Our 100 favorite bars
9/18/2013You ever have one of those days when you just need a drink? A good, stiff, “I want to taste my money” kind of drink? When in search of a place to belly up, it doesn’t take a GPS navigation system, just a watchful eye to the left and to the right while driving down one of the metro’s many bustling corridors or back road routes. According to the Iowa Restaurant Association, within a 30-mile radius of Des Moines proper, you have about 530 places to rest your head, your belly or your boobs on a bar to toss back a drink or two. Of those, it’s hard to pick which ones are the best, but here is a list of 100 that our staff suggests.
Now grab a pencil and check off where you’ve been. Then check your score on the rate card. Cheers!
34’s Sports Bar
Valley West Mall, WDM
515-224-4104
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
AJ’s on East Court
419 E. Court Ave.
515-282-1888
Daily 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/ajsoneastcourt
Beaver Tap
4050 Urbandale Ave.
515-528-8125
Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Beechwood Lounge
416 E. Walnut St.
515-288-2337
Mon.-Fri. 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
https://myspace.com/beechwoodlounge
Beer Bucket and Burgers
910 Hull Ave.
515-330-1891
Sun.-Thurs. 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Beer Can Alley
216 Court Ave.
515-222-2324
Sun.-Wed. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/BEERCANALLEYDM
Benchwarmers
705 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
515-965-2556
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
Bennigan’s
4800 Merle Hay Road
515-276-7777
Mon.-Thurs. 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun. 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Billy Joe’s Lounge
1701 25th St. #12, WDM
515-223-9944
Mon.-Wed. 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Thurs.-Fri. 1 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Blazing Saddle
416 E. Fifth St.
515-246-1299
Mon.-Fri. 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Blue Moon Piano Bar
5485 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM
515-564-7300
Tues.-Wed. 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.bluemoonduelingpianobar.com
Booneville Bar
35653 Ute Ave., Booneville
515-987-2237
Mon.-Wed. 2 p.m.-11 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat. 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/BoonevilleBar
Brecks
207 Fourth St.
515-943-4995
Daily 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Buddy’s Corral
418 E. Fifth St.
515-244-7140
Daily 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
https://myspace.com/buddyscorral
Buzzard Billy’s
615 Third St.
515-244-2899
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
www.buzzardbillys.com/des-moines
Cabaret Ankeny
2785 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
515-965-5481
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Cabaret West Glen
560 S. Prairie View Drive, WDM
515-225-1105
Daily 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cans Bar and Grill
2956 E. Grand Ave.
515-266-2716
Daily 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m.
Captain’s Quarters
807 Main St., Adel
515-993-4417
Mon.-Thurs. 2 p.m.-12 a.m.; Fri 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.-10 p.m.
Cattoors
1306 Grand Ave., WDM
515-267-8973
Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Charlie’s Filling Station
305 Grand Ave., WDM
515-274-9041
Daily 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Chicken Coop
1960 Grand Ave., Suite 23, WDM
515-223-0088
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
www.chickencoopsportsbar.com/WestDesMoines
Coda Lounge
401 Locust St.
515-365-7244
Daily 6 a.m.-12 a.m.
www.facebook.com/CodaDesMoines
Cosmopolitan Lounge
800 Locust St., Suites of 800 Locust Hotel
515-288-5800
Daily 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Court Avenue Brewing Co.
309 Court Ave.
515-282-2739
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (May-October: Sat. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.)
Daytona’s All Sports Cafe
4875 Merle Hay Road
515-331-0996
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Derry’s Lounge
4845 Merle Hay Road
515-278-2810
Mon.-Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Dos Rios
316 Court Ave.
515-282-2995
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (November-March: Closed Mondays)
Down Under Bar and Grill
8350 Hickman Road, Clive
515-278-6718
Mon.-Thurs. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
East 14th Street Tavern
3418 E. 14th St.
515-266-3446
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/pages/E-14th-St-Tavern
El Bait Shop
200 S.W. Second St.
515-284-1970
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Exchange, The
216 Court Ave.
515-202-4500
Mon.-Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Exile Brewing Company
1514 Walnut St.
515-883-2337
Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Flying Moose
8980 Hickman Road, Suite 101, Clive
515-251-7000
Daily 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/TheFlyingMooseDM
Fong’s Pizza
223 Fourth St.
515-323-3333
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
The Garden Nightclub
112 S.E. Fourth St.
515-243-3965
Wed.-Sat. 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Gas Lamp
1501 Grand Ave.
515-280-3778
Daily 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
GoodSons
2815 Beaver Ave., Suite 102
515-255-1912
Mon. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Gramercy Tap
400 Walnut St.
515-288-9606
Tues.-Sat. 4 p.m.-Close
Heroes
216 Court Ave.
712-579-9454
Tues.-Thurs. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sun. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Hessen Haus
101 Fourth St.
515-288-2520
Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
High Life Lounge
200 S.W. Second St.
515-280-1965
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
House of Bricks
525 E. Grand Ave.
515-727-4370
Mon. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 5-11 p.m.
