Q Casino
Q Casino offers gaming, live entertainment, and a family-friendly arcade, set against the scenic Mississippi Riverfront.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, less smoke
Q Casino
Best Time
Fewer crowds, less smoke
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Q Casino offers gaming, live entertainment, and a family-friendly arcade, set against the scenic Mississippi Riverfront.
"The Island Social arcade is a hit for families, but dining and smoke are recurring concerns."
💨 Smoke Management
The casino is quite smoky. If sensitive, stick to the non-smoking areas or visit during quieter times.
🍕 Food Caution
Be wary of restaurant offerings; one 'onion pizza' received very negative reviews.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Island Social Arcade
Adjacent to the casino floor
A family-friendly arcade with games, virtual axe throwing, and duck pin bowling. Great for kids and teens!
Backwater Stage
Casino floor
Catch live music and comedy shows at this popular entertainment venue. Check schedules for upcoming acts.
Seasonal Racetrack
Adjacent to the casino
Experience the thrill of live harness racing during the summer months. A unique local attraction.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Smoke
Dining Disappointment Alert
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💨 Smoke Management
The casino is quite smoky. If sensitive, stick to the non-smoking areas or visit during quieter times.
🍕 Food Caution
Be wary of restaurant offerings; one 'onion pizza' received very negative reviews.
Can someone compare the two casinos for me?
Q temporary casino
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun at Island Social
The Island Social arcade is a hit for families with kids, offering games and prizes.
🍹 Drink Service
Waitress service for drinks can be slow; be prepared to get your own.
What is the best casino in Iowa?
Tips
from all over the internet
💨 Smoke Management
The casino is quite smoky. If sensitive, stick to the non-smoking areas or visit during quieter times.
🍕 Food Caution
Be wary of restaurant offerings; one 'onion pizza' received very negative reviews.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun at Island Social
The Island Social arcade is a hit for families with kids, offering games and prizes.
🍹 Drink Service
Waitress service for drinks can be slow; be prepared to get your own.
🎟️ Check Event Schedules
Look up the Backwater Stage schedule for live music and comedy shows.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Q Casino offers a mixed bag of experiences. While the Island Social arcade is a hit with families and the Backwater Stage provides entertainment, the casino floor is often criticized for its smoky atmosphere and inconsistent drink service. Dining experiences have also been a significant letdown for many visitors, with one 'onion pizza' becoming infamous for its poor quality and management's unhelpful response.
"Very hard to find a machine here that actually keeps you interested. Very Smokey atmosphere.. can’t believe how many people are just chugging away at cigarettes. They need to have a little better ventilation system . Waitresses are non existent . Had to get my own drinks every time and leave the machine. The roulette table was closed all 3 days I went ."
l roy
"We were hungry so we headed to the restzurant next to the video/gaming area. A pizza sounded safe. Barbecue chicken with crunchy onions spunded like a tasty dinner. We wete so wrong. After a 30 minute wait our pizza arrived. We wete shocked! It was compldtely covered with those Durkee canned cfunchy onions! You could not see anything underneath the onions. We were very hungry so we started brushing off those onions. They came off by the handful! We filled a plate with all of those onions. Then we took a bite and foud the crust, thesauce and "chicken" bits to have no flavor. Neitber of us could eat it. Weve ordered bbq chicken pizzas many times at other restaurants. We like bbq pizza alot! This was awful in every way! The waitress just said "yeah, thats alot of onions". It was not her fault! We wdre not upset just couldnt believe anyone sould serve an ONION PIZZA and claim its a bbq chicken with onions. We asked for a manager. He was not apologetic at all! He said simply "Thats how we make it here" He only gave us twelve dollars back off our bill. We were not rude or unkind to him. Why didnt he take the whole pizza off our bill? Why didnt he offer other food from the menu? We had only eaten 1 small unpleasant piece each and we were quite hungry! We felt like arguing with him but said nothing at all. We took our 12 dollar refund and left immediately. We ate down the road at Wendys.. Wendys was delicious! We will never return to Q for food! Be warned about the ONION PIZZA calling itself a Barbecue chicken pizza with onions. And very poor management.!!!"
Julie K
"Well that was a GREAT way to spend an afternoon with the family playing games! Our family met at the ISLAND SOCIAL for lunch and then ventured to the arcade games. Never thought it could be as fun playing so many games, air hockey, basketball… Great day for the family!"
Lisa Graff IDR
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Q Casino is located at 1000 Q Casino Way, Dubuque, IA 52001. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. If you're coming from out of town, you can fly into the Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) and take a taxi or rideshare to the casino.
