Are you on the lookout for the most poppin’ Cocktail Bars in Des Moines?
Then we have you covered!
On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of the best Cocktail Bars in Des Moines. (More in-depth further below)
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From patios to bier halls and everything in between, these Des Moines restaurants and bars will not disappoint if you’re searching for a spectacular location for an evening out. Looking for a stylish hangout with delicious cocktails? These are the greatest bars in Des Moines that you should not miss. Below we have prepared a list for you to find your favorite Cocktail Bars in Des Moines.
Hello, Marjorie
At Hello, Marjorie Creative, cocktails, craft beer & wine are served in a chill space decorated like a ’70s-era living room. Hello, Marjorie has swiftly become a fixture of the Des Moines cocktail scene. Despite being only five years old, its vast lounge is filled with deep green leathers, classic lampshades, and portraits of Marjorie (the owner’s grandmother). The famed neon sign with the Jack Kerouac quotation, “The sexiest females in the world, reside in Des Moines,” may be the town’s most Instagrammable location. It’s similar to drinking in your grandmother’s cellar if your grandmother was Elizabeth Taylor. This cocktail contains whiskey, apricot liqueur, demerara, and smoked apple bitters. Hello, Marjorie is an experience-focused bar in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Cocktails, beers, and damn fine times.
What a remarkable establishment! This elegant yet informal facility in the heart of Downtown Des Moines was the ideal setting to bring our out-of-town friends. Perfect for a variety of drinkers of any age. Our mixologist was terrific and one of the most knowledgeable and personable guys. He had a passion for his customers and mixing up their drink of choice, just as I imagine someone would expect from the era this establishment portrays. Whether you are a visitor or a local, this is a must-see location. Excellent service, great drinks! This go-to bar has the best environment. 5 and beyond! An excellent cocktail program and even better people. Do not hesitate to go to downtown Des Moines, and you won’t regret it. Charming atmosphere. Excellent staff. Proper cocktails.
I will be returning Great drinks with even better service and staff. We ordered the classic Daydream and a new favorite, The Pistachio, both incredible cocktails. I will be back for more soon! Hello, Marjorie knows how to create and craft stellar cocktails. We got some great local recommendations on places to eat and other spots to check out from one of the bartenders, which we appreciated—a fun spot with eclectic decor and even better drinks. Hello, Marjorie was the ideal venue for an evening out with old friends. We were greeted warmly as soon as we stepped in. So, Hello, Marjorie is one of the best bars Des Moines offers you. If you are in Des Moines, we recommend you visit this spot at least once. We recommend you go there with family, friends or loved ones for a memorable and fun time.
The Bartender’s Handshake
The Bartenders Handshake is a cozy cocktail bar on Ingersoll offers inventive drinks and vegan-friendly food, including hummus, veggie dogs, and mushroom and farro soup. The authentic lure is their astroturf patio, which includes lawn chairs, heaters in the winter months, and firepits ideal for toasting S’mores. Take this: Aperol Spritz – Aperol, sparkling wine, soda, and orange peel. Bartender’s Handshake is a neighborhood bar where everyone is welcome. We serve craft and classic cocktails, highballs and lowballs, and a playfully curated beer and wine list. Additionally, we offer elevated bar snacks worth making a meal out of. We came here after dinner tonight and liked it! Awesome tiny hipster cocktail bar on Ingersoll. Craft drinks, a chill atmosphere, and excellent service.
We saw they had old games for guests to play in some of the cabinets, which I thought was intriguing. The drink selections were fantastic; obviously, they had a full bar. I’d recommend doing the “We’ll take it from here” where they ask you a few questions (or you tell them what your favorite booze is), and they make you a cocktail. The experience was fantastic! They created me something I would return for, but there were just too many components. An intimate and pleasant setting! Music from the 1970s is playing. A selection of unique beverages and nibbles! There was a lot to like on my first visit here. I love a cocktail bar with an exciting drink menu. The staff was polite and helpful with our drinks selection queries. There is very little seating in the neighborhood.
But it does seem like a beautiful experience when you’re sitting and enjoying your time. The vibe test has passed. Des Moines, Iowa’s best cocktails. A true hidden treasure. On an off day, I came here with my brother to test out several bars; this location was a gold mine. The beverages here are fantastic. Staff personnel are kind and chats to you. The patio at the back is designed to look like a garden. Cocktails that are both distinctive and tasty. The Bartender’s Handshake is a great place to stop for a few drinks! The patio is super cute and decked out with vintage patio furniture that makes it feel unique, comfortable, and welcoming. I tried the spiked colada slush and the lake water, which were excellent. They also use vintage glassware for all their drinks which is an excellent touch.
