About
Mission
The Ideal elevates the local nightlife and social scene through carefully curated live music and events, exceptional craft cocktails and bar programming, magnificent historical ambience, and gracious service. By providing an immersive, engaged experience in which our guests, artists and staff feel valued, The Ideal invites authenticity, ignites connection, and creates magic.
Music & Entertainment
The Ideal showcases a wide variety of live music and events across different musical genres and performance styles, with a focus on original artists. We regularly feature touring musicians and are the only venue in our class in the area to offer complete in-house sound and lighting production. Our mission is to nurture and support local original artists, bring performances to our community that residents previously had to travel for, and establish a benchmark for live music in Cedar Rapids and beyond.
Food & Beverage
The Ideal stands out in a beer-centric market as a cocktail bar dedicated to exceptional execution and a wide selection. We prioritize craftsmanship, innovative technique and creative flair, while maintaining a dedication to classic cocktail structure and theory.
Alongside hundreds of spirits, we offer an extensive selection of wine by the glass, THC beverages, and a diverse range of non-alcoholic options. Rather than standard bar fare, The Ideal presents fresh offerings from local vendors, including charcuterie and made-from-scratch desserts.
Historical Ambience
Originally established as a silent film theater in 1914, The Ideal stands as one of Cedar Rapids' oldest surviving theaters. Its stunning gilded ceiling and original murals have been meticulously restored while the bar and stage showcase a Gilded Age charm.
There are no screens or modern distractions here - instead, we welcome you to immerse yourself in the elegance of an era and the simplicity and fulfillment of face-to-face human connection.
Service
Everything comes down to service. The tone, the atmosphere, the magic - all of these are created by our service.
At The Ideal, we welcome you into a space, a haven, for you to be your most authentic self. We start by greeting you with respect and style, and invite you onto a journey with us for an evening. We are going, together, to a place where you know, and feel, that the world is a more beautiful place with you in it.
We host many artists, but service is our art. So please, come in and allow us to make you feel magical.