Information on public transportation routes directly to Q Casino can be limited. It's best to check with local Dubuque transit authorities for the most up-to-date bus routes or consider rideshare services.
Q Casino offers a large, convenient parking lot. Valet parking may also be available, especially during peak hours or special events.
Yes, Q Casino is conveniently located near major roadways, making it easy to access by car. It's situated along the Mississippi Riverfront.
Absolutely! Q Casino has an adjacent hotel, The Q Casino Hotel, offering convenient lodging. There are also other hotels in the Dubuque area.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the casino floor itself is generally free. However, tickets are required for specific entertainment events like concerts or comedy shows at the Backwater Stage.
You must be 21 years of age or older to enter the casino gaming areas and to gamble. The Island Social arcade, however, is family-friendly.
Casino hours can vary, but generally, the gaming floor is open 24/7. Entertainment venues and restaurants will have specific operating hours, so it's best to check their individual schedules.
Yes, tickets for shows at the Backwater Stage and other entertainment venues are typically available for purchase online through the Q Casino website or authorized ticketing partners.
Q Casino often runs various promotions and has a loyalty program (Q Club) that offers rewards for gaming and spending. Check their website for current offers.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Q Casino offers a variety of slot machines, table games like blackjack and roulette, and a poker room. The Island Social area has arcade games, virtual axe throwing, and duck pin bowling.
Q Casino has a significant smoking section, which can be noticeable throughout the casino. There are designated non-smoking areas, but the smell can still be present.
The Backwater Stage hosts live music and comedy shows. You can also find live entertainment on the casino floor. Check their schedule for upcoming events.
Yes, The Q Casino Hotel is adjacent to the casino, offering convenient accommodation for visitors.
The Q Club is Q Casino's loyalty program. Members can earn points for gaming and spending, which can be redeemed for rewards, discounts, and special offers.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Q Casino has several dining venues, including restaurants and bars. The Island Social area also offers food options. However, reviews suggest caution with some main dining experiences.
The Island Social area offers food that is generally more appealing to families, with options like wings and mac and cheese. Kids' meals are also available.
Dining options can vary, but typically include casual fare, bar food, and some more substantial meals. Be aware of specific menu items that have received negative feedback, like the 'onion pizza.'
Yes, drink service is available at the casino bars and from waitresses on the gaming floor, though service can sometimes be slow.
The 'onion pizza' is a menu item that has received significant negative reviews for being overwhelmingly covered in onions and lacking flavor in other components. Management's response to complaints has also been criticized.
📸 📸 Photography
Generally, photography is allowed in public areas of Q Casino. However, it's always a good idea to be discreet and avoid photographing other guests without their permission, especially at gaming tables.
The casino floor itself offers a vibrant atmosphere for photos. The exterior views of the Mississippi River and the racetrack can also provide scenic backdrops.
Consider capturing the energy of the gaming floor, the lights of the slot machines, or the views from the hotel. The Island Social arcade also offers colorful and dynamic photo opportunities.
While not explicitly stated, it's best to avoid using flash photography, especially in areas with live entertainment or where it might disturb other guests.
Yes, during the racing season, the racetrack offers a unique visual experience. Be mindful of any restricted areas or safety guidelines.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, be mindful that the main casino floor is strictly for those 21 and older and is quite smoky.
💰 Budget Travelers
To save on dining, consider exploring options outside of the casino, as reviews for the main restaurants have been largely negative.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Q Casino Experience: Beyond the Slots
For adults seeking entertainment, the Backwater Stage is a key attraction, regularly hosting live music and comedy shows. This venue provides a more intimate setting for enjoying performances.
However, it's important to be aware of the casino's atmosphere. Reviews frequently mention a smoky environment, which can be off-putting for some visitors.
Dining: A Mixed Bag
The dining experience at Q Casino has been a point of contention for many visitors. While the Island Social offers decent, albeit sometimes rich, food options suitable for families, the main restaurants have received notable criticism. A particularly infamous example is the 'onion pizza,' which has been described as overwhelmingly covered in onions with little other flavor, and management's response to complaints has been noted as unhelpful.
Navigating the Gaming Floor and Amenities
A significant aspect of the gaming floor experience is the atmosphere, which is frequently described as quite smoky.
Service on the gaming floor, particularly for drink service, has also been noted as inconsistent. Some guests have reported having to fetch their own drinks due to slow waitress attention.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit