Posted March 04, 2026in Belly Up To...
In the distance, a rollercoaster zips up and down among neon lights. After a long day at the amusement park, a relaxing spot to unwind would be ideal. Nearby is the Brick & Ivy Rooftop, located at 400 34th Ave. S.W. in Altoona. The vast, modern two-story building opened in
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Posted February 04, 2026in Belly Up To...
Des Moines’ newest sports bar, Heroics, is like most any sports bar in some ways — a full bar, fascinating conversations and the latest game on the big-screen TV. However, there is one distinction that sets it apart from other sports bars — all the games shown feature women athletes.
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Posted December 31, 2025in Belly Up To...
The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny continues to evolve into a bustling mini city center. The ever-expanding area offers an abundance of shops and services, along with restaurant and drinking establishments. One spot recently turned over. It is from the same owner, so it was a friendly exchange. The
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Posted December 03, 2025in Belly Up To...
As one business shutters, another often snaps up the location and revamps it, reopening within a few years. Yet, for the Highland Underground, it took more than 40 years to be transformed from a department store into a cocktail bar. The Highland Underground opened in early October and is in
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Posted November 05, 2025in Belly Up To...
While settling in at the patio at the Sunset Lounge in Norwalk, the sun was nearing the horizon, but I couldn’t see any blazing red and orange colors. Where’s the sunset? Isn’t that why it’s named Sunset Lounge? Nope. Turns out it is named Sunset Lounge because it is located
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Posted October 01, 2025in Belly Up To...
Walking into the 85 Bar West, patrons are greeted with Chicago Bears memorabilia. Signs, team rosters, posters, pictures and pendants line nearly every inch of the bar. Located at 432 E. Hickman Road in Waukee, 85 Bar West opened up in the fall of 2024. Its sister location in the
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Posted September 03, 2025in Belly Up To...
“Saturday Night Live.” “Jaws.” “All In the Family.” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It was 1975 when these shows and movies were popular. Meanwhile, one other 50-year landmark is still going strong. Charlie’s Filling Station, located at 305 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines, was created from an old
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Posted August 06, 2025in Belly Up To...
Corn dogs. Fried Twinkies. Grinders. If you think that sounds like food from the Iowa State Fair, you are correct. But fair food goes beyond a porkchop on a stick. Each year, the Iowa State Fair offers dozens of new foods, including 67 tantalizing treats for 2025. This year, I
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Posted July 02, 2025in Belly Up To...
Step into the Guesthouse Tavern+Oyster and you might think you’re in a lodge, alongside a lake or river located in northern Wisconsin or bordering Minnesota. But you’re not. Instead, you’re in West Des Moines in a strip mall bordering Waukee. The Guesthouse Tavern+Oyster opened in February 2024 and was established
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Posted June 04, 2025in Belly Up To...
“Where’s the door?” My Belly Up companion asked this as we wandered into Hotel Fort Des Moines, inspecting possible entryways to an alleged secret speakeasy. The hotel concierge pointed to the nearby Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar. Close to the bar area, the waiter directed us to a clear glass
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