Community Corner
"Everybody Knows Everybody" at Johnston's Oldest Bar
The Boat House, off of NW Beaver Drive, is Johnston's oldest bar and offers a friendly atmosphere, where owner says, everybody knows everybody.
The Boat House opened in 1943. Thirteen years ago, Marlin Wedmore, started taking ownership of the bar. Wedmore said he knows 99 percent of the people who come in.
“Everybody is friendly here,” Wedmore said. “I have been here for 13 years and I know 99 percent of the people here. I talk to everybody and everybody knows everybody.”
Wedmore said the bar is more of a social bar. “If you don’t know people by the time you left you must have been quiet,” Wedmore said.
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The small bar includes seating, a pool table, arcade games, five TV’s, high speed wifi and a shuffleboard.
During the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game a big potluck is held, Wedmore said that is a popular event at the bar.
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There are seven different types of beer on tap, a $2.50 domestic bottle drink special is held Monday through Fridays.
The Boat House
Owner: Marlin Wedmore
7695 NW Beaver Dr.
(515) 253-9404
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