Restaurant
Unclaimed profileBlackStone
Iowa City, IA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
BlackStone treats whiskey as a serious pursuit. A dedicated menu spans hundreds of American, Scotch, Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and Taiwanese bottles, with private-barrel pours, flights, and a Thursday discount on both. Cocktails lean classic and flavored—martinis, margaritas, Old Fashioneds—with Tuesday half-price martinis. The wine list covers white, red, rosé, and sparkling by the glass and bottle, and Wednesday halves glass prices. Zero Proof and THC mocktail sections round out the nonalcoholic side. Beer is present but less developed.
- What should I order?
- Start with the 1792 BlackStone Full Proof Private Barrel, a 120-proof house selection at $12. For a cocktail, the Smokey Old Fashioned arrives smoked tableside. The nonalcoholic Garden Mule is a solid zero-proof choice.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey drinkers who want range without leaving the Midwest, and groups where some want cocktails or zero-proof options while others work through the whiskey list.
- When should I go?
- Tuesday for half-price martinis, Wednesday for half-price wine by the glass, or Thursday for the Whiskey & Wings special with 25% off flights and featured pours.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails $7-$14.50. Wine by the glass $8-$12, bottles $32-$68. Whiskey pours $5-$99, flights $25-$48. Zero-proof cocktails $7-$8, THC mocktails $10.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The whiskey menu is the centerpiece: hundreds of bottles across six categories, private-barrel selections like 1792 Full Proof and Knob Creek BlackStone 10YR, and flights that let you compare without committing to a full pour.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A dedicated House Cocktails section covers martinis, margaritas, Old Fashioneds, and sours, with Tuesday half-price martinis and other weekly specials. The list leans toward flavored and classic builds rather than obscure or seasonal originals.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated House Cocktails section with martinis and signature drinks.
- — Tuesday half-price martinis and multiple weekly cocktail specials.
- — Cocktail prices span $7-$14.50, with several options under $13.
Standout selections
- — Smokey Old Fashioned — Knob Creek Smoked Maple, demerara, barrel bitters, orange, Luxardo cherry; smoked tableside. $13.
- — Mango Menace Margarita — Jose Cuervo, Cointreau, muddled jalapeños, mango purée, house margarita mix, Tajín rim. $14.50.
- — Signature Old Fashioned — Buffalo Trace; sub Knob Creek BlackStone 10yr Single Barrel for +$2. $12.
Pricing: House cocktails $7-$14.50
Wine
The wine list spans white, red, rosé, and sparkling with by-the-glass and bottle options. Wednesday offers half-price wine by the glass, and happy hour pours are part of the weekly specials. The range is broad enough for most meals without venturing into deep or aged territory.
Menu strengths
- — Wine list includes white, red, rosé, and sparkling categories.
- — Wednesday half-price wine by the glass and weekly happy hour pours.
- — By-the-glass pricing stays between $8 and $12; bottles $32-$68.
Standout selections
- — Drappier, France, Champagne — $68 per bottle.; Elsa Bianchi, Argentina, Malbec — $10 per glass, $40 per bottle.
- — ZaZa, Spain, Garnacha Rosé — $10 per glass, $40 per bottle.
Pricing: By the glass $8-$12; bottles $32-$68
Beer
A beer menu link and a draft beer page exist on the website, and the food menu references beer in a burger description.
Menu strengths
- — Website navigation includes a Beer menu link and a draft beer menu page.
- — Food menu references beer in a burger description (Guinness aioli).
Standout selections
- — Food menu references beer in a burger description (Guinness aioli).
Nonalcoholic
The food menu includes both a Zero Proof section with non-alcoholic cocktails and a High Society THC Mocktails section. Zero proof options run $7-$8, while THC mocktails are $10. The selection covers mojito, mule, and fruit-forward builds.
Menu strengths
- — Food menu includes a Zero Proof section with non-alcoholic cocktails.
- — Food menu includes a High Society THC Mocktails section.
Standout selections
- — Garden Mule — muddled cucumbers, ginger beer, lavender simple syrup, lime juice, fresh mint; add Effen cucumber for +$4. $8.
- — Berry Sunset — Raspberry Hibiscus Day Dreamer, lemon juice, watermelon & blueberry syrup, lime, fresh blueberries. $10.
- — Raspberry Mojito — muddled raspberry, mint, soda, Starry, lemon. $7.
Pricing: Zero proof cocktails $7-$8; THC mocktails $10
Spirits
A dedicated whiskey menu lists hundreds of selections across American, Scotch, Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and Taiwanese categories, with prices from $5 to $99. Flights are $25-$48, and private-barrel picks include 1792 BlackStone Full Proof and Knob Creek BlackStone 10YR. Thursday offers 25% off flights and featured pours.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive whiskey list with hundreds of selections across six categories.
- — Private barrel selections including 1792 BlackStone Full Proof and Knob Creek BlackStone 10YR.
- — Whiskey flights $25-$48; Thursday 25% off flights and featured pours.
Standout selections
- — 1792 BlackStone Full Proof Private Barrel — American whiskey, 120 proof, private barrel selection. $12.
- — Elijah Craig 18 Year — American whiskey, Bardstown, KY, 90 proof. $40.
- — Macallan Rare — Scotch, Speyside, Scotland, 86 proof. $99.
- — Hakushu 12YR — Japanese whisky, Torihara, JP, 86 proof. $26.
Pricing: Whiskey pours $5-$99; flights $25-$48
How it sits with the food
The Thursday Whiskey & Wings special pairs discounted flights and featured pours with wings. The burger uses Guinness aioli, tying beer into the food menu.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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