Trolley Pub brings rolling parties back to Davenport
The good times are rolling again on downtown Davenport streets, as the new Trolley Pub Quad Cities is up and running.
A booze-fueled party on a big motorized, multi-passenger bike, the new venture is similar to the old Pedal Pub, but different in key ways.
“What an amazing story that this is – you were downtown last summer, it didn’t work out, but you bounced back, figured out how to make it work,” Olivia Warren, business engagement manager for the Downtown Davenport Partnership, said at the Quad Cities Chamber ribbon-cutting Monday afternoon on East Second Street. “We’re happy to have you back. Thank you for your investment in downtown Davenport.”
Ald. Marion Meginnis, who represents downtown in the 3rd Ward, helped negotiate the transition, with Sam Volkmer and Will Rice (fellow St. Ambrose alums), who were Pedal Pub managers.
“They have been able to accomplish the licensing, which is really needed in the state of Iowa – the limousine license, which is required in the state of Iowa,” Meginnis said.
“I really appreciate their perseverance; they’ve been gentlemen the whole time,” she said. “I know that people are gonna be excited to have this back. I wanted to congratulate you on your perseverance. I wish you all the success on this.”
Pedal Pub had operated four years, and Volkmer (a 2021 SAU graduate) said it’s considered a large bicycle and has been governed by laws in other cities, to allow drinking aboard it, including in Nashville, Tenn.
“Here in the Quad Cities, we’re not to that scale. We don’t have a city law to cover some of those individual businesses,” he said. “Pedal Pub unfortunately was not able to allow alcohol on the ride. We then found out about Trolley Pub; they’re a great franchise.”
In contrast, Trolley Pub is considered a motor vehicle, powered by electric battery, with patrons also helping move it by bike pedals, Volkmer said.
“It allows you to operate under the same laws as a party bus or a limousine would be,” he said.
Pedal Pub is based in Minnesota, and they’re across the country, and Trolley Pub is similar – based in Raleigh, N.C., with locations in 18 cities, including Davenport (the first in Iowa).
“We had a great experience working with Pedal Pub, we got to meet a lot of downtown Davenport businesses, got to experience downtown Davenport,” Volkmer said. “It was unfortunate there were some licensing issues with Pedal Pub. Will and I thought it was a shame that it would end in a city that’s grown so quickly – tourism is coming so fast and all the business that’s flooding into this area, it’s really becoming a hot spot.
“We took it upon ourselves to find a way in which it could work and with the help of the city, we found Trolley Pub, something that could meet the city standards and bring back something we enjoyed so much. We’re looking forward to another summer of memories, laughter and just enjoying yourselves,” Volkmer said.
“We finally did it, and there’s no way we could have done it with the helpful hands we’ve gotten along the way,” Rice (a 2022 Ambrose grad) said.
“We weren’t sure if we were gonna make it back, but luckily, through your help, we’ve been able to make it happen. The community has been pretty outspoken; they’re excited to see us come back as well,” Rice said. “It’s an exciting time for us all, for sure.”
He said with Trolley Pub, patrons do have to pedal, in rides available between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., and customers (14 maximum each ride) have to bring their own beverages (no hard liquor or glass are allowed).
“We try to promote the pedaling, save the battery as long as possible,” he said. Pedal Pub did not act as a vehicle.
The city of Davenport didn’t have to adopt new regulations for Trolley Pub, since it’s under existing laws, as a limousine would be.
“It’s very event-based – we get a lot of bachelorette parties, a lot of birthdays, retirement parties as well,” Volkmer said.
Customers have to reserve rides on the website HERE.
“We’ve been doing laps around these streets the last four years over the summer, and we’ve noticed the changes,” Volkmer said of downtown Davenport. “There are more businesses popping up, more people outside, more traffic. You kind of see the economy grow down here. It’s something we want to be part of.
“Personally, I’m from Des Moines, another city that’s on a river, has a minor-league baseball team,” he said. “There are so many parallels. I just see our economy, downtown moving in that direction.”
“It’s hard not to see the potential down here,” Rice said. “We have a huge student population, and having attractions like this is what’s gonna bring kids downtown.”
Now they’re focused on downtown Davenport, and may expand to Moline, and later Rock Island.
The rides are two hours long, and there’s a five-person minimum. You can book a group of up to 14 for $499, or choose to go yourself for $39 per person.
“It’s a great way to meet new people, new couples,” Volkmer said. “If there are seats left open, you didn’t book the trolley privately, other people can book those seats as well.”
Rice said people have to book at least a day in advance, online, and customers can’t pay with cash the day of the ride.
For more information, visit the Trolley Pub website HERE.
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