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Seven Flags Event Center

1.8 (23 reviews)
ModerateMusic Venues
Closed • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Dedicated outdoor smoking area that connects inside from the concert
David S.

This is a pretty good venue for concerts. I read that some of the other reviewers had long waits; however, I did not experience any wait. The will call was not at a dedicated window like some venues. Instead, it was an informal will call where the staff checking tickets, which was located just inside the building, had a printed-off list. Once you enter, there was no exit, which is typical for most venues. There was a dedicated smoking area outside that was fenced off and was only accessible from the inside. This was a great feature to have at the venue so the smokers did not have to sneak a smoke inside. The venue's facilities were great. The restrooms were well-lit and clean. Also, the restrooms were quiet which made them the best place to make a phone call during a set! At the end of the venue, there was a bar that spanned the entire width so there was plenty of space to order drinks and just hangout. The bar was very-well stocked for a concert! They had the typical domestic beer options, a few selections of import beer, and some liquor options for mixed drinks and/or shots. I was very impressed to see that they had Goose Island IPA!! All beers were $6. Also, the bar area was better-lit than the rest of the venue, which was nice so I could actually see when I was buying drinks. There was also a concession stand adjacent to the bar that sold pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, soda, and water bottles. The venue itself was a large metal building warehouse so it wasn't as crowded as Val Air. Also, the venue had an excellent HVAC system. On the evening of our concert, it was about 85 degrees outside with very high humidity. Inside the building, the temperature and humidity were perfect: not too cold and not too hot. That was pretty impressive given the number of warm bodies present. Even with all of these great items, this venue still gets (3) stars because of the audio problems. Every band that went on stage complained of technical difficulties. I am not a musician but the audio was a little off. For example, the bass didn't sound right and the vocals weren't as crisp. Overall, I would prefer to go to a concert at 7 Flags than Val Air. They just need to fix their audio issues then they would be a (4) star venue.

Fight night
Karrie T.

Sooooo...my first experience to this venue was NOT a great one! Where do I start? Attended a fight night. First thing I did when I got there was get in line for food. The line had about 10 people in it and moved slightly faster than a snail's pace. I ordered a walking taco, and they told me they were out of lettuce. What? This is at the beginning of the night! Apparently they didn't stock their concession stand properly (or at all!) for the event. I said that was fine, just put everything else on it (meat, chips, cheese n tomatoes). They still charged me the full, too-high price of $6, no discount. The beer prices are equally just as overpriced. $6 for a 12-oz can of beer! Really? If you're going to charge that much, it should at least be a tall boy. The mixed drinks are the same price, which is a standard price I would say. AND the kicker, CASH ONLY in the whole place, so I'm sure for a nice fee you have to use their ATM if all you brought was your card. What modern business nowadays doesn't accept credit cards? We paid $50 each for table seats. Should be great seats, ringside, right next to all the action, right?WRONG! Our table was located about 30-40 feet away from the ring. We did not have a great view and people kept standing in the walkway in front of us to watch the fight, so we had to stand up and still couldn't see that well. Definitely NOT worth the money! There was ONE big screen waaaaay over in the opposite corner from where we were sitting, but we couldn't see it all that well, and even if we could, the picture was terrible. The picture had a bluish tint, was blurry, certainly not high def. The wait service was decent. They came around every so often and were adequately attentive. The PA sound system was horrible! You couldn't understand a word anyone was saying, just muffled voices coming out of the speakers, very outdated. I have never been to a concert here, but based on what I heard, I would not waste my money. They need to do some major updates! If the owner would actually invest some money into this place it would be a real gem of Des Moines, but apparently he/she is a real cheapskate! The only thing I can say positive about this place is the bathrooms are nice. 1 star!

Neil F of CLUTCH
Sara W.

Super easy to pick up will call tickets, super easy ID check. Great sound. Plenty of space! Only complaint drinks were a tab pricey, it that's expected at a special events space. Bring CASH

8pm. One hour after the doors opened. First band was playing. Didn't get inside for another 95 minutes.

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Vibrant Music Hall

Vibrant Music Hall

(19 reviews)

New venue in Waukee woooot wooooot! We saw Phil Rosenthal here and here was our experience:…read more PARKING: We paid $15 for premier parking and that got us access to the main lot - a few steps from the entrance. My mom said the regular parking lot is a few blocks away, so might be worth paying extra for a good spot! ENTRANCE: For our show, it was easy! We arrived an hour prior to the start and got in within 5 minutes. Staff was quick in checking our tickets and getting us in. SPACE: This space is stunning and clearly brand new! Cool local mural on the wall, fun designs and decor, great bar lighting and ambiance. DRINKS: Priceyyyy haha pregame elsewhere! A simple cocktail was $20+. But the amount of bars is a LOT - like 5+? - so you'll not have to wait in line long. FOOD: They had a corn dog or popcorn available at our show - not much for concessions. Again, I'd pregame elsewhere! BATHROOMS: Great facilities! Very clean, tons of stalls and sinks. And a cool vibe in there - hats off to the designer. MAIN FLOOR: On the main floor, it's usually GA/standing room only for concerts I'm sure. But for ours - a more interview style show, we had fold out chairs. The stage was high enough we never had any issue seeing! UPPER SEATING: The seats up here are super comfy looking - maybe quite a bit further back and I'm not sure how the view compares, but so comfy! The best seats are the company-bought "box seats" similar to at a baseball game. There is a row of seats right along the rail but I think you'd have to look out through the railing if seated.

This venue looks new! From an initial first impression it looks very clean…read more I'm not sure about the service but there's a bar as soon as you walk in the lobby. A coat check next to the bathrooms. And bars in the concert area. The parking people were pretty nice. Premier parking is way closer than how the map makes it look. Kinda recommended it since it made getting to the venue and then leaving pretty smooth!

Val Air Ballroom

Val Air Ballroom

(24 reviews)

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.

Noce - The Des Moines Big Band with excellent solos

Noce

(51 reviews)

$$

We try to catch at least one show a year at Noce (but it is always nice when we go more than…read moreonce!). We usually try to go as part of my birthday celebration and tonight we enjoyed the Des Moines Big Band playing "Sounds of the Season". Two hour show with about a 20-minute break and it was an excellent concert. My husband and I both enjoy jazz and Noce is an excellent venue. Small and intimate with a full bar and, if you are hungry, you can order a cheese plate or salty snacks. There was a biting wind when we went tonight so the hot toddy warmed us from the inside out. Our server replenished the hot water midway through, which was appreciated. Great night out, we really should do it more often!

Max Wellman has created and fostered one of the warmest, most welcoming, creative and lovely rooms…read morein all of Central Iowa with Noce! It is among my favorite local gems to introduce locals and visitors alike to. The jazz music line-up is always evolving, and Max has such a gift for curating a calendar that elevates other artists (musicians, singers, dancers and more). I have so many fond memories made here over the past 9 years. It's a grown-up night out that's not stuffy or stale, and the service is always a beautiful ballet to watch, too! Highly recommend visiting early and often throughout the year, any time Max and/or Napoleon are singing or for all of the Voix de Ville and holiday shows you can snag tickets for. You won't be disappointed!

Wooly's

Wooly's

(53 reviews)

$$

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.

Seven Flags Event Center - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

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