Welcome to
The Rose Club

The Story of The Rose Club
Past, Present & Future

The Rose Club on Melrose Ave has some Hawkeye history. The “above garage” deck has been the site of many Scoba diving and tailgate parties since the early 90s and according to one Melrose historian, Hawkeye legends Tom Davis, Dan Gable, and Hayden Fry have spent time in the house and on the deck.

The Iowa City Rose Club is the cumulation of 20 years of tailgating in someone else’s yard or on a block of concrete. Established in 2021, the Rose Club moved indoors, and 20 feet above ground. In the front and back yard of The Rose Club, members meet on those 7 magical Saturdays every fall for family, fun, fellowship, great food, beverages, and IOWA HAWKEYE football. The first year of tailgating was eventful, and tailgate themes such as Hawktoberfest, Mardi Gras on Melrose, Prohibition, and Christmas on Melrose were seen. In 2022, we had several successful themes, including a Kentucky Derby tailgate, an Animal House tailgater, and the first-time “Irish fest”… In 2023, we said goodbye to Jimmy Buffet, expanded our tailgate themes to include a Caddyshack/80s theme, were rumored to have had live music, and enjoyed a 10-win season AND IT WASN’T A FAIR CATCH!!!!! In the spring of 2024, we hosted an IOWASWARM baseball NIL event and raised north of $5,000 for Coach Heller and the baseball Hawkeyes.
 

As for the house, in 2022 the garage was renovated, the deck resurfaced, and a few other improvements were been made for better fall Saturday experiences! Go Hawks! In 2023 renovations included: bathroom remodels, a “Hawkeye” modified stairway/deck entry, new vinyl back fencing, and a better TV setup that enhanced our experience! For the 2024 season, the lower decks have been resurfaced, a new roof and garage door added, much “team-specific trim” has been added to the house… and finally, a fitting tribute to the late, but always great HAYDEN FRY will be in the house. We will also have a couple of new families parking for the season, which is always exciting. Here's to another great season of next level tailgating!