I love Saddle with all my heart. I've had so many great memories here, and it's where I usually end…read moremy night out with friends. The drinks are STRONG, but the people are stellar and so fun. Even waiting in the bathroom line is a fun time. This is such an inclusive space and I hope it sticks around for a long time. Every drag performer I've seen here works it like no other. Cash only!

My friend and I came here last night and had a really good time. The first thing I noticed was how…read morepacked it was. There was a show going on and the talent was an interesting mix, while the energy in the room was high and loud. When the show ended, the stage square became open for dancing, so we shook it out like we had rent due. Since this bar appears to be a no-bro-zone, dancing this way runs little to no risk of catching a clingon from behind. I appreciate this a lot. The music was filled with vulgar, thumpy bass - the kind that almost demands that grinding is the only acceptable way to dance. High brow stuff, you know? I was surprised that there weren't more people dancing, actually. It took a long time to catch the bartender's attention, but they were really busy and I think each side could have probably used two. Either way, it was friendly service! This is CASH ONLY though, and drag costs money, so brings them dollars for drinks and tips!

Fabulous. Love the…read morefood menu & drinks. Love the staff. Love the patio great prices & service. Props to Rusty.

Very queer friendly, great people, food, and performances and positive atmosphere. I Appreciate the…read moreowner very much

I'm an out of person so this is new to me. Honestly really good food. Thought the steak would be…read morelonger than thick however that's what I'm used to so no biggie. The steak and fries are great more loving the fries than the steak, the steak was good bit charred but still good regardless. Didn't taste much of the garlic butter which is sad but no biggie. The service was great like really great my group got their drinks refilled often and didn't have to wait long for the food

5.0* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 5*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $22 05/13/2026 Quick lunch visit today following Firebirds offer to buy lunch for a veteran with an accompanying diner. This was an awesome gesture on their part and a great excuse for me to join a military veteran for lunch and thank him for his service. Given the free meal for him...that drove my Value rating to 5*, which enabled a very rare 5* rating overall! As with every meal at Firebirds, we were also treated to the fresh out of the oven loaf of dinner bread that is oh, so good with butter melted into it! Today I enjoyed Fish Tacos (see picture) and boy, were they delicious! Based on the weigh-in the following morning, the salt content might have been part of the reason for the great flavor...but it was worth it.

Didn't have any food here but did have a few drinks. No complaints…read more We kind of accidentally went here on our way to Ceviche. I'll definitely be back. Really enjoyed the vibe.

Incredible little low-key spot. It's grungy, it's cool, you meet creative and interesting people…read morethere. Everyone is very friendly, and it's a great vibe. We just moved back here and my coworker recommended it. We've now been twice and loved it both times. There's absolutely nothing like in Des Moines-- It feels like New York underground, but Des Moines, down to earth, easy parking and SO welcoming. Also, bartenders are super nice. The girl bartender servicing us even said she would make us a custom cocktail, based on what we were in the mood for. My husband told her what he was craving and she made him exactly that. Might I add...with little information on his part. (He's not the biggest talker hehe!). He said it was his favorite drink he's ever had. Tonight was a little more chill, but the first time everyone was dancing and it was just as fun both times. This is our favorite new little spot and we will definitely be back!!

Run, don't walk, get to this bar and settle in. Great drinks, vibes and service. If you get down…read morewith retro, it's your groove.

Hands down one of the coolest bars I've ever visited. We randomly stopped while in town for a…read morewedding and it was the perfect way to end our night. Somewhat nondescript from the street (except for a neon sign), you walk into an office building and wonder if you're in the right place. Yes, yes you are. A hostess greeted us, checked our IDs, and escorted us to a table. The drinks were strong and the service was outstanding. My perimenopausal brain has no recollection of what I ordered, but I came with a mini disco ball charm for keeps! Every time I look at it, I think of Hello, Marjorie. Don't sleep on this place! Highly recommend.

