2 Dogs Pub opening Monday on I.C.'s east side

A sports pub opening Monday on the east side of Iowa City aims to delight soccer fans with early openings on soccer weekends and plenty of draft brews.

Husband-and-wife team Alan Eckhardt Tonya Hovey will open 2 Dogs Pub at 1705 S. 1st Ave., the former location of Rick's Grill & Spirits.

Eckhardt said the pub will open at 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays for televised international soccer matches, offering breakfast specials. During the week, the regular opening time will be 11 a.m. and the regular closing time 2 a.m.

The menu will include sandwiches, salads, wraps and burgers under $10. A wide draft beer selection will be focused on small crafts beers.

The pub hopes to fill a niche in Iowa City similar to the one served in Cedar Rapids by The Londoner - offering televised soccer as well as mainstream sports regardless of the unusual hours.

Eckhardt and Hovey updated the finishes in the former Rick's Grill space to give it a more contemporary feel.

And yes, the couple have two dogs.