While in Des Moines talking with the locals, they suggested Carl's Place. They explained that it was an absolute dive bar, but a great one to visit and one not to pass up while in Des Moines. So, naturally, my friend and I gravitated to Carl's. The outside of the bar isn't labeled, so if you didn't know where it was, you might miss it. We were there at the height of the early afternoon in July and the sun was out in full force. When you walk into the bar, you wouldn't know what time of day or night it is, there aren't any windows to really shine the light through. You definitely get the "dive bar" experience. The bar itself appears a little older, but the patrons and the bartenders were bar none! It was a great bunch of people just there to hang out and enjoy the day. The bar has a small stage that has live music during the weeks. None while we were there, but heard it's pretty good! They had darts and there three different "sections" within the bar. We only had a few drinks but it was well worth the stop! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. read more

See all

Awesome dive bar. Cheap beer, great live band, sketchy bathrooms. What else can you ask for? We always have a great time here. read more

Carl's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The best dive-y atmosphere! Friendly, laid back people. Reasonable prices. A great neighborhood gathering spot to mingle with the locals!

We traveled to town for a concert and stumbled across this bar. This is a perfect "dive bar". The staff were extremely friendly. They let me leave my car while I ubered to a concert, recommended restaurants in the area, and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Drinks were more than reasonable and strong. Garret was so friendly, I hope we cross paths again . They have dart boards which is my favorite. Great time. read more

Carl's Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

I LOVE Carl's. I've been coming here for many years. Great dive bar. There is usually a good mix of customers. They have live music on occasion. Staff is always quick on fulfilling drink orders read more

See all

Perfect little dive bar in a very nice neighborhood, staff very friendly, treated us like we were regulars, cheap beer, multiple TV's over bar for catching whatever game is on. read more

This place is a dive in all the right ways! Bartenders seem to handle a crowd well and I never wait long for a drink. I appreciate that. Tuesday open mic is always fun but loud if you are trying to visit. Might take it to the back room or out front or back. Wings on Wednesday happy hour from the Keg Stand hit the spot. Can't say more or too many people will show up. Have to leave your mark and sign the wall somewhere. Seems like everyone in town has read more

Carl's Place - Open mic night! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Just going to keep this simple - best dive bar in Iowa. The staff and patrons are super welcoming to newcomers and the beer js cheap. There are lots of fun events throughout the week as well. It can't get much better than that. read more

I used to live in Sherman Hill and was a regular before this become a hipster hangout. But it's like coming home to be back in Carls, even though I didn't recognize a soul. Bring some quarters with you as they have 2 pool tables and darts. Great dive bar and perfect if you are bringing a crowd. read more

Carl's Place - Pool room - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fun spot with darts & pool. Affordable drinks and just an overall good neighborhood bar.

It's just that I was treated badly as a woman, and the bar itself is nasty dirty. I would pass it by

Carl's Place has to be my favorite bar in Iowa by far. Our group from WI found this place when we were in town for the NCAA tourney. Beers were reasonably priced, atmosphere was fun, and we had a great time. The bartenders were friendly and the service was great! The artwork and writing on the walls was absolutely hilarious. When you look up "dive bar", there should be a picture of Carl's Place because it is the epitome of what a dive bar is and should be. Fair warning, if you are under 6 ft tall, you may struggle when attempting to use their unusually high urinal in the men's bathroom. In my opinion, the possible ball sack piss bath is worth it for everything else that Carl's Place has to offer! read more

If you can't handle stanktastic bathrooms, and a little dirt on the floor, and maybe a little pimp blood then this place be not for you! This is a five star dive bar! There is a running bet amongst the regulars of when the floor will collapse. What more are you wanting from a dive bar? On a off night it is a local neighborhood bar on weekends this place be a jumping. Everyone will come to carls. I have hung out with true millionaires and broke bums here. You just never know. From time to time they have live bands, or karaoke, but the juke box reigns supreme here! Since it is such a mix of people you will here the most eclectic music ever from rancid to ke$ha. Oh and the regulars will break out in song-a-longs in dance at any moment, so leave your inhibitions at the door and join in. There are four open rooms to this midsize joint. 1) The bar area with large round table by the juke box prime real-estate. 2) The dart room, about 5 or 6 dart boards 3) The video game room where the stage is located 4) the pool table room Also they have some of the best bartenders in DeMo! Stiff drinks FTW! read more

