100 Favorite Bars
9/23/2015When people see the cover of this issue, they sometimes ask, “100 bars? Isn’t that pretty much all of them in Des Moines?” Those people clearly don’t know the metro area very well.
The Des Moines area is home to hundreds — plural — of bars, restaurants and other quirky places that serve alcohol. It seems about every week a restaurateur is opening up another hangout, and we can’t find a reason to complain about that. The nightlife options in the area make up a wide variety of styles, including the traditional sports bars, dance clubs, cocktail lounges, karaoke bars and even cafes with wine and beer menus.
When looking for a place to drink, the words “There’s nowhere to go” should never enter the mind of a Des Moines local. In fact, the choice can at times be overwhelming, and that is why we have narrowed the selection down to our 100 favorites.
1908 Draught House
1320 E. Hickman Road, Waukee • (515) 987-0552
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.draughthouse1908.com
AJ’s on East Court
419 E. Court Ave., Des Moines • (515) 282-1888
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/ajsoneastcourt
Alpine Tap Room
2720 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9717
Open daily
Bar Louie
7105 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 422-9640
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.barlouieamerica.com
Barcadium
102 Third St. • (515) 243-9388
www.facebook.com/barcadiumdsm
Beaver Tap
4050 Urbandale Ave. • (515) 528-8125
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com
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
The Beerhouse
4810 N.W. 86th St., Urbandale • (515) 278-1821
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. – midnight
www.otbeerhouse.com
Benchwarmers
705 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny • (515) 965-2556
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sat. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Benchwarmers
The Blazing Saddle
416 E. Fifth St. • (515) 246-1299
Mon. – Fri. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.theblazingsaddle.com
Blue Moon Piano Bar
5485 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 554-7300
Tues. – Wed. 4 p.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.bluemoonduelingpianobar.com
Brewhouse No. 25
805 17th Ave. S.W., Altoona • (515) 745-2059
Mon. – Fri. 4 p.m. – close, Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – close
www.facebook.com/brewhouse25
Cabaret Ankeny
2785 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny • (515) 965-5481
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.cabaretnightlife.com
Cabaret West Glen
560 S. Prairie View Drive, WDM • (515) 225-1105
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.cabaretnightlife.com
Carbon
216 Court Ave. • (515) 280-5423
www.facebook.com/Carbon
Carl’s Place
1620 Woodland Ave. • (515) 243-9727
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Cattoor’s
1306 Grand Ave. • (515) 267-8973
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Cattoors
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
Chicken Coop
12725 Meredith Drive, Urbandale • (515) 334-2667
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.chickencoopsportsbar.com
Cityscape Lounge
1050 6th Ave • (515) 283-0151
Mon. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.hidesmoines.com/dining/cityscape-lounge
Confluence Brewery
1235 Thomas Beck Road • (515) 285-9005
Tues. – Wed. 4-10 p.m., Thurs. noon – 10 p.m.
Fri. – Sat. noon – 11 p.m., Sun. noon – 7 p.m.
www.confluencebrewing.com
The Copper Cup
207 Fourth St. • (515) 554-2606
Mon. – Fri. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thecoppercupdm
Cowboy Jack’s
5513 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 224-7670
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
http://desmoines.theaftermidnightgroup.com
Della Viti
425 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 259-9918
Sun. – Thurs. 2 p.m., Fri. – Sat. noon
www.dellaviti.com
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.
www.facebook.com/TheDerrysLounge
Draught House 1908
8789 Northpark Drive, Johnston • (515) 278-1671
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/1908-Draught-House
Dos Rios
316 Court Ave. • (515) 282-2995
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.dosriosrestaurant.com
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.
www.greatestbar.com
Drake Bakery Café & Bar
1409 23rd Street • (515) 412-1068
Mon. – Thurs. 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.,
Sun. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
www.thedrakecafe.com
Draught House 50
6240 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 223-1046
Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/draughthouse50
Draught House 50
1300 50th St., WDM • (515) 223-1046
Mon-Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. , Sun. 10 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/draughthouse50
Eatery A
2932 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 282-8085
Mon. – Thurs. 3-11 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.eateryadsm.com
The Exchange
216 Court Ave. • (515) 421-4389
www.exchangedsm.com
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.
www.exilebrewing.com
Firetrucker Brewing
716 S.W. Third St., Ankeny • (515) 964-1284
Tues. – Thurs. 4-10 p.m., Fri. – Sat. noon – 10 p.m.
