My favorite quiet-ish dive bar in Iowa City. The drinks are cheap, the bartenders are always pretty friendly, and the burgers really are good. Usually a good mix of older locals and a younger crowd who are either watching the game or having a conversation. A good, low-key place. And it doesn't smell like burger grease! Seriously. Except the smell of a burger going on the toaster oven may make you salivate. read more

While they have taken the shiner off tap (for mysterious reasons), this has become my go to bar whenever I want to kick it late night style. This place is a mystery and a gem all in the same. It's not quite a dive, but the black and gold wallpaper behind the bar keep it from being classy. Aside from the cheap drinks (seriously, they're mad cheap), the cheeseburgers are awesome. They're good whether you are three sheets to the wind or stone cold sober. The staff here is excellent and have a heavy pouring arm. It can get loud, but never overwhelmingly so. I'll miss this place when I finally leave Iowa City. read more

Puleeze. The only hamburger worse than this is MacDonald's and I do not eat there. I wish I had not stopped here. Hamburger had no lettuce and was served in a paper wrapper. read more

i incorporate by reference all of the other positive comments about this place, especially about it being a low key haven. Even a libertarian can find camraderie and good conversation in this democratic, liberal bastion. read more

You get what you see at this hole. Pay for the stiff drinks with cash only, leave well hammered and smelling of the greasy chunks that are being fried in the closet they call a kitchen. All drink slingers treat you like locals and are quite attentive, never was my gin lower than . Frequent this place often and hard. read more

This place wins on everything a dive bar is supposed to be. Stiff drinks, hot cashews and a burger rated in the best in the country. You HAVE to get there if you get to Iowa city. I've been coming here since 1978, there is a reason. Classic joint! read more

You've gotta love this place. A cozy dive-y place that feels welcoming. I'm a sucker for the cheeseburgers. There's just a nice vibe about this bar. read more

No clue why they call this a buffet, unless that's from the past. All they serve now is $2 burgers (decent ones, too) and hot nuts ... plus drinks, of course. Now it's a really loud and dingy student hang-out. Gave me a migraine. Decent service, though. Cash only. Good for sports on quiet nights. read more

This is one of my favorite places in Iowa City. It's a hole in the wall bar with the best cheeseburger in town. Some of my favorite memories involve heading over there with friends for burgers and beer. read more

I've always had a great time at this place. It's what a dive bar should be about. Good booze for good prices with a great wait staff. I've never had the burgers since I'm usually too busy drinking but I hear they're cheap and delicious. Great laid back atmosphere that's good for hanging with some close friends. read more

Come for the burgers and ambiance. Leave for the poorly mixed drinks made by the owner's kids. Return for the burgers and ambiance, and order a beer instead. read more

Great Iowa City bar! It has an amazing atmosphere that other IC bars can only endeavor to obtain. Despite the limited menu, the food they do have is perfect for their clientele. The drinks are good and the staff friendly. read more

The best burgers, beer and bourbon in River City

As a townie, I've always enjoyed George's for its laid back atmosphere and good greasy cheeseburgers. However, last night I went in there after having about 5 beers. I was admittedly a little buzzed, but certainly not anywhere in the same zip code as drunk. I asked the bartender for a Bass (which they no longer carry apparently; -2 stars just for that), and she tells me that she won't serve me because I'm intoxicated. I thought she was just messing around, but no, she was serious. Now I've been thrown out of bars before for being too drunk, but this was outrageous. I have to respect a bartender's decision to not serve someone in their domain, but she (little blond girl, didn't get her name, she probably wouldn't have given it to me anyway) can respect my decision to not go to George's any more. read more

Not a buffet, but I love the name. One of the oldest bars in Iowa City, sporting fuzzy wallpaper that has been there (many) decades. The cheeseburgers are really just "sliders," but a tasty snack. A great college neighborhood dive bar with grad students, mailmen, and a jukebox. Plus wi-fi if you need to get some work done. A nice place to meet friends or to watch the game. read more

My favorite Iowa City watering hole. Affordable cold draft beers; speakeasy high-back booths; and surprisingly good cheeseburgers.

Georges is the perfect Dive Bar. The staff is very easy to get along with and they have an antique broiler that allows them to make the best burgers in Iowa City. The owner is exceptionally nice, and runs a great bar. If you are a valley girl or popped collar frat boy please do not come here, you would not enjoy it as they do not have too many Jersey Shore wannabes in Georges. read more

I worked here in the late seventies, and don't need to open my eyes to find my way around. One of the Hamm's signs behind the bar-I put a new motor in it so the water moved again. Looks like they both need to be fixed now. Great place to talk, play blackgammon, listen to the jukebox, meet friends and make new ones. If you come in more than once a month, they'll know what you want before you do (well, almost). The cashew machine must be fifty years old, and the cheeseburgers have always been perfect with beer. read more

this place gets 2 stars for the atmosphere and being a place that's not a freshmen bar. I took three off for having really shitty burgers (seriously mcdonalds quality, if anyone says they're good they're drunk, go to shorts if you want a real burger.) and it's called george's buffet, BUT it's NOT A BUFFET!!! literally they have really bad 4.50 burgers and all the actual food is overpriced!! it's definitely an older person bar, but that's it, it's just a bar. don't ever go there for the food. read more

Favorite haunt when I work In Iowa City. Hey fries from Oasis Falafel then the burgers and conversation at George's. The only bar I'd frequent aside from Gabe's, Yacht Club, or The Mill when I'm in Iowa City! read more

A world-class dive bar. My only complaint is their dumb neon computerized hits-of-the-moment jukebox. It's full of crap that no one sitting around with a $7 pitcher and stinking, drippy, beautiful cheeseburger with pickles and onions is going to want to listen to. When you walk in you're not swamped with attitude (hipster or otherwise. Ahem, Foxhead). My experiences with the bartenders there have been overwhelmingly positive; they do a fabulous job of maintaining the floor even when it's busy. I also like that it feels like the same bar, with a similar crowd, no matter which time of day or day of the week you go. read more

George's Buffet - DBA - "George's" = Dive bar for townies, and older students. Calm, dark, personable, cozy, friendly: all words I would readily use to describe it. Inexpensive drinks and beer. Fresh made basic burgers wrapped in paper, better than fast-food, consistently good. For a long time they made their own patty mix, but the local supplier changed and I'm not sure who their current supplier is. If it is packed, put on your patience hat and make the best of your social time. Like any dive bar, it is not Michelin rated so don't get all snarky when you have to wait your turn and catch the eye of your bartender so they know you need something. Go here when you want to hang out with friends and have a good time together. (or have a beer/burger on your own when you are heading home late) read more

awesome and wholesome place; great burgers; and offers wonderful music :)

I have no idea why this place gets rave reviews. I got the cheeseburger, and it DID look exactly like one from Burger King and tasted like it too, only for $4.25. The atmosphere is not my kind, which is fine, but I won't be back. Was disappointed by the small cheeseburger. read more

My spiritual center. The reason I live and stay up after 10pm. I love this place more than anywhere. More than home. More than my parents home. The cheap LaCrosse. The burgers. The swaying red lights. Oh, George's. read more

Mitch summed it up best, "George's exemplifies all that is good in a dive-bar burger joint." Best cheeseburgers around that pair well with a beer chaser. read more

i like georges. its low key, the bartenders are pretty awesome and friendly, and no belligerent, binge drinking undergrads. one downside, and its a pretty big one: it smells like serious unadulterated burger grease inside. one negative side effect of iowa city's relatively new no smoking ordinance: some places smell better covered in a dense cloud of cigarette smoke. read more