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    Lauridsen Amphitheater

    3.7 (3 reviews)

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    Wooly's

    Wooly's

    3.9(53 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    I'd heard so much raving about Wooly's, I was excited to see a show there. It was a serious…read moredisappointment. With all the great venues and shows that come through Des Moines I am not in a rush to return. The crowd was extremely rude, talking over the opener. She was a talented songwriter with a gorgeous voice, but it was hard to make out all of her lyrics due to the patrons shouting over her. The place is dirty and staff was less than pleasant. The restrooms cinched the deal for me. They are in a creepy basement and are filthy. I'll pass next time!

    Wooly's is a rad music venue living in the East Village. It's a more intimate venue (just under 700…read morepeople fit) with limited seating (you can get a booth reserved for a fee), a plethora of bars and a diverse calendar of bands/shows. Reasons why Wooly's is rad. -The staff was friendly. -Air circulation -- they have massive fans which are a godsend. -Cool shows come here. -Pricing is on point-- honestly my bar tab was less than I thought! -Tons of food/drink options nearby to grab a bite before or after the show. -Not a bad seat in the house... unless you're stuck behind a giant. Reasons why you may not think Wooly's is rad. -Holy gross bathroom, Batman. -- I mean, this is par for the course. -No coat check? -- I went to a sold out show a random Friday in December and due to it being a sellout there was no coat check! Eek. -AXS App required. -- I'm all for putting tickets in my wallet. Having a separate app was another hoop to jump through but now that I have it, no complaints. Wooly's has been a DSM staple for over a decade. Peep their calendar and go to a show.

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    Wooly's
    Wooly's
    Wooly's

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    Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater - Des Moines river view. Graphics by me.

    Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater

    5.0(3 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    I have never been to Red Rocks, I have never been to the Hollywood Bowl, and I have never been to a…read moreconcert in Central Park in New York City! I do love outdoor concerts, and have been to so many festivals over the years! There is something about the way music moves through open out door space, with the smell of food, beer, and other smells (BO, POT, ETC) running your senses wild! In Des Moines we are lucky enough to have an amazing Amphitheater for shows! Right on the Des Moines River facing downtown, this is probably the most beautiful place in Des Moines and one of the finest in the midwest to see a concert! The stage is round and they bring in great sound! You can stand and dance, or bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on the hill. The Nightfall on the River series is usually really good and has a decent range of up and comers and bands from yesteryear playing! The space is not huge so the shows feel very intimate for an outdoor space! The only real problem with this Amphitheater is if it rains a lot, the DSM river is pretty easy to flood, so shows may get moved.. So keep an eye on the schedule if it's been a rainy season! All and All it's not Red Rocks, but it's still beautiful and it still Rocks!

    The Nadas are a must see here and they brought Fat Tire beer along with them! Next time bring some…read morewine too! Bring you chair or blanket and enjoy! Great location behind the embassy suites on the river in downtown DSM! Upcoming concerts include Barenaked Ladies, Black Crowes, and Ingrid Michaelson. DSM is getting on the map!

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    Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater
    Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater
    Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater

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    Val Air Ballroom

    Val Air Ballroom

    3.0(24 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    The Val Air Ballroom is such a trip. It literally feels like you are walking back into the '70s in…read morethe venue's lime green color palette and style. They also have some far out features like an old school box office (which didn't seem to be in use when we were at our show), a phone booth, and a cute mural of retro musicians. The venue itself was pretty good as far as lighting, seating, and audio go. The event we attended was a comedy show (Jay and Silent Bob), and it was in late June. Being in late June/almost July, it was HOT outside and the venue didn't seem to have very good or any air conditioning that we could feel. Very sticky night. The show we were at was a seated event, so luckily not a lot of movement, but we were still sweating! I could not imagine a concert or show that people are dancing and moving around all night. I think if you see a show posted at the Val Air Ballroom that interests you, definitely consider checking it out. Just be sure to pay attention to the weather that day and dress accordingly (shorts/tanks would have been great for my show!)

    Great venue for a show in this once upon a time ballroom that gives roller rink vibes without the…read moreblacklight decor. Some limited seating is available but expect to show up early to grab it. Not sure if it is a typical policy but the show we went to didn't have reentry, so once you are in you can't go back out until you are ready to leave. My only gripe today was I was on the floor standing by a group who apparently hadn't seen each other in a while because they were really excited about talking and catching up during the show. I get this happens but I haven't experienced something inside this bad. But sound and lighting was great. Beers were more than we were used to ($10/domestic tallboy) but I guess that's just life anymore.

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    Val Air Ballroom
    Val Air Ballroom
    Val Air Ballroom

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    Lauridsen Amphitheater - stadiumsarenas - Updated May 2026

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