Sun. noon – 8 p.m.
www.firetrucker.com
Flat Tire Lounge
304 S. Madison St., Madrid • (515) 795-4174
Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – midnight, Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 8 a.m. – midnight
www.flattirelounge.com
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
233 Fourth St. • (515) 323-3333
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.fongspizza.com
Front Row
6555 University Ave., Windsor Heights • (515) 255-6912
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.frontrowbar.com
G’Migs
128 Fifth St., WDM • (515) 255-4550
Mon. 3-11 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight
Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. , Sun. 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
www.gmigs.com
The Garden Nightclub
112 S.E. Fourth St. • (515) 243-3965
Wed. – Sat. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 5 p.m. – midnight
Gas Lamp
1501 Grand Ave. • (515) 280-3778
Daily, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.gaslampdsm.com
Granite City
12801 University Ave., Clive • (515) 224-1300
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. Sat. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.gcfb.net
Hessen Haus
101 Fourth St. • (515) 288-2520
Mon. – Tues. 11 a.m. – midnight, Wed. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.hessenhaus.com
Ingersoll Tap
2837 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 234-3196
www.facebook.com/Ingersolltap
Jeannie’s Bottle
3839 Merle Hay Road • (515) 278-9797
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/jeannies-bottle
Johnny’s Hall of Fame
302 Court Ave. • (515) 280-6679
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.johnnyshalloffame.com
Joker’s
216 Court Ave. • (515) 237-5427
Thurs. – Sun. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/jokersdsm
The Keg Stand
3530 Westown Parkway WDM • (515) 327-7429
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m. , Sat. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thekegstand
Latitude 41
6170 N.W. Polk City Drive, Polk City • (515) 984-9512
Mon. – Wed. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. – Sun. 8:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Latitude-41-bar-grill
Lefty’s
2307 University Ave. • (515) 274- 7442
www.leftyslivemusic.com
The Lift
222 Fourth St. • (515) 288-3777
Mon. 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. Sun. 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.dmlift.com
Locust Tap
434 E. Locust St.
www.facebook.com/The-Locust-Tap
The Longest Yard
122 Fifth St., WDM • (515) 274-1710
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.thelongestyardsportsgrill.com
Lynn’s on Merle Hay
6014 59th Court, Johnston • (515) 270-9806
Daily 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/lynnsmerlehay
Mickey’s Irish Pub Clive
1800 N.W. 86th St., Clive • (515) 252-0248
Mon. – Thurs. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.themickeysirishpub.com
Mikey’s Irish Pub Downtown
206 Third St. • (515) 288-8323
Mon. – Sun. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.mickeysirishpub.com
Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee
50 S.E. Laurel St., Waukee • (515) 987-9604
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.mickeyswaukee.com
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.
www.kittysusa.com
Murphy’s Bar and Grill
2675 100th St., Urbandale • (515) 334-0633
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sat. 4 p.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/Murphys-bar-grill
Okoboji Grill
8481 Birchwood Court, Johnston • (515) 276-5255
Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sun. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.okobojigrill.com
Orlondo’s Bar and Grill
4337 Park Ave., Des Moines • (515) 244-3637
Mon. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.orlondos.com
The Other Place
12401 University Ave., WDM • (515) 225-9494
Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.theotherplace.com
Pal Joey’s
6224 Grand Ave. • (515) 224-9028
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Pal-joeys
Pints Pub N’ Patio
319 Court Ave. • (515) 282-9999
www.facebook.com/pints-pub-n-patio
Player’s Bar and Grill
1760 Beaver Ave. • (515) 274-8639
Mon. – Tues. 3-10 p.m., Thurs. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.facebook.com/Players-Sports-Bar-Grill
Quinton’s
506 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 244-6624
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.quintonsbaranddeli.com
The Ridgemont
7460 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights • (515) 276-0129
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/theridgemont
RoCA
208 Court Ave. • (515) 282-3663
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight
Sun. – Mon. closed
www.rocadsm.com
The Rooftop
525 E. Grand Ave. • (515) 288-2996
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/the-rooftop
Royal Mile
210 Fourth St. • (515) 280-3771
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.royalmilebar.com
Saints Pub + Patio Beaverdale
4050 Urbandale Ave. • (515) 270-6175
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/beaver-tap/des-moines
Saints Pub + Patio Jordan Creek
165 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, #120, WDM • (515) 226-8407
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/saints-pub/jordan-creek/
Saints Pub + Patio West Des Moines
265 50th St., WDM • (515) 440-4703
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/saints-pub/west-des-moines/
Saint’s Pub + Patio Waukee
87 N.E. Carefree Lane, Waukee • (515) 216-1654
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com
Shorty’s
