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Cover Story

100 Favorite Bars

9/23/2015

When people see the cover of this issue, they sometimes ask, “100 bars? Isn’t that pretty much all of them in Des Moines?” Those people clearly don’t know the metro area very well.

The Des Moines area is home to hundreds — plural — of bars, restaurants and other quirky places that serve alcohol. It seems about every week a restaurateur is opening up another hangout, and we can’t find a reason to complain about that. The nightlife options in the area make up a wide variety of styles, including the traditional sports bars, dance clubs, cocktail lounges, karaoke bars and even cafes with wine and beer menus.

When looking for a place to drink, the words “There’s nowhere to go” should never enter the mind of a Des Moines local. In fact, the choice can at times be overwhelming, and that is why we have narrowed the selection down to our 100 favorites.

1908 Draught House
1320 E. Hickman Road, Waukee • (515) 987-0552
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.draughthouse1908.com

AJ’s on East Court
419 E. Court Ave., Des Moines • (515) 282-1888
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/ajsoneastcourt

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Alpine Tap Room
2720 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9717
Open daily

Bar Louie
7105 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 422-9640
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.barlouieamerica.com

Barcadium
102 Third St. • (515) 243-9388
www.facebook.com/barcadiumdsm

Beaver Tap
4050 Urbandale Ave. • (515) 528-8125
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com

Beer Can Alley
216 Court Ave. • (515) 222-2324
Sun. – Wed. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m., Thurs. – Sat. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/beercanalleydm

The Beerhouse
4810 N.W. 86th St., Urbandale • (515) 278-1821
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. – midnight
www.otbeerhouse.com

Benchwarmers
705 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny • (515) 965-2556
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sat. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Benchwarmers

The Blazing Saddle
416 E. Fifth St. • (515) 246-1299
Mon. – Fri. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.theblazingsaddle.com

Blue Moon Piano Bar
5485 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 554-7300
Tues. – Wed. 4 p.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.bluemoonduelingpianobar.com

Brewhouse No. 25
805 17th Ave. S.W., Altoona • (515) 745-2059
Mon. – Fri. 4 p.m. – close, Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – close
www.facebook.com/brewhouse25

Cabaret Ankeny
2785 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny • (515) 965-5481
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.cabaretnightlife.com

Cabaret West Glen
560 S. Prairie View Drive, WDM • (515) 225-1105
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.cabaretnightlife.com

Carbon
216 Court Ave. • (515) 280-5423
www.facebook.com/Carbon

Carl’s Place
1620 Woodland Ave. • (515) 243-9727
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Cattoor’s
1306 Grand Ave. • (515) 267-8973
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Cattoors

Charlie’s Filling Station
305 Grand Ave., WDM • (515) 274-9041
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Chicken Coop
1960 Grand Ave., Suite 23, WDM • (515) 223-0088
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.chickencoopsportsbar.com/WestDesMoines

Chicken Coop
12725 Meredith Drive, Urbandale • (515) 334-2667
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.chickencoopsportsbar.com

Cityscape Lounge
1050 6th Ave • (515) 283-0151
Mon. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.hidesmoines.com/dining/cityscape-lounge

Confluence Brewery
1235 Thomas Beck Road • (515) 285-9005
Tues. – Wed. 4-10 p.m., Thurs. noon – 10 p.m.
Fri. – Sat. noon – 11 p.m., Sun. noon – 7 p.m.
www.confluencebrewing.com

The Copper Cup
207 Fourth St. • (515) 554-2606
Mon. – Fri. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thecoppercupdm

Cowboy Jack’s
5513 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 224-7670
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
http://desmoines.theaftermidnightgroup.com

Della Viti
425 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 259-9918
Sun. – Thurs. 2 p.m., Fri. – Sat. noon
www.dellaviti.com

Derry’s Lounge
4845 Merle Hay Road • (515) 278-2810
Mon. – Sat. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/TheDerrysLounge

Draught House 1908
8789 Northpark Drive, Johnston • (515) 278-1671
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/1908-Draught-House

Dos Rios
316 Court Ave. • (515) 282-2995
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.dosriosrestaurant.com

Down Under Bar and Grill
8350 Hickman Road, Clive • (515) 278-6718
Mon. – Thurs. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.greatestbar.com

Drake Bakery Café & Bar
1409 23rd Street • (515) 412-1068
Mon. – Thurs. 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.,
Sun. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
www.thedrakecafe.com

Draught House 50
6240 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 223-1046
Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/draughthouse50

Draught House 50
1300 50th St., WDM • (515) 223-1046
Mon-Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. , Sun. 10 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/draughthouse50

Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 282-8085
Mon. – Thurs. 3-11 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.eateryadsm.com

