I had such a blast at this cozy little spot -- it was everything I could've hoped for and more,…read moreespecially because I went during their Taylor Swift Night, which was absolutely magical from start to finish. This bar is one of those rare places that manages to feel both trendy and welcoming, with great drinks, a fun crowd, and lots of thoughtful little touches that make it feel like more than just a night out. First off, the vibe. This place is cozy, stylish, and intimate without feeling cramped. It has that warm, neighborhood-bar feeling, but with enough personality to make it feel like a destination. You walk in and immediately feel comfortable -- the lighting is soft and flattering, the music (obviously Taylor this night!) was on point, and the overall energy was just so positive and fun. Now, let's talk about the Taylor Swift theme night -- because WOW. They really went all in, and I loved every second of it. They created a custom cocktail menu inspired by Taylor Swift songs, and it was so clever and well put together. I couldn't resist -- I ended up trying more than one, and they were all good. It wasn't just a themed name slapped on a regular drink -- you could tell they put some serious thought into the flavors and presentation. Each one felt like a mini celebration of the song it was named after. As a Swiftie, I was in heaven. But what really made the night special was all the extra touches. They had a little table set up with beads and string so guests could make friendship bracelets, which was such a fun and nostalgic activity -- totally in the spirit of the Taylor Swift community. It added this really sweet, interactive element that encouraged people to connect, be playful, and just enjoy themselves beyond ordering drinks and sitting around. I even swapped a bracelet with someone I just met -- it felt like a mini Swiftie summer camp for adults, in the best possible way. The food menu was also surprisingly great. A lot of bars don't pay much attention to food, but here the options were solid.

My friend and I had lunch there and the food was good the portions were child size. Two sliders,…read morefries, and a soft drink and it was $19.00. Not full size burgers but sliders. The meal should have costed under $10.00.

Stopped here with friends after leaving a comedy show. The ambience was great. The decor was…read moreclassy, and the cocktails were excellent!! Our service was great also. It is definitely a top scale speakeasy. If you're looking for a different experience and cocktails, you've never had before and you want to impress friends and or family, I would recommend this place. It is in the basement of The Legacy Chophouse. Be warned, it is somewhat pricey. I bought 4 cocktails and my bill was almost $80 before tip. It was still a great experience.

We came here purely because of the photos, and I'm happy to say the place didn't disappoint. The…read moreambiance is dark and moody, with eclectic design touches that give it plenty of character. There's ample, comfortable seating, making it a great spot to settle in for a while. Between us, we ordered three cocktails and a mocktail, and overall everything was well made. That said, while the presentation was fun, I wouldn't single out any of the drinks as being particularly memorable from a flavor standpoint. There was a bit of gimmickry involved, and that's something I don't find myself caring for as much anymore. Pricing is on the higher side, but that's to be expected in a city with only a handful of upscale, creative cocktail bars.

Stopped in just before they closed to remodel. We were very excited to see their new cocktails that…read morecame in these cute little bird cups! The drinks were a little small but nice and strong. It was a little windy up there the day that I went and since it was the last night before they closed, it was a little busy and there was only one bartender on top of that. I'll be excited to see how they transform the bar in the future!

We went for their final day before renovations close them down for the summer. The rooftop is neat…read moreand has good views of the city, but it is very small, especially when it is at capacity. The bird glasses were a neat touch, but you don't get very much in them. Overall, it's a cute place to stop for a quick drink.

A solid hole in the wall place. Friendly service, great overall selection…read more Whiskey - ton of selections... if you can't find something you want hear, you have issues. Beer - ever changing with a great variety! Water - in a cup and potable. Service - friendly and fairly knowledgeable. Ambiance... dark, can be quiet or loud depending on who is there. A little old school, definitely not modern. But clean enough and gets the job done!

Not light on the pour! My first drink was very good and the bartender was attentive and polite. I…read moredidn't catch his name but if I were to go back I'd definitely look for him to make my drink

Having grown up in the area, The Forgot Store was for the longest time, just that, a store. If…read moreyou needed something and didn't want to drive all the way "into town", The Forgot Store was where you went. After college, when I moved back to town, I started hearing about how great their house pizza was. Having remembered it as a grocery store, I was a little confused, but filed it away. Earlier this year, I finally made it back out to give this legendary pizza a try, and I was not disappointed. It lived up to the hype. (And if you're ever there on a Saturday night, and they have the prime rib pocket, do yourself a favor and order it. It's divine!) Heck, let's be honest, I haven't had anything on the menu that I wouldn't order again. The Forgot store has become "our spot" where my boyfriend and I go for cheap beer, great food, salt of the earth patrons, and where the wait staff remembers our names and what we're probably going to order. It's a dive bar where you don't have to dress to impress. But if you do, nobody's going to give you grief about how you're in the wrong part of town. You're not going to find a sophisticated bar setup with all the latest craft cocktails available, or dozens of tap handles with specialized or trendy beers available. That's part of the appeal. Going to the Forgot Store isn't about seeing and being seen. It's about good food, affordable drinks, a couple sporting events on the TV behind the bar, and a relaxing way to spend a Friday night.

