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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Posted May 03, 2023in Belly Up To...
Patio weather. Central Iowans love dining outdoors and with good reason — we only get about six months of lounging outside to enjoy a cold beverage and good eats. Patio lovers desire a place with an all-around good vibe. We found it for you at the Vibes Kitchen & Bar.
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Posted April 05, 2023in Belly Up To...
When’s the best time to write a Belly Up column on an Irish place? After the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. I headed to Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery following their three-day St. Paddy’s day celebration. A few leftover green decorations dotted the place. But no worries — there was plenty
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Posted March 01, 2023in Belly Up To...
A popular brewery, Backpocket Brewing, opened a satellite location in Johnston in January. Backpocket Pin & Pixel is located at Merle Hay Road and 62nd Street in the newly constructed Johnston Town Center. The new digs differ from Backpocket’s original Coralville location. The “Pin” portion includes duckpin bowling, while the
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