Welcome to the High Life Lounge!
The brainchild of seven local owners (Full Court Press), the High Life Lounge opened on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2005, at 6:00 in the morning. The High Life is a typical 60’s- style corner tap, every city should have this kind of retro institution. Shag carpet, vintage wallpaper and dark wood paneling. Retro light fixtures and vintage Miller beer promotional lights and signs hang everywhere. The bar is even made out of the classic faux-wood Formica.
As the name implies, the star of the show is a certain brand of beer and everything that it embodies. Miller High Life was a culture of its own in the 60’s and 70’s and its allure lives on today. The “Champagne of Beers” outsells two-to-one the next popular beer at the High Life Lounge. If a customer isn’t sipping a High Life, they’re still probably enjoying one of its vintage contemporaries such as Grain Belt, Pabst Blue Ribbon or original recipe Schlitz.
Like the beer, the food remains true to the era. Deviled eggs, Spam and egg sandwiches, liver and onions, fried chicken gizzards and Mom’s pot roast are all favorites. The High Life Lounge is a place for regular folks to relax and have a good time without spending a lot of money, the most popular item on the menu is the $3.75 cheeseburger basket. It’s a quarter pound burger with cheese, pickle and onion served in a basket with a generous portion of golden brown French fries.
The High Life Lounge has won its share of awards. Cityview magazine has named it “Best New Bar” and “Best Downtown Hangout”. It was featured in the travel section of the New York Times and was also named one of the best bars in America by Esquire Magazine. One of the High Life’s proudest moments was when the president of Miller Brewing, Norm Adami stopped by after a ballgame and bought a round for the house to a capacity crowd.
Situated a block from the ballpark, the High Life Lounge is the perfect place before and after an Iowa Cubs baseball game. Being so close to the bike trail the High Life Lounge is a favorite of cyclists before, during and after a bike ride.
The minute you walk in the High Life Lounge, you’ll know you belong here.
It’s a place for everyone. Oh, and don’t forget. It’s also the home of the world-famous “Tangermeister” and America’s most popular Groundhog Day party every February 2nd. We hope to see you soon and remember, “Isn’t it time you lived the High Life?”