The Exchange
216 Court Ave. • (515) 421-4389
www.exchangedsm.com

Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut St. • (515) 883-2337
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
www.exilebrewing.com

Firetrucker Brewing
716 S.W. Third St., Ankeny • (515) 964-1284
Tues. – Thurs. 4-10 p.m., Fri. – Sat. noon – 10 p.m.
Sun. noon – 8 p.m.
www.firetrucker.com

Flat Tire Lounge
304 S. Madison St., Madrid • (515) 795-4174
Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 8 a.m. – midnight
www.flattirelounge.com

Flying Moose
8980 Hickman Road, Suite 101, Clive • (515) 251-7000
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/TheFlyingMooseDM

Fong’s Pizza
233 Fourth St. • (515) 323-3333
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.fongspizza.com

Front Row
6555 University Ave., Windsor Heights • (515) 255-6912
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.frontrowbar.com

G’Migs
128 Fifth St., WDM • (515) 255-4550
Mon. 3-11 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight
Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. , Sun. 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
www.gmigs.com

The Garden Nightclub
112 S.E. Fourth St. • (515) 243-3965
Wed. – Sat. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 5 p.m. – midnight

Gas Lamp
1501 Grand Ave. • (515) 280-3778
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.gaslampdsm.com

Granite City
12801 University Ave., Clive • (515) 224-1300
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. Sat. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.gcfb.net

Hessen Haus
101 Fourth St. • (515) 288-2520
Mon. – Tues. 11 a.m. – midnight, Wed. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.hessenhaus.com

Ingersoll Tap
2837 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 234-3196
www.facebook.com/Ingersolltap

Jeannie’s Bottle
3839 Merle Hay Road • (515) 278-9797
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/jeannies-bottle

Johnny’s Hall of Fame
302 Court Ave. • (515) 280-6679
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.johnnyshalloffame.com

Joker’s
216 Court Ave. • (515) 237-5427
Thurs. – Sun. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/jokersdsm

The Keg Stand
3530 Westown Parkway WDM • (515) 327-7429
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m. , Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thekegstand

Latitude 41
6170 N.W. Polk City Drive, Polk City • (515) 984-9512
Mon. – Wed. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. – Sun. 8:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Latitude-41-bar-grill

Lefty’s
2307 University Ave. • (515) 274- 7442
www.leftyslivemusic.com

The Lift
222 Fourth St. • (515) 288-3777
Mon. 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. Sun. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.dmlift.com

Locust Tap
434 E. Locust St.
www.facebook.com/The-Locust-Tap

The Longest Yard
122 Fifth St., WDM • (515) 274-1710
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.thelongestyardsportsgrill.com

Lynn’s on Merle Hay
6014 59th Court, Johnston • (515) 270-9806
Daily 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/lynnsmerlehay

Mickey’s Irish Pub Clive
1800 N.W. 86th St., Clive • (515) 252-0248
Mon. – Thurs. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.themickeysirishpub.com

Mikey’s Irish Pub Downtown
206 Third St. • (515) 288-8323
Mon. – Sun. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.mickeysirishpub.com

Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee
50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee • (515) 987-9604
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.mickeyswaukee.com

Miss Kitty’s
8800 Swanson Blvd., Clive • (515) 327-1303
Wed. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.kittysusa.com

Murphy’s Bar and Grill
2675 100th St., Urbandale • (515) 334-0633
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sat. 4 p.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/Murphys-bar-grill

Okoboji Grill
8481 Birchwood Court, Johnston • (515) 276-5255
Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sun. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.okobojigrill.com

Orlondo’s Bar and Grill
4337 Park Ave., Des Moines • (515) 244-3637
Mon. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.orlondos.com

The Other Place
12401 University Ave., WDM • (515) 225-9494
Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.theotherplace.com

Pal Joey’s
6224 Grand Ave. • (515) 224-9028
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Pal-joeys

Pints Pub N’ Patio
319 Court Ave. • (515) 282-9999
www.facebook.com/pints-pub-n-patio

Player’s Bar and Grill
1760 Beaver Ave. • (515) 274-8639
Mon. – Tues. 3-10 p.m., Thurs. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.facebook.com/Players-Sports-Bar-Grill

Quinton’s
506 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 244-6624
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.quintonsbaranddeli.com

The Ridgemont
7460 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights • (515) 276-0129
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/theridgemont

RoCA
208 Court Ave. • (515) 282-3663
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight
Sun. – Mon. closed
www.rocadsm.com

The Rooftop
525 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 288-2996
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/the-rooftop

Royal Mile
210 Fourth St. • (515) 280-3771
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.royalmilebar.com

Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4050 Urbandale Ave. • (515) 270-6175
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/beaver-tap/des-moines

Saints Pub + Patio Jordan Creek
165 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, #120, WDM • (515) 226-8407
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/saints-pub/jordan-creek/