Tiki bar that transforms you to the beachy vibes. Very cute interior with great service and drinksread more

This tiny house is giving Des Monies the vibes it's missing…read more.. On a short layover in Iowa, I was looking for good drinks and food without a lot of waiting or being overcrowded. What I found was a little gem off of one of the main roads in downtown Des Monies. Even before you enter this self described "Tiki Bar" you see all the brick buildings, and then you see an actual grass covered roof...yep that's the place and a really nice touch. The interior is equally cool and spacious, you are greeted by the bar area immediately when you walk in. To your right are comfy couches and instagram friendly neon wall signs, with that signature tiki touch of floral patterns and great lighting. The location is connected to a Asian food restaurant, so they get their food from them as you drink some of the most well crafted adult drinks I've had in a while. I came for happy hour on a Saturday 4:00pm-6:30pm. The drinks were basically 2.00 off with discounted food, the menu is limited to mostly chicken wraps and crab rangoons etc. I will say the portions were filling and very delicious. The star of the show was my El Colmillo, a tequila based drink with lime, orange juice, lime. The bartender did say it's all pre mixed, and that day she subbed the tequila with Casamigos, because the house tequila was out. Customer service was great, until it wasn't. Our server was excellent, until a guy came in off break and they seemed to have some tension. She really didn't have that same positive energy as before, otherwise an overall excellent experience. Pro Tip: Take a walk over to "Hello, Marjorie", it's a completely different vibe but drinks there are just as good...if not better. Go see Travis, he is 10/10 at "Hello, Marjorie".

This place is starting to become one of the places we pop in to when we are downtown. Atmosphere is…read morefun with an obvious nod to the Chicago Bears but still feels like an old, big city bar rather than a new sports bar you'd see in the suburbs. Their special drink seems to be a "mini beer" which is a shot that looks like a beer. Personally, I am not a fan of the scented candles, but they moved it for me when I politely asked when there wasn't another place I could move to. Definitely a place to check out when you are in the East Village, and a must if you are a Bears fan.

A great location and space for all Bear's fans. And even if you are not a Bear's fan, you will…read moreenjoy hanging out in this cozy sliver of Chicago here in Des Moines. I have never had a bad time in my visits and you can get all the classic Chicago beers and drinks you can think of!

I'm not originally from Iowa so I had this place recommended to me by a few people when I came into…read moretown. It's a nice place and easy location. Walking in we were immediately greeted and led to our table. They had a QR code (see pictured) of their extensive local beer selection. $7.00 for a 16oz or 3.50 for 6oz I got a few 6oz selections to try a few different options which was an enjoyable experience. Lily was kind and attentive even the busier it got throughout the evening. Thank you so much for the service!

What an amazing stop for some fantastic Iowa craft beers! The staff was extremely friendly and…read morehelpful with the beer and food selection. They were quick when we wanted to order and the food came out exactly as described. The bar and seating area was open and inviting. It was a little earlier in the midday on a Friday, but it was still pretty open for anyone to enjoy. I'd go back for another couple of different beers!

We wandered in on a week night and had so much fun! I imagine given the gorgeous space, incredible…read moredrinks, attentive serve, and delicious bites, this place is packed on the weekends. Oh and BTW... The Contrary in Des Moines has also been recognized as a national semifinalist for Best New Bar ( 2026 ). The Food is elevated Bar Bites The Drinks are contemporary craft ( both cocktails and mocktails ) and the Vibe is New York Chic with Iowa Elbow Room.

I've been here a few times this is a beautiful, Chill, Great Vibe's bar that speaks to you like a…read morespeakeasy with the crafted cocktails it has it all, but prior to visiting before I wasn't a fan of the cocktails. I'm not sure what change but the menu got an upgrade and the cocktails were fantastic and the small bits were sickening. That Date dessert needs to be studied because it was too damn good. I'll be back!

I really don't want to review this place because, if people realize how cool it is, it will be…read moreimpossible to get a table. Awesome, small speakeasy with a macabre vibe. This is where Edgar Allen Poe would hung out. If you're a cocktail enthusiast, they have some great options and offer an authentic absinthe fountain. If you're a mocktail drinker, they have a variety of NA options to make drinks with that aren't just overly sweet, fruity drinks. Old horror movies on the projector with popcorn adds to the vibe, if you're looking for something off the beaten path. Great addition to the DSM speakeasy scene!

From the owner: Amidst the strains of haunting melodies and the whisper of hidden corridors, The Haunt offers a…read morerefined sanctuary for those who seek to commune with the enigmatic, where every sip is an invocation of the sublime and the supernatural.