Blue Shark Ale House
2/2/2022
Blue Shark Ale House, at 3701 N.W. 86th St. in Urbandale, opened in October 2020.
When looking to watch the game at a neighborhood sports bar, you want more than ESPN scores scrolling and play-by-play action on the big screen. You want it all — food and drinks — and you want it before, during and after the games, all weekend long.
The Blue Shark Ale House at 3701 N.W. 86th St. in Urbandale has it all. The place opened in October 2020 and appears refurbished. At first glance, when someone suggested the place, I thought it was in the old Okoboji Grill, but the Blue Shark is just to the south, in the former Saints location.
The place boasts more than 20 large-screen TVs. Depending on what’s playing, the volume is up on the most popular game.
A full food and drink menu consists of a wide variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza and entrees, along with a kid’s menu. One patron raved about having the “best homemade coleslaw.” You can eat late, as the kitchen is open until midnight.
The happy hour at Blue Shark — weekdays, 3-6 p.m. — offers $3.50 domestic pint beers, $4 well drinks and $4 house wines. Select appetizers are also half off.
A happy hour from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays lands you $3.50 domestic pint beers, $4 well drinks and $4 house wines. Select appetizers are half off.
Weekends filled with sports mean you can sleep in and still grab breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays until 2 p.m. To keep the party going, splurge for a bottomless mimosa on Sundays, and they’ll keep refilling until 2 p.m.
The wings menu comes with a choice of 13 types of sauces, from mild, to sweet, to habanero hot. A steak skillet offers green pepper, onion, cheese and eggs atop hash browns served with pancakes or toast. Chocolate chip pancakes are a sweet alternative.
The Blue Shark burger comes with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, fried onion rings and bacon. Nachos, chips and queso, panko-crusted cheese curds, pretzel sticks… you name it, this appetizer menu is a well-rounded one.
The bar has two sections. One includes tables and booths, along with a kid’s area. The bar area includes high tops and lots of seating. Any place your bottom lands guarantees you a spot to watch the game.
The bar divides the inside space into two sections: One with tables and booths, along with a kid’s area, and the other a bar area with high tops and lots of seating.
The décor is a seasoned look with cement floors, exposed brick, weathered wood and metal fixtures on the ceiling.
Although it was a snowy evening, the patio looked inviting if it hadn’t covered with a foot of snow. A huge garage door opens up in the summer for extended outdoor seating.
According to their website, there is a second Blue Shark Ale House located at 165 S. Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.
Visit either location for late-night bites and your favorite sports game experience. ♦