Saints Pub + Patio West Des Moines
265 50th St., WDM • (515) 440-4703
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/saints-pub/west-des-moines/

Saint’s Pub + Patio Waukee
87 N.E. Carefree Lane, Waukee • (515) 216-1654
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com

Shorty’s
208 Court Ave. • (515) 288-2536
Sun. – Mon. 4-9 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight
Fri. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.shortyssomewhatfancybar.com

Shotgun Betty’s
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 309-0744
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/shotgunbettys

Sidebar
400 Locust St., Suite 130 • (515) 537-8433
Daily, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
www.sidebardsm.com

Star Bar
2811 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 244-0790
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/Star-Bar

Streetcar 209
525 E. Grand Ave. • (515)727-4370
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4-11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4 p.m. –
midnight, Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sun. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/streetcar209

The Stuffed Olive
208 Third St. • (515) 243-4456
Mon. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.thestuffedolive.com/dsm

Sully’s Irish Pub
110 Grand Ave., WDM • (515) 255-9970
Mon. – Thurs. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
Sullysdesmoines.com

Tapz Pub
8450 Hickman Road, Clive • (515) 270-2266
Mon. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Wed. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Thurs. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.tapzpub.com

Thirsty Sportsman
4808 S.W. Ninth St. • (515) 953-0377
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thethirstysportsman

Toad’s Tavern
3002 State Ave. • (515) 264-8623
Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
www.toadstavern.net

Tonic Downtown
210 Court Ave. • (515) 777-1182
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/tonic-bar/court-avenue/

Tonic West Glen
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 225-6755
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/tonic-bar/west-des-moines/

Trophy’s
2701 Douglas Ave. • (515) 255-1111
Sun. – Tues. 11 a.m. – midnight, Wed. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.plazalanesdm.com/bar-grill/

Twin Peaks
4570 University Ave., WDM • (515) 528-8294
Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com

Up-Down
500 E. Locust St. • (515) 243-4322
Mon. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.updowndsm.com

Vaudeville Mews
212 Fourth St. • (515) 243-3270
www.vaudevillemews.com

Voodoo Lounge
208 Third St. • (515) 243-4456
Mon. – Thurs. 8 p.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.voodoodsm.com

The Waverly
2120 Ingersoll Ave. • (515)528-2293
Mon. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight, Fri. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. noon – 2 a.m., Sun. noon – 9 p.m.
www.thewaverlydsm.com

Wellman’s
2920 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9737
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.wellmanspub.com

Wellman’s West
597 Market St., WDM • (515) 222-1100
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.wellmanspub.com

Wooly’s
504 E. Locust St. • (515) 244-0550
www.woolysdm.com

Yacht Club
2617 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9208
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Des-Moines-Yacht-Club

Yankee Clipper
312 S.W. Maple St., Ankeny • (515) 964-9484
Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.yankeeclipperbar.com

Zimm’s Food and Spirits
3124 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 277-9929
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Zimms-Food-Spirits

Classic Cocktails

Sidecar
Ingredients:
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce lemon juice
1 ½ ounces cognac

sidecar-147094664

Directions: Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake well until chilled, then strain into glass. Garnish with a twist of orange or lemon peel. Optional: Prepare a cocktail glass by running a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dipping it in a saucer of superfine sugar.

Tom Collins
Ingredients:
2 ounces gin (London dry gin)
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
½ ounce lemon juice
Club soda, chilled

tom collins-184356993

Directions: Combine gin, lemon juice and sugar in a glass and stir until sugar dissolves. Fill glass with ice and top with chilled club soda.

Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 sugar cube
3 dashes bitters (Angostura bitters)
Club soda
2 ounces whiskey (rye whiskey)

old fashioned-186061633

Directions: Add sugar cube to an Old Fashioned glass and douse with bitters. Add a few drops of water and stir until sugar is dissolved, then add whiskey and a couple large ice cubes. Stir to chill, then garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.

Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon honey
2 ounces whiskey (Jack Daniels)
4 ounces water (hot from the tap)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 slice of fresh lemon

hot toddy-484081181

Directions: Put whiskey in large, microwave-safe mug and add honey. Pour hot water into the mug — pour it over the spoon used for the honey to get every bit of the honey. Add lemon juice and stir well. Microwave the mixture for one minute or until piping hot, but not boiling. Add lemon slice and serve.

3 Comments

  1. Wayne R. Serbin says:

    My favorite bar is in the Des Moines Club. Sure it is an exclusive private club, but unlike a public bar, the club is not obligated to just let “anybody” in

  2. Eric W says:

    No El Bait Shop? Recognized as one of the best beer bars in the US but not in the DM metro?

  3. hemel.ro says:

    Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you provide.

    It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the
    same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

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