Walking into Treehouse Pub & Eatery on November 1 felt less like loading in for a gig and more like dropping by a neighborhood hangout we’d somehow missed out on until now. The reclaimed wood, the low hum of conversation, the smell of pizza coming out of the oven—it all made it pretty easy to forget we were technically there to work.
Treehouse Pub: Food, Friends, and a Stage
Treehouse in Bettendorf has a reputation for being one of those places where people actually show up for the music, not just the TV screens and appetizers. Their menu is no joke either—gourmet burgers, artisan pizzas, and a long list of craft beers that had more than a few people studying the taps like a final exam.
My pre-show ritual that night was the Cuban Sandwich on Rustic Sourdough. It was exactly what I needed before we started—messy in the best way, and just enough fuel to make it through the first set without eyeing everyone else’s plates.
New Tunes, Old Favorites
We built the night around a mix of songs we know like muscle memory and a few we were brave (or foolish) enough to debut on the spot.
New additions to the set included:
- “Bittersweet” by Big Head Todd and the Monsters – We definitely took a minute to find our footing on this one, but once it locked in, the room leaned in with us and it ended up being a crowd favorite.
- “Jealous Again” by The Black Crowes – Our version turned into one of those head-nod, foot-tap moments where you can tell people recognize it from the first few chords.
- “Round Here” by Counting Crows – This one is no small lift, but we were really happy with how our first run went. It felt like the kind of song we’ll keep coming back to.
- “What You Give” by Tesla – This started as a surprise request and quickly turned into a sing-along. Sometimes the unplanned ones are the most fun.
We also mixed in some originals, including my song “My Shadow”. We’d only rehearsed it a handful of times, so it still had that slightly fragile, on-the-edge feeling, but it settled in nicely and might have just earned itself a regular spot in future sets.
Two Gears, One Night
At one point I joked with Tom that we only have two gears: before the wine and after the wine. Early in the evening, everything felt dialed in—tight harmonies, clean transitions, the kind of set where people can talk over their dinner but still catch a line here and there.
As the night went on, the room loosened up and so did we. We started leaning into the banter, telling a few stories between songs, and letting the tempo and volume creep up just enough to match the noise level of the bar.
Tom’s parents came out, which always makes it feel a little like a family gathering, and our friends Katherine and Marshall were there too. Having familiar faces in the crowd changes the whole night—it turns a show into more of a conversation.
Guest Vocals and TV Theme Curveballs
Marshall ended up joining us on stage for a few jazz standards, and his baritone voice completely shifted the mood in the best way. You could feel the room go quiet in that “nobody wants to talk over this” kind of way.
Later on, someone tossed out a request for TV theme songs. That turned into us pulling out the “Taxi” theme, which is not exactly something you expect to hear at a pub on a weeknight. It got a big reaction and more than a few surprised smiles.
Sing-Alongs and a World Series Win
We moved “Piano Man” earlier in the set than we usually do, and it immediately turned into a full-house sing-along—the kind where you can pretty much stop playing and let the crowd carry it.
The World Series game was on while we played, so to nod to that, we wrapped up with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. It was another one of those songs everyone knows whether they planned to sing or not.
By the time we got home, the Dodgers had clinched the World Series. That win meant a lot to Greg and to his mom’s late husband, who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. It felt like the night ended on a personal high note, both on and off the stage.
Thanks, Treehouse
Huge thanks to Brian and the whole team at Treehouse Pub & Eatery for taking such good care of us and giving us a place where the music, the food, and the people all seemed to be on the same wavelength. We’re already looking forward to coming back.
If you’re planning a party, private event, or anything that could use some live acoustic music, we’d love to be part of it. Book us for your next event and let’s see what kind of night we can create together.
Ready for an enchanting autumn evening? On November 1, step into the Treehouse Pub & Eatery in Bettendorf, IA, for a memorable night that fuses Bell & Field’s soulful melodies with an exquisite dining experience! Revel in a cozy setting from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, as we kick off this unique event.
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