Busted Lift

This is one of my favorite rock n roll clubs/​bars in Iowa! Located right off the Mississippi where the boats are docked to shore, this is a great place to cast your anchor and hang out for a night and watch some music!
When entering the bar you might think you are in a different land, and in a different time! It feels kinda like an Irish pub in a dungeon! But there’s a pool table so you know your safe!
There are two long bars one on the side room where the music is and one in the main room! I have been here numerous times of the past 10 years and the bar tenders always seem to be the same. And they are great!
Prices are great too, you can get your fancy whisky or craft brews, but they also carry cans of PBR, and Old Mil for us on a budget!
The music room is great, it has great sound, and Aaron H. who has booked here for years brings in great stuff, a totally curated room of music! The locals just come here cause there is live music and they usually leave satisfied in their choice cause Aaron has great taste!
I have been lucky enough to play here a few times and every time I have had a great time!
They have a great back patio as well, but like I said they are right off the Mississippi so it might get kinda buggy sometimes!
This is a total gem if you find yourself in Dubuque!

Great beer/​cider selection, good selection of music playing, laid back feel. They lose a star for being cash only, but it was a funky place (in a good way), and I could see this being where we go to hang out when we feel like going to a bar.

Lots of beers on top but not a whole lot that was really grabbing me… Was here during Halloween weekend so it was pretty busy and I may not have got the feel of what it’s like on a typical Saturday night, but it didn’t seem like it was anything too special. If I was in Dubuque I’d come back but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here.

I hate dubuque. This is one off the only places I like drinking I this town.

I have to agree with Jared R on this one, the Busted Lift is like a rocky underground dungeon (in a good way). They have a nice selection of beer and wine, and the prices are reasonable. As small as Dubuque is, it stills has its trendy indie-​rock hipsters, and they tend to infiltrate this place on weekends, mixing in with some of the downtown tourists after eating or getting ready to lose money at the nearby casino. They also have live music on weekends. Downside: I’m not a big fan of cigarette smoke, and even though Iowa started the ban in 2008, you can still smell the smoke rising up from the ashes of yesteryear.

The only bar that I would go to in Dubuque, IA. Great music and atmosphere.

Great bar! Awesome atmosphere and good crowds always on hand. Usually a band playing a good mix of music on Friday or Saturday nights, typically a drink special accompanies a band. Drink prices aren’t bad and the staff fits perfectly with the atmosphere. Must see in Dubuque!

My original review is below, but they officially lose 2.5 stars for now being a cash only place. Not sure why; perhaps they don’t like paying the Visa/​Mastercard charges. And that’s fine. But it means they don’t get my money. So good luck, Busted Lift. I’ll take my credit/​debit card elsewhere.
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One of the best places to hang out in Dubuque. A great beer selection (I consider myself to be a bit of an expert on such things) and the prices are wonderfully reasonable. The place has a cool vibe; neither a ‘college bar’ nor a place for old dopes like me, it is, instead, a place that seems to cater to all different types of folks. There are two long rooms, with plenty of high-​top seating. The music can get a bit loud at times, but most times you can actually talk with the persion to whom you are speaking. It’s very much a go-​to spot on Lower Main.
Try the Coffee Stout. Thank me later.

If the Busted Lift was in my hometown, it would definitely be my pub. There is a grade entrance off of Main Street, or you can go downstairs from Vinny Vanucchi’s Italian restaurant above. There are two long rooms (remember to step down), there are niches in the limestone walls blackened by candle smoke and dripping with wax, but it isn’t drab or dreary at all. It is warm and inviting, the staff is friendly and the beer selection is top notch. There is pub trivia on Tuesday and a Traditional Irish seisun every other Thursday. Stop in for a pint. You won’t be disappointed.

Excellent beer selection, usually cool music both live and recorded.
Shuffleboard table tops it all off.

I love this place. The atmosphere is so great because there are plenty of nooks to find for a more intimate feel, but the place can also get packed with people for a really fun night. Of course, the shuffleboard is one of my favorite things about this bar. I also love that TVs aren’t on and blaring; instead you can always hear good music over the speakers and great conversation.