Trolley Pub Expanded Mobile Bar Service to Iowa City
The pedal-powered bar service arrived in Iowa City in 2025 following operations in the Quad Cities.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Beer
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The Trolley Pub, a service utilizing electric bicycles as mobile bars, launched in Iowa City in 2025. Owners Samuel Volkmer and Will Rice expanded the business to the city to tap into its vibrant nightlife and college-town demographic.
Why it matters
The company identified Iowa City as an ideal market due to the high density of potential riders within their target age demographic. Following the launch, the owners are now exploring the possibility of adding another trolley to the local route.
The service targets individuals between the ages of 21 and 60. The business currently maintains a footprint across nine states, including branches in cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The players
Samuel Volkmer
He is one of the co-owners of the Trolley Pub mobile bar service.
Will Rice
He is a co-owner of the Trolley Pub who helped oversee the expansion into Iowa City.
The details
Passengers on the electric bicycle trolley can request stops at various local bars and restaurants throughout their ride. The experience includes interactive drinking games where participants solicit passersby to pick numbers to dictate the group's actions.
Timeline
The Trolley Pub brand first started operations in North Carolina in 2012.
The service officially expanded to Iowa City in 2025.
Rider Mason Shaffer experienced the mobile bar service in May 2026.
Delia Fisk utilized the trolley for her birthday celebration in September 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion follows the broader trend of mobile pedal-pub tourism in American college towns, where operators capitalize on high nightlife density. This move reflects a growing consumer preference for interactive and experiential social activities over traditional bar-hopping.
Residents and visitors in the area can now book the electric bicycle service for group outings along Clinton St. The experience is tailored for those between 21 and 60, offering a structured, interactive way to visit multiple establishments in one night.
The takeaway
The success of the Iowa City expansion highlights how mobile nightlife services adapt to student-heavy populations. Potential riders should ensure they meet the age requirements for the service before booking their group outing.
Further reading
Learn more about the local social scene in Iowa City Beer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Iowan.
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