Jimmy’s on Eighth
1238 Eighth St., Windsor Heights
515-457-2953
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-Close; Sun. 10 a.m.-Close
Johnny’s Hall of Fame
302 Court Ave.
515-280-6679
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Joker’s
216 Court Ave.
515-237-5427
Thur.-Sun. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kamodo Klub
214 Third St.
515-288-3113
www.facebook.com/pages/KAMODO-KLUB
The Keg Stand
3530 Westown Parkway, WDM
515-327-7429
Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Kelly’s Little Nipper
1701 E. Grand Ave.
515-265-2031
Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
Krazee Kafe
1410 Broadway Ave.
515-264-9440
Mon.-Thurs. 2-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 2 p.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 2-10 p.m.
Kung Fu Tap and Taco
210 Indianola Ave.
515-285-8226
Daily 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Latitude 41
6170 N.W. Polk City Drive, Polk City
515-984-9512
Mon.-Wed. 3 p.m.-Close; Thurs.-Fri. 11 a.m.-Close; Sat.-Sun. 8:30 a.m.-Close
The Lift
222 Fourth St.
515-288-3777
Mon.-Fri. 5 p.m.-Close; Sat.-Sun. 7 p.m.-Close
Lime Lounge
435 E. Grand Ave.
515-333-4643
Tues.-Fri. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Longest Yard
122 Fifth St., WDM
515-274-1710
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Longest-Yard-Valley-Junction
Lot 33
3701 Ingersoll Ave.
515-490-9647
Mon.-Fri. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/lot33onIngersoll
The Lucky Monkey
102 Third St.
515-243-9338
Sun.-Fri. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.-2 a.m.
Mavericks
165 S. Jordan Creek Parkway #120, WDM
515-226-8407
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 8:30 a.m.-2 a.m.
Mickey Finn’s
7020 Douglas Ave.
515-270-8738
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Mickey’s Irish Pub Clive
1800 N.W. 86th St., Clive
515-252-0248
Mon.-Thurs. 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Mickey’s Irish Pub Downtown
206 Third St.
515-288-8323
Mon.-Sun. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee
50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee
515-987-9604
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Miss Kitty’s
8800 Swanson Blvd., Clive
515-327-1303
Wed.-Fri. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Mullets
1300 S.E. First St.
515-244-1443
Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Murphy’s Bar and Grill
2675 100th St., Urbandale
515-334-0633
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. during football season
Old Chicago
3800 Merle Hay Road
515-727-1300
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Olde Main
316 Main St., Ames
515-232-0553
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Orlondo’s Bar and Grill
5245 N.W. Beaver Drive
515-331-1922
Mon. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
The Other Place
12401 University Ave., WDM
515-225-9494
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Overtime
4810 N.W. 86th St., Urbandale
515-727-4992
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Pal Joey’s
6224 Grand Ave.
515-224-9028
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Phil’s Bar and Grill
9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive
515-270-0959
Mon.-Fri. 12 p.m.-Close; Sat. 10 a.m.-Close; Sun. 11 a.m.-Close during football season
Pints Pub and Patio
319 Court Ave.
515-282-9999
Quinton’s
506 E. Grand Ave.
515-244-6624
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
The Ridgemont
7460 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights
515-276-0129
Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Rock Bottom
4508 University Ave., WDM
515-267-8900
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Ron’s Dawg House
2117 E University Ave.
515-266-8900
Daily 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Royal Mile
210 Fourth St.
515-280-3771
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Rumors Bar and Grill
6500 Hickman Road
515-208-5663
Mon.-Wed. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saints Pub + Patio
265 50th St., WDM
515-440-4703
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sambetti’s
1430 Second Ave.
515-245-9780
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/pages/Sambettis
Shorty’s
208 Court Ave.
515-288-2536
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
http://shortyssomewhatfancybar.com
Shotgun Betty’s
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM
515-309-0744
Daily 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/shotgunbettys
The Standard
208 Third St.
515-243-4456
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Sully’s Irish Pub
110 Grand Ave., WDM
515-255-9970
Mon.-Thurs. 3 p.m.-Close; Fri.-Sun. 12 p.m.-Close
Tally’s
2712 Beaver Ave.
515-279-2067
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tapz Pub
8450 Hickman Road, Clive
515-270-2266
Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Tues., Thurs. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Toad’s Tavern
3002 State Ave.
515-264-8623
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tonic
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM
515-225-6755
Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Trophy’s
2701 Douglas Ave.
515-255-1111
Mon.-Tues. 3 p.m.-12 a.m.; Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Twin Peaks
4570 University Ave., WDM
515-528-8294
Sun.-Thur. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
The Underground
500 E. Locust St.
515-243-4322
Mon.-Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
University Library Café
3506 University Ave.
515-255-0433
Mon. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-12 a.m.
www.facebook.com/UniversityLibraryCafe
Vaudeville Mews
212 Fourth St.
515-243-3270
Hours depend on concert or event schedule.
Wellman’s
2920 Ingersoll Ave.
515-222-1100
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Wellman’s West
597 Market St., WDM
515-222-1100
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Whiskey Dixx
215 Fourth St.
515-288-3880
Sun.-Fri. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Wooly’s
504 E. Locust St.
515-244-0550
Hours depend on concert or event schedule
Yankee Clipper
312 S.W. Maple St., Ankeny
515-964-9484
Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/pages/Yankee-Clipper
Zimm’s Food and Spirits
3124 Ingersoll Ave.
515-277-9929
Daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m. CV
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