The Winchester Public House
You don’t have to travel downtown to have a good drink. The Winchester Public House at West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction is a prohibition-style tavern with brick walls, dark timbers, dramatic chandeliers, and stained glass. They have a vast wine list and an extensive range of craft beers if you prefer wine. Take this: Blueberry vodka sour consists of vodka, St. Germain, blueberry syrup, house sour, and blueberry. You don’t have to go downtown to find a good drink. The Winchester Public House, located in West Des Moines’ Historic Valley Junction, is a prohibition-style bar with brick walls, dark timbers, dramatic chandeliers, and stained glass. They also have an extensive range of artisan beers if you prefer wine. Drink this: Blueberry vodka sour – vodka, St. Germain, blueberry syrup, house sour, blueberry.
We are just as over this as you are. But dem da rules for now. Now that they’re serving food, I’m here to do an update on my review. It remains a solid 4-star, with an upward tendency. Service was top shelf, and the food was fresh, fun, and creative. We shared the Black Bean and Cauliflower Tostada – a great blend of fresh flavors! A bit pricey at $13 for three pieces, but very tasty. For dinner, I got the Pork Torta. Great flavors on a bready bun. I’ve had this other places on bolillo bread, which may not be easy to find in Des Moines, but like the tostada and everything else, it was very fresh and flavorful, so a good option if you’re OK with a good-sized bready bun.
Two in our group got the BBQ Pulled Pork Flatbread – an excellent combination of cooked pork and raw veggies with a delicious flatbread crust. The other diner in our group got the Mushroom and Egg Flatbread. The name is a bit deceiving as it has asparagus, pesto, and cheese. It would have been good if it was just mushroom and egg, but the other additions make it great! A delicious option. Drinks are expertly crafted, and the beer drinker in our group was given a few samples to help him narrow down his choices. The staff puts creative twists into the drinks and does all they can to customize them to your liking. Give them a try for a relaxed vibe, great drinks, and fun food options! The chandeliers’ ambiance appeared to be pretty fancy, but it’s casual.
Bellhop Tiki Bar
No matter what time, you may be transported to a tropical paradise at Bellhop Tiki Bar in the East Village, where it is unquestionably 5 o’clock. Think sophisticated tiki with tropical leaf decor, Palm Springs ambiance, and beverages like the Mai Tai, Painkiller, and Mojito. Relax in the heart of the Midwest. Take this: rum, toasted coconut cream, pineapple, orange, and nutmeg. Bellhop is a favorite of mine for happy hour or weekend outings for a tiki classic. Best piña colada I’ve ever had, and the painkiller drink is also phenomenal. The bartenders are incredibly efficient, helpful, and fun! They put exceptional effort into each drink with fresh ingredients, fun adornments, and unique glassware. A spot I love visiting and recommend it to all my friends!
The drinks and atmosphere were great at Bellhop! It is an instant crowd pleaser with elaborate décor and drinks. I was pleasantly surprised by the drink menu as they offered many options outside the regular tiki bar. A MUST in the East Village!A fun and cozy bar that is unique to see at the east village location. My friend and I came in one weekend to try their drinks and were pleasantly surprised with their drink presentation. Not to mention they tasted fantastic. We also ordered from their holiday drink menu, and I am excited to try more of their drinks when visiting in the future. I ordered their coco Chanel, which was a sweet chocolate drink. I’m generally skeptical about chocolate drinks, but this one has a blend of orange, which helped balance out the sweetness.
Since we showed up in the afternoon, no one else was there except us, so we found seating fine. They don’t have booths except for one large booth area. Fun drink options. Great service. Unique atmosphere. What more can anyone want from a bar? You need to check this place out! Highly recommend it! Upon walking in, you have traveled to an island paradise—lots of plants and tropical drinks. A DJ plays island-themed music. The bartenders are hustling away, making delicious fruity cocktails. It was fun to watch them create these treats. These concoctions are served in fun cups from a flamingo to a unicorn, complete with a hand-twisted straw—a nice little bar in the east village. The bartenders are ninjas who make the drinks. Their handwork is unmatched, and the drinks are just as good.
The New Northwestern
A restaurant modeled after the famous Northwestern Hotel, which first operated on location in 1916. The New Northwestern, Des Moines’ new child on the block in the East Village, pays homage to turn-of-the-century rail travel with arched ceilings, vintage artwork and photos, and refined bar décor evocative of antique train coaches. The cuisine is gin-focused, but there’s something for everyone. This is a gin and tonic flight.Great pre-dinner drink place. Friendly mid-modern vibe–green swivel chairs & long drapes! Guys had Captain & coke–strong & tasty. The friend’s daiquiri was sweet & mmmm. My drink–can’t remember what it was–lemon & orange & egg white was good too. Great bartenders. Ugh, this place is so cute and chill—a great place to go if you want great drinks and conversion.
The first drink of the night was the brass rail, it had a smokey smell on top, but it’s sweet and light; the second drink was a loco mojito, so fleshing, very coconutty which is not my jam but still very tasty. What a delightful surprise. Excellent environment with delectable beverages. I adore Gin, and this establishment has many selections. The Gin and Tonic Flight is not just a fantastic idea but also a stunning display of cocktails. Love! Amazing espresso martinis! If you ask, one of the bartenders will make you a special one with camomile honey. The super cute little bar is great for a date night with the hubby to grab a drink before or after dinner. I love the swivel chairs, decor & character. Great wine & service too. The best food & cocktails in Des Moines with a tremendous historical atmosphere; I will be back!
