Welcome to Des Moines’s #1 nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Des Moines. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
Des Moines is the extraordinary capital of the state of Iowa. The city over the decades has become a home for many tourist attractions. Through its historic multiculturalism heritage, Des Moines displays a rich touristic heritage from botanical gardens to driving shopping, dining scene, and Sculptor Park. This city is eye-catching and impressive than it could ever be.
A little bit about Des Moines
If you are hunting for an affordable city for tourism boasting a variety of nightlife scenes, Des Moines anticipates your presence. The city is perfect for a whole family trip or a solo trip, ensuring that your vacation is entertained with the best Iowan warmth.
With over 214,000 residents and 52 neighborhoods, this capital city has so much more to offer. Tagged as the fastest-growing metro city in the Midwest region, Des Moines represents nothing but culture in its purest form. The city is a basket that offers the best American Heritage through its one-of-a-kind attitude, history, inclusive and responsible governance. Visiting this capital city would be buzzing your life with all the sizzles of the Midwest.
Nightlife in Des Moines
Des Moines has state of the art neighborhood with fashionable hangout zones, breweries, wine bars, salsa clubs, high-end restaurants, street food, sports bar, and much more. Des Moines is the perfect city to kick starts your holiday tactics and establishing a stress-free break. The best part about this amazing metropolitan is that the nightlife bids a fantastic scene and merriment environment just the way you’re looking for.
Let us now go through a complete guide at represents the best night scene created by Des Moines.
Best night bars in Des Moines
If you wish to spend your night with an establishment filled with amazing cocktails, bar bites, and live music, then Des Moines has some of the best spaces for you. Here is the top list of the best bars in Des Moines.
Hello, Marjorie
In the heart of downtown Des Moines locates the state’s finest cocktail bar that serves some of the best evening cocktails in the city. Local food critics have continually rated this amazing bar and atmosphere for hip, sophisticated and delicious cocktails.
Best from the bar: The Boardwalk Cocktail | Marjorie Old Fashioned Cocktail
Hours: Monday 4 pm – 11 pm | Tuesday – Thursday 4 pm – 12 am | Friday and Saturday 4 pm – 1 am | Sunday Closed
Address: 717 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-369-2296
Website: http://hellomarjorie.com/
El Bait Shop
El Bait Shop offers 262 beards and drafts, making it one of the largest craft beer centers in the whole of West Mississippi. The bar offers the best and juiciest fried chicken one could try in the state, not just for its best assortment of beer. Being a local favorite, this offbeat hotspot features some of the most creative Mexican-American eats and live music you can ever witness in Des Moines.
Best from the bar: Killer-Watt Citrus Wheat Beer | Tommy Cinco’s Apricot Wheat
Best from the menu: Bacon Wrapped Tator Tots | Traditional, Breaded Chicken Wings with High Life Tang Sauce
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 am – 11 pm | Friday and Saturday 11 am – Midnight
Address: 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-284-1970
Website: https://elbaitshop.com/
The Royal Mile
Royal Mile is one of a kind British pub located in Downtown Des Moines. This royal bar features some of the best English dishes, alcohol, and an extensive list of high-end scotch. This is a complete dwelling for a relaxing evening to unwind an amazing nightlife scene in the city.
Best from the Bar: Young’s Double Chocolate Stout (Bedford Draught) | Wexford Irish Style Creme Ale Nitro Draught
Best from the menu: Iowa Pork Tenderloin | Crispy Chicken Tenders (Late night menu)
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM | Friday: 11 AM – Midnight | Saturday: 10 AM – Midnight | Sunday: 10 A – 10 PM
Address: 210 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-282-2012
Website: https://royalmilebar.com/
Best Brewery in Des Moines
Each brewery in Des Moines offers high standards when it comes to contentment and the nightlife scene. Des Moines breweries or distilleries are known for some of the best-cultured inspiring places to be. Each brewery will provide you with the tastiest beer, incredible ambiance, and never forget the evening filled with extraordinary live music and artistic performances. So let’s cheers to some of the best breweries in Des Moines.
Peace Tree Brewing Co.
This is the one of a kind really that pays attention to the local demands of Des Moines. Established in the year 2009, this player company has become one of the most reputable home brewing companies in the city. The appealing of the brewery is casual and offers some of the friendliest services with wonderful options in the tasting room. Locals applaud this as one of the great dwellings to spend an evening with friends and family.
Best from the bar: Get A Little Hazy | No Coast IPA
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Friday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Address: 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-883-2739
Website: https://peacetreebrewing.com/
Exile Brewing Company
If you’re looking for fresh beer and a great space to spend your evening with friends and family, then this brewery is just a perfect place. Every drop of the beer served inside this brewery speaks about the true taste of Iowa. The location is very elegant, and the service is spot on. This is one place that is worth a visit thanks to the quickest and friendliest staff service.
Best from the bar: Beatnik Sour | Citra Sky Hazy IPA
Hours: Closed Monday | Tuesday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm | Friday – Saturday 11 am -11 pm | Sunday 11 am – 9 pm
Address: 1514 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-883-2337
Website: http://www.exilebrewing.com/
Confluence Brewing Company
If you are looking for a very attentive and knowledgeable service on beer that tastes good and offers a fantastic evening, you are at the right place. This excellent party-inviting brewery in Des Moines serves some of the best local bears, hands down. In addition, there is live music on the patio every day, making the taproom fun with great talent, giving you a fantastic ambiance of evening fun.
