeless man slept on for a week, then took un dumpo grande on. No hay bueno. My female companion (yep, yep, you know I was romancing) had some kind of crostini. More like grosstini. Please make it stop. 1 star for the food. Recap: drinks and setting=que bueno mi amigo! Food=pobrecito, ayuda me.
(3)Glenn A.
Very nice atmosphere. Very good drink selection and pretty good menu selection. Food was very tasty. Very enjoyable place to meet with friends for the evening to just socialize.
(4)Anna H.
Great place to hang out, lots of cozy nooks and great fare to boot.
(4)Holden C.
Amazing craft beer selection and the food wasn't bad. Knowledgeable staff. About everything you could ask for in a nice bar. It is not for undergrads.
(5)Carolyn S.
I have been to the Sanctuary a number of times now. In such a small city I always appreciate a place that carries a decent selection of brews on tap. I miss my old wateringholes back in Boston, but this spot is a nice substitute. Generally I'll order the beef short ribs - these are braised in London Porter and served with mashed potatoes. A hearty and flavorful dish that goes well with a well poured Guinness. Sometimes this dish is seriously kickass and sometimes the ribs are just a bit too fatty for my taste. Still, overall a great dish. I have also tried the vegetarian lasagna (pretty good!) and some of the pizzas (also decent!) I really enjoy the atmosphere in the bar. It's dark and cozy - for a little while you can forget that you are in the middle of Iowa. Definitely a better spot in winter when you want to escape the cold (there are two fireplaces inside). The booths are great for groups. I highly recommend this spot for a nice pub meal on a cold, windy or rainy day.
(4)Sean And McKinze F.
The best place in Iowa City to hole up, drink a variety of delicious beer and eat some inventive food. The atmosphere is cozy year-round, with dark wood booths and paneling, low lighting and a fireplace in the main dining room. The draft beer list is comprehensive and always changing, with good representation of most beer styles and some local/regional offerings you can't find on tap anywhere else in town. The pricing is very affordable, too, especially considering how much you'd pay for the same pint of beer in a bigger city. The menu is small, but inventive and delicious: kicked up comfort food as well as pizza. My favorite place to unwind in Iowa City! -- Sean PROS: Great atmosphere; great draft beer selection; inventive menu CONS: Parking can be tough, but hey - it's a college town; small menu may not have something for everyone
(5)Fiona G.
Just moved to the area for school, and after two visits this is definitely my kind of place. Very chill, great beer list, tasty pizza, and the prices are decent. What more does a person need?
(5)Andrew K.
Dim lighting makes for a very personal setting. Nice place to meet interesting people and indulge in some conversations of randomness. Plenty of choices of brews. Pizza was average. Nothing really jumped off the menu although would go back to sample an entree.
(4)Stephanie B.
We've now tried this place twice because all the good things we had heard, but we have been highly unimpressed. The atmosphere is good. The beer selection is good, but nothing impressively unique. The food all sounds good, but is disappointing upon actually eating it. Most of the items are bland or come with ingredients not listed on the menu. One time they brought us the wrong food and didn't even offer to take it back for the correct item or a discount. We have given up on this place.
(2)Chris G.
Never went into this place during my college years but now only a couple years out I love this place. Definitely more of a mature crowd than you would find downtown. Have an excellent beer menu with many beers I am unable to find on tap anywhere else in town. The beers change frequently too, so I have a good excuse to keep popping in to see what's new. Decently quiet so good for dates or smaller groups. Nice relaxing bar and very knowledgeable staff. Had a friend order a Bud (Another can of worms but bear with me) and the customers are a little pretentious, so beware. Great place to discover and talk about a good variety of beers.
(4)Liz G.
My rating is two fold: for the bar it's 5 STARS for the restaurant it's 2-3 STARS very very very average food. I've eaten here quite a few times, hoping the food would get better, b/c the bar is so great! My suggestion--go somewhere really yummy for dinner (i.e. Devotay, 126, Atlas, Linn Street, Takanami) and then walk over to Sanctuary from there for the drinks/atmosphere. The bar gets 5 stars because it has the atmosphere (described by others), the choice of beers is fantastic, and it's one of the only non-college scene bars in Iowa City that isn't full of scantily-clad-18yo. If that's what you're going for this place is not for you. Only other downside is you can smoke here. And the Bar Side can get quite smoky. Of course it's quite a rarity in Iowa City for the place to be smoke free.
