Posted June 18, 2014in Belly Up To...
First, can we all just take a moment to applaud the nightlife gods on a job well done for introducing the Bar Louie franchise to the metro? The new restaurant, located near the Nike Factory Store by Jordan Creek Town Center, offers a fun environment and a lively crowd of
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Posted June 11, 2014in Belly Up To...
When the suggestion came to visit a gay bar for this week’s Belly Up, my first reaction was akin to the first words of Matthew McConaughey’s famous Oscar acceptance speech: “All right, all right, all right!” I’d never been to a gay bar before, never seen a drag queen up
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Posted June 04, 2014in Belly Up To...
One of Johnston’s newer hangouts is popular for a reason: The spacious, baseball-themed establishment is perfect for the watching your favorite MLB team, celebrating a girl’s night out or even just taking an hour away from the office for lunch. Although if you do have to go back to work,
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Posted May 28, 2014in Belly Up To...
As the weather gets warmer, there’s more and more reason to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. In West Des Moines, bar-goers and foodies alike spend their outdoor hours enjoying an all-day happy hour and daily food specials at Saints Pub + Patio, which has a similar sister location
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Posted May 21, 2014in Belly Up To...
The view of the Des Moines River may be gorgeous, but that’s not the only thing drawing customers to The Riverwalk Hub downtown. Its selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and locally made food — including artisan meats from La Quercia, ice cream from Indianola’s Outside Scoop, and Maytag’s finest
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Posted May 14, 2014in Belly Up To...
Poised in the trendy Court Avenue neighborhood among other unique hubs, Fong’s is the perfect blend of creativity and carbs, which is exemplified by the aroma out on the sidewalk and the offerings listed on the menus at the tables or bar. Offering 36 different tiki drinks that promise to
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Posted May 07, 2014in Belly Up To...
If you choose Daytona’s All Sports Café as your next stop, be sure to bring some company. Trust me, you’re going to need all the help you can get when it comes to finishing a plate and drink at this Merle Hay Road staple. With whopping serving sizes and drinks
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Posted April 30, 2014in Belly Up To...
Sometimes you need a break from the endless corn and small-town feel that is Iowa. Sometimes you need that break enhanced with a strong drink named The Flaming Beaver. In which case, Beaverdale is not far. Named after Natalie, the owner and chef Robert Sanda’s daughter, this little restaurant/bar might
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Posted April 23, 2014in Belly Up To...
This bar-and-grill is a location to investigate, perfectly poised just out of the way enough to offer a scenic view of the downtown skyline and river ways. Past the fishermen trying their luck over the bridge sits Mullets. One of the first things a guest will likely notice about this
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Posted April 16, 2014in Belly Up To...
It’s good to, as they say, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Upon surveying the outside of a small, dark joint on Ankeny Boulevard, I wasn’t sure if I’d be eating some great bar food or just eating my words. Fortunately, my curious nature paid off and was rewarded
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