Best from the bar: Extinction New England Style IPA | Over Czech Style Pilsner The Ivy
Hours: Monday – Wednesday 4 PM – 10 PM | Thurday Noon – 10 PM | Friday Noon – 11 PM | Saturday 11 PM – 11 PM | Sunday 11 PM – 8 PM
Address: 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315, United States
Phone: +1 515-285-9005
Website: https://confluencebrewing.com/
Best late-night food to have in Des Moines
Des Moines is one of the most culturally blessed cities in the state of Iowa. Therefore the food culture in this city takes its influences from many countries. So let us check out the best night food to have in Des Moines.
1) Shrimp Scampi from Simons
Address: 5800 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50322, United States
Phone: +1 515-255-3725
Website: http://www.simonsdsm.com/
2) Tandoori Chicken from Lzaza Indo-Pak Cuisine
Address: 1409 23rd St, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States
Phone: +1 515-381-1121
Website: https://lzazaindopakcuisine.business.site/
3) Succotash-Stuffed Chile Relleno from Bubba
Address: 200 10th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-257-4744
Website: https://bubbadsm.com/
4) Local Mushroom Brioche Tartine from Proof Restaurant
Address: 1301 Locust St C, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-244-0655
Website: https://proofdsm.com/
5) Double Bone Kurobuta Pork Chop from 801 ChophouseHours:
Address: 801 Grand Ave STE 200, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States
Phone: +1 515-288-6000
Website: https://801chophouse.com/
Best free things to do in Des Moines at night
When it comes to indulging in free activities to do in Des Moines, you will enjoy this long list. So save yourself from the effort of finding out what to do in this great city. Here are some of the best things one could do for free:
1) Visit sculpture parks – visiting the sculpture parks in Des Moines is one of the most respected activities to do. You can appreciate the world-class architecture and find yourself going in love with the talent of few amazing artists all for free.
2) Arts Activities – everything in life is not free, but Des Moines proves them wrong. For free, Des Moines Art Center proudly exhibits some of the renowned architects’ most outstanding contemporary arts in their museum. The only condition is to have an advanced reservation.
3) Visit the East Village – if you are one of the history buffs, you should explore the East Village. It is one of the most visited neighborhoods in the city, thanks to it being anchored by the Majestic Iowa State Capitol.
4) Greater Des Moines – visiting greater Des Moines can be a lot more fun than you would have expected. The neighborhood is filled with many beautiful parks accessible through 800 mile long connected trail system and waterways. If you’re traveling with family, then you can also take the liberty of having a late evening picnic
Frequently Asked Questions
Are people in Des Moines friendly?
Being the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines is known to be one of the economic hubs. The city is highly cosmopolitan, making the people very friendly and diversely accepting.
Every visitor in Des Moines is welcomed with an open heart. Additionally, the fact that the city is family-friendly makes it a great city to visit.
Is Des Moines a good place to travel?
Des Moines is an amazing city to travel to if you’re looking for solid outdoor activities, a budgeted nightlife scenes, and a short stay in the cheapest accommodation. According to many reports, Des Moines is also at the 11th best place to live in the United States of America.
Also, it is ranked as the top best city for traveling in the Midwest. The reason to do is that Des Moines is culturally and historically blessed making it one of the most anticipated city to travel to.
Which are the neighborhoods to avoid in Des Moines?
Generally, Des Moines is already friendly and a safe city for travelers of all kinds. However, it is recommended to avoid the following neighborhoods – Drake Park, South Park, Jordan Park, Martin Luther King Jr Park, and Mondamin Presidential
Is Des Moines safe at night?
Des Moines country that is one of the safest cities to travel to in the Midwest. With the crime rate as low compared to the nearby states, Des Moines has become another safest and friendliest option for traveling. However, it is always recommended to be cautious regarding theft and pickpocketing, especially during the weekends in downtown Des Moines.
Which is the safest neighborhood to get accommodation in Des Moines?
According to the FBI, the safest neighborhood in Des Moines is downtown Des Moines, Lower Beaver, Waveland Woods, Linden Heights, and Salisbury Oaks.
Conclusion
They might be plenty of reasons to buy one should visit Des Moines. But the greatest reason would be is to spend the weekend in one of the most successfully developed Midwestern cities. The moment you enter Des Moines, you will be greeted with regional specialties of perfect Iowan hospitality.
A city is a place of culture with some of the best attractions filled with fantastic music, art, history, architecture, and food. With so many options to consider, why would one not visit Des Moines? Des Moines is truly a city that stands in pride among the other landmarks of Iowa – gloriously pristine and diversely extraordinary.
Video To Watch To Discover
How many bars are in Des Moines Iowa?
With 50+ bars in Downtown Des Moines it’s easy to kick back with friends.
Is Des Moines a friendly city?
Des Moines is an excellent place to live. I was born and raised here and have a lot of love for my hometown. It’s a city that feels small and isn’t too big. It is very bike-accessible, has many beautiful nature trails, a diverse population, diverse options for food, and generally a very friendly community.
