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Pots & Shots

3/2/2022

At Pots & Shots in West Des Moines, you won’t find any weeds in the multitude of plants in this unique cocktail bar/plant store. However, you’ll find a variety of shots of booze.

Pots & Shots opened in January 2022 with a cocktail bar on one side (shots) and plants and potting supplies on the other (pots). 

It’s the brainchild of Temeshia Bomato, whose home was overrun by her multitude of plants. She realized the calming effects of plants — along with an adult beverage.

The business is located on a sunny corner of a strip mall that borders Waukee and West Des Moines at 9500 University Ave. Inside, plants are everywhere, but they fall short of feeling jungle-like. Instead, it’s similar to visiting one of your plant-loving friends whose greenery is tastefully arranged in every nook and cranny. There are a few comfy couches, along with high-top tables and bar seating. 

Temeshia Bomato, owner, serves The Farmer’s Market drink, made with Pimms, Absolut Citron, champagne, lemon, agave and garnished with five different fruits and herbs.

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The cocktail menu offers carefully crafted drinks by mixologist Bakari Caldwell. Nine specialty drinks, priced at $12, include fresh ingredients with some herbs grown in-house. The Farmer’s Market includes Pimms, Absolut Citron, champagne, lemon and agave and is garnished with five different fruits and herbs. 

Not a fan of drinks with more than two ingredients? No worries. Just select from wine, beer or a specialty shot. Happy hour from 2-6 p.m. (except on Saturdays) gets you $5 select wine, $6 well drinks, and $7 for a bottled beer with a shot.

Walk a few steps to the retail side, and you’ll find a variety of healthy plants, either full-size, clippings or pre-potted. There are potting accessories along with handmade macramé plant holders. A bonus: If you purchase both a pot and a plant, use the potting station, where you can dig in the dirt and plant your own for free. Bring your drink over while you peruse the plant section. 

Kati Oetken holds a plant at Pots & Shots.

The place is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is closed Mondays. No food is served; however, patrons can bring in their own charcuterie trays. The retail hours vary from the cocktail side, but staff has been known to ring up a plant along with a glass of wine.

A relaxing vibe dominates, as the place smells fresh, without the odor of stale beer or greasy food. Although a couple televisions are present, they don’t tune in to a blaring sports announcer. You can chat up plant tips with the bar staff while you’re downing a shot.

If you want a refreshing bar scene — and green souvenir to take home — head over to Pots & Shots. ♦

2 Comments

  1. Renee says:

    Love this idea

  2. Tammy Martin says:

    Love this! Such a high idea!!

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