The ‘Hippest, Hottest Spot in Town’ Closing on Dubuque’s Main Street

A familiar restaurant and bar on downtown Dubuque’s Main Street is preparing to shut its doors. 1st & Main, a bar and restaurant that once described itself as the “hippest, hottest spot in town,” has announced it will permanently close effective Monday, February 2nd, 2026.

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According to the business (post below), the decision followed months of difficult conversations. Owners cited a steady slowdown in business over the past several years, and stated that "continued operation was no longer financially sustainable." While the choice to close was not easy, it had become unavoidable.

Located at 101 Main Street, 1st & Main has been part of Dubuque’s historic downtown district, operating out of a building with deep roots in the city’s commercial past. The structure once served as a telegraph office and grocery store in the late 1800s before becoming a wholesale drug firm in the early 20th century. One of its most unique features includes Frank Lloyd Wright–designed Luxfer Prism windows, intended to direct natural light upward throughout the interior.

"This post is written with the heaviest of hearts. We will be closing 1st & Main effective Monday, February 2. This decision has come after many sleepless nights and thoughtful conversations. Business has been very slow the last couple of years and it is no longer sustainable. Our staff and customers have been the heartbeat of this business for years, and we will miss each and every one of you tremendously! We will forever cherish the memories we’ve made together! We wish the best to all of the customers that have supported us over the years! Please keep an eye out for our staff around town and support them in any way you can! If our closure impacts you, please make it a point to go out soon and support a local business! They need it now more than ever! Please share this post so everyone has a chance to stop down for a last hoorah this weekend!"
-Sara Oglesby, 1st & Main Owner

Over the years, 1st & Main became known for its wide-ranging American-style menu with a wide range of delicious flavor options. Personally, I'm a fan of the wings and that smokehouse maple rub. While it's still open, the restaurant offers weekend breakfast, daily lunch specials, and dinner service, alongside an extensive bar selection. Happy hour each Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 PM, and each evening featured rotating drink specials, including half-off martinis, discounted wine, and an always tasty Sunday Bloody Mary bar.

In announcing the closure, the business emphasized that its greatest success was the people behind the bar and in the kitchen, as well as the customers who frequented the establishment. I'll be honest, I probably didn't go as much as I should have if I wanted this great business to stick around. That's why the owners have encouraged the community to continue supporting local businesses.

Before closing for good, 1st & Main is inviting the public to stop in one last time over this final weekend. For many, it will be a chance to revisit old memories, share a final drink, and say goodbye to a downtown staple that has played a role in Dubuque’s social and nightlife scene for years.