Are we having fun yet? You should be!…read more Stopped here again to get my helping of karaoke singers and pop culture. Street or lot parking. As you walk in, the bar is right in from of you. If you look right the small stage is where you can have the spotlight and sing your heart out. Get in your song choice cause it is hoppin tonight. There is a decent selection of drinks on tap. You can grab your drink and hang or you can make your way around to the other rooms where video games are a plenty. Take your quarters. Grab your drink. Play your hearts desire. Some fantastic old pinball to some more current games. They even have a small kitchen if you get the munchies. If you need to get a shipping fix. There is even a small store that sells unique gifts. The bartenders were on point tonight, and no one was ignored. We all had fun and I really like the place.

6/13/26 11:00 p.m…read more What a fun concept!!! I love all of the retro games! There are a ton to choose from, but only one pool table. The games are separate from the bar and karaoke area, which is nice when you're there for the games lol. Overall, it was clean inside and outside, and even the bathrooms were really well maintained. They provide a quarter machine in the game area for convenience. We didn't try the food, but it smelled good and came out for others pretty quickly. Drink prices aren't too high either. Only one of three bartenders paid is any kind though, even when the other two weren't with other people. The one bartender that did help us was pleasant and had a smile every time. One of the other bartenders looked like he didn't want to be there, and the third never even looked up at us. Outback, they have a smoking area, and it was a decent size. Unfortunately, it has no cover, so when it rains, all of the chairs get wet, so you can't sit down. All in all, this is a fun place with plenty of room to bring friends and have a good time.

Some friends and I went to a bar in an Iowa community to do some karaoke thinking it would be…read moresomething fun and different. We get there, ask to look over a book and immediately the owner of knightlife was rude, treating me like I was stupid for not knowing where the book was or how his process worked. We signed up for a song and when it was our turn, we went for the mic and we're met by more rudeness. The guy got mad and snapped at us telling us we had to wait. Once we got up to sing the lyrics didn't match the song/tempo. He turned the mic way down so no one could be heard. I had to laugh when he took a turn to toot his own horn and sing a song of his own. He grabbed a mic stand, turned the mic up way loud for all to hear, and let it rip. We tried leaving a review on his FB page, but he deleted it probably because he didn't like it. Very unprofessional and rude customer service. If I were the bar hiring this guy I wouldn't be satisfied at all. There are many other DJs or karaoke services to choose from that won't be rude and condescending, plus have quality equipment.

From the owner: Ready to DJ/MC your Special Event with the latest music AND karaoke, contact us anytime for rates.read more

This is a really fun place. We stopped in after lunch on a Saturday afternoon and there was a…read moredecent crowd, but plenty of empty tables. By the time we left a few hours later it was pretty packed. The bartender was alone but was able to keep up with everyone's drink orders, and remembered our 'special' orders. She was pleasant, friendly, and very efficient. Prices are very reasonable and the bathrooms are amazingly clean, bright, and spacious (the women in our group loved them!). Sheltered patio space for nicer weather than in January, and the interior is bright and welcoming, with a good selection of beers, and other drinks. We'll come back!

Cool place, bartenders are great every time. They do a great job of staffing folks that are sassy…read moreand fun. Fun layout too. You can choose your own placement and comfort. Number one thing is best bartenders!!

It's well known this is the worst bar in Ames. The last time I was here, the bartenders decided to…read morestart a little "ice fight" with their bouncer Adam by throwing ice at him. Most of their ice throws missed and hit us, paying customers. I threw some ice back and then the bartenders started whining and said they'd kick us out. Jokes on them; we just left and took our business elsewhere. Short answer here: go to Paddies next door. You will have a better experience, better booze, definitely better bartenders. the bartenders here seem frankly incompetent.