321 E. Walnut St. bar is available from 3 pm to 11 pm. Tuesday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday are from 3 pm to 12 am. The posh venue takes a step back in time, with the history of Des Moines’ long-gone train travel front and center. The plush green barstools, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and ornate bar decor evoke luxury rail coaches, and the white marble bar top connects the small bar room to the broader atrium. The atrium provides a clear view of the open micro-kitchen and extensive seats flanked by the original marble pillars. Much of the building’s original elegance remains, including an arched ceiling discovered during bathroom renovations. Pat Hart, general manager, and head mixologist created a well-rounded cocktail menu that, while gin-forward, has something for everyone.
Good News, Darling
We have excellent news for you if you’re seeking cooler-than-cool New York City vibes. Good News, Darling, Des Moines’ trendiest new restaurant, is right behind it. Hello, Marjorie (register at the HM host booth), and everything a decent speakeasy should be. You won’t find anyplace else, dark, expensive, and cozy, featuring unique cocktails. On weekends, reservations are strongly advised. Take this: Brambly is made from rye whiskey, blackberries, lemon, honey, ginger, dandelion root, beet, walnut, and blue cheese. My favorite speakeasy spots in the metro. Last night when we went in to say hello to Marjorie, the hostess told me HM was complete, but good news, darling had open seats, which was such a pleasant surprise! If you’re a fan of hello Marjorie, you’ll also appreciate the vibe of good news, darling.
The ambiance walking in is spectacular every time. The staff was friendly, and the drinks were delicious. It’s an excellent place to sit down with friends and have a few drinks. I also love how they rotate their menus, so I get to try new drinks. The lighting is much dimmer compared to HM. So maybe that’s why I suck at taking pictures whenever I’m there, but it’s all about living in the moment. Watching the bartenders make their drinks is also a fun sight to see. I will always take the opportunity to walk into good news, darling, whenever possible. I don’t quite have the words to describe this place incredibly. It was an instant favorite for a good cocktail. The GM, Josh, has some pretty creative ideas, and each cocktail was made with the quality you can see and taste.
This is a unique place, and I plan on coming here often. Good News, Darling – the perfect place to grab a drink to complete your evening. This speakeasy behind Hello Majorie is a must-stop in Des Moines! Good News, Darling is edgy and unique, and they create craft cocktails that you will not find at just any cocktail bar. The bartenders are fantastic, and the cocktails are sumptuous. The ambiance is unmatched! Grabbing a drink at Good News, Darling is an experience. You will receive a small glass of tea from a local DSM business to start, receive your unique cocktail, maybe buy a couple more cocktails, and at the end, a small cup of coffee to end the experience. It’s a hot stop in DSM – you have to try it!
The Hall
This Valley Junction beer hall has communal seating, large TVs, board games, a fantastic terrace, and 54 beers on tap. They also have four distinct cuisines: German fare, burgers, pub fare, and pizza. Allow the excellent beer (and the good fun) to flow! This is the Peace Tree Blonde Fatale. The Hall is where you may see old friends and create new ones. Where the tables are long, and the talks are even longer. The Kitchen DSM is a cocktail bar and restaurant that serves fresh meals. Where a rebuilt train building serves as both a site and a focal point of discourse. Music is played, games are played, communities connect—and everyone is welcome. Went in on a beautiful Saturday for lunch. We were looking for a patio.
The patio faces North, and they have shades up, so there wasn’t a lot of sun, but lovely nonetheless. This is where you come in, sit down and order on the app. You can order at the bar, and they have tablets you can order from. Then when your food is ready, you grab it. The staff was friendly and polite. The bartenders were helpful and will make suggestions. You can try samples as well. They have around 70 items on tap—several ciders, which is essential to me. I tried cherry fandango; it was so good. There were four food trucks there. My husband ordered a Porker pizza from 515Pi, and I got a chicken sandwich and onion rings from FoodWorks. The onion rings were phenomenal. If you’re ready to get out but concerned about social interaction, this is an excellent place to go—there is limited interaction with staff.
We were there for almost two hours, and no one sat in the dining room; everyone was on the patio. Masks were not required for staff or guests.The bathrooms were clean and had real paper towels. Parking is mainly on the Southside of the building. It’s a noisy environment if the inside is complete. Stop in and enjoy a brew; they’ll have something that you like. Download the app before you go and enjoy. A great place to come hang out, grab a drink, and order some food! We had a small group check it out on a Friday night, and it was maybe half full. There was live music and projector TVs playing football.
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Conclusion
There’s a Des Moines pub for everyone, whether you want to watch a college game or just relax for Happy Hour. There are various tiki bars, beer halls, and breweries to pick from in the city. On top of this, the city is filled with quality cocktail bars. Unique and exciting drinks await you! So, what are you waiting for? It is now time to visit the above mentioned best cocktail bars in Des Moines!
