Posted July 01, 2026in Belly Up To...
When choosing a summertime watering hole in Iowa, one question rises to the top: Does it have a patio? At The Soggy Frog, the answer is yes. In fact, it offers more than one patio. With three distinct seating areas and stunning water views from nearly every angle, the venue
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Posted June 03, 2026in Belly Up To...
If you are looking for an expertly handcrafted cocktail in West Des Moines, don’t search for the word “bar” on the outdoor signage. Instead, look for a beauty salon and spa. Hidden inside Serenity Couture Salon & Spa in the former Wells Fargo building is West Des Moines’ newest speakeasy,
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Posted May 06, 2026in Belly Up To...
Johnston continues to expand its “new” downtown with the Johnston Town Center, and one of the latest additions is Zeke’s Rooftop and Grill. Zeke’s is named after one of Johnston’s earliest settlers, Ezekiel and Mary Hunt, and opened in January 2026. Zeke’s includes two levels of fun, food and the
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Posted April 01, 2026in Belly Up To...
Walking into Lachele’s Fine Foods in Highland Park, I found a brightly lit diner. Craving a bar atmosphere, I asked myself: Where’s the bar? I didn’t have to look far. The Fitz was right next door. The two are connected, and I could have easily gone through a side door
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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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