(3)Al N.
Laid back. Although you won't find the frat crowd drowning out your enjoyment, you just may encounter a couple of a-holes talking a little too loudly about their latest research as though everyone wanted to hear just how learn-ed they are. But such is a university town. Two sides (bar and eatery) to this joint. Both have a subdued, inviting atmosphere and a beer list that can't disappoint. The Pizza Pimienta is a spicy delight. Service can be slow, but I'm rarely in a hurry in Iowa City.
(4)Kristen P.
My husband and I have been to the Sanctuary Pub a few times and every time has been pretty great. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is very good and the service is excellent. I had the pesto pizza last time I went and it was so good, I'd definitely order it again. We also ordered the chips and salsa as an app and it's high on the list for me. We've had the brie and phyllo which is awesome, the ribs and taters are ok, the ham and fontina sandwich is great and the coq au vin is standard. The daily drink specials are pretty good. All in all, it's a favorite!
(4)Kellee F.
My most favorite place in Iowa City. In my childfree days (or when I can get Pops to pick up the bambino & start dinner), I loved to stop by after 5 and down a martini or two, while sitting next to some disgruntled college kid reading a copy of The Onion. Very chill, fireplace crackling in the fall/winter.
(5)Sandra A.
I'm surprised someone wrote that they go to this place for its atmosphere. Their atmosphere strikes me as...creepy. Dingy. Dark. Sad. Yes, they have a better beer selection than almost anywhere in town (ignoring the presence of John's). Their beer list has some interesting moments, but only because it's big, all-inclusive, and unwieldy. They don't seem to have a particular focus their offerings, nor have they trained their staff how to sell their products. Their wine, on the other hand, struck me as being completely random. This isn't a place that I would comfortably go to to try new and exciting products, which is what I'm looking for in a "beer bar."
(2)Jennifer T.
I used to love Sanctuary and ate and drank there all the time with friends. However, over the last year or so things there have gone downhill. The food isn't as good as it used to be and the service is getting problematic. The last time I went there my friends and I waited 20 minutes just to get menus.
(2)Brian K.
Nice little oasis of beer tasting in Iowa City! Disclaimer: Just drank here as I'd already had dinner. Visiting from out of town so nice to find a place with great selection of beer and spirits and friendly bartender (David, I think his name was). They have 27 rotating taps with good blend of IPAs, Lambics, Ales, Lagers, etc. Not the standard beers as well as there's range from all over US and world but not the obligatory Stella, Heineken, etc. Cool homey atmosphere inside and friendly folks. It was pretty quiet as I was there mid-week but enjoyed my time there.
(4)mary-claire r.
I love the atmosphere of this place. It's great for a going to on a weeknight with friends. Amazing beer selection and lambic on tap plus half-price wine on Tuesdays. Can you really ask more of a place? Not I.
(4)CX C.
This is the first pub I went in IC, and I like it. Love the English or Irish setting, and the bar selection is pretty decent, even though they could have done better with the Australian beer selection. Nobody drinks Fosters where I came from! They should stock up Coopers instead. I personally like Fullers ESB, as kindly recommended by the waiting staff. I recommend Cory if you go there, coz he never disappoints. My friend recommended the pesto pizza, which is a bit too salty to my liking (but of course, you drink more with the salt and grease too). If you like something more exotic or in for a surprise, try their salmon. It comes with a refreshing amount of herb and spices, and a finish of fresh apple slices on top (spicy, savoury, sweet and sour all blended so well). I admire chefs who dare to try new things. It was excellent, well, to my liking at least. It is a sanctuary from the loud crowd of college students, perfect for a night out and catching up with friends. It'll be better if they have a al-fresco beer garden.
(4)