Nightlife in Des Moines

From neighborhood hangouts to upscale wine bars, Des Moines offers all the nightlife you'd expect of a hip, cosmopolitan city. Dance clubs, sports bars and piano bars can all be found within the Metro.

Downtown Des Moines has more than 50 bars/nightclubs! Experience a different hotspot each night.

All Iowa establishments are smoke-free, providing a healthy, safe environment for visitors and employees.

Categories to Choose From

• Bars & Nightclubs
• Events
• Performing Arts/Theater

	Bars & Nightclubs more info Blazing Saddle, The (515) 246-1299 Website Email Show Map more info Chicken Coop Sports Bar & Grill (515) 223-0088 Email Show Map more info Coda (515) 244-2151 Website Email Show Map more info Down Under Bar & Grill Serving appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and specialty items at reasonable prices in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Voted best bar food in the Metro. (515) 278-6718 Website Email Show Map more info El Bait Shop All-American food favorites designed to complement the largest American microbrew selection in the world! Featuring 105 draft beer, another 175 in bottles and many selections from Iowa breweries. We guarantee it will be the only 1970s-fishing themed-105 tap handle tavern you'll ever find. Featured in national publications like Draft Magazine's top 100 bars in America three years in a row. (515) 284-1970 Website Email Show Map more info Fong's Pizza Chinese decor, Tiki drinks, great beers and delicious handmade pizzas make for one of Des Moines' most unique restaurants. Handmade crab rangoon, pizza rolls, egg rolls, Thai Chicken Pizza and the famous Crab Rangoon Pizza (featured on the Cooking Channel) to name a few. Both lunch slices and late-night slices (10 p.m. to 2 a.m./3 a.m. on weekends). (515) 323-3333 Website Email Show Map more info Full Court Press, Inc. Full Court Press, Inc. is responsible for some of Des Moines’ favorite bars and restaurants. FCP, Inc. started in 2000 by seven guys who had a few concepts they thought might work in the great town of Des Moines. FCP, Inc. properties include The Royal Mile, The Red Monk, Hessen Haus, High Life Lounge, el Bait Shop, Sbrocco, Fong's Pizza, Shorty's and Mullet's. Website Email Show Map more info Hessen Haus An authentic German bier hall and restaurant home to the famous "2 Liter Boot" - a huge glass boot of beer to share with friends! Lunch and dinner features classic German favorites like SchweinsHaxe, Die Grosse Platte, Sauerbraten, Wienershnitzer and more. With 34 German beers on draft and 75 in bottles to wash it all down. Polka bands on Saturdays. (515) 288-2520 Website Email Show Map more info High Life Lounge A 1960s-era lounge dedicated to the lifestyle of the high life man. All of the classics are available: Hamm's, Schlitz, PBR, Old Milwaukee and of course "The Champagne of Beers" High Life. Traditional diner-style food. The kitchen features broasted chicken and bacon wrapped tator tots (as seen on the Travel Channel's Man v. Food). Good drinks, good eats, good times. (515) 280-1965 Website Email Show Map more info Johnny's Hall of Fame Find everything you want! There are 18 tap beers, great burgers, big screen TVs, pool tables, darts, golf, foosball, a full bar and a patio. (515) 280-6679 Website Email Show Map more info Maddy's Again Neighborhood Pub & Grill (515) 267-6411 Website Email Show Map more info Mullet's A riverside-roadhouse with a two-tiered patio, great views of downtown and all your favorite sports heroes...in Mullet's. Mullet’s is a great place to stop before and after I-Cubs games, on the bike trail and a fun weekend breakfast spot. Post your classic mullet pictures on our Mulletin board! Join us at Mullet’s, where the party's in the rear! (515) 244-1443 Website Email Show Map more info Murphy's Sports Bar & Grill Murphy’s is Des Moines’ premier Irish Pub and Sports Bar. Open daily at 11 a.m. offering American, Irish, Mexican, Italian and Cuban fare prepared with the freshest ingredients. Murphy’s is the best place to watch the big game with two huge projection screens and lots of TVs. Kid’s menu always available. (515) 334-0633 Website Email Show Map more info Red Monk, The A hidden gem on the second floor above the Royal Mile, Red Monk features over 80 Imported Belgian beers and Belgian inspired American beers. You will see why Belgian beer is described as "the Rolls Royce" of the beer world. Tell the bartender you wish to take "the Oath" and join the un-official order of the Red Monk. (515) 280-3771 Website Email Show Map more info Royal Mile Described as "Downtown's Living Room", this authentic British pub offers over 150 imported beers including 26 on tap and 115 single malt Scotches. Traditional pub food is served along with additional unique offerings. The Red Monk on the second floor offers over 80 Belgian beers. Featured in national publications such as Draft Magazine's top 100 bars in America three years in a row. (515) 280-3771 Website Email Show Map more info Sambetti's Sports Bar & Grill Sambetti's menu goes beyond bar and grill standards and includes homemade soups, barbecued ribs, fried chicken, spaghetti, steaks, pizza and many sandwich choices. Our family-owned restaurant is located just minutes north of downtown where the atmosphere is casual and friendly. Pool, darts and games are available for your entertainment. (515) 245-9780 Email Show Map more info Sbrocco Wine Bar & Wine Shop Sbrocco Wine Bar serves 47 wines by the glass, 100 wines by the bottle and The Wine Shop has an additional 150 wines. They serve a varied lunch menu, with lunches $10 and under, while the evening menu is upscale. Both menus feature fresh, local food created by Chef Andrew Meek, a James Beard nominated chef. Wine tastings are offered weekly. (515) 282-3663 Website Email Show Map more info Shorty's A hidden Irish pub in the basement of Sbrocco Wine Bar. Irish whiskeys and Irish ales and lagers are on the menu. Shorty's is the place for a quiet Guinness or nice whiskey with loved ones or a group of friends. The ally entrance behind Sbrocco, no phone, back room and hidden away nooks are the perfect hideaway. Slainte! (515) 282-3663 Website Email Show Map more info Z's Bar The south side's best hidden secret. We're that small town bar in the heart of the city. Z's Bar has great food and drink specials every day. Open seven days a week at 7 a.m. Z's Bar boasts a clean and friendly atmosphere where everyone is always welcome. No drink over $6 and no food item over $12. (515) 288-6100 Website Email Show Map

