Friday, June 3, 2016

Tailgate's Summer Checklist

It's that time of year in Iowa City. {Most} Students have retreated back to their hometowns and many of us townies just aren't sure what to do with all of the free time that we have suddenly acquired. But having fun in Iowa City this summer is a must, and we know just what's going on this summer. Here's where the cool kids will be this summer.

Iowa Arts Festival


The Iowa Arts Festival is a blast every year. With over 100 visual artists booths to admire, and a block dedicated to delicious food, how could you not go? Plus, there are two stages to enjoy live music throughout the whole weekend. Want an insider's tip? Tailgate will have live music in store on Saturday, June 4th performed by Justin Goodchild! Iowa Arts Festival goes from June 3rd-June 5th, for more information, click here.

IC Pride Week

Pride Week in Iowa City is a blast! From parades to markets and performances, participating in any part of Pride Week is guaranteed to be a blast. There are so many events and things going on with this event that it is worth at least checking out. Pride Week is June 13th-19th, for more information about the events, click here.

Summer Shop Crawl



They've combined our two favorite things: shopping and drinking, so we could never say no. For only $10, you get a custom wine glass, a {made} bracelet, and deals and alcohol at all participating locations. Sounds too good to be true, right? But it's not! While we would love to be the one's sipping and shopping, we have decided to take the hit and serve sangria cocktails to all of you instead while you shop! The Summer Shop Crawl will be on June 24th from 4-9pm, for more information and participating stores, click here.

Iowa City Jazz Festival

Enjoy a weekend in Iowa City with four stages set up, greasy food lining the block and finish it all off with fireworks. From July1st-3rd, Iowa City Jazz Festival is full of both well known jazz musicians, as well as the up and coming artists who want to share their music with you! What do you have to lose? To find out more about Iowa CityJazz Festival, click here.

Sidewalk Sales

When things are on sale you're practically making money... Right? We think that's how it goes. Downtown retailers will be pulling out all of their last chance markdowns, which means it's the perfect time to stock up on all of your needs! For more information about the Sidewalk Sales, please click here.

Iowa City is full of things to do this summer! This is our to-do list, where will you be? 







Tuesday, April 5, 2016

What Are You Doing This Weekend?

Iowa City is a town full of things to do, but this weekend seems especially eventful. From festivals to yoga, here are the top things to do this weekend in Iowa City:

Mission Creek Festival 


Mission Creek Festival runs April 5th -10th, and is is dedicated to building the arts and cultural community in Eastern Iowa. There's something for everyone to enjoy, from literary readings, live music, comedic performances, film showings, and more. There are so many great events, most within walking distance to each other in downtown Iowa City, so you have to check out at least one of them! You can find the calendar for those here!

Community Yoga


Iowa City is excited to that Lululemon is going to be a part of the downtown scene as they open their new showroom here! This Saturday at 10 am, Lululemon is hosting the first community yoga class, and it is completely complimentary, and all levels of experience are welcome! 

Olympic Wrestling Trials 


This year, we have the honor of hosting the Olympic Wrestling Trials! From April 9th to the 10th, Iowa City will be housing the best wrestlers this country has to offer as they work their way to Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympic Games. You can go for a day or the whole weekend to cheer on the USA wrestlers! Get the tickets here! And the tees at Tailgate! :) 

Spring Art Expose


Looking for something a little more laid back to do this weekend? The Spring Art Expose may be just the thing you're looking for! They have artists from all over the midwest displaying and selling their pieces. There's even a wine and craft beer tasting on Saturday, and honestly, is anything better? The event is free to the public in the Iowa Memorial Union.

Iowa vs. Illinois Baseball Game


Possibly the way to spend your weekend is cheering on our Hawkeyes as they take on Illinois this weekend in baseball! Even if you can't make it to the game, it'll be on Big Ten Network, which is the perfect excuse to invite your friends over to lounge around and watch from home. Go Hawks!


If you were stuck on what to do this weekend, hopefully you no longer are! With so much going on in IC, the only question you need to ask yourself is where to start!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Spring Break Spirits

No matter where you're spending your spring break this year, one thing is for sure, drinks are a must. After all, a cocktail a day keeps the bad vibes away! So we've got seven must try drinks, one for each day of spring break!


3 Cups Watermelon (Cubed and Frozen)
1 Ripe Banana (Peeled and Frozen)
2 Tablespoons Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup
Zest From 2 Limes
Juice From 2 Limes (About 4 Tablespoons)
1/2 Cup Water
3-4 Shots of Silver Tequila

Blend all ingredients until smooth, adding more water as needed to keep the mixture moving.

Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule



5 Fresh Strawberries
5 Fresh Basil Leaves
1 1/2 Ounces of Vodka
Juice From 1/2 a Lime
Ginger Beer
Crushed Ice

Muddle strawberries and basil with a splash of ginger beer and lime juice, add the vodka and stir. Top with ice and ginger beer, and garnish with strawberries and basil. Don't forget to stop in and get a mule mug to make it authentic!

Champagne Grapefruit Mojito



1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar
12 Mint Leaves
Juice From 1 Lime (About 2 Tablespoons)
3 Ounces of Rum
Juice From 1 Grapefruit
1/3 Cup Champagne

Juice the lime and grapefruit, then cut them into wedges and muddle together. Add grapefruit juice and wedges, mint, agave, ice, lime juice and wedges, and rum to a shaker, and shake. Spoon out the fruit wedges, pour into glasses and add the champagne. Finish by garnishing with a grapefruit wedge and a mint stem.

Blackberry Scofflaw Cocktail



For the Syrup:

1/2 Cup Blackberries
2 Tablespoons Water
1 Tablespoon Fine Granulated Syrup

For the Cocktail:

3 Ounces Templeton Rye Whiskey
1 1/2 Ounces of Dry Vermouth
1 Ounce Blackberry Syrup
1/2 Ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
3-4 Dashes of Orange Bitters

To make the syrup, place the blackberries, water and sugar into a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat for about5 minutes, stirring often. Strain the syrup over a cup or bowl, and let it cool to room temperature. For the cocktail, add the rye, vermouth, syrup, lemon juice, bitters, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker, and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain the cocktail and garnish with blackberries and orange peel. And we've got just the mixing set for the job here at Tailgate.

Tropical Peach Pineapple Slushies



1 1/2 Cups Diced Frozen Peaches
1 1/2 Cups Diced Frozen Pineapple
2 Shots of Malibu Rum
2 Shots Pineapple Vodka
2 Shots Peach Schnapps
Grenadine for Drizzle
Maraschino Cherries for Garnish

Add the fruit and liquors to a blender and blend on high speed for about a minute or until smooth. Pour into glasses and drizzle with grenadine and garnish with cherries.

Fruity Pineapple Sangria



1 (20 Ounce) Can of Pineapple Chunks (Juice Included)
1 Cup Sliced Strawberries
1 Orange, Sliced into Rounds
1 (750 ml) Bottle Sweet White Wine
Juice of 1 Orange
1 Cup Mango Pineapple Vodka
2 Cups of Sprite

Add pineapple chunks and juice, strawberries, and oranges to a pitcher. Stir in wine, vodka, and orange juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours, and stir in sprite when serving.

Strawberry Cream Mimosa



12 Ounces Frozen Raspberries
1/2 Cup (Fresh or Frozen) Strawberries
6-7 Sweet'N Low Packets
1 Teaspoon Honey
1 Cup Half and Half Cream
1/8 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1-2 Bottles Sparkling Champagne

In a medium sauce pan set on low/medium, add raspberries and diced or frozen strawberries. Let the fruit get soft, for about 10 minutes, then add the Sweet'N Low to the mix to taste, stir well, and then the honey. Stir the mixture and continue to heat for 5 more minutes. Let the mixture cool, and then puree or blend. Place a strainer over a measuring cup, and then pour the liquid through. Once the liquid is strained of seeds, pour the half and half over the seeds to get any remaining liquid. Finish pouring the half and half into the strawberry-raspberry liquid and add the vanilla extract. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, pour a glass of champagne and add the strawberry-raspberry cubes.

Enjoy these drinks, and the ones we know you created this spring break. Links to the drink creators are in the drink titles, so be sure to check out their blogs and what they have to say about their drinks! Drink responsibly, IC. Cheers!












Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Legacy of #40

There are players on every team that become idols. The players that work hard and play hard. The players whose passion and commitment are tangible in the stands. From 1991-1993 that player was Chris Street. An Indianola boy who played power forward for the University of Iowa.
Street had unofficially agreed to play for Iowa when he was only a sophomore in high school, and when he made it, he did not disappoint. He wasn't afraid of hard work, and always kept the spirits high, on and off the court.
It was January 19th of 1993 when something happened that shook not only the state of Iowa, but the United States as a whole. It was that night after a team dinner that Chris Street was in an accident that took his life.
The phone at the Iowa Sports Information Department rang off the hook, flooding the secretary with apologies, not only at a state level, but from coast to coast.