Carl's Place - One of the best bartenders in town. - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is a dive bar but everyone is always welcome. It is a bar that is always busy and many nights they have live bands. If you pull up to the bar you might consider driving away because the building looks very dilapidated. Don't run unless it is to run inside the bar... The bartenders are very pleasant and they have a large selection of liquor and beer. They have dart boards, pool tables and I believe they also have snacks in bags. If you are in the area this is a place that won't disappoint, give Carl's a try! You never know this could become your go to neighborhood joint! read more

I dig Carl's it's my kinda place. But if you are not into DIVE BARS this might not be yours! I dig the neighborhood vibe of Carl's definitely one of those places where everyone knows your name and are always glad you came! On any night of the week this place could either be slammed or slow, so go in expecting the unexpected. Sometimes I have gone in on a Tuesday night and there will be Dj's spinning tunes at arena level volume and sometimes I have gone in on a Saturday night and it quite chill. Either way the drinks are cheap, they keep em coming and it's a bar that most of it's patrons can walk home from. So let's raise a glass and just hope the floor does not cave in at some point! read more

Carl's Place - Carl's Place! - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fun bar! Lots of TVs for watching football. The crowd is a great mix of young and old, white and blue collar. The bartenders do a great job of keeping the drinks flowing, remembering what you ordered before. It's a fun neighborhood place. I may have found my bar home. read more

The place is a pretty cool place and would be fun to hang out at. The reason they receive 4 stars is due to the cleanliness and the social distancing that weren't applied to the bar. I understand it is a dive bar and like dive bars that are a little crazy. But sure if the time of the pandemic they need to step u there game on following the covid guidelines. Will probably go back once covid is over with. read more

Great dive bar in Des Moines! Been going there for years.

It's divey and that's what makes it right. Cheap beer, random shots at random times, an atmosphere that ranges from retirees to off-duty hospital staff, and free food depending what's on tv (like the Series). You're not going to get a selection of craft cocktails, but if that's what it takes to impress your date, you might step elsewhere. Or brig a different date. There's pool, darts, and yes for entertainment. There are also other patrons for entertainment. I'm probably biased because they've got my High Life and they're within walking distance, but that's the joy of Yelp and my opinions. I win. read more

Crowded night with live music. Always an interesting crowd here. Super divey, which adds to the charm. Daily drink specials, too.

Solid neighborhood dive bar. Cheap drinks. Scary bathrooms. The back room is full of dart boards - there are also a couple of pool tables to keep you entertained. Carl's Place is divided up into a few separate, distinct areas so you can easily get away from the noise if it's loud, or monopolize a whole room if you have a big group. Beer selection on tap is pretty minimal and basic - about what you'd expect from a bar like this - but the bottle selection is decent. Carl's Place is a great place to begin or end your night, which we do pretty frequently. And the previous reviewer hit it right on the money with the varied clientele comment - you never know who you're going to run into here! However... avoid the bathrooms at all costs. I can't even count the number of times I've worked myself into a frenzy, convinced the locks were permanently stuck and I would never be able to get out of the again! The doors are very sticky and the bathrooms are just what you'd expect from a true dive bar, so do yourself a favor and find somewhere else to relieve yourself. read more

Carl's place is the kind of place that makes me feel like Im back home in CF. The perfect kind of dive bar where probably not everyone knows your name but after a few drinks they probably will! Every time I end up here I always run into someone I know, usually someone I haven't seen in a long time! Now the bathrooms are a mess and there is usually a long line but there's some great artwork on the walls to keep ya occupied. The drinks are cheap and music is usually good. They have some fun games too but they are usually taken and when its packed they are kind of hard to get to! Live blues on Tuesdays are a plus too! read more

See all

What's not to like about Carl's? It's your local neighborhood dive bar with good service and fairly decent beer selection. It's exactly what you want a dive bar to be. The regular crowd are sometimes rough around the edges but friendly and the atmosphere is always enjoyable. read more

Carl's Place - Booze and beer. - Dive Bars Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Man, I feel old! Worked at this bar during the flood of 93! Glad to see it's still the same ol dive bar!