208 Court Ave. • (515) 288-2536
Sun. – Mon. 4-9 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight
Fri. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.shortyssomewhatfancybar.com
Shotgun Betty’s
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 309-0744
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/shotgunbettys
Sidebar
400 Locust St., Suite 130 • (515) 537-8433
Daily, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
www.sidebardsm.com
Star Bar
2811 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 244-0790
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. 9 a.m. – midnight
www.facebook.com/Star-Bar
Streetcar 209
525 E. Grand Ave. • (515)727-4370
Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4-11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4 p.m. –
midnight, Sat. 11 a.m. – midnight, Sun. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/streetcar209
The Stuffed Olive
208 Third St. • (515) 243-4456
Mon. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.thestuffedolive.com/dsm
Sully’s Irish Pub
110 Grand Ave., WDM • (515) 255-9970
Mon. – Thurs. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
Sullysdesmoines.com
Tapz Pub
8450 Hickman Road, Clive • (515) 270-2266
Mon. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tues. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Wed. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Thurs. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. – Sun. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.tapzpub.com
Thirsty Sportsman
4808 S.W. Ninth St. • (515) 953-0377
Daily, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/thethirstysportsman
Toad’s Tavern
3002 State Ave. • (515) 264-8623
Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
www.toadstavern.net
Tonic Downtown
210 Court Ave. • (515) 777-1182
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/tonic-bar/court-avenue/
Tonic West Glen
5535 Mills Civic Parkway, WDM • (515) 225-6755
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.rileydrive.com/tonic-bar/west-des-moines/
Trophy’s
2701 Douglas Ave. • (515) 255-1111
Sun. – Tues. 11 a.m. – midnight, Wed. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.plazalanesdm.com/bar-grill/
Twin Peaks
4570 University Ave., WDM • (515) 528-8294
Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com
Up-Down
500 E. Locust St. • (515) 243-4322
Mon. – Fri. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.updowndsm.com
Vaudeville Mews
212 Fourth St. • (515) 243-3270
www.vaudevillemews.com
Voodoo Lounge
208 Third St. • (515) 243-4456
Mon. – Thurs. 8 p.m. – midnight, Fri. – Sat. 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
www.voodoodsm.com
The Waverly
2120 Ingersoll Ave. • (515)528-2293
Mon. – Thurs. 4 p.m. – midnight, Fri. 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Sat. noon – 2 a.m., Sun. noon – 9 p.m.
www.thewaverlydsm.com
Wellman’s
2920 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9737
Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.wellmanspub.com
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.
www.wellmanspub.com
Wooly’s
504 E. Locust St. • (515) 244-0550
www.woolysdm.com
Yacht Club
2617 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 245-9208
Mon. – Fri. 3 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sun. noon – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Des-Moines-Yacht-Club
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.yankeeclipperbar.com
Zimm’s Food and Spirits
3124 Ingersoll Ave. • (515) 277-9929
Daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.facebook.com/Zimms-Food-Spirits
Classic Cocktails
Sidecar
Ingredients:
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce lemon juice
1 ½ ounces cognac
Directions: Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake well until chilled, then strain into glass. Garnish with a twist of orange or lemon peel. Optional: Prepare a cocktail glass by running a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dipping it in a saucer of superfine sugar.
Tom Collins
Ingredients:
2 ounces gin (London dry gin)
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
½ ounce lemon juice
Club soda, chilled
Directions: Combine gin, lemon juice and sugar in a glass and stir until sugar dissolves. Fill glass with ice and top with chilled club soda.
Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 sugar cube
3 dashes bitters (Angostura bitters)
Club soda
2 ounces whiskey (rye whiskey)
Directions: Add sugar cube to an Old Fashioned glass and douse with bitters. Add a few drops of water and stir until sugar is dissolved, then add whiskey and a couple large ice cubes. Stir to chill, then garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.
Hot Toddy
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon honey
2 ounces whiskey (Jack Daniels)
4 ounces water (hot from the tap)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 slice of fresh lemon
Directions: Put whiskey in large, microwave-safe mug and add honey. Pour hot water into the mug — pour it over the spoon used for the honey to get every bit of the honey. Add lemon juice and stir well. Microwave the mixture for one minute or until piping hot, but not boiling. Add lemon slice and serve.
My favorite bar is in the Des Moines Club. Sure it is an exclusive private club, but unlike a public bar, the club is not obligated to just let “anybody” in
No El Bait Shop? Recognized as one of the best beer bars in the US but not in the DM metro?
Admiring the time and effort you put into your site and detailed information you provide.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the
same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.