New Roxxy bar opens in downtown Iowa City

The bar, located across from Brothers, features themes from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

Iowa City has an impressive nightlife scene and a loyal Hawkeyes fan base determined to capitalize on it, making the bars in high demand. A new bar, named Roxxy, opened at 127 E. College St. to answer the call.

The bar, decorated with cassette walls, seeks to celebrate the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

One of the many things that sets Roxxy apart is his music, said Julia Necker, bartender at Roxxy.

“The music is very different from any other bar in Iowa City, like you go to the bars and hear the same songs, but it’s a bit of a throwback,” Necker said.

Roxxy manager Tetyana Kedyk said the bar offers a bit of variety to the options already available to Iowa City residents. There, the music ranges from disco to pop to classic rock.

Kedyk said the theme was inspired by a bar the owner visited in California.

“The atmosphere of the bar he was in inspired this vision of reviving the 80s and early 2000s, but in one place, and filling it with interesting decor that isn’t the thing. the most ordinary, ”Kedyk said. “Her goal is to provide a place where everyone can come and everyone is welcome and everyone is different. “

Different is a perfect way to describe this bar, which is full of unique works of art designed to recall one of the cultural cornerstones of each respective decade. From guitars and even a full drum set hanging from the ceiling to the ceramic molds of the twins of The brilliant, the decor of this bar is impossible to ignore and perhaps its most alluring attribute.

“We want to stick to the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, so we just rotate things that happened during those times and focus on different types of art,” Kedyk said. “We’ve been collecting art for over two years, so sometimes we have themed weeks with it. “

Roxxy has a DJ in the house every Thursday, Friday and Saturday so Kedyk said the bar is a great place to host private events.

Regarding events open to the public, Kedyk explained that Roxxy will start scheduling more themed events as soon as the public starts giving their opinion on what they would like to see from the bar.

University of Iowa student Paige Levich said she enjoyed the atmosphere and her time at Roxxy.

“I thought Roxxy was so much fun and the vibe was great,” Levich said. “I feel like karaoke could be fun, they could also have a place for some relaxed live music.”

Roxxy also has branches in Des Moines and Cedar Falls, as well as several sister companies, including The Stuffed Olive and Double Tap. CEO Darren Beck, who Kedyk says opened his first nightclub when he was just 19, has been in the business for over 20 years now.

Thanks to Roxxy, Beck brings together his love for the nightlife and his love for the 80s, 90s and early 2000s to create a perfect venue for anyone who loves retro music and appreciates design.