Bobby’s Live on 965 creating their own identity in old Eggy’s space

A popular North Liberty sports bar has undergone some big changes in recent months - new owners, a new name, and a new focus on live music performances.

Last summer, Vic Jarbo, son Jason Jarbo, and their business partner Bobby Smith purchased the former Eggy's from Mark Eggleston, who was retiring. In January, the new owners reopened the establishment with a new name, Bobby's Live on 965.

The name change reflects the business' transformation into a live music venue.

'We needed to find our own identity,” Vic Jarbo said. 'It had been Eggy's for so long.”

Bobby's Live hosts live music performances by national and local rock and blues acts. Upcoming performances include Iowa City band The Mayflies on Aug. 21 and Chicago-based Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames on Aug. 22.

Musician Tony Brown, an Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame inductee, serves as entertainment manager and books the artists.

Jarbo, who is general manager for the business, said he moved to Eastern Iowa from Ohio two years ago to be closer to his son and grandchildren. He met Smith through work, introduced him to Jason and, within a couple of months, the three men were scouting locations for an entertainment venue.

'We thought there was a great connection between the three of us and our talents,” Jarbo said, noting that he has worked in the food service industry for almost his whole life.

After looking at several venues, the partners decided to purchase Eggy's, located off Highway 965 in North Liberty.

'We really liked the location, and the fact that it was a nice property added to it,” Jarbo said.

Changes made to the space included removing a wall to make room for a stage, converting an underutilized game room upstairs into a party room with its own bar and bathroom, and expanding the outdoor patio seating.

Much of the work was done at night so the bar could remain open during normal business hours.

Another change was to the menu. The new menu includes broasted chicken and pizza along with the traditional bar fare of burgers and sandwiches.

Despite all of the changes, the new owners are not abandoning the business' sports bar roots. The sports-themed decor of the old Eggy's remains, and the addition of a 'TV chandelier” - four 70-inch flat screen televisions installed above the bar - provides patrons even more options for viewing their favorite teams.

Jarbo said he and his partners would like Bobby's Live to be known as the premier live music venue in Eastern Iowa, and plan to achieve that goal by offering high caliber entertainment every week.

'We're going to start pulling in some huge names,” he said.

AT A GLANCE

Owners: Vic Jarbo, Jason Jarbo and Bobby Smith

Business: Bobby's Live on 965

Address: 1295 Jordan St., North Liberty

Telephone: (319) 665-4800

Email: bobbyslive965l@gmail.com

Website: www.bobbyslive.com

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