The city council in Iowa City is one step closer to adopting a 21-and-older bar ordinance. The city council voted 6-to-1 Monday night in support of the ordinance’s second reading.
The measure would increase the minimum age to be in an Iowa City bar from 19 to 21. A third and final vote is set for April 6. If approved, those under 21 would be banned from bars as early as June. Supporters of the ordinance, including leaders at the University of Iowa, hope the move will reduce problems with underage drinking.
Opponents claim raising the entry age at bars will hurt the local arts and music scene and encourage more underage drinking at house parties and in the U-of-I residence halls. The owner of Iowa City’s largest bar, The Union Bar, predicts his business will close by November if the 21-and-older ordinance is passed.