Pints — Restaurant in Davenport

I hadn't visited in Pints since it initially opened near the end of the 2000s. After a nice meal in the 53rd street and 18th street area of Bettendorf, I made the decision to stop in to Pints after to relax and have a gin and tonic or two.

I don't recall the outdoor patio area in front of Pints being there when it opened more than a decade ago. If it weren't raining and cold out, I could picture it being a nice area to sit and relax with friends, sipping beer or cocktails in the spring/summer evening under the string lights. Maybe a return trip is in order when it gets warmer?

Honestly though, there probably isn't a planned return trip for me at this point. After passing through the vestibule, I was quickly hit by the obnoxiously loud music playing. The excessive volume of the pop and pop country was a bit much for me. Compounding this was the effect on the seven other people in the bar on this particular Wednesday. Everyone else was louder trying to talk or laugh or say anything above the music playing. This is a deal breaker for me at this point - for a space set up for people to sit and enjoy a few drinks, maybe play some darts, and talk a bit, it just doesn't work. I don't want to hear people shout at each other all night, and I certainly don't want to have to do the same myself.

I provide all this discussion about the general noise level because it brings down what is otherwise a pretty nice bar space. Wood laminate covers the entirety of the floors, as well as the bottom portion of most of the walls, the remainder of which is a stucco/plaster patterning. The drop ceiling is a further interesting feature in this space - patterned PVC tiles line most of the space, which is stands out as unique in a world that has largely adopted open ceiling plenums with HVAC ductwork, conduit, and supports visible to all willing to look up. The lighting is low - a combination of scant recessed fixtures throughout the space and a few accent light strips behind the bar. The seating is mostly high top chairs, which were especially comfortable at the bar. I've seen the same chairs at other newer locations around the Quad Cities and really enjoy them.

I ended up getting a gin and tonic and sipping it for a while. The bartender was quick to make it and quite friendly. We talked for a bit about a few things. This conversation was definitely the highlight of the visit here.

Again, not to belabor the high overall ambient noise, but if not for this part of the overall aesthetic of the space, I'd be inclined to return to Pints. The gin and tonic was good, the overall look and feel of the space was modern and clean, but when I go out by myself or with friends, I want to be able to talk with people without having to yell over not only the music but the other people yelling over the music. This just isn't...

Will never go back. Had a nice time while the girl was bartending- then her boyfriend took over. Noone came around for an hour then I asked for my tab and just mentioned that I was leaving because of noone coming around asking if I wanted a drink. The jerk went freaking off- said it's his bar and I have to ask him for a drink and to get the hell out. He and his bald headed friend then decided they wanted to fight and threatended me until I left. Go there at your own risk if you like 10 dollar drinks and obvioiusly coked up...

Nice convenient little bar , close to hotel next door. Friendly bar tenders and customers....albeit very noisy when full( hearing protection advised 😁)and that's just the people not the music. Some good happy hour prices and cheaper still during Hawkeye games . Thanks to Shanice , Mary and Candice for putting up with us English guys...