I have drove by this place a hundred times when it's been different bars over the years!…read more Recently it turned into a Country Rock Bar, and since I love the Flying Burrito Brother I thought I should probably stop in there and see if it was Sin City, or the Dark End of the Street type vibes! Naturally this isn't a Flying Burrito Bar, it's more of a modern country (songs I don't know bar) but they have a big Johny Cash wall mural by the pool table! The bartender was nice, and filled me in on their other locations in Ames, IA and in St. Petersburg, FL. So this is the 3rd One Night Stand... :) I think if you dig Country tunes, and Cheap beer you will dig this place! They also do Karaoke on Wednesday night! It's a step above Dive bar and I bet Gram Parsons would have no problem drinking some whiskey here!

Decent bar. Nothing fancy for the physical environment. Bartender was cool and friendly. It's a…read moregood place to grab a beer after work.

From the owner: Bar, Lounge, Karaokeread more

8/6/26 11:45 p.m…read more This little bar is a diamond in the rough for sure! It's small, fun, and perfect for locals that aren't into large college kid crowds. The prices are phenomenal, and the apple pie shots are pretty darn delicious. The bartender on shift when we went in, Leah (I don't know how to spell her name, but that's how she pronounced it lol), was so much fun! She enjoyed herself and engaged with everyone in there without overindulging or breaking the rules. She has a great personality and definitely made our experience there far more enjoyable. They do not have a kitchen anymore, so there are no food options, unfortunately. But everything else definitely makes it worth it. There are also gambling machines for those who enjoy that as well as a pool table.

Leah was incredible! She was so welcoming and attentive. I will be back as soon as we are back in…read moreIowa! Highly recommend for a late night spot!

I always have a great time here at AJ's because I'm a fantastic singer that just haven't been…read morediscovered yet. That's how you'll feel anyway when you get that courage to sing on stage. It doesn't matter how great or bad you are, you are supported by the crowd and karaoke DJ. All of the workers there are super friendly whether you go up to the bar or wait for them to come around and make their rounds. They all seem to be personable and would take the time and shoot the crap with you, also the drink prices seem pretty standard. It's a little tiny of a place but if you need a break from all of the loud music you can go out to the outside patio. Here's a fun thing. I bet you tonight, someone is going to sing Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats", Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper "Shallow", and maybe "I love Rock N Roll" by Joan Jett.

Favorite bar downtown, unequivocally the best karaoke in greater Des Moines- and it's not close…read more Not at all unusual to encounter professional singers in their off hours, or vocal performance majors from Drake- this place is a magnet for the talented. Definitely not a requirement, as terrible singing is also present for an authentic karaoke experience! Would recommend to anyone, the owners and the staff are top notch and always make sure it's a good time. Has been a favorite spot for years, and will continue to be! Convenient to downtown and East Villiage, a great stop for business travelers too. Check it out!

I feel bad not liking this place. In theory it should be great. The space is great with lots of…read morehightop tables, U-shaped bar and not one but two pool tables. Plus they have a ton of TVs so you can see the game from any seat. It's close to where I live so we checked it out again despite some subpar experiences. So for those reasons I will give it 4 stars. However, I always seem to leave irritated and wishing we hadn't stopped by. The bartenders get the job done but just the basics of getting what you want but not necessarily checking in. There were what I am assuming to be a handful of regulars, so that must suit them fine. Beer was cold to that was good but more than we are used to spending. We got the pretzel bites which came out cold with cheese in its original single serve plastic packaging. Which is fine, we ate it. We just thought it would be served warm. And since the bartender kind of disappeared we couldn't ask for it to be heated up.

Went here after arriving from out of town. After standing at the door for several minute, without…read moreany instructions we sat ourselves. The menu was about a fourth of what the website showed. Then, nob can to take our order. At the 10 minute mar, my husband went up to the bar where the bartender was continually vaping behind the bar. She then told us we had to order at the bar. Did not know that. Then, her friend came in with a dog that sat on the bar next to many people's drinks. Gross! Terrible experience. luckily the food was ok.