Will the Scotch Egg be scotched? Will the soups survive? And will Arkham Stout be in, or out? Blue Cat Brew Pub will close its doors tonight, after 24 years in business, and soon, a new brew pub, Big Swing, will take its place after a few weeks of renovations. It’s still up in the air as to what Blue Cat menu items will be kept around beyond its demise. Brew master Dan Cleaveland will remain on staff for at least a year with the new venue, bringing his 60-plus beer recipes with him, so the chances of the BC brews still popping up in the new spot are high. But what about the food? As reported... Read More

Since opening in 1994, Blue Cat Brew Pub has been one of the favorite hangouts, restaurants and brew pubs for thousands of Quad-Citians, and been the spot for many great memories. As we near the Blue Cat’s closing date of Aug. 31, we’re asking you to share your favorite Blue Cat memories and menu items with us! Please feel free to email your favorite memories to Sean@QuadCities.com. This will be for an upcoming story about the Blue Cat, its customers and people’s favorite memories of the local hot spot. Also, please email your favorite Blue Cat menu items and beers to us as well at Sean@QuadCities.com.... Read More

EXCLUSIVE – The new owners of Rock Island’s Blue Cat Brew Pub, soon to be the Big Swing Brew Pub, are local real estate developers John Timmer, Shane Scott and Jon McAtee, according to a number of sources who asked not to be identified, and verified through city documents and applications. The sale to the trio was also confirmed Friday by Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms, during recording of an episode of the podcast QCUNCUT. The trio are the creative and financial force behind the new Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar, in the old Milan Lanes building, 2020 1st St. W, Milan, which is having its opening... Read More

The new Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar is a fantastic addition to the local entertainment landscape, particularly as a draw in an area barren of other options – Milan and southwest Rock Island. The complex, at 2020 1st St. W, Milan, in the old Milan Lanes building, is a wonderful mix of high-tech bowling alley, sports bar, video game arcade and surprisingly delicious and eclectic gastro pub. Regardless of all the entertainment options, the food alone is enough of a draw, as the menu is full of tasty surprises, from flatbread pizzas featuring figs, pears and prosciutto to bourbon bacon burgers and... Read More

Is ET shopping at HyVee? A third UFO sighting in as many weeks flew onto local radar over the weekend, this time over central Rock Island. Previous sightings have occurred in east Davenport near Bettendorf and in downtown Rock Island and Davenport, during a sighting of possibly two UFOs floating high over the Mississippi River from the Iowa side into the Illinois side and into central Rock Island. That sighting was likewise reported and demonstrated on video here on QuadCities.com. The latest sighting took place late Sunday night and involved an object of flashing green lights and static red lights... Read More

The Blue Cat is becoming the Big Swing. The Rock Island Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113 18th St., will close Aug. 31, remain shut for renovations and open later this fall as The Big Swing Brewing Company, sources close to the situation said. It was reported first here on QuadCities.com that Blue Cat, one of the first brew pubs opened in the Quad-Cities in 1994 by brewer and chef Dan Cleveland and his sister, Martha Cleveland, was sold by the duo to an unnamed local buyer last week for an undisclosed sales price. Dan will stay on as brew master after the purchase, sources said, and the menu will continue... Read More

Mother and daughters connect with their inner fairies (or trolls) at this magical event! The Quad City Botanical Center (2525 4th Ave Rock Island) is hosting a Mother & Daughter Fairy Frolic this Sunday Aug 19 from 1-3 p.m. Dress up as your favorite fairy, troll or magical creature and explore the enchanted gardens. There will be a fairy seek and find in the gardens, magical crafts, a photo booth and much more! The cost to attend is only $10 per person in advance, or $15 per person at the door. There is a discount for QCBC members! Purchase your tickets online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/rockislandparksandrec/Activity_Search/2891. Don’t... Read More

EXCLUSIVE – Rock Island’s Blue Cat Brew Pub, one of the first brew pubs opened in the Quad-Cities in 1994, has been sold, sources that asked not to be identified said Friday. The restaurant and brewery, in the heart of the District, at 113 18th St., was sold to an unnamed buyer this week and will be closed down two weeks from now, the source noted. The pub will not be closed for good and will instead be shut for “a significant remodeling,” the source said. “From what I hear, they’re going to put a lot of money into it and it’s going to look really cool,” the source added. A grand... Read More

The August installment of the Rock Island Artists’ Market is being held this Sunday, August 10 from 12-4 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island. The Rock Island Artists’ Market will repeat on the second Sunday of each month, through October. Shoppers can expect to find a variety of art, local produce, handcrafted goods and more, all sold by the artists, creators and growers. The August market has over 40 registered vendors, and will feature food by Kavanaugh’s Hilltop Bar and Grill, and live music by Roger Carlson. Additionally at this month’s... Read More

The August installment of the Rock Island Artists’ Market is being held on Sunday, August 12 from 12-4 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island, and will double as the 5th birthday celebration of Skeleton Key. Skeleton Key Art and Antiques was opened August 1, 2013 by Brandy and John VandeWalle of Rock Island, and in 2016, Skeleton Key became the host of the Rock Island Artists’ Market. Skeleton Key sells a variety of local art, antiques, vintage, and locally crafted items spread out over 5,000 square foot. They are open five days a week, Wednesday –... Read More