The Republic on Grand

Come for the views, stay for the drinks and food

Nate Ward, Danyelle Dyer, Nick Agnes and Paige
Carlson are part of the service team at the East
Village’s loftiest bar, The Republic on Grand.

The Republic on Grand is the East Village’s latest addition. The new bar is located on the sixth floor of the newly completed AC Hotel by Marriott on East Fourth and Grand Avenue.

The dress code is casual, says Nick Agnes, the assistant chief operating executive and the man charged with operating the bar. He says to come down, take a sip, relax and then repeat as needed.

Agnes assures it’s been all systems go since the March 1 opening.

“The reception we’ve received from the community has been amazing,” he says.

The views are amazing, too, according to Agnes. The state capitol is viewable from one of the two patios, and the ball yard of the Iowa Cubs — Principal Park — is visible from the other.

“There’s nothing like this in Des Moines,” he says. “And this is definitely a spot that Des Moines has been looking for. I can’t wait for summer.”

The Local (pictured) is one of two color-changing
cocktails on the bar’s menu. Nick Agnes is the
assistant chief operating executive, and he says
it’s the first bar in Iowa to offer that. The Local
contains a flour extract that is infused with citric
acid to make the drink change colors. Agnes says
the drink’s transformation is reminiscent of the
change the East Village has undergone during the
last two decades.

That’s because Agnes will get an up-close view of the stadium’s frequent firework displays.

The bar’s lush decor is something to behold as well. It consists of velvety couches and chairs, walls paneled in wood and a bar top crafted from marble. The Republic attracts a professional crowd, which is to be expected, but Agnes assures The Republic caters to all shapes, sizes and generations. He also says that even though the bar is located in a hotel, it isn’t what you’d think.

“It’s not a hotel bar at all,” he says, adding that the Marriott has a different bar located on the first floor to serve that purpose — The AC Lounge.

“Up here we have a lot of fun,” he says. “The East Village has been dying for a place like this.”

The Republic serves craft cocktails and offers a “light bite” food menu consisting of an eclectic list of smaller-portioned selections. The offerings include a smoked trout toast with lemon zest and onion spread served on a parmesan baguette, and an ahi tuna tatami marinated in ginger soy, seared in cast iron, and then topped with red miso spicy mayo.

“You’re going to come for the views, but you’ll stay for the drinks and the food,” insists Agnes. “We have a drink and food menu that is unlike any place around, and the views are obviously the same, too.” ♦