I really like stopping in this place during the summer. On Sundays, they have live music that…read morestarts at 4 PM on their patio. Fairly priced drinks and food! The staff is always friendly as well as the patrons. Decent amount of shade on the patio on hot days is helpful!

We stopped by Public House for a drink while working on finishing our Martini Passport and really…read moreenjoyed it! They had great live music while we were there. There's a nice outdoor patio in the back, plus a couple of tables out front if you want to sit outside. The bartender was really friendly and attentive, and service was quick. Overall, just a really nice spot to enjoy a drink, listen to some live music, and hang out. We had a great experience and would definitely stop by again!

Can't recommend this place right now. My drink was really watered down. There was hardly any flavor…read morefrom the rye whiskey in my mixed drink. But that was the highlight I was most looking forward to. There wasn't much flavor of anything else, either. Even the chili spice sugar garnish on the rim was lackluster. Pity. Decor was okay, but it smelled kind of sour inside, as if cleaning hadn't been done properly or often. Same with the seating outdoors--dingy, sagging, unkempt. Bar area seemed a bit disorganized, and something sticky was on the outside of my drink that got on my hands right as I received it. Service was friendly but just okay--it wasn't too busy when we arrived, and we still had to wait an incommensurate amount of time for drinks. Overall, not much to impress. Recommend a pass on this place.

Popped in with my other half to kill some time and ended up staying longer than planned…read more Sam was behind the bar and she was phenomenal. great conversation, quick with the pours, and just one of those bartenders who makes the whole place feel comfortable without trying too hard. The vibe is exactly what you want from a local spot: chill, welcoming, and zero pretension. If you're in the area and want a no‑nonsense bar with genuinely good service, this is the move.

Hours are incorrect. Claims to be open until 3am. We came at 10pm and doors are locked. wanted to…read moregive them a try!!

Wanna go out with your girls? Revival House should be your first stop of the night. Interior - a…read morevibe! The bartenders - the friendliest! Good spot for a few laughs and drinks! Drink recommendation - green tea cocktail & mai tai!

Revival House was one of the most unique cocktail bars I visited in Des Moines! Hidden in downtown,…read morethis tiki-themed bar feels like you've stepped into a tropical oasis with bamboo accents, colorful lighting, and fun vintage-inspired décor. The cocktail menu is full of creative tropical drinks, and the atmosphere is what really makes this place stand out! It's cozy, immersive, and the perfect spot for a date night, catching up with friends, or starting an evening downtown. We went on a mini road trip to Des Moines from Kansas City and this was the first spot we visited! Every corner has its own personality, making it just as fun to look around as it is to sip your drink. If you're looking for a cocktail bar that's a little different from the norm, Revival House is definitely worth adding to your Des Moines itinerary.

Service - our server was pretty efficient, good service, and friendly…read more Ambiance - it was a regular bar and grill vibe, nothing special. Food - I ordered a blue cheese bacon burger with fries and I was not impressed. The burger was overcooked and they put way too much blue cheese that made it hard to eat. The fries were perfectly cooked and that was delicious.

How do you run out of corned beef and cabbage before dinner on freakin St Patrick's day???…read more Poor planning, poor management, just bad. I'm a regular customer there. Not sure I will be anymore

Trap Room is a total vibe. Walking in feels like stepping into your great aunt's swanky vintage…read morebasement -- complete with seasonal kitschy holiday decor, velvet paintings, and perfectly moody lighting that sets the tone just right. It's got charm, character, and zero pretension. The service is always friendly, but never fake -- no forced small talk or over-the-top energy, just genuinely cool people who seem to enjoy what they do. It makes the whole experience feel laid-back and easy, like you're part of the regular crowd even if it's your first time. The rotating cocktail menu always has something fun to try, but the real star of the show is their Bloody Mary -- absolutely legendary. Bold, flavorful, and consistently on point. They've also got a patio, which is a great spot to hang when the weather's decent. The location is super convenient, especially if you're heading to or from a show at the Slowdown. Whether you're just stopping in for a drink or planning to linger, Trap Room nails that cozy, quirky neighborhood bar energy.

The Trap Room is my go-to spot before any show at The Slowdown--convenient, chill, and consistently…read moresolid. The drinks are great and reasonably priced, with an awesome happy hour that makes it easy to start the night right. I'm obsessed with their hibiscus margarita (on tap!) and the French 75. Perfect little gem near downtown.