If you aren't a boat owner or have friends who invite you for a ride there aren't many options in the Quad Cities to get out on the river without taking a riverboat cruise or hopping aboard the water taxi. Yesterday I discovered another way to have fun on the river without breaking the bank.

The Tiki Tavern caught my eye as I was enjoying music and peel-and-eat shrimp at a bar in Princeton, Iowa just up the river from the Quad Cities.

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The Tiki Tavern is a watercraft that looks a bit like a floating platform with a tiki bar on board.

Tiki Tavern/Facebook photo
Tiki Tavern/Facebook photo
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This floating bar comes complete with a captain who knows CPR and first aid, a hostess to help make the event even more fun, coolers (bring your own booze), cups, and a sound system for your own tunes.

Tiki Tavern/Facebook page
Tiki Tavern/Facebook page
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I checked out Tiki Tavern's social media page, and people are having a great time with birthday parties, family gatherings, bachelorette parties and just some all around fun on the water.

You can even dance aboard!

According to Tiki Tavern's website, you can book 2 hour cruises on Saturdays and Sundays. They have four different cruise times:

9:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm

Weather should be good for a cruise until October. You get a two hour cruise for $45 per person and you can invite up to six people.

Tiki Tavern/Facebook photo
Tiki Tavern/Facebook photo
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As with most excursions there are some rules to follow.

  • Koozies, ice, and coolers provided

  • BYOB (bring your own beverage) and own food if you'd like!

  • NO GLASS or full-size kegs allowed

  • If you'd like to rent the whole boat you will be charged for all 6 seats - otherwise it will be considered a public cruise and others can purchase a seat on your tour as well

  • The longest tour is 4 hours and the shortest is 2 hours

  • We encourage you to use the bathroom before boarding the boat - if you need to go during the tour, your captain will do his best to get you to a public restroom

  • Guests under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them

  • No alcohol is allowed on board with guests under 21, unless there is a parent or legal guardian present

  • No overly intoxicated passengers

  • Any guests 12 years or under are required by law to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times (provided by us)

  • Appropriate swimwear is required to enter the water

  • No pets allowed

  • No fishing off the boat

  • No smoking/vaping

Think about the next time you get out of town visitors. You don't have to drive them over the bridge to see one of our area's greatest resources; you can book a tiki cruise and really show them some fun.

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