Today we celebrate the legacy of Chris Street by remembering a player with enough heart for an entire stadium. Every year the Chris Street award is given to the player who displays the spirit, enthusiasm and intensity that Chris used to to display himself.




Though his number is retired we still remember the legacy he left behind. Support our Hawkeyes through their amazing basketball season and celebrate the player who had a spirit to remember. Rest in peace Chris Street.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Valentine's Day Gift Guide (for Him & Her)

Shopping for Valentine's Day is hard, let Tailgate make it easy! We know you've got other things on your mind, so our gift guide is here to make shopping for the special day a breeze!

Gifts for Her

The Fashionista

She knows she's got it going on, and she never looks anything less than perfect. This look is just right for her.



The Edgy Girl

She's a risk taker, and it always seems to work out for her. This look is daring, just the way she likes it.



The Girly Girl

Soft and sweet, she's the girl who can't help but to look adorable



The Comfortable Cutie

Who says you can't look comfortable and cute? She makes it look easy, and she always looks darling.



The Sporty Chick

One of the guys, she's the girl who's always down for watching a good game.


Gifts for Him

The World Traveler

He wants to see the world, so he needs the gear to do it! Shoes? Check. Luggage tag? Check. Something to write it all down in? Check.


The Sports Fanatic

Basketball, football, wrestling, he loves it all, which means he's got to have a lucky t-shirt for every game!



The Avid Bartender

Maybe he's really a bartender, and if he's not he definitely should be. He knows all the great recipes, now all he needs is some good barware.


The Collector

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, and his are his precious collectables. From old school medicine balls, to custom baseballs and footballs, we've got it all right here.


The Master of Decor

Let's be honest, his apartment is more put together than yours, and you're not complaining. He'd love to deck out his place some more.



Follow this guide and you're good as gold! Your significant other is sure to love you forever with gifts like these. Happy shopping!




Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Gable the Legend

Did you know that from 1976 to 1997 the Iowa wrestling team won 15 national championships? That's right, led by non other than iconic coach Dan Gable, our Hawkeyes won 15 national championships, but with a coach like Gable, that's no surprise. An Iowa State graduate, Gable had been wrestling since high school, and continued to do so through college, and he only ever lost one match, making his overall collegiate mark 181-1. Gable went on to win the 1972 Olympics, further proving that he was a force to be reckoned with. A few years later Gable came to conquer Iowa City, which he did.


Gable is one of the best coaches that the University of Iowa has seen, though he is no longer the head coach, he will always be a legend here in Iowa City.


So let's remember the legend that is Dan Gable at this week's wrestling match at Carver! The match will be at 8, and broadcasted on the Big 10 Network! Hope to see you there in your best Tailgate gear! 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

New Semester, New Style

Spring semester is here, and a new semester means that not only will you be getting new classes and professors, but new classmates, so you've gotta look your best! Pick up these pieces for your wardrobe to start the semester off right!

Star Wars Socks!


It's no secret that Star Wars is cool again. With an awesome new movie out the Star Wars fan in everyone seems to be bursting at the seams. So what better way to show off your love of Star Wars (or your love for socks) with these bad boys?

Classic Iowa Sweatshirt


New year, new fleece! That's how the saying goes, right? Let's face it, your go to sweatshirt from last semester needs to be upgraded to show off your new look! And while spring is (hopefully) right around the corner, it's still too chilly without a sweatshirt to keep you warm. We've got the classic fleece styles that will make you stand out this semester. Which one will you choose?

Local Proud


Show off your local pride this semester with one of our iconic Iowa City shirts! Hamburg is the best place to get a pie shake, Joe's Place, Short's, and Big Grove have the best brews, Pagliai's is the go to place for your favorite pizza, and John's has everything you could need. Everyone has that place they just can't pass up, what's yours?

Hawkeye Pride


Maybe you have a million Hawkeye shirts, but we know you can never have too many! And don't forget to grab a stocking hat to keep those ears warm through those first couple months of cold! There's no better way to show off that Hawkeye Pride!

Keep it S'well



A S'well bottle isn't your typical water bottle. With an assortment of styles to please everyone, this water bottle is more of an accessory. Not only do they look awesome, but they are also super practical. They'll keep your water ice cold or your coffee steaming hot throughout the whole school day!

I have a feeling it's going to be a great year my fellow Hawkeyes, so let's do it up right and look good doing it!