UnImpaired, Iowa City's newest bar, is looking to provide a different kind of environment to the Iowa City community. The bar features a large drink menu, pizza, a pool table and plenty of space to gather with friends. The only thing missing is alcohol.

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UnImpaired is a dry bar and specializes in making alcohol-free drinks. 

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Amber Haines, co-owner of UnImpaired, is four years sober herself and wants to provide a clean, fun space for college students aged 18 to 21. 

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"I am hoping we are a space where students can come study, have a casual lunch or grab something quickly throughout the day, and then come back later for dinner or some entertainment we will have," Haines said. 

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As part of the University of Iowa's homecoming week festivities, Fraternity and Sorority Life Programs hosted a homecoming party titled ReMix'd at UnImpaired. 

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ShirDonna Lawrence, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Programs (FSL), contacted UnImapried and suggested holding the event to create new traditions and new ways of thinking about what it means to be a Hawkeye. The event had around 250-300 students attend, and many students involved in FSL at the University of Iowa attended the event. 

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"The majority of the crow was fraternity and sorority life students, but some were not," Lawrence said. "Being able to expand beyond FSL crowds and create welcoming spaces for students who are not yet part of our FSL community is part of the mission of our office and membered organization."

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Pi Beta Phi required members to attend the event in order to be able to go to their formal later this year. 

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"I thought both the drinks and food were high quality," Pi Beta Phi member Matilda Mel said. "I really enjoyed the pizza and I thought it was very creative of them to make non-alcoholic drinks that resembled typical drinks with alcohol." 

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This event also benefited UnImpaired. It provided exposure to the community of Iowa City and gave the staff practice before the bar officially opens to the public. 

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"We had a lot of positive feedback. We had a few people tell us they felt 'safe' here and overall it was a fun time, Haines said. 

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UnImpaired will open to the public Friday, Oct. 22, and is located at 125 E. Burlington St. The bar will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday with Friday and Saturday hours from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.