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	Events more info ArtFest Midwest 'The Other Art Show' Iowa's largest fine art show! 240 artists, majority from Iowa & the Midwest. Our 10th anniversary! An affordable, alternative show held same weekend as downtown outdoor show--free shuttle between shows, free admission. New student art show "Upstarts". Free kids art activities; artist demonstrations; silent auction to benefit Orchard Place, a safe haven for troubled children & youth. (515) 278-6200 Website Email Show Map more info Des Moines Arts Festival The Des Moines Arts Festival returns June 22-24, 2012, to Western Gateway Park in Downtown Des Moines. The Festival features visual art, live music, performing arts and activities along with the Interrobang Film Festival, John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Jazz and Wine Pavilion and plenty of eclectic food booths providing guests with an extraordinary community arts and culture festival! (515) 286-4950 Website Email Show Map more info Des Moines Social Club See website for upcoming events. (515) 288-3672 Website Email Show Map more info Downtown Farmers' Market Support local agriculture and buy direct from Iowa farmers while shopping the Downtown Farmers' Market. The Downtown Farmers' Market presents Iowa producers from 51 counties across Iowa, offering fresh fruit, vegetables and so much more. Come for the freshness and stay for the fun! Regular market runs every Saturday from May 5 - October 27, 2012. (515) 286-4928 Website Email Show Map more info HeartFest HeartFest is a juried fine art show held at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines just in time for Valentine's Day gift-giving. HeartFest is a partner show to June's ArtFest Midwest 'The Other Art Show'. Featured are mid-western artists' works in metal, fiber, clay, jewelry, photography, painting and mixed media. February 11-12, 2012 (515) 278-6200 Website Email Show Map more info Iowa Barnstormers (515) 633-2255 Website Email Show Map more info Iowa Events Center The Iowa Events Center provides clean, state-of-the-art facilities that are well suited for conventions, meetings, tradeshows and entertainment events from 20 people to 17,000. With a new $42 million construction project transforming Vets into meeting, convention and ballroom space, the facility will boast the state’s largest ballroom, 150,000 square feet and 37 meeting rooms opening January 2012. (515) 564-8000 Website Email Show Map more info Iowa Latino Heritage Festival The Latino Heritage Festival is the largest Latino Festival in the state, as well as the largest ethnic event in the state. The Festival offers traditional foods, authentic arts, crafts, cultural exhibitors, educational areas, entertainment and a Saturday night street dance. (515) 279-0715 Website Email Show Map more info Iowa State Fair "Nothing Compares" to the annual August extravaganza that inspired the novel State Fair & is featured in the New York Times bestseller "1000 Places to See Before You Die." The Iowa State Fair features one of the world’s largest livestock shows, mouth-watering foods, fabulous free entertainment & zany contests. Get ready to bite into all the food, fun and festivities August 9-19. It’s Fairlicious! (515) 262-3111 (800) 545-FAIR Website Email Show Map more info iWeek The theme for iWeek 2012 is imagination. This event will feature special presenters, interactive workshops, informative sessions and hands-on demonstrations. iWeek is free and open to the public. (515) 633-2407 (800) 362-2127 Website Email Show Map more info Music Under the Stars Music Under the Stars has been a favorite summertime tradition in Des Moines since the concert series began on the State Capitol grounds in 1947. The concerts feature the Des Moines Metro Concert and Big Bands performing a wide variety of great music. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! (515) 367-4845 Website Email Show Map more info National Balloon Classic (515) 961-8415 Website Email Show Map more info Principal Charity Classic, The The Principal Charity Classic works to raise funds "Fore our Kids" by conducting an annual Champions Tour Golf Tournament held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, May 29 - June 3, 2012. See golf's greatest players like Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer, Fred Funk and defending Champion Bob Gilder. All proceeds benefit children's charities in Iowa. (515) 279-4653 Website Email Show Map more info Rendezvous on Riverview Rockin' Des Moines all summer long with hot bands, cold drinks and great food all in a fun, family-friendly setting! Rendezvous on Riverview features live music from some of Central Iowa's best bands. This free concert series is held every Friday night in June and July. (515) 202-0136 Website Email Show Map more info Winefest Des Moines Winefest Des Moines is an annual festival celebrating the food & wine industry. The week-long event attracts thousands to its food & wine workshops, pairing dinners and tasting events. Regarded as one of the most anticipated events of the year, Winefest offers something for beginning wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Winefest will take place June 7-9, 2012. (515) 244-0746 Website Email Show Map

