This elevated sports bar with excellent food is slowly expanding all across the Midwest

When 30hop first opened its doors in Coralville back in 2014, the goal wasn’t just to build a restaurant — it was to set the tone for what would eventually become an entire entertainment district. The city placed its trust in a young, ambitious team by giving them the anchor restaurant pad for the development. For founder Dan Blum, along with partners Brian Flynn, Erik Shewmaker, and Matt Swift, the vision was clear from the start: create something that felt bigger than Iowa, something that surprised people, something unforgettable yet accessible. It needed to be a place where you could walk in wearing almost anything, order almost anything, and feel like you belonged.

The original Coralville location.Photo by30hop

Before 30hop, Dan had worked for the very people who would later become his partners. They extended an invitation — an “olive branch,” as he calls it — and he followed their lead as they began shaping what would become one of the Midwest’s most recognizable restaurant concepts. The name came next, almost by accident. The original idea was 30 beers on tap. Then 60 sounded better. But “60hop” didn’t quite land, and by the time they doubled back to the original number, “30hop” had already stuck — especially because the rooftop bar still features 30 taps that act as the official justification for the name. It was quirky, memorable, and soon enough, iconic.

The interior of the Omaha location.Photo by30hop

Today, 30hop has grown into what Dan describes as a “category killer,” a restaurant that doesn’t fit neatly into any single mold. “We’re more polished and higher quality than the traditional sports bar, but also less expensive and much more fun than your typical upscale contemporary restaurant,” he explains. And that’s exactly how the community uses it. For some, it’s the go-to casual weeknight spot. For others, it’s where anniversaries, birthdays, and big celebrations unfold. What makes 30hop special isn’t that it tries to be everything to everyone — it’s that it genuinely has the range.

“That uniqueness, but also being so approachable… truly makes the hop a place for everyone.”

Photo by30hop

Still, with growth comes challenges. Expanding across multiple cities — and soon, potentially, into new markets — requires investment, patience, and a relentless commitment to quality. Costs rise, from ingredients to utilities to labor, but the team holds themselves to a standard: don’t price out the regulars who helped build the brand. They’ve also been fortunate to hire strong, passionate leaders, people whose love for hospitality inspires the next generation of staff across every location. And among all of that growth and responsibility, Dan’s favorite part hasn’t changed: the people. “My best friends are restaurant people,” he says, and nothing makes him happier than walking into a 30hop and seeing bartenders deep in conversation with guests, chatting like they’ve known each other forever. That’s the culture they strive to build — connection first, service second, beer third.

Community stewardship is equally important. Whether showcasing local breweries, supporting neighborhood events, or simply becoming a place where regulars check in on each other, 30hop sees itself as a hub, not a transaction. Even as the ownership team steps back from day-to-day operations, those markers of human connection remain—and they’re part of what keeps the brand growing in thoughtful, sustainable ways. The mindset is clear: expand only if it makes the restaurants better, not just bigger. Better pay, stronger mentorship, elevated dishes, more opportunities for rising leaders — that’s the kind of growth that matters.

Photo by30hop

As the brand looks ahead to 2026, the team is buzzing with plans. New rollouts, continued refinement of the menu, expanded hospitality training, and maybe — just maybe — a brand-new market entry. With locations already operating in Iowa, Nebraska, and soon Kansas and Missouri, 30hop is becoming a Midwestern staple, one built on heart, hustle, and a genuine love for making people feel at home.

30hop

📍 Coralville (2014) • Cedar Rapids (2019) • Ankeny (2022) • Omaha (2024) • Merriam, KS (2025) • Lee’s Summit, MO (2025)
🍺 Specialty: Wide-ranging menu featuring house-battered wings, crave-worthy Yakisoba bowls & 30 beers on tap
✨ Known For: A “category-killer” experience — polished but fun, elevated but accessible, a true community hub
💬 House Note: “We want to grow to become better, not just grow to get bigger.”