By Jared Curtis
Saints Pub and Patio
West Des Moines patio destination
Deciding on a bar’s location is an important task and can help or hurt a business. Marc Mundt and Scott Anderson, co-owners of Saints Pub and Patio and Tonic (West Glen/Ankeny), know this, so when they discovered the former home to Irina’s was vacant, they jumped on the property.
“I really liked the location and knew that it had a huge patio,” said Mundt. “We completely gutted the entire place and even raised the ceilings.”
The bar has a completely different look and feel than its former resident. On one side of the large, open room are a number of tables for relaxing over drinks and grub. On the other side is a 50 foot U-shaped bar. No matter where patrons sit, one of the bar’s 16 TVs is in view.
“We like to think of ourselves as a sports pub,” Mundt said. “We have every sports package, and each one of our TVs can be changed to a specific game.”
Along with a plethora of TVs and sports packages, the bar has one of the biggest patios (3,500 sq. ft.) in town. It sits more than 150 people, and once the weather warms up, the party won’t stop.
“We can’t wait for the weather to warm up,” Mundt said. “The patio is going to be sponsored by Corona. It’s a big draw for customers, and with the bike path right behind us, we are a perfect place for riders to stop and enjoy a drink.”
Happy Hour runs all day on Sunday and from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you can’t make it to their regular Happy Hour, they hold a late night Happy Hour from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Specials include $2.50 bottles/draws, $3.50 imports, $3 wells, $3 margaritas, $2 off pitchers and $2.25 draws of Miller High Life, Busch Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon.
“We are a neighborhood bar and wanted to give back to our customers by offering great Happy Hour prices,” Mundt said.
The bar offers 20 different beers on tap and more than 15 in the bottle. Saints also offers more than 10 different wines by the glass ($4-$6) and bottle ($18-$24), as well as a few higher end bottles ($45-$110). The bar also features eight different martinis ($7) and eight house cocktails ($5-$6). Try a house specialty, an “Orange Peel.”
“The Orange Peel is on the sweeter side, but it really packs a punch,” said bartender Nick Smith.
Saints also offers a wide variety food including appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees.
“We serve above average bar food that is made from scratch,” Mundt said. “Our garlic fries and sweet potato fries are a huge hit.”
Celebrate your Irish heritage on March 17 with the first annual Saints Paddy’s Day party. Patrons can party outside with beer specials (including green beer) and prize giveaways. Although Saints Pub and Patio has only been open for little more than a month, they are already building a regular clientele and encourage anyone to stop in.
“We offer a casual atmosphere, and our food is a step above,” Mundt said. “Plus we have the biggest patio in West Des Moines.” CV
caption: Bartender Nick Smith pours a house specialty martini, the “Chuckle-licious,” at Saints Patio and Pub, 265 50th St, West Des Moines. Hours are 11 to 2 a.m., daily. For more information, visit www.saintspub.com.
