Posted March 06, 2024in Belly Up To...
The Continental was one of the first restaurants in the up-and-coming East Village district in 2005. Known for its narrow bar, weekly jazz sessions, innovative cocktails and menu sharables, it was a fan favorite. When the Continental lost its lease in 2020, owner Jennifer DuBay didn’t call it quits. She
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Posted January 31, 2024in Belly Up To...
When walking into a bar, an instant vibe is set off. Is it a dive or too high-end? Or does it get lost in the shuffle, trying to please everyone? At the Cork, the vibe matches what they do successfully — focus on unique wines. The Cork 50131, located at
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Posted January 03, 2024in Belly Up To...
Tito’s Vodka was the best selling liquor in Iowa in 2023. Another Tito’s name — Tito’s Lounge — might soon be in the “best” category of food and drink in Urbandale. Tito’s Lounge, located at 3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, opened in November 2021. Owner Haris Zuljevic hails from Bosnia. With
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Posted December 06, 2023in Belly Up To...
Buildings constructed nearly a century ago don’t generally survive, unless it was a quality build. For The Walnut, a bar and grill located at 1417 Walnut, it’s like time stood still. The tall, unique windows, heavy, wooden doors and solid brick interior and exterior create an architectural treat and an
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Posted November 01, 2023in Belly Up To...
Take a drive to Waukee and you will find a sea of new construction with tower cranes, steel structures and the latest, greatest car wash popping up in this bustling suburb. Along the everchanging Hickman Road is a small bar in a strip mall, a former home to several establishments
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Posted October 04, 2023in Belly Up To...
As a landlocked suburb, Windsor Heights businesses can’t just plow up valuable Iowa farmland and construct a shiny new building. Business owners require creativity to repurpose existing buildings. That’s the case with the Centerfield Sports Bar located at 6555 University Ave. The building previously housed a Hawkeye bar, the Front
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Posted September 06, 2023in Belly Up To...
Des Moines’ new Market District is ready for takeoff with its first retail offering, a brewery, in the 230-acre urban development. SingleSpeed Brewing, located at 303 Scott Ave., is walking distance to Principal Park and right off the bike trail near the banks of the Des Moines River. It’s housed
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Posted August 02, 2023in Belly Up To...
Since opening on the corner of E. Grand and E. Fifth Street in 2019, Ernie’s Boondock has crafted a uniqueness that’s hard to come by with affordable prices, outside-the-box cocktails, a divey interior, a patio to host a food truck on the weekends, and enough space leftover to hold the
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Posted July 05, 2023in Belly Up To...
The Des Moines metro area has its share of sports bars with televisions, where sportscasters holler play-by-play action. Or there’s the raucous watering hole, playing booming music on its speakers in a stuffy standing-room only venue. This summer, try something different. It’s time to get away from the typical bar
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Posted May 31, 2023in Belly Up To...
An established southside location has transformed into a neighborhood bar, Triple Crown Sports Bar. Located at 1500 S.E. First St., the previous digs housed various bars the past 60 years. Triple Crown Sports Bar is a no-frills traditional bar where you won’t find drinks that cost more than $8. New
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