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    The Lift

    4.1 (80 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Lift Photos

    THE LIFT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lift

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    Lift martinis. Best in DSM.
    Amy S.

    If it weren't for the Lift, my husband and I wouldn't be married (seriously), so clearly I give this place 5 stars! Beyond our love story, however, this little downtown martini bar rocks. Outside, the Lift is unassuming and doesn't necessarily look like much, tucked away on 4th Street. But come inside, and you will find a warm, dark, welcoming atmosphere with friendly, quick, knowledgeable bartenders. The drinks are yummy and fairly priced. Be sure to visit on Wednesday for half off martinis (or maybe it's buy one get one free...either way I get two and pay for one). They don't serve food here, but we have brought in food from other local joints after checking with the bartenders. Be sure to read the other reviews of the Lift too--I didn't know about the other events that happen here, and other Yelpers have great insights!

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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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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Best bar in Des Moines. Great music. Friendly staff. Martinis are fire! Local art available for purchase too! Love this place!

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Drinks were delicious. Bartender Carlos was amazing, worth the stop for sure. We also had a coffee liqueur shot that was the bomb.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great place if you're looking to catch up with friends over some more sophisticated cocktails. Very nice bartender and great drink menu.

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Ava and Ryan are the best bartenders! Wednesday night half price martinis are my fave

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    12 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    19 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    19 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Lift

    Review Highlights - The Lift

    The martinis are perfect, you get to listen to live Jazz on Tuesdays, and I love how small and intimate it is inside.

    Mentioned in 26 reviews

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    Revival House

    Revival House

    4.5(33 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This tiny house is giving Des Monies the vibes it's missing…read more.. On a short layover in Iowa, I was looking for good drinks and food without a lot of waiting or being overcrowded. What I found was a little gem off of one of the main roads in downtown Des Monies. Even before you enter this self described "Tiki Bar" you see all the brick buildings, and then you see an actual grass covered roof...yep that's the place and a really nice touch. The interior is equally cool and spacious, you are greeted by the bar area immediately when you walk in. To your right are comfy couches and instagram friendly neon wall signs, with that signature tiki touch of floral patterns and great lighting. The location is connected to a Asian food restaurant, so they get their food from them as you drink some of the most well crafted adult drinks I've had in a while. I came for happy hour on a Saturday 4:00pm-6:30pm. The drinks were basically 2.00 off with discounted food, the menu is limited to mostly chicken wraps and crab rangoons etc. I will say the portions were filling and very delicious. The star of the show was my El Colmillo, a tequila based drink with lime, orange juice, lime. The bartender did say it's all pre mixed, and that day she subbed the tequila with Casamigos, because the house tequila was out. Customer service was great, until it wasn't. Our server was excellent, until a guy came in off break and they seemed to have some tension. She really didn't have that same positive energy as before, otherwise an overall excellent experience. Pro Tip: Take a walk over to "Hello, Marjorie", it's a completely different vibe but drinks there are just as good...if not better. Go see Travis, he is 10/10 at "Hello, Marjorie".

    Simone is the coolest bartender. She went way above and beyond with her service, up to pulling out…read morea light and taking pictures for me and my friend. They have such a lowkey cool vibe here. This is a great place to pull thru with a group of friends.

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    Revival House
    Revival House - Seating

    Seating

    Revival House - El Colmillo

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    El Colmillo

    Iowa Taproom

    Iowa Taproom

    4.0(449 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    I stopped in on a Friday night with a small group of friends and we were seated right away. It took…read morea little bit for our sever to come to us, but we didn't mind. We ordered drinks and food. Both came out without having to wait too long. Everyone enjoyed their meal here. I wouldn't say there's anything super special we couldn't wait to eat again, but good food and reasonable prices is a win for me. Our favorite part about this place is how many beers on tap they have. It's so fun to get a flight and try lots of local craft drinks. Definitely the place to be for a few drinks and good vibes with friends.

    The service is really good! The hostess was friendly, and the waitress was attentive…read more The food is not good. I've been a handful of times, and everything is always overcooked and dry. I finally have decided I'm not going back after a few failed tries; the spinach and artichoke dip literally gave my friend and I food poisoning (we hadn't seen each other in over a week and this is the only thing we shared, and our symptoms started at the exact same time). I do love that they have the gluten conscious menu. But the chicken ranch meal is so dry it's not worth the money. The Cole slaw has the least flavor I've ever experienced (and I love Cole slaw). The burgers come out overcooked. I haven't strayed away from sandwiches or salads, maybe the pasta is good? I won't be going back, though.

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    Iowa Taproom
    Iowa Taproom
    Iowa Taproom

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    The Lift - bars - Updated May 2026

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