Absolulty filthy run down bar. Someone got sick in the men's bathroom and it sat all afternoon even after we told an employee. Staff was rude, as usual, assuming it's because the bartenders are 6' 350lbs and prefer intimidation over friendliness. This was once an iconic Dsm gem that lives in he past. It needs new ownership and some TLC read more

Terrific Neighborhood bar! Especially if you're from nearby and looking to get buzzed after a hard day at work. The bartenders' name is Bapo and he's pretty badass! My suggestion is to get to know him. They have free meatball sandwiches on Fridays and free chili on Mondays. They also have a pool table as well if you're an avid pool player. They have a pretty eclectic array of beers as well if you're looking for something out of the ordinary. It's an ideal place to chill out at during weekends with friends or to perhaps catch a football or basketball game. They do have a set of plasma TV sets in there and feature game nights on specific days. And also if you're from the Sherman Hills area make sure you mention that to them as they'll provide you with special consideration! Hope y'all enjoy the place! read more

Best best best local dive bar. Always fun at Carl's. Nice bartenders and cheap drinks. Love Carl's Place!!

A no-muss, no-fuss, no-frills kind of place....but the drinks are cheap and strong! They have dart boards, a pool table and skee-ball thingie. Within walking distance from my friend's apartment, so, I'm sure I'll be back. read more

Friend asked for Bloody Mary and bartender bitched. Saying they don't make them in the afternoon. Granted all it is, is one shot and Bloody Mary mix. Really fucking hard!! Probably to busy drinking with the people at the end of the bar. Won't be coming back! read more

It is very casual & always a good time. Cheap drinks, great bartenders, and always welcoming. read more

Total dive bar and I love it. Perfect to come here for football. Perfect location for me as all my friends live nearby. Love the people everyone's always super friendly and so are the bartenders. read more

I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, people are pretty much on the mark that this is quite possibly a perfect local dive bar. But stress the word LOCAL. If you don't show up with your own company - and aren't part of the neighborhood herd of binge drinkers, hipsters and borderline alcoholics - you will likely not find it very hospitable. At least, you won't quite feel comfortable. The bartenders generally treat you well, but you do generally get the feeling like you're in high school crashing some other school's party. read more

The makings of a great bar? A fun, friendly crowd, reasonably priced drinks and awesome music! Carl's Place on Woodland Ave. in Des Moines is that place. Some call this a dive bar (in a respectful way), but I call it a neighborhood bar. Truly welcoming with local character and a lively clientele (believe me!). I have visited a lot of the drinking establishments of DSM in the past 6 months, and this place is easily my favorite - followed by the High Life Lounge. Thanks to all the owners for such amazing hospitality. I will definitely be back. read more

Probably my favorite bar in Des Moines. Small, dive-y, service is fast, great music. Also, on Friday and Saturday nights they serve nachos for free.... so it doesn't get much better than this! read more

Yessss Carl's Place!! So many happy memories here. Yes, it is a dive. If you don't like dives, definitely don't bother. But I, on the other hand, love dives. Carl's is the epitome of a dive. BUT, it's a dive with friendly service and Big Buck Hunter and darts and pool. So yes. Carl's is on my Des Moines staple list. read more

Gross. Needs updated bartenders. They're tooo ugg comfortable, ugly personally to get your $$ for slewed drinks. Dirty surroundings ! ... and as note mundane bartenders. Hit Ingersoll Ave nicer bars. read more

Carl's is a special, legendary place. Amazingly they take cards. Some domestic taps and affordable drinks all around. Mix of young and old regulars. It's THE watering hole in Sherman Hill. Pool table and darts in back. Charismatic bartenders and great mix of people. It's an experience! The definition of a dive bar - especially the bathrooms. read more

Everything about this bar is perfect. It's cheap, divey, and they have big buckhunter. Everyone is happy and you will be too. Also $2 beers, holler. read more

Carl's is the best neighborhood dive bar! It draws an eclectic crowd, which always results in good people watching. The dart board and jukebox also add an element of fun (impromptu dance party, anyone?). If you're looking for a relaxed, friendly place, go to Carl's! read more

The epitome of a local dive bar! Everyone is friendly - from the other patrons to the staff. I've come to Carl's place in sweatpants, skinny jeans, business casual clothes, and in gym shorts... and I've been treated the same every time. They have a some arcade games and a pool table. The prices are decent and the bar will let you "rent" the east side of the bar for birthday parties and such. Fun, fun, fun! I just wish there were more places to sit. Seeing inebriated male patrons urinate on the side of the building is a regular occurrence. read more