Eden Lounge opens in Iowa City

By Pat Shaver

IOWA CITY — A new bar in Iowa City is a bit hidden.

In November, Eden Lounge opened in Iowa City. To enter the lounge, located at 217 Iowa Ave., customers have to walk through an alley next to Takanami.

The bar, which can seat about 60 people, offers specialty cocktails, craft beer, small plate food and desserts, said David Etre, one of the owners.

Mr. Erte owns Takanami and Formosa, two downtown Iowa City restaurants known for sushi and Asian dishes, with his brother, George Erte.

The space where Eden is was previously used as extra space for Takanami customers and for special events. Before Takanami took over the space in 2009, it was a piano lounge and bar.

When the lease was up for renewal last year, Mr. Erte said they jumped at the opportunity to renew to utilize the available liquor license.

Since the business doesn’t have a full kitchen, it serves desserts from Iowa City businesses Molly’s Cupcakes, Yotopia Frozen Yogurt and the Bread Garden, as well as in-house specials.

After visiting Las Vegas for a friend’s wedding, Mr. Erte said he got the inspiration for the interior for Eden Lounge.

“We want people to feel like they just left a place in Chicago or Las Vegas. We want them to be wowed,” he said. “The atmosphere I think is one of the nicer places in Iowa City. It’s intimate, sophisticated and modern.”

“Sex sells. We wanted to make this place sexy. It’s great for a date night,” he said. “We didn’t spare any expense. The bathrooms have TVs and toilet seats that shut themselves.

Despite the bar’s entrance being in an alley, Mr. Erte said he sees new customers every day. The bar’s bouncer stands at the front of the alley rather than at the door to help bring in customers, he noted.

The location of the business in an alley also offers a cheaper rate on rent, he said.

The bar employs 15 people and each night features a piano player or DJ.

The small plate menu includes hummus and pita, cheese plates, meat charcuterie and crab legs. Drinks and food range in price from $4-$15.

Eden is open 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In a few months, Mr. Erte said they intend to be open five nights a week.

Along with the nightly live entertainment, food and drinks, Mr. Erte said they expect the business to be a place that groups and organizations rent out for private events. They already have holiday parties and Super Bowl events booked.

“Social media marketing has been big and word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising that you can’t buy. It’s one of the most effective forms of advertising,” Mr. Erte said.

Mr. Erte said they continue getting the word out about the new bar, and sees a future of growth for the business.

“I think this is a model that can be duplicated in other cities. I think there are a lot of mid-sized cities where Eden could find a niche,” he said.