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Des Moines, IA

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Iowa Whiskey Selection
Brandie A.

Check out the speakeasy downstairs. The offer a great variety of drinks and friendly bartenders.

Heidi H.

We didn't plan a head for dinner before an event at Wells Fargo arena. We found Ken's, we walked right down the steps and got a table right away. The bartender/waiter made us delightful cocktails. We were able to order appetizers to share and make it to our event on time. We shared the Iowa hamballs, cheese curds, and the jalapeño poppers. They all were amazing. Would definitely go back again.

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

What a neat bar and our server was great! Really felt like we were in an old school speakeasy. Will most definitely be going back!

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Ask the Community - Ken's

Whiskey River - Free pool

Whiskey River

3.1(54 reviews)
30.2 mi
•$

Well I liked Whiskey River a lot more than some of the other reviewers here! Came here with a group…read moreafter a football game, and the place was packed, and every inch of every wall was covered with holiday lights. Where I'm from, they would call this a Christmas Bar and charge $50 just to get in! The service was amazing and the food was decent bar food. Great music, bartenders jump on the bar to dance, big screens with more football. What's not to love? Try the fried pickles!

8/17/26 11:30 p.m…read more Where to start? Well, when you walk in, you're greeted with a prominent musty smell and an incredibly sticky floor. The overall decor is very "college frat house," lol. Don't get me wrong, it's fun, but it's all over the place. Including the moose head full of bras, lol. The condensation from the AC ductwork is dripping all over the bar, including on the tables, chairs, and pool table. It wasn't too busy, but the bartender on shift didn't seem to want to acknowledge us while we waited at the bar to order. For the majority of the time we were there, she seemed as if she didn't want to be working and did not seem very happy. We did wind up getting a smile from her by the end of the night, though, and she seemed to cheer up a little. The bathrooms were an absolute disaster, and I would recommend risking a ticket going outside rather than using those bathrooms. They looked and smelled as if they hadn't been cleaned in months. Overall, the prices were not too bad. The specialty shots seemed a little steep for the small amount of alcohol that was actually in them, but they're "specialty," so...

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Whiskey River
Whiskey River
Whiskey River

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Ken's - beerbar - Updated November 2026

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