Elray's Live & Dive — Restaurant in Iowa City

I was pretty dismayed at the state of neglect and moodiness at this venue.

These are some issues I noticed, in no particular order. I hope they get addressed. But logically, if things are this out of sync right now, it's because someone doesn't care to fix it. The pandemic is not an excuse.. this venue has been pulling in revenue for years, and continues to serve huge crowds market rate drinks.

-Garbage can leakage all over the dance floor, cleaned only marginally and only once guests had already begun arriving. -Line for dance dive room was stationed in the alley, with dumpsters, crumbling pavement and pools of trash water. -Bathroom stall dividers loose from the walls. Doors won't close. -Walls throughout venue in disrepair. -Unmarked wet paint as the backdrop of the stage. -Stage electrical circuits are in the ceiling. -Exposed ceiling joists, electrical..not in a cool urban way

I have more. I apologize for my frankness, but this is a forum for improving search for people's real life experiences. Nothing...

A warning to patrons of El Ray’s - I am a frequent visitor of El Ray’s, however my opinion on them has changed drastically. I visited El Ray’s this past Saturday to watch an Iowa football game, and left my debit card at the upstairs bar with my tab open, as I was leaving in a rush and there were many patrons waiting at the bar. The establishment did not reopen until the following Wednesday. I came to retrieve my card on Thursday evening, shortly after they opened, and was told by a worker that all the cards left there had been shredded by the manager. I have never had this experience at any other bar, was given no explanation as to why this happened, and am now hugely inconvenienced. I am greatly confused and disappointed as to why management would feel this is...

if you want covid, this is the place to go! who knows how many dead grannies can be contact traced back to this fine establishment. “but there is a mask ordinance in iowa city and johnson county!” that may be correct but all bets are off at elray’s. bring all of your out of state friends too! it’s a party! feel free to take your mask off immediately after paying the $5-$15 door fee. heck, even the employees checking your ID and taking your cash aren’t wearing masks. who cares. if you’re looking for a place just to hang out and catch the virus that spurred a worldwide pandemic and killed 500,000+ americans, come on down to...