Rocco
Des Moines, Iowa may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of nightlife, but it’s home to a surprisingly diverse array of bars and breweries. Whether you’re in the mood for craft cocktails, locally-brewed beers, or just a cozy spot to relax with friends, there’s something you would love in the city. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best bars in Des Moines, Iowa and what makes them stand out.
Teehee’s Comedy Club
1433 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 207-7462
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Teehee’s Comedy Club is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines. It is a comedy club that offers live entertainment, including stand-up comedy performances, improv, sketch and more. The club has a drink menu that includes absinthe, mocktails, and a variety of craft cocktails such as The Sazerac, Grave Digger, and Gimlet Sour.
The Royal Mile
210 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 282-2012
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The Royal Mile is a premier British Pub located in downtown Des Moines. The establishment offers a variety of food and drink options, including a selection of scotches and craft beers. The food menu features traditional pub fare such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and Scotch eggs. The bar also hosts regular events such as Thursday trivia nights held upstairs at The Red Monk.
El Bait Shop
200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 284-1970
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El Bait Shop is a bar located in Des Moines with the largest craft beer selection. The establishment offers many different types of beer and a food menu featuring sandwiches, wings, salad with soup, and appetizers. The restaurant also hosts events and live music.
Hello, Marjorie
717 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 369-2296
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Hello, Marjorie is a cafe and cocktail bar located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The menu features house cocktails, types of wine, beer and seltzers such as Modelo, Exile Ruthie, High Noon, and Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue. They also offer happy hour specials.
Francies
2100 Wakonda View Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
Phone: (515) 285-5207
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Francies is a sports bar and grill established in 1987. It is located just off Fleur Drive on Des Moines’ Southside. Their menu offers burgers, soup, salads, and sandwiches such as Breaded Pork Tenderloin and New York Steak & Peppers. They also have bottled drinks, hard seltzers, canned drinks, and types of wine.
Red Monk
210 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 282-2012
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Red Monk is a bar and restaurant located above the Royal Mile. Their food menu includes starters, salads, cups & bowls, sandwiches, and house-made burgers. The drink menu features bottled drinks, canned drinks, and beer on tap such as Bourbon Barrel Quad and The Wizard Gose Style Sour Ale.
Hessen Haus
101 SW 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 288-2520
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Hessen Haus is a German-style beer hall.
The establishment offers a wide selection of German biers on tap, including lagers, pilsners, and hefeweizens. The Hessen Haus specialty cocktails offer mules, dirty hound, and rugen island tea. They have a drinking game called “The Passing of the Boot” where there are “Haus Rules” you can follow.
Up-Down DSM
500 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 243-4322
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Up-Down DSM is an arcade bar that has more than 60 arcade games like pinball machines, three classic Skee-Ball alleys, and Nintendo and Sega console gaming. They offer beers on tap and even more bottles, cans, and cocktails. They also host events like corporate, parties, or charity events.
the LiFT
222 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
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The LiFT is a martini bar located in downtown Des Moines. Their menu features an extensive martini selection, classic cocktails, Jasper wines, rotating Iowa beers on tap, mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Each month, they have a new local artwork on their walls. They also have daily specials and happy hours.
Bellhop
440 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
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Bellhop is a neighborhood tiki bar that offers food and drinks. Bellhop features a selection of bowls, soft drinks, cocktails, and beer that are bottled or canned like Bud Light, Modelo, Corona, and White Claw Seltzer. The bar also offers spaces for events and parties.
Greenwood Lounge
3707 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: (515) 277-1219
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The Greenwood Lounge is a dive bar located in the western part of Des Moines. It has a very welcoming atmosphere that will make you want to go back. You will enjoy the live music from their amazing musicians. You will also find drinks here that are affordable!
Star Bar
2811 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: (515) 244-0790
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Star Bar is a relaxed bar located on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. The establishment offers a variety of food, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Their drink menu features beer, specialty martinis, bottled beer, and types of wine. Star Bar has a space available to reserve for private parties of 15 or more.
Beer Can Alley
409 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 243-0684
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Beer Can Alley is a country bar located in the Court Avenue entertainment district of Des Moines. Beer Can Alley announced that they moved into a new location and the expansion to food service. Country music fans go to this spot for great songs and delicious drinks.
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