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	Performing Arts/Theater more info Ankeny Community Theatre Ankeny Community Theatre has been the place for people of all ages to participate in or to enjoy watching live theater since 1981. Six shows are performed yearly. See our website to find out what is showing next. Call or email tickets@ankenycommunitytheatre.com to reserve your tickets today! ACT also holds the ever popular Children's Drama Camp each summer. (515) 964-5007 Website Email Show Map more info Ballet Des Moines Ballet Des Moines, established in 2002, is re-establishing professional ballet in Central Iowa. Our goals are to provide aspiring dancers with world-class training and opportunities once offered only in larger cities; and to bring world-class dance entertainment to audiences in Iowa and ultimately throughout the United States. (515) 440-1177 Website Email Show Map more info Civic Center of Greater Des Moines The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines presents the best live, professional theater direct from Broadway. Its President and CEO, Jeff Chelesvig, is a member of The Broadway League. (515) 246-2300 Website Email Show Map more info Civic Music Association (515) 280-4020 Website Email Show Map more info Des Moines Community Playhouse (515) 277-6261 (877) 862-5621 Website Email Show Map more info Des Moines Metro Opera (515) 961-6221 Website Email Show Map more info Des Moines Symphony The Des Moines Symphony is a not-for-profit, full-service professional orchestra formed in 1937 to enrich, educate and entertain the community. Performances include seven pairs of Masterworks concerts, the traditional pops performance on New Year's Eve, education and family concerts and other special events in its home at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. (515) 280-4000 Website Email Show Map more info Hoyt Sherman Place Since 1923, the 1,250-seat theater has hosted an array of national and local performing arts talents. Hoyt Sherman Place is known for excellent acoustics, balcony seating and unique historic interior. The theater is available for public and private performances and for corporate meetings. (515) 244-0507 Website Email Show Map more info StageWest @ Stoner Theatre (515) 309-0251